Zebelkhan

The Kumho solus KR21 is rated at 104T speed rating which is exactly the same rating as the OEM Goodyears. I cant understand what the big deal is in entering or exiting the highways at high speeds when you are routinely driving at 80Mph! Surely you cant be driving much more than 60 or 70 Mph when entering or exiting the highway and these tires are more than capable of handling that.
Thanks

Muranomax

I think he means the cloverleaf offramps - if you tried to take it at 60-70, you'd flip the Murano or at the very least plow into the guardrail.

 

I think he means the cloverleaf offramps - if you tried to take it at 60-70, you'd flip the Murano or at the very least plow into the guardrail.

Eric L

My point is that if Goodyears can handle it so can the Kumhos.These two tires are identical in their specs.

Thanks

Muranomax

 

Eric L

My point is that if Goodyears can handle it so can the Kumhos.These two tires are identical in their specs.

Thanks

Muranomax

Speed rating doesn't really tell how the tire will handle at the limits, just how well the tire tolerates higher temperatures associated with high speed driving. However, I do agree that two tires with the same speed rating should give *similar* handling traits, up to a certain limit that one would rarely exploit in the real world.

 

I put 1000+ miles on the new KR21's in the last 2 days -- Colorado to Wisconsin. They are definitely a different feeling tire from the Goodyears. They seem to be stiffer, ride a bit harder. In fact, I have somewhat of a vibration -- not big, but enough that I feel it in the seat of my pants, and slightly in the steering wheel. Perhaps there is a bit of a balance problem, or an out of round tire. Anyone else have this problem? I noticed on another internet chat board that a couple of people mentioned that their car had a vibration with the KR21's.

Pete

 

I put 1000+ miles on the new KR21's in the last 2 days -- Colorado to Wisconsin. They are definitely a different feeling tire from the Goodyears. They seem to be stiffer, ride a bit harder. In fact, I have somewhat of a vibration -- not big, but enough that I feel it in the seat of my pants, and slightly in the steering wheel. Perhaps there is a bit of a balance problem, or an out of round tire. Anyone else have this problem? I noticed on another internet chat board that a couple of people mentioned that their car had a vibration with the KR21's.

Pete

Pete

That is a balancing problem. Its not unique to Kumho tires. I believe its due to the fact that the older balancing machines are not able to balance the 18 inch wheels correctly. I had the same problem with the Kumhos initially because I had it mounted by a local tire shop who just could not balance it after two attempts. I had to take it to Discount tire locally and got it balanced perfectly within minutes using a Hunter Roadforce balancer. Your local Nissan dealer should also have a Roadforce balancer which I understand is a standard equipment used by most dealers now.

Thanks

Muranomax

 

I put 1000+ miles on the new KR21's in the last 2 days -- Colorado to Wisconsin. They are definitely a different feeling tire from the Goodyears. They seem to be stiffer, ride a bit harder. In fact, I have somewhat of a vibration -- not big, but enough that I feel it in the seat of my pants, and slightly in the steering wheel. Perhaps there is a bit of a balance problem, or an out of round tire. Anyone else have this problem? I noticed on another internet chat board that a couple of people mentioned that their car had a vibration with the KR21's.

Pete

I remember reading one of the reviewers of these tires on Tire Rack complaining of a vibration because of a defective tire.

However, make sure the tires are inflated correctly and not over inflated (which can also give a harsh ride and vibration).

Since our installer wasn't able to mount the KR21's on our Murano, we ended up getting another set of the OEM Goodyears. Just returned from a trip and althought I am generally not a fan of goodyear, the new goodyears on our Murano do give a great ride.

 

I just checked the Hunter web site -- it tells you the locations that use the Road Force Machine. I'm going to one of the places tomorrow to see if they can solve the problem. I also realized, looking at their site, that the place where I've gotten myu tires in the past has a Road Force -- balance has always been perfect. Place where I got the Kumhos does not. That might be the difference. I also just got some new tires for my Jeep -- awful vibfration. The place has balanced them twice -- no good. They do not have a Road Force machine.

