I've needed new front tires for a bit and now that I found a screw in one of my rear tires, it looks like I'm buying a new set of tires. I just want to know everybody's opinions on the BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW2 and the Nitto Invo. I'm on a strict budget and I've found great prices on sets of these two tires (692 and 637, respectively). Also, these are two tread patterns I just plain like. I'm not all that interested in other options and mostly want some pros and cons of these two tires, although I'm somewhat open for suggestions.

So if you've had these tires or not tell me how you feel...

And before someone tells me to use the search function, I have looked at just about every post, read about 30 reviews, read the Car and Driver test, and have done plenty of research. I'm still indecisive though, so I'll take any opinion.

 

Haven't tried the G force but did go through two sets of Invos, FAST!

Pro -
aggressive tread pattern
sidewall rim to shoulder, near vertical. Makes the tire look wider
very quiet tread pattern
was constantly asked if they were street slicks
soft compound allows for good adhession
probably great "drag" tire

Con -
too much sidewall flex when run at recommended tire pressure, gave a quivering feel on hard cornering (fix by over inflating)
soft compound wore very quickly (5-7K miles) with spirited driving, wear 'em out fast if used for road course track days
Uneven tread wear, cupping and feathered outside shoulder on all four fronts (alignment and overinflation not the culprit. overinflation should have had the centers wear first. These issues did not exist with the prior Michelins, nor are they present with the Hankook Ventus V12 Evos with far more miles and same driving styles)

Would I buy Invos again, no! Not for the Crossfire

 

I've had Invo's for about 20k miles and love them. I think I have at least another 10K miles in them, so I figure I'll get 3-4 years use overall which is fine with me.

I agree with all of SRT SIX's pro's but haven't come across any of the con's. The things I like best about them are:

- they are very quiet - I have a roadster and screaming tires would be a BAD thing
- the ride is great - I don't race, but they ride smoothly when cruising, and stick very well when driving 'spiritedly'
- one of the deciding factors for me when I got them originally was the very unique tread pattern - they just give the car a special look.

When these end up needing replacement, I will definately buy them again. The only thing I will change is that I will get them a little wider than stock so they fill out the rims better. The stock sizes barely cover the rims, and I think they would look even better if they hung over the rim edge a bit more.

 

Interesting you had non of the problems I encountered with two different sets. I did run oversize on rear at 285x30x19 on rear (same size as my current Hankook evo v12 ventus set I replaced the Invos with). Could it be the extra power of the SRT6, IDK? Could it be possible that I just got both sets out of a bad production run about a year apart, again IDK?

look at this Car & Driver 9 tire comparison (includes Invo, Ventus Evo V12, G Force, Michellin PS2 and more) Tire Test: Nine Affordable Summer Tires Take On the Michelin PS2 - Comparison Tests - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

(in case you like to run to the back of the book because you can't wait to see which scored what, the Invo did not do so well.)

 

It probably is the power difference, plus I don't drive too crazy - just playing around on on/off ramps and the like...I did notice that I could spin the original Conti's much more than I can with the Invo's.

Maybe the roads are less abrasive here in OK?

 

Don't know what it is, but they did not last for me. I genuinely liked the tires, just could not afford them. I had forgot the Car and Driver Link which helped with my decision to switch.

Since my Eurocharged tune and Sprint Booster additions, the rears are definitely getting roasted (though a little less now with the Hankooks). The one good thing about the Hankooks is that they even spin from a stop quietly. If I apply a little extra pressure to the go pedal, it lights them up. Almost no noise or smoke. Just an odd sensation of the rear slipping a bit and moving to the right, then BAM! it is like being launched by a cannon as it changes from slip 'n' slide to slingshot...LOL

 

Invos are great tires. had them for about 6 months. took them to the track a few times. best sixty was 2.1 but i never warmed then up. warmed up they would perform much better. The ride is pretty stiff. i dont think they have good sidewall flex. They look great and perform well for the price.

 

we've tried them both, plus we did a set of nt05's in 275/35, pilots, actually we've tried lots of tires really looking for what we wanted out of them. after these invos wear down were gonna go to with another set of invos, unless nitto decides to make the nt05r's in a 19 smaller then the 345's. you cant have a performance tire and want mileage out of them at the same time, you gotta have one or the other. shes only put around 2500 miles on her car in last two years, it mostly track time or playing on the street so she goes thru them pretty quick.
f5868228.jpg

 

I had a set of KDW2s on my daily driver - great tire, if you can put up with the noise. It's not bad when they're new, and they do stick quite well in the corners, but as they wear the noise gets louder. And louder. Obnoxiously so. In fact, at one point I thought I had a wheel bearing issue because they were just insanely loud. I can't imagine what that would have been like on my Crossfire Roadster!

 

Totally agree with OKC XFR. I have ~15K on mine and no issues so far.
Great tires. I will probably get them again. Good luck!

 

I wanted the BFGoodrich G-Force T/A but they were always more $. They are summer tires only. So go with the Invos which handle wet very well and should cost less. I pulled my best times dragging with the Invos as well.