Kumho Ecsta V700 tread delamination
Here is the Kumho story from the last event.
This was the 4th event on a set of Ecsta V700s that I bought in February. After the PCA school, I had noticed what looked like a cut across the tread on all 4 tires. It did not look that deep and there did not seem to be any separation in the tread etc. At the ER event on Sunday, after my 4th run, Tailchaser noticed a large chunk of rubber that was pulled loose on the outside right front tire. Further examination, the cut was all the way to the carcase. I pulled out of grid and changed to street tires. It looked to me like someone had taken a sharp knife and sliced each tire. The cuts were deep at the edges but they did not score the carcase. JB pointed out that the cuts were at the same angle (like a bevel cut). He thought it looked like the tread belt was separating from the carcase and suggested I take them back to Discount for an opinion.
I took them by Discount this afternoon and the Assistant Mgr. examined them and agreed that it was very unusal. He called Kumho in Ca. and explained what he saw to the tech rep.
Bottom line - 4 new Kumhos, they said they will ship 2 day in time for mounting on Friday. Kumho did not admit to any defect etc, but this is a different experience than other people have had with Kumho.
I am encouraged they stood behind them and it did not hurt that this was the 4th set that I had purchased from them.
