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rick



Member Since: 07 Mar 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 133

Australia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
Kumho KL71
Has anyone had any experience with Kumho KL71 MTs as an everyday tyre? I've been reading that they're pretty acceptable on-road compared with other MTs (almost like an AT).

Another question - which do you think would be best on beach sand (KL71 265/75 or the stock standard General Grabbers 235/85)?

I know this is a topic that seems to go around in circles and so I apologise in advance for bringing this up yet again, but I'm looking for the win/win (ie MTs with good on-road/sand manners) if one exists.

My instinct is that I can't have it both ways, but maybe I'm wrong?

Cheers,
Rick. 1998 RR HSE
2007 RRS TDV6
2008 Defender 110
2015 Discovery Sport
Post #13912 7th Aug 2009 4:18am
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
I have 265 KL71's and they are much quieter than BFG M/T's and as an all round tyre they seem to be perfect. As for Grabbers in 235 i would forget them. Land Rover warn that they may limit offroad abilities. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #13932 7th Aug 2009 11:41am
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discocuzzy



Member Since: 16 Jul 2008
Location: surrey
Posts: 1200

England 
Had a set of 285 75 16s fitted on Tuesday, early impressions very good, bit quieter than the BFG Muds i was on, however they were starting to wear.
They seem to be pretty good in the wet due to the toss weather we have been having here of late, ill post some pics up later Thumbs Up You cannot teach stupid people to do clever things
Post #13936 7th Aug 2009 1:25pm
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Bogblaster



Member Since: 04 Jun 2007
Location: Glawstershire
Posts: 119

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Adventure Corris Grey
I have the same as discocuzzy and very good in the wet, I was a bit wary when I first fitted them as I felt they were wallowy on corners, but have played with the pressures and am now 100% happy - dont ask me the pressures, I cant remember!

Ran BFG MT's before and my first thoughts were they were not as good but after a few 100 miles and playing with the pressures I would say that they are a better tyre,

Pics in my gallery

Cheers

BB 2019 MY Disco 5 HSE Lux
Audi A4 Avant 3.0L TDI Quattro - WOW
2016 90 Adventure
Post #13939 7th Aug 2009 1:47pm
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NoDo$h



Member Since: 18 Aug 2007
Location: Buried in deer guts in Dorset
Posts: 972

England 
Just about to fit Discocuzzy's old 265 BFG MTs to the 90 to replace the 235 Grabber TRs. He'd only done 10k on them and while I had been considering the KL71 the price I got Steve's for for made me put the KL71 on the backburner. Will be very interested to hear how they work out though, as I'm still waivering on whether to go with a 110 or not. Drove Steve's yesterday (should have seen his face when I started into the ford that had put my D3 in extended mode earlier in the day) and found the steering and bounce hard work, due to the winch bumper, oversize tyres and a rooftent I'm sure!

Will have to demo a standard one before I make my mind up Whistle 

54 Freelander modded for mud
2008 D3 SE
2010 90 XS SW
1978 88 Series 3 undergoing surgery with a new owner
2007 90 County Truck Cab - gone
2006 D3 SE - gone
2004 Freelander Sport - gay
1999 Disco V8 ES rotted to bits
Post #13959 7th Aug 2009 10:22pm
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htrowsoc



Member Since: 30 May 2009
Location: Zejtun
Posts: 11

Malta 
I've fitted the kumho around a month ago and absolutely love em. They look great and handle even better. I got 285/75 and definately recommend them for the road user with the occational greenlane. I'm only slightly worried about their life-time but with thier good price they're still good value for money.

Kev
Post #14010 9th Aug 2009 10:18am
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rick



Member Since: 07 Mar 2008
Location: Perth
Posts: 133

Australia 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
htrowsoc wrote:
I've fitted the kumho around a month ago and absolutely love em. They look great and handle even better. I got 285/75 and definately recommend them for the road user with the occational greenlane. I'm only slightly worried about their life-time but with thier good price they're still good value for money.

