We now have 18,000 miles on our Spyder and I would say the tire has another 3-5K left before I will need to replace. The S Drive has been an all around great tire in all conditions and I am very happy. I am really impressed with its wet traction.
Our rear tire has always been inflated to 29 psi.
I am more than happy to replace this tire after 13-15K rather than the 8K we got out of the stock tire.
General Altimax RT 43, 215/60 R 15 for me too. Price and performance rating fit my riding needs. 9,000 miles and still looking good at 26 psi.
Here is a picture of my General Altimax RT 43:New Rear General ALtimax RT 43 Tire 001.jpg The performance rating that someone on this site, recommend the General Altimax RT 43 tire. Deanna
Last edited by Deanna777; 08-01-2017 at 05:47 PM.
Reason: Changed post on 3/19/2017 @ 8:00pm
Current Spyder - 2023 F3 LTD Special Mineral Blue
Red LED NANO Saddlebag Marker Lights with Full Illumination
Sequential Fender LED'S (Amber/Red) with Safety Reflector
Dual Power Plate (12 V & USB ports)
Gremlin Bell
Rear Trunk Organizer (4 holders, 2 Elastic Holders)
Lamonster "Top Cuff" with adjustable drink Holder
SpyderPops Missing Guard Belt
Console Accent Trim (Carbon Fiber Domed Black)
Ultimate F3 Floorboards
Front Fairing Service Access Door Covers (Carbon Fiber Doomed Black)
Sway Bar with Links
Rolo Laser Alignment
Half Cover
A-Arm Daytime Dual Color LED Running Lights with Blinker Module
Hi-Viz DRL and Sequential Mirrors lights
Marinco 12Volt Power Receptacle with polarized leads & slide lock
Show chrome Trunk Shock
I just went through a tire change fiasco today, had the rear wheel off the RT (and btw just lift it up high no need to remove the rear luggage) got the Kumho Ecsta AST shipped, ran all over and found 1 shop that would put it on and zero are able to balance it, during all this I discovered why Can-Am dealers wont help in anyway with a car tire on the Spyder. The original tire has and extended tire Bead like an ATV, I'm guessing for safety reasons, blow out maybe and the tire wont come off the rim? Anyways most places wont touch it or don't have the equipment, dealers wont let you in the door with a car tire, half my trouble is over, now onto the search for someone that can balance it, beads, glass etc. in my research is a big NO, this is due to the tires low profile and width (some I know have no issues with these methods) and don't want to risk having to take the tire back off if these methods don't work. Just my experience so far.
I just went through a tire change fiasco today, had the rear wheel off the RT (and btw just lift it up high no need to remove the rear luggage) got the Kumho Ecsta AST shipped, ran all over and found 1 shop that would put it on and zero are able to balance it, during all this I discovered why Can-Am dealers wont help in anyway with a car tire on the Spyder. The original tire has and extended tire Bead like an ATV, I'm guessing for safety reasons, blow out maybe and the tire wont come off the rim? Anyways most places wont touch it or don't have the equipment, dealers wont let you in the door with a car tire, half my trouble is over, now onto the search for someone that can balance it, beads, glass etc. in my research is a big NO, this is due to the tires low profile and width (some I know have no issues with these methods) and don't want to risk having to take the tire back off if these methods don't work. Just my experience so far.
Rarerock,
I replaced my Kenda with a Kuhmo. Any of the 3 car tyre guys in town were willing to do it as they had done them in the past with no problems except balancing. It IS a car tyre bead and they had zero issues getting the tyre off and mounting the Kuhmo as you are just replacing a cheap car tyre with a real car tyre.
After a lot of research and discussions on here, I did not bother getting the rear tyre balanced as modern, good quality car tyres don't need it (unlike the Kenda). You simply remove any balance weights on the wheel, install the new car tyre, and go (but make sure they install the tyre dot in line with the valve stem). After I installed the new wheel with new tyre on the Spyder, I got my local Can Am dealer to check the wheel and belt alignment just in case. They did, and all was within tolerance. I have since done around 2000 miles with no issues. If you do have any balance vibrations you can use beads etc after the fact.
Can Am dealers won't help in any way with a car tyre other than Kenda as that is their direction from Head Office as part of their deal with Kenda. It has NOTHING to do with the dealer being unable to work with the rim. Mind you, I have heard of a couple of Can Am dealers who WILL replace the Kenda with a real car tyre......rebels !
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
RareRock, what model of Spyder do you have, just curious as my 2013 RTL is due for a new rear tire and the five closest dealers to me will only put on the Kenda's.
Safe Rides,
David and Sharon Goebel
Both Retired USAF Veterans
2018 Anniversary Edition RT Limited
Baja Ron ultimate swaybar. Vredestein tires, Baja Ron Front Shock Pre-load adjusters, Pedal Box, See my Spyder Garage
IBA 70020
RareRock, what model of Spyder do you have, just curious as my 2013 RTL is due for a new rear tire and the five closest dealers to me will only put on the Kenda's.
I had a guy just outside of New Ulm put a new general rear tire on my Spyder.
For those of you whose dealers won't install car tires you need to look for a motorcycle tire shop, they should be able to mount one with no issues at all. And for those who can't get them balanced you can use Ride On - buy the car formula.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
If you're willing and capable of removing the tires, rear or front, from your Spyder do that. Take them to a small time tire shop operator. They'll put a car tire on for you, especially if you bring the tires with you. That way there is no record of them selling you a car tire for motorcycle use. You'll have less hassle with them than large tire shops or Can Am dealers. Most any tire shop can spin balance the front tires, no problem. The rear is a problem only because of the large bore in the rim. Most shops don't have an adapter large enough to fit it. Have them install the same liquid balancing solution they use in large pickup and truck tires, or you can use Ride-On. I was skeptical of the liquid balance but it was either that or no balance. My rear tire seems to be perfectly balanced so I guess I'm a reluctant believer now.
