Here's a final update on my tyre research - another old thread being resurrected, but hey, it's Christmas.
275x40x14 is a fairly rare size in Aus. There's not much choice.
I decided the best tyre was the Goodyear GS D3 - US$187 at
www.tirerack.com Goodyear Australia advised me they would import four for me with their next shipment but I had to order through my local store - three months later, after much too'ing and froo'ing the Cairns store advised me that these tyres were not available. !!!!
I considered importing them myself, especially as the Aus$ v US $ looks good, but I don't know enough about importing and what I do know looks like a hassle - getting them shipped from Brisbane to Cairns would add to the cost plus having to pay GST DUTY SHIPPING ETC.
I only need to replace 2 as the front Falkens were new in May. The Khumo Ecsta MX is not available here but they do have the 712. Enough people on the Corvette Forum told me they were OK and only 1 person said they suck. I was quoted $350 each fitted in Cairns.
I decided to give them a go because my rear tyres are just about done. We might get a wet season this year so as well as staying legal, I'll need some roadholding to keep the powerful beast pointing forwards.
I asked QuickFit for their 'best price' and made it clear I was about to order.
Their reply was $305 each, so I was very pleased. It gets me out of trouble, I can see for myself whether the tyres are any good in the wet and now have a couple of years to plan the importing of some good wet weather tyres - if they exist for an 11 inch wide tyre.
On the down side the tread looks very average and similar to my Falkens which I discover have been replaced with a better looking tread.
On the up side, apart from being $95 cheaper each than the Falkens, I discovered that wet weather roadholding in the 10kph to 70kph speed range is more to do with the compound than the tread. The Kumho's are known to 'flat spot' if the car isn't driven for a few days - suggesting a very soft compound - which will be good for wet roadholding.
S'nut