Tire Rack does not appear to have done a thorough test yet, so I'm trying to get a feeler out there for the difference in these two summer tires.

I currently have the BFGoodrich KDW:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....W2XL&tab=Sizes


$137/each
Size: 205/45ZR16
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 87W
Load Range: XL
UTQG: 300 AA A


And my tire connection is an authorized BFG dealer and got to go try the new Comp2 on several vehicles and was informed the COMP2 is going to be replacing the KDW

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....SPC2&tab=Sizes


$110/each
Size: 205/45ZR16
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 83W
UTQG: 340 AA A


I can't help but think these tires are very different. I'd have to think the KDW is stickier given the tread pattern and the treadwear. I've liked my KDW's A LOT, and would really like to find an alternative that has less road noise. That's my only gripe about them. The Yokohama S. Drive is a GREAT tire, but tends to get pretty squirrelly pretty early into its life.

 

I can assure you that the Comp2 is going to display less road noise. As far as grip is concerned, I'm not 100% certain on the Comp2's performance level as I have yet to push them performance-wise.

 

One of the good things about doing autocross is you can get an opinion on tires pretty quickly

I'm looking forward to maybe giving this tire a shot next go around, I'm just super serious right now.

I figured less road noise was a given, but I'm skeptical on the dry traction until I hear otherwise.

The BFG KDW's have been amazing. Very sticky in the wet and dry.

 

While tread design does have an effect on how much grip the tire can have in certain situations, the true determining factor is the tread compound, which is something you won't see listed. The UTQG shows AA traction for both of these tires and they both have directional patterns.

The directional pattern is purely for wet traction, and now that tread compounds have improved, there is less need of them, which is why alot of performance tires are going over to asymmetrical designs. All in all I believe the Comp 2 to be a better tire that also has the advantage of lasting longer.

 

As stated, it's a little too early to tell how the Comp2 will stack up against KDW for dry grip, but BFG gave us the impression the two models should be very close to one another. The Comp2 is also going to run wider at the tread block than most tires in the same size, so you'll have an advantage of more rubber on the ground.
Here's a brief video of our introductory drive;

 

I'm very optimistic I suppose. My buddy Brandon Spangler I believe was at that event in the video, wasn't that at Atlanta Motor Speedway?

He is a distributor and got invited to the event.

He said the same thing, BFG guys saying it's essentially replacing the KDW and is suppose to be better in all respects, most notably tread noise.

 

The Comp 2's worked great for me as far as daily driving and drag racing. They are quite grippy when heated,although i can't comment on their lateral traction,i never noticed them being slippery if that helps.

 

from what I have read the Comp 2 will be very close if not a little better than the KDW, which is odd. Im probably going with the Comp2

 

I have Comp2's on my GS300 which is my DD work car and I haven't been able to break the tires loose since putting on dry or wet(I have to really try hard to break them loose in the rain). There is more road noise than previous tires but not unbearable. I will def be putting them on again
I had to dodge the godzilla of possums(had to of been 50-60lbs) last week at 60mph and it held the road very well. I was expecting the back end to step out but not one bit!!!

Here is a Car and driver review on some tires including the KDW's which place in the middle of the pack. Prior to reading the review I was about to buy some s-drives. I just purchased some direzza star specs Monday so I don't have a review for them yet.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/wheel-tire-56/end-all-what-tires-should-i-get-3054250/
Modz, I was kind of kinda wondering if this review might be sticky worthy since this seems to be a common question??

 

comp2 ftw

i used to prefer them when they were just the bfg sport as the friendly wear tendencies and durability were, to me, well worth the bit of extra grip the kdw offered. i've replaced more than one set of kdw's prematurely due to aggressive toe. they just don't cope well.

if bfg had redesigned the tread to go along with the compound update i'm sure questions like the OP's would probably never be asked. but i'm sure they didn't change things in order to keep costs down to position themselves quite competitively in the market, which they successfully have done i might add.

+kdw compound is maybe 7 year old tech? and the design is a product of f&f styling as per market.

of course this is all from personal opinion and personal experience.

@ lol at relating a street tire's wear to grip.

 

That's my big question: At this point I don't want to start sacrificing dry traction in my tires. Or at least minimize it.