Tweener 200tw tires: Kumho V730 vs. Yokohama AD09 vs. Nexen Sport R | Articles

Kumho Ecsta V730

fastest lap: 1:27.5

Kumho has long been a player in this market segment, offering competitively priced tires that are among the best performance values out there. Great feel, long life and consistently good performance are the brand’s hallmarks. 

These Kumhos are a good option for turning lots of laps with very good pace. We’ve tested this model before, so it was a natural choice to serve as our bracket tire.

• on the road: The V730 delivered a sporty and light feel, though with little self-centering. 
• on the track: It took a strong out lap to get the compound turned on, accompanied then by good audible feedback nearing the limit. While easy to drive hard, breakaway was a little more sudden than we’d prefer. But just look at that consistency! Lap after lap, it delivered.

Yokohama Advan Neova AD09

fastest lap: 1:28.4 

Yokohama has two entries in the 200tw arena. One is the pointy-end Advan A052, which is the latest in a long line of streetable track-focused tires, some of which came as OE fitments for circuit-oriented cars like the Lotus Elise. That tire is very fast but inconsistent and not particularly durable. 

Yokohama’s other 200tw line is more street-oriented but still track-capable. In fact, we took a class win in the One Lap of America running its AD07 on our CRX a few years back. So we were anxious to see how this latest version, the Advan Neova AD09, performed.

• on the road: The AD09’s street performance focus was immediately apparent, as it was the most athletic-feeling of the bunch. It was responsive but not overly so–very natural. And while some washboard surfaces did elicit harshness, elsewhere the ride was typical of a 200tw tire.
• on the track: This one required a lot of steering input and was edgier at the limit, but recovery was intuitive and quick, assisted by strong audible feedback. Taking a full lap to come in, its ultimate grip was…