I have been noticing that my Kumho Ecstas will spin and make absolutely no noise or smoke. The Toyos on the front of my monte will squeal easily when going around a corner briskly. The Kumhos seem like an excellent tire, but what is it that makes them do this? These are high performance summer tires. Is it due to a harder tread compound?

yes

My BFG TAs do the same thing - kind of like driving on ice.......

After reading your post I did a search for "Kumho Ecstas compound" and they seem fairly popular with the auto-cross crowd. It also looks as if they were produced in two different compounds depending on when they were made.

If you get the soft compound they work really well.
Unfortunately it sounds like you got the "skateboard" compound.:(

Hmm... Just thinking, if they laid heavy smoke, were silent, and left no trace... you could have the elusive "Kumho Ninja" compound!:D

Also remember that many tires seem to lose their grip as they get older.

The good news is I bet your tires won't wear out before you decide to toss them.:thumbsup:

Greg

Sounds like a typical kumho tire, much like any cheap tire. No grip, terrible ride, noisy, and they vibrate. Its funny how so many people come in with a ride quality/vibration/noise complaint after having cheap tires put on. Stick with real tires. Thets all thats between you and certain disaster. You rely on your tires with your life, and your prized automobile, why take chances?

I'm not complaining in any way about the tires, other than they aren't emitting obnoxious amounts of smoke and noise when I want them too. :D I have taken some hard turns with these tires and have been very impressed so far. Also, on the freeway at 70 and at the drag strip at 115 the car seemed very stable.