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Mich Pilot Sport PS2 Review For Rich

Posted by Steven R. Rochlin on September 27, 2004 at 11:12:52:
Ok, was asked by Rich Brkich to comment on these.
NOTE DISCLAIMER: closed roadways/track conditions. Proper safety gear, etc. DO NOT TRY AT HOME OR ON PUBLIC ROADS!

Well, the comparison is not fair as the old rims/tires were tweak lightweight Etoile (made for Ferrari) 16x7 front and 16x8 rear with Kumho ECSTA Supra 712. The new rims are semi-custom made VERY lightweight Kinesis K27 (same used by some race teams for LeMans, etc) with 17x8 front and 17x9 with the Mich Pilot Sport PS2.
So... different sized rims, different sized tires... you get the point.
First the weird. The PS2 must have a less stiff sidewall as small bumps and frost heaves are felt LESS with the PS2 than the Kumho 712. It is interesting that as the rims are an inch larger adding stiffness due to less sidewall, the ride is NOT stiffer. Also, the car does not tramline that much with the PS2 as compared to the Kumho 712. Also, tires noise is reduced with the PS2. So far ALL gains. But the REAL gain is in the handling...
Only have 600 miles on the PS2 and think i have a BASIC handle on things. Pyro'ed the tires across the tread and the alignment is good. Have had some time to dial in tire pressure on the PS2 and the custom dual adjustable suspension in the Ferrari was kept THE SAME for both the Kumho and the PS2.
Grip with the PS2 is leagues better than the 712. It IS NOT subtle. The Kumho are at their very best with warm tread and hot road surface. A cooler/cold road surface makes the 712 less grippy to downright crap. So far the PS2 seems to be good for both cooler and hotter road surface. Naturally hotter is better.

With the new Kinesis K27 rims and Mich Pilot Sport PS2 the traction is ON RAILS!

NOTE: driving impressions below are on a newly paved (last month) road surface. Paving surface is what i would define as medium (not fine/smooth like on Florida highways or coarse like in parts of NYC).
Usually would do 'only' around 60mph during fast twisty bits with the Kumho/Etoile combo and this was with some sliding here and there as i KNOW the road and car VERY well. For best times would have to 'toss' the car a bit with the old setup.
With the new setup 75mph is comfortably doable and no slip whatsoever... and might be able to push further (85, perhaps 90 if i have the b@lls and REALLY have a handle on the new setup) yet wanted to be more sure of the grip as these roads are twisty with many various elevation changes. At 90 i would almost be assured of some air time(!), so 75mph was the more comfortable zone. The PS2 NEVER appeared to lose grip, NO tire squealing, etc.
For the geeks:
Kumho/Etoile 16x7/16x8 = 0.85G skid pad lateral
PS2/Kinesis 17x8/17x9 = 0.95 skid pad lateral (and could go higher is my guess)
AM STILL BEING CAUTIOUS with driving and have slid the car on purpose in an open lot at slowish speeds to get a feel for how she breaks free with the new setup from pure grip to the initial sliding sideways. So ALL impressions above are premature and not fully explored.

Bottom Line With PS2
---------------------
Less tramlining than Kumho
Virtually no tire squeal
Much better grip hot and cold
More forgiving to road bumps/frost heaves/etc.
COST
----
Kumho is about 1/2 the price of the Mich PS2. Tire wear with the PS2 is about 60% of the Kumho. So you take a double hit with the PS2 in higher price and less tread life. Ahhh... but you play the game to you pay the price :)
Enjoy THE DRIVE,
Steven R. Rochlin