How is your Kumho AT KL-78 holding up? Considering this vs Mich MS2

[Arv]

I was set on getting the Michelin MS2 with $70 rebate (decided this over the Mich AT2) since it is rated better in snow and ice than the AT2 on consumer reports and per Michelin. Then I found the KL-78s on sale too with a $80 rebate which is rated better than the MS2 for snow and surprisingly dry braking too which is great since I am in Northern Nevada (mostly dry). Tied for ice, wet braking, and ride. Too bad it gets beat by the MS2 in handling, hydroplaning (not worried about this since we don’t get much rain in the valley), noise (no surprise HT vs AT), rolling resistance, and thread life. So this is where I’m a little bit concerned about, though I ‘m willing to sacrifice some hit in thread life for performance in snow/ice, I don’t want to replace my tires after 30 to 40K miles as compared to supposedly 60k to 70K on the Mich MS2. The big savings on the KL78s (over $150) is tempting but if wears out too soon then it just negates the savings and will cost you more in the long run specially if the thread wear gets somewhat low (but still perfectly usable for dry weather) just before winter and makes you want to get new tires. I drive 90-95% on paved roads with no real off-roading (just camping really) but I do go up the hill to snowboard often in the winter hence the snow/ice requirement.

So how’s your KL-78s holding up and how many miles do you think you are going to get out of them?
But most of all how do you like it?

BTW I'll be honest and admit that I really want the look of an AT tire...I know that you are not supposed to base your decision on looks but hey if you can get the best of both worlds (or close to) then why not.

 

[Arv]

Anyone?

 

[JB.]

I'd be interested in hearing from some owners, too. Unfortunately, I don't think many people run this tire which is kind of a shame, actually.

Kuhmo seems to have created a tire with top shelf traction qualities but such things often play second fiddle to marketing and somewhat random popularity trajectories.

Actual differences in traction are hard to experience and measure directly and accurately (though imagining personal expertise seems to be a popular pastime). Tread life, on the other hand, is easy to see.

There's a triangle in tire design consisting of Traction - Tread wear - Rolling Resistance. Increasing one tends to sacrifice one or both of the others. Considering the KL-78s unmatched traction qualities, unimpressive tread life should not be too unexpected.

You've already alluded to the fact that they compete better if compared on a miles-per-dollar basis. I guess it just boils down to how much of a hassle you consider it to be to visit the tire store.

 

[Arv]

JB,
Thanks for your post. In searching for the answer to my question(s) I've encountered may of your posts including the one on "LT tires need more air pressure".

Yeah, I will make a decision this weekend and to make my decision harder, the Hankook Dynapro ATM also caught my eye and as per your "triangle" it seems to have a slightly harder compound than the KL78 hence a lower dry braking score (still equal to the MS2), same snow and ice ratings, worse ride and noise, but better rolling resistance and thread wear than the KL78. Arrghh.... Didn't think it would be this hard to choose a tire. Not only that I have to do it for my 94 Nissan PU and my wife's RX300.

 

[JB.]

We sound similarly analytical when it comes to tire selection, but I don't consider tire shopping to be very hard.

On the other hand, one can't help but notice the frequent and constant agonizing over tire choice that takes place here (and presumably) elsewhere.

I suspect it is the desire for attributes outside of cold hard data that makes the decision hard for so many (looks, perhaps popularity, etc).

Being a boring nerd sometimes has its advantages.

 

[Arv]

I thinks its because we're fellow Nevadans!
The CR ratings help a lot in making the choice and manufacturer specs/ratings if choosing from the same company. What baffles me is when people recommend tires that don't really cut it for the application. I'm like seriously? Did you do your research? That particular tire might have worked for them but it just does not jive with the application of the OP or there are much better options out there.
I normally put thread wear as just a tie breaker and never give it as much weight as on-road + snow/ice performance. But of course I don't go overboard and watch the $$$ to performance gains.
I just got done recommending P7s after doing research for my aunt and even called DT to set-up the price match for her but when she got there she somewhat got swayed into buying the Yokohama Yk580s which I think is due to the mileage she can get on those.
I'm a firm believer in not skimping out on tires. It's the only thing that's between you and the road. And just imaging that small contact patch. What amazes me is that on road bikes they are like less than a square inch!

 

[Arv]

UPDATE: Looks like the new consumer reports Nov 2014 issue has lowered the snow ratings one notch down for the cooper Dis AT3, Hankook ATM, and Kumho KL78. So they are just now on par with the Mich AT2. So there goes their snow advantage over the AT2.
The ATM still has the dry braking advantage but I've heard a lot of people complain about the noise after putting some miles on them, I wonder if this is just normal noise that you would expect as tires wear down specially AT tires.