I needed a new set of tires and decided on a set of Hankook Ventus. I read the Car and Driver test results and numerous post that helped me decide. I replaced a set of Kumho ecsta spt's with the Hankooks.
I have a 00 AP1 that rides on AP2 V1 wheels with a set of KW sport coilovers. Ride height is 1/2" lower than stock. I run 225/45/17 fronts and 255/40/17 rears. My driving is split between relaxed cruising and spirited runs. The Kumho rears lasted about 12k miles. The fronts where at 7/32" when I removed them, I am not a big fan of mixing tires.

First thing I noticed with the Hankooks is the soft sidewalls and a loose isolated feeling. I have read that this will go away after the first 500 miles. The ride is much softer and quieter so far. I will update more as I add miles.
I hope theses tires will last longer than the Kumhos without a compromise in handling.

 

The sidewalls will stiffen up over a few hundred miles. I had them on my TSX and can honestly say it was one of the best tires I have ever used and I have used a bunch of them. Only downfall was the tread wear rating. I got about 15,000 miles out of my fronts(front wheel drive). Probably would've gotten another 5K out of the rears before switching. It is a very quiet and pretty sticky tire.

 

200 miles... These tires offer a quiet and comfortable ride so far. My main concern is the loose and isolated feel. On initial turn in the soft sidewalls are confidence sapping. Although once they set the grip is good. I hope the sidewall feel will improve as I break them in. Time will tell.

 

Have you had much more time on them to notice any difference since your last post? I am strongly considering buying these tires today, and your review is the only one that concerns me. Of course the nice ride sounds good, but I would like that more confident feel - especially since I am doing the dragon next month. Could you elaborate on what you mean by the "loose, isolated feel" ? Does this mean steering is less responsive and you don't feel the road as much in the steering wheel? Thanks!

 

I would say you are not feeling a soft sidewall. You are actually feeling a full tread depth tire with a release compound on the tread. The release compound will wear away in about 300 miles and be a stickier tire at that point. The sidewall of the tire is not going to change.

 

I loved these except on the S im at about 8k miles with em and there below the legal limit

 

I am on my second set of Hankook RS2's. Love this tire. There is a bit of sidewall flex but I find that this is a benefit...it allows the tire a smooth transition from right to left lateral acceleration which seems to keep the back end much less prone to snapping loose quickly like the S02's used to do on me.

for the price you can't get a better gripping tire. I can't drive well enough yet to use all of the available grip these have on warm dry pavement.

 

I have the v12s and for the price I dont think they can be beat... They are a pretty sticky tire and feel pretty good in the corners after they have worn in.

 

That is what I am saying. The initial turn in feels loose and slow to respond. Less road feel through the steering wheel.


Jim thank you for the input. I understand the sidewall will not change. I have read many reviews that mention the exact issues I have. Most people said the tires felt much better after 500 miles. I really hope you all are right..... otherwise I will have to replace these tires.

I now have 500 miles on these tires. Still have a vague soft delayed feel at turn in. Very unsettling under hard braking and quick transitions. At this point I wish I had stayed with the kumhos ecsta spt tires I had before the Hankooks.
I will reserve final judgement until I have another five hundred miles on the Hankooks. Jim at tire rack says what I feel is a full tread depth and a releasing compound on the tires..... I will take his word on this and give the Hankooks another 500 miles.
If there is not a dramatic change in the feel of the Hankooks they will be replaced!
Not happy in the least bit so far!

 

whats your tire pressure? try going up 5 lbs. I've noticed with the RS-3's that im 5-7lbs above where I was running my last set of Kumho's.