5CHN3LL

So I was working down the thread wondering who would be the first to bleat something about N-ratings. Surprise!

DK570

Update:
I finally had the chance to drive some with the new tires. The car was pulling to the right, so I took it to the dealer and asked them to look at the alignment again, since they did an alignment when the summer tires were mounted. They had the car for two days and it still pulls right. The belief is there may be a manufacturing defect with the tires, and it was suggested I file a warranty claim with Sumitomo. So far I am not happy with these tires

Hal

I had the same issue with Hankook R-S3's a couple of years ago and got this tip from another forum.

Easy way to check is simply flip the tires side to side, assuming you do this on a dry day. If the car goes left, it is the tires. If it still goes right, it is the alignment. In that case get the dealer to find a way to set the right side caster 1/4 degree more on the right.

KrazyK

In addition to confirming there is no alignment issue, and the obvious (tire air pressure), I would very carefully examine the tires for any defects. Also check the country of manufacturing.

porrsha

So where do you expect tires named hankook and sumitomo to be manufactured?

KrazyK

Some of the Asian brands are slowly moving their manufacturing to China along with everyone else. Its a fact, Bro. Hankook is "Korean" company but already has plants in China.

nick49

The HTR Zll Sumitomos I run are made in Japan. Best kept secret in an ultra grippy and very quiet tire that wears well with an unbelievable price. I was a little hesitant at first if they would handle the boost of the Turbo in the canyon twisties. They speak to me and love what I can dish out.

I'm all for a bargain, but never at the expense of a compromise. What I want in a tire is QUIET till it's time to replace. This is most single important thing. Next is GRIP. Owing a Turbo is no fun if you can't push it hard without slip sliding around. I roadraced motorcycle Superbike for a decade because I love pushing to the limit in the turns so much. I found the Sumi lls to inspire more confidence than the Michelin PS2, Pirelli PZero or Yokohamas when pushed really hard in canyons. Better in the wet as well.

I sell high performance and race tires for motorcycles and have for decades. I understand the difference between a tire that works very well on the street and one for the track. They are very different and there roles cannot be switched. A phenomenally sticking street tire will soon feel greasy on the track and an R compound tire will be slippery on the street until it gets warmed up, if ever.

As I entered my off season in business I needed tires for my C2. I couldn't with a clear conscious spend $1K-$1.5K on tires when my income would be non existent for months, so I tried the HTR Zlls. Slippery at first, for a couple of hundred miles, then something amazing happened. They got grippier, and stickier. The harder I pushed, the better they got. This is like race tires that I remembered. I can see where it would be easy for squid to drive on these when brand new, sip around a bit, then never trust them in the future. Anyway, I love them for the street. I have never tracked them so I don't know how they would behave there. I ran 2 sets on my C2, now have a set on my Turbo and still love them. I can afford any tire I want and as stated earlier, I won't compromise performance to save a buck.

http://www.sumitomotire.com/cars/pro...HTR/htrz2.aspx

Dennis C

It is interesting to hear about your experience Nick. Your experience is the first positive one that I've heard with the HTR Z II. Most of the reviews are quite poor. The HTR Z III gets much better reviews. I guess it all really depends on your driving style and what you expect out of a tire.

As I mentioned before, I wasn't pleased with the HTR Z III. They howled when they got a few miles on them, but well before they tread was gone. I was really happy to get rid of them. I haven't tried the HTR Z II.

DK570

I don't know if it makes any difference, but my sidewalls say made in Japan.

dotframe

Did you try simply swapping left to right to see if the pulling changed? I've never had tires cause this kind of behavior unless the pressures were off.

vwillo1

Sumi III, happy DD and performed well at Heartland Park and Mid America raceways. Just as well as "N" spec Conti Contact 2s. And two sets for same price. DD over 50 mph equals freeway, not a race track.