Kev



Thanks for the feedback gentlemen - definitely tempted to go down the KL71 path. My question about beach sand was probably a stupid one as I think I know the answer when it comes to muds in loose sand - 15psi and all should be ok?

Kev - did you modify anything to get the 285s on? Any rubbing/issues? Does the wider tyre feel more stable around corners?

Cheers,
Rick. 1998 RR HSE
2007 RRS TDV6
2008 Defender 110
2015 Discovery Sport
Post #14011 9th Aug 2009 12:43pm
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Zinke



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Scunthorpe
Posts: 670

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
How about fuel consuption with them for those of us that do lots of road miles but then go across a muddy field? Do they do as many mpg as grabbers or bfg a/t's?
Post #14015 9th Aug 2009 9:19pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5029

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Just a note the new BFG MT's are out soon - i personally prefer the old ones, but maybe the new will be much better? Mike
Post #14026 10th Aug 2009 9:12am
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Sonic3d



Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Ross on Wye
Posts: 1505

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Stornoway Grey
mse wrote:
Just a note the new BFG MT's are out soon - i personally prefer the old ones, but maybe the new will be much better?


It will be quieter due to new legislation but i doubt it will be as good as the old one in mud because its not as aggressive, and is more biased towards rock crawling Thumbs Up
Post #14027 10th Aug 2009 9:59am
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5029

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Sonic3d wrote:
mse wrote:
Just a note the new BFG MT's are out soon - i personally prefer the old ones, but maybe the new will be much better?


It will be quieter due to new legislation but i doubt it will be as good as the old one in mud because its not as aggressive, and is more biased towards rock crawling Thumbs Up


American Market there!

So more like the Goodyear MTR? Mike
Post #14028 10th Aug 2009 10:12am
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Sonic3d



Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Ross on Wye
Posts: 1505

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Stornoway Grey
Think so Thumbs Up
Post #14029 10th Aug 2009 10:20am
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htrowsoc



Member Since: 30 May 2009
Location: Zejtun
Posts: 11

Malta 
They completely transform the ride - since they are made of a soft rubber compound they absorb small bumps & the landy feels like glued to the tarmac. The wider wheels help further in cornering due to the 'wider base'. When it comes to braking they do their job really well too. Btw, this is my first non-remould set which might explain why I'm so happy with them.

The 285's were fitted on a standard td5 and there's no rubbing whatsoever. A friend got 305/70s without much of an issue either.

Regarding mpg, I think it depends how you drive. I like to floor the gas pedal most of the time and even though I had smaller tyres in past I think the mpg I'm getting from these is identical. Probably because the tread was very aggressive and they were not meant for road use unlike the Kumho.

Having said that please note that I don't have any commission on these tyres Laughing and I'm just sharing my user experience.

Kev
Post #14041 10th Aug 2009 7:59pm
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
I own BFG M/T and KL71 both sets in 265X16... I see no reason for going to 285 as an ex LR experience manager tells me that 235 is THE best all round best tyre for a Defender and regards anything bigger as a mistake and for the looks ONLY. The KL71 is quieter and will not last as long as the BFG MT's but legislation means the BFG MT's are now a thing of the past due to being too noisy for the US market...
Anyone got a picture of the new BFG's?? 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #14072 11th Aug 2009 1:29pm
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Sonic3d



Member Since: 28 Jan 2008
Location: Ross on Wye
Posts: 1505

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS DCPU Stornoway Grey
RED-DOT wrote:
I see no reason for going to 285 as an ex LR experience manager tells me that 235 is THE best all round best tyre for a Defender and regards anything bigger as a mistake and for the looks ONLY.


I have to disagree with you on that one, the other weekend at Salisbury my 285`s had the edge over Discocuzzy`s 265`s both sets of tyres had done the same mileage and both vehicles are 110 Pumas. And if you ever go into sand the wider the better Thumbs Up
Post #14073 11th Aug 2009 1:45pm
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