Have just read that Tiger, Wheel and Tyre are selling Hankook tyres. Now the name might be silly, but don’t assume that silly names mean silly quality.Especially when the silly names originate in Korea!
My first experience with Hankooks was on a Kia Picanto, about four or five years ago. It was winter in the Cape and I decided to do some semi-emergency brake tests on a wide, wet road devoid of other traffic.
To my surprise, the front wheels locked up immediately (no ABS). I repeated this a few times with the same lock-up result. So my initial feeling towards these tyres was not exactly favourable.
My next encounter with Hankooks was on a long-term Chev Aveo. I decided to tread lightly this time but when I had safe opportunities, I did what I could to upset these boots.
Not this time. I never had cause to be disappointed and made sure that I did a number of wet-weather tests plus a number of fast gravel road trips around the Cederberg as well as Robertson way. This was around three years ago. So the improvements came quickly (as they did with another Korean brand – Kumho) and I would not hesitate to try a set of these out.