 

I just checked the Hunter web site -- it tells you the locations that use the Road Force Machine. I'm going to one of the places tomorrow to see if they can solve the problem. I also realized, looking at their site, that the place where I've gotten myu tires in the past has a Road Force -- balance has always been perfect. Place where I got the Kumhos does not. That might be the difference. I also just got some new tires for my Jeep -- awful vibfration. The place has balanced them twice -- no good. They do not have a Road Force machine.

Pete

Any vehicle with tire size 18 and above, you are better off getting it balanced with a Hunter Roadforce balancer or similar equipment.

Thanks

Muranomax

 

I checked with a couple of places that use the Road Force Hunter machine. One quoted $90 for all 4 tires, the other quoted $27 per tire. The $27 place asked why I would want all 4 tires done by the Road Force. Rather, they suggested that they be balanced normally at less $$$, and if one or more of the tires didn't balance well, they would use the Road Force. Any input on this?

Thanks,

Pete

 

I checked with a couple of places that use the Road Force Hunter machine. One quoted $90 for all 4 tires, the other quoted $27 per tire. The $27 place asked why I would want all 4 tires done by the Road Force. Rather, they suggested that they be balanced normally at less $$$, and if one or more of the tires didn't balance well, they would use the Road Force. Any input on this?

Thanks,

Pete

If I had a problem with wheel vibration I would go for all 4 tires. Once you have done it you are set for life of the tires....it is worth the extra money..

But it is me....I am very sensitive to this type of issues and always give hard time tire shops...

 

Just had the Kumho's installed today...Got 73K out of my Goodyears but that was stretching it to the extreme to say the least !! Was actually deathly afraid to drive in any rain/snow/sleet....I was actually trying to hold out for the Yokohama Avids' but everyone was out of stock...Only a few miles driven so far but I can't tell the difference regarding noise compared with the Goodyears...All I really still hear is my engine noise so I really don't know what you guys are talking about...Supposed to get a little weather mix tomorrow, will report back on handling...

 

I checked with a couple of places that use the Road Force Hunter machine. One quoted $90 for all 4 tires, the other quoted $27 per tire. The $27 place asked why I would want all 4 tires done by the Road Force. Rather, they suggested that they be balanced normally at less $$$, and if one or more of the tires didn't balance well, they would use the Road Force. Any input on this?

Thanks,
Pete

Pete

Check with your local Nissan Dealer. They have the best balancing equipment that can pretty much balance any tire. The standard rate is 45-50 bucks for all four tires. Discount tires charge $12.50 per tire.

Thanks

Muranomax

 

Got the KR21's Road Force balanced today. LF was off by 1.25 oz, RF was off by 2.5 oz. Back tires were both off, one .25 and the other 1.50 oz. All 4 tires came in under the spec of 25 lbs of road force after they were balanced. Rides smooth as glass now. What a difference using the Hunter Road Force machine. Gonna have my Jeep done, next. Thanks for the advise.

Pete

 

Got the KR21's Road Force balanced today.

Pete-

What did they charge to have all four wheels balanced on the Hunter machine?

-njjoe

 

Cost was a little over $100, including materials and tax. I checked around and that was the lowest price I could find. One place said they would balance normally, not Road Force, and if they had a problem they would use the Road Force on that tire. I opted not to do that -- rather have all tires done right at the same time. I will go back to the dealer who installed the tires and request a refund for balancing since they were not acceptable. I can show the dealer how much each tire was off, based on the Road Force read-out.

Pete

 

Cost was a little over $100, including materials and tax. I checked around and that was the lowest price I could find. One place said they would balance normally, not Road Force, and if they had a problem they would use the Road Force on that tire. I opted not to do that -- rather have all tires done right at the same time. I will go back to the dealer who installed the tires and request a refund for balancing since they were not acceptable. I can show the dealer how much each tire was off, based on the Road Force read-out.