NHTSA regulations require that tires made for non-automotive or non-truck use must be manufactured and labeled for such use. Strictly speaking when a tire dealer mounts a car tire on your motorcycle rim he is violating Federal regulation. That's why the bureaucratically bound companies won't do it. Tire manufacturers must list what rim designs their tires are made to fit. No automotive tire manufacturer has, and maybe never will, list the Can Am rim as an approved rim. I gave an explanation of the issue here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...=1#post1160433
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
Do what you want ----- however I didn't balance my LAST THREE rear tires ( car type ) that I put on my RT, or RSS and haven't had ANY issues in tens of thousands of miles on any of them........ ride safe .......... Mike
My CanAm dealer is quite large for up here in western Canada and sell all kinds of CanAm equipment. They WILL do tires other than Kenda on Spyders. It is definitely a dealer decision from what I can see.
RareRock, what model of Spyder do you have, just curious as my 2013 RTL is due for a new rear tire and the five closest dealers to me will only put on the Kenda's.
New tire is on, I had no issue using a car tire. Most shops couldn't do it unless they had the clamp type equipment. Balancing is my issue now, the Kumho has no "dot" like a normal MC tire. Id really hate to put it on not balanced, old weights have been removed though. My closet dealer is in Clifton park/Albany and they refuse to touch it even for a balance. And the few MC shops closet to me cant do it due to size/width of the wheel or axle diameter. My search continues.........
New tire is on, I had no issue using a car tire. Most shops couldn't do it unless they had the clamp type equipment. Balancing is my issue now, the Kumho has no "dot" like a normal MC tire. Id really hate to put it on not balanced, old weights have been removed though. My closet dealer is in Clifton park/Albany and they refuse to touch it even for a balance. And the few MC shops closet to me cant do it due to size/width of the wheel or axle diameter. My search continues.........
Rarerock, I have Kuhmos front and rear and every one of them has a dot on the side. Dots are not limited to motorcycle tyres. If you are worried about it not being balanced just put beads in it.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
New tire is on, I had no issue using a car tire. Most shops couldn't do it unless they had the clamp type equipment. Balancing is my issue now, the Kumho has no "dot" like a normal MC tire. Id really hate to put it on not balanced, old weights have been removed though. My closet dealer is in Clifton park/Albany and they refuse to touch it even for a balance. And the few MC shops closet to me cant do it due to size/width of the wheel or axle diameter. My search continues.........
Maybe read post # 39 ............. and stop worrying about it ....... Mike
call me old school but you can balance your rear tire in the frame on a jack. leave the axel loose so the tire spins free, static balance is the preferred way, the heavy side will stop on the bottom. tape 1/2 oz at the top, rotate again. repeat until the tire stops randomly. when done replace your taped on weight with new stick-ons. you can get them from any auto parts store. If you have questions talk to a local bike shop about static balancing.
Maybe read post # 39 ............. and stop worrying about it ....... Mike
I think he's worried because the Kuhmo he is buying has no balance dots on it, Mike. The Kuhmos out here all have balance dots, so that's a bit strange unless Kuhmo make a US and an "others" version of each tyre size. Do your tyres have balance dots? Are they important enough to worry about in your opinion?
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
call me old school but you can balance your rear tire in the frame on a jack. leave the axel loose so the tire spins free, static balance is the preferred way, the heavy side will stop on the bottom. tape 1/2 oz at the top, rotate again. repeat until the tire stops randomly. when done replace your taped on weight with new stick-ons. you can get them from any auto parts store. If you have questions talk to a local bike shop about static balancing.
Gary
ahhhhhh. Thanks Gary, I wondered exactly how that was done. Actually, I had the local bike shop teed up to do a static balance for me and their machine broke and was going to take a week to get a replacement part, so I just went with the recommendation from Dr Blueknight and Professor Peter A, which has worked a treat 😜😆😆
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
New tire is on, I had no issue using a car tire. Most shops couldn't do it unless they had the clamp type equipment. Balancing is my issue now, the Kumho has no "dot" like a normal MC tire. Id really hate to put it on not balanced, old weights have been removed though. My closet dealer is in Clifton park/Albany and they refuse to touch it even for a balance. And the few MC shops closet to me cant do it due to size/width of the wheel or axle diameter. My search continues.........
Grab one of these, I have one and it worked great for me. It will pay for itself in the long run. If you're in the Sacandaga Lake area come on over and use mine. Harbor also has the stick on weights.
I think he's worried because the Kuhmo he is buying has no balance dots on it, Mike. The Kuhmos out here all have balance dots, so that's a bit strange unless Kuhmo make a US and an "others" version of each tyre size. Do your tyres have balance dots? Are they important enough to worry about in your opinion?
Pete
Pete, I have Michelin Hydro Edge and there are NO dots ...... and I didn't balance it ..... it's wearing great ... and I can't tell any difference from the one I did balance ....... IMHO, I think the rear tires ( if they are car tires - better quality ) don't have to be balanced because the AXEL is supported on BOTH SIDES by the swing arm ..... and this prevents the infinitesimal amount of harmonics that can occur and would be noticed THROUGH the FRONT WHEELS ....... This my theory ....... Mike
Last edited by BLUEKNIGHT911; 03-18-2017 at 11:33 PM.