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Kumho Solus KU50 vs Michelin Cross Competition S12 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Solus KU50 | Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 50 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Solus KU50 | Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 80 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Solus KU50 | Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 50 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Solus KU50 | Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 80 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Solus KU50 | Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 60 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Solus KU50 | Michelin Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 63 |
| Dry | 90 | 50 |
| Wet | 90 | 80 |
| Comfort | 80 | 50 |
| Treadwear | – | 80 |
| Handling | 100 | 60 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Solus KU50 is highly regarded by users for its superior braking performance in both dry and wet conditions. Owners consistently report high satisfaction levels, often citing it as a significant performance upgrade over competing models like the Hankook Prime2.
Pros
- Excellent braking performance in dry conditions
- Reliable traction and safety in wet weather
- High level of user satisfaction and brand loyalty
- Competitive performance compared to premium alternatives
Cons
- Limited long-term tread life data available from current user feedback
- Lack of diverse vehicle-specific performance reports
Observations
- Users report consistent performance improvements when transitioning from mid-tier touring tires to the KU50.
The Michelin Cross Competition S12 is viewed as a specialized tire tailored specifically for soft to intermediate terrain. Users generally find it to be a competent performer in its intended off-road environment.
Pros
- Strong performance in soft terrain
- Effective traction in mid-soft conditions
Cons
- Limited versatility outside of soft-to-mid terrain
- Average overall rating suggests potential durability or performance trade-offs
Observations
- Performance is highly dependent on terrain type rather than specific vehicle or tire size configurations.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Solus KU50 | B · Michelin Cross Competition S12 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season Touring tires | All Season Motocross and Enduro tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Michelin
Winner: Kumho Solus KU50 — better dry, handling and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Kumho Solus KU50 scores 90 vs 50 on dry.
Kumho Solus KU50 scores 100 vs 60 on handling.
Kumho Solus KU50 scores 80 vs 50 on comfort.
Kumho Solus KU50 scores 90 vs 80 on wet.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.