Pete

Thats a little steep for balancing. The current price at discount tire nationwide is 15 per tire. Our local Nissan dealer price is 50 bucks!

Thanks

Muranomax

 

...... The current price at discount tire nationwide is 15 per tire.......

Thanks

Muranomax

Is this for road force balancing?

 

Thats a little steep for balancing. The current price at discount tire nationwide is 15 per tire. Our local Nissan dealer price is 50 bucks!

Thanks

Muranomax

You get what you pay for. The prices you quoted were most likely for "standard balancing". From everything I have heard and read, having your tires balanced on a Hunter Road Force machine is well worth the extra cost.

Hunter Road Force Measurement Systems

-njjoe

 

Do not want to go off topic, but GM had some problem with wheels/tires supplier and many new CTS owner complained about “steering wheel shimmy”….balancing could not solve the problem. And remember we are talking also 18” wheels with low profile tires. However, after road force balancing using the Hunter machine the problems were solved!
I know it is more expensive but it is worth it. I cannot stand vibration from wheels when I know it is easily solvable. A few extra $$ is buying you a long and a nice ride……I had it done on the Murano once and I have to say it was worth evey penny....

 

Road Force balancing, I found, is quite a lot more expensive -- hard to believe discount Tire does it for $15 per tire. But, maybe they do. I'll check them for my Jeep. Here in WI where I'm visiting the cost for standard balancing is $40, and $89.95 for Road Force balancing. I saw on Ebay someone selling a Hunter Road Force machine -- said he bought it for $18,000. Guy selling it said you can charge a lot more for balancing with Road Force because of the results.

 

My local America's Discount Tire store quoted $30 per tire for Roadforce balance. He said the additional cost is due to the fact that the machine will often force them to dismount and remount tires to properly locate them on the rim.

 

I understand that there are 2 phases to Road Force balancing. The first is to dismount tires and remount to match the highs and lows of the tire and rim. The second phase is then to balance the tires. My guess is that some shops skip the 1st phase IF the road force is within reason -- something they can force balance without having to remount tires. If the road force is not below a predetermined pound spec, the tires must be remounted to eliminate the highs and lows as much as possible. For the Murano tire the pound spec is 24 pounds. Mine came in at 22 pounds or less, so they were all OK. I'm not sure if any tires needed to be remounted. The standard amount of time used by shops to Road Force tires is 2 hours. My guess is that it takes less time in some cases, and sometimes more.

 

Is this for road force balancing?

Thats what I paid at Discount Tires for balancing the four tires. This was done after the local tire guy had tried twice and failed to correct the problem. Discount tires got me in and out within 15-20 minutes and my ride was smooth as silk. I did not see what they were doing but I assumed that they used the Hunter Roadforce machine as thats all they have! I checked with Crown Nissan in Greensboro, they have the exact same equipment and their price as of to-day is $59.95 to balance all four tires. I dont think its right to charge more just because you use a better machine. The reality is it takes less time and less weight to balance the tires and hence it should cost less! 100 bucks or more for balancing! Now thats what I call a rip-off.

Thanks

Muranomax

 

I dont think its right to charge more just because you use a better machine. The reality is it takes less time and less weight to balance the tires and hence it should cost less! 100 bucks or more for balancing! Now thats what I call a rip-off.

muranomax-

It is not a rip-off. It is economics. The Hunter Road Force machine is significantly more expensive to purchase than a "standard" balancing balance. The dealers need to charge more per tire to recover their initial costs. It is not a rip-off. It is economics.

-njjoe

 

muranomax-

It is not a rip-off. It is economics. The Hunter Road Force machine is significantly more expensive than a "standard" balancing balance. The dealers need to charge more per tire to recover their initial costs. It is not a rip-off. It is economics.

-njjoe

Joe

I totally agree....this is a premium service that requires a premium equipment and extra time...but it delivers! It is worth th extra money...