You see it on a regular basis. I figured this review could help cut down on the repetitive question. They pick summer tires all under $140 so it is with in most Honda enthusiast budgets. It def helped change my mind on which tires to get as I was planning on purchasing some S-drives through tire rack next month. Direzza's here I come!!!

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests

 

very good ready, someone should sticky this

 

I read that article. Only problem is that some of the tires they compare are not in the same segment... Kumho XS and the Star Specs are extreme performance class tires and the S.drives are ultra high performance. Honestly its all jargon designed by the manufacturers to muddy the lines and make it as confusing as possible to decide, but they are two tiers of performance.

The S.drive is a great tire, although slightly high in price for its segment. I'm about to buy my second set. The star specs are more on the level of the Bridgestone RE-11's, Kumho XS and such and are awesome tires, but if you're going to daily them you can't expect the miles out of them.

If tread life isn't a priority, by all means get the sticky ones... just be aware of what's really being compared in those articles. I wouldn't say it's apples and oranges, but it is definitely oranges and grapefruit.

 

Bear in mind that the Kumho XS was VERY weak in wet, so I'd consider it more of a AutoX tire and much less suited for DD status (unless you live where it rarely rains !)

 

Car and Driver just did new test that it's in the August 2012 issue. It's in the magazine but I can't find it on their website yet. Someone else may have already posted and scanned it. I can't because I'll get in trouble at work.

 

Ordering another set of s.drives tomorrow. Selection is getting pretty limited in 205/50/15 but I can't really think of anything to complain about with these.

 

besides the article being a blatant advertisement for tire rack.com, this comparison is one of the worst ive read in a while..

the top o the line Michelin is more of a summer tire. the actual summer tires that werent DOT approved track radials was the Invo, S-drives, some shitty Ling Long, and one other brand that doesnt even compare to a michelin.

IDK if this ad is just a ploy to sell more michelin tires on tirerack.com but comparing track tires to a true summer tire isnt a real comparison.
the XS,StarSpec,Azenis, etc shouldnt even be in the competition. Finding real summer tires (not DOT approved track tires) that were properly broken in, to compare to a hi-dollar michelin with same/similar treadwear rating is what they should be writing about.

Personally, I think the Sdrives are way over rated. But for a DD to work and back they perfectly fine. I wouldnt run them with any real spirited driving.

- My worthless .02

 

I agree that they're a little bit over rated, sadly most of yoko's lineup is. Unfortunately there aren't a whole ton of tires in this segment anymore that come in the 15" sizes that most of us run on our old Hondas. 205/50/15 especially.

 

far from worthless

spot-on, i'd say