Generic tires

BF Goodrich Radial T/A tire

Are there really any generic tires out there? It's not exactly easy for a company to simply start out making cheap tires, as there are very significant barriers to entry. With that said, I believe tire brands can be ranked or grouped in tiers. Smart drivers need to read tire reviews before making a purchase, even for the best or well-known brands.

You might find some top tier tires made by brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, or Goodyear. Or check out the classic BF Goodrich Radial T/A tire with the raised white lettering. These brands are household names.

But what about some relatively unknown brands, such as Fuzion, Hankook, or Kelly? I'd wager most drivers have never heard of these brands. So it's important to be able to find tire reviews for these brands so you know you're not wasting your money on a set of bad tires. But let's be clear here -- with the aforementioned barriers to entry, plus D.O.T. requirements in the U.S., you probably won't find any truly bad tires. A set of new tires will likely run $300 and up for most vehicles so it's still worth the time to sit down and read before you buy.

Here's a list of some lesser known brands and links to tire reviews:

• Cooper
• Falken
• Fuzion
• Hankook
• Hercules
• Kelly
• Kumho
• Nexen
• Primewell
• Sumitomo
• Westlake