Dealer says non-OEM rear tire will not work

[RiverCity45]

I have a 2012 RS with about 14,400 miles on the tires. It's time to replace the rear tire, so I purchased a 215/60R15 per recommendations found on spyderlovers.
I just received a call from the dealer, who said the tire won't work because "it will throw off all kinds of sensors," such as speed and traction control.

Really? Thoughts?

[UtahPete]

I have a 2012 RS with about 14,400 miles on the tires. It's time to replace the rear tire, so I purchased a 215/60R15 per recommendations found on spyderlovers. I just received a call from the dealer, who said the tire won't work because "it will throw off all kinds of sensors." Really? Thoughts?

He's just trying to cover his butt. The tire itself won't throw off the sensors, but the mounting and dis-mounting process could, if not done properly. Even then, the trouble lights are easily cleared. I replaced the rear tire with non-OEM on both my bikes recently with no problems.

[Highwayman2013]

I had no sensor issues with my 2012 RTL or 2016 F3L with 215/60/15 rear tires. So this is bunk.

[Chupaca]

That's a bunch of hogwash....you may have to go elsewhere to have it done. Mike (BLUEKNIGHT911) stated you have to put spacers on the rear fender on some tires to add clearance but they work fine. He used some PVC others used washers...

[SPYD3R]

I'M ON MY 6th NON-KENDA (NON-OEM) REAR TIRE, AND I'VE YET TO HAVE AN ISSUE.....
Dan P
SPYD3R

[BajaRon]

[SPYD3R]

I HEAR YA RON.....

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have a 2012 RS with about 14,400 miles on the tires. It's time to replace the rear tire, so I purchased a 215/60R15 per recommendations found on spyderlovers.
I just received a call from the dealer, who said the tire won't work because "it will throw off all kinds of sensors," such as speed and traction control.

Really? Thoughts?

... with the others ...the BS meter is off the scale ..... I would be really concerned about the dealer you are using .... If they lie on something this small , just imagine when something BIG occurs ....There are Video's on how to DIY the rear wheel .... and almost every tire changing place can switch your old tire for the new one, they probably won't be able to balance it, but I haven't balanced my last 4 , and they work fine ......... Mike

[BajaRon]

... with the others ...the BS meter is off the scale ..... I would be really concerned about the dealer you are using .... If they lie on something this small , just imagine when something BIG occurs ....There are Video's on how to DIY the rear wheel .... and almost every tire changing place can switch your old tire for the new one, they probably won't be able to balance it, but I haven't balanced my last 4 , and they work fine ......... Mike

They could be lying. Or, they may simply be ignorant. But either way. Not a good showing for the dealership. They are supposed to be the 'Experts'.

You can run into this BS issue on a lot of subjects. Including oil, filters, suspension components, etc. Pretty much any service or aftermarket item is fair game to some dealerships.

[Motorcycledave]

Tell him " the dealer " to come and check out the Michelin tire on mine
been there for 8500 miles still looks near new.

I have a 2012 RS with about 14,400 miles on the tires. It's time to replace the rear tire, so I purchased a 215/60R15 per recommendations found on spyderlovers.
I just received a call from the dealer, who said the tire won't work because "it will throw off all kinds of sensors," such as speed and traction control.

Really? Thoughts?

[2dogs]

In many instances the term "Dealer" is a misused word, however with good intentions. I'm guilty of it myself. Not saying its misused in this case, but just to use caution. Often times the dealers (owners) are referenced when actually it is an employee representing the owner, who is to blame. This happens all too often in many businesses. For whatever reason uninformed/unskilled/untrained salespersons, parts employees, service managers and mechanics will impart misinformation onto customers both knowingly and unknowingly. The short of the long is to trust but verify. Personal knowledge here; a young service manager recently promoted, who thinks he knows it all and sticks to his misinformation even when he's been proven incorrect in black and white. On top of that, the certified BRP spyder tech confirmed the young service manage was incorrect. And the worst part of it is the service manager lacks the skill to convince the warrantee holder that a repair should be a covered item. It happens all too often.

[RiverCity45]

In many instances the term "Dealer" is a misused word, however with good intentions. I'm guilty of it myself. Not saying its misused in this case, but just to use caution. Often times the dealers (owners) are referenced when actually it is an employee representing the owner, who is to blame. This happens all too often in many businesses. For whatever reason uninformed/unskilled/untrained salespersons, parts employees, service managers and mechanics will impart misinformation onto customers both knowingly and unknowingly. The short of the long is to trust but verify. Personal knowledge here; a young service manager recently promoted, who thinks he knows it all and sticks to his misinformation even when he's been proven incorrect in black and white. On top of that, the certified BRP spyder tech confirmed the young service manage was incorrect. And the worst part of it is the service manager lacks the skill to convince the warrantee holder that a repair should be a covered item. It happens all too often.

Dealer/dealership/technician. What's the actual difference? It's all the same place and from whence I am receiving the information. I get that the owner isn't the one I'm speaking to, buy one of his/her representatives in the form of a service manager who got the information from the service technician. Does anyone actually mistakenly believe when the word dealer/dealership is used, one is speaking about the person who actually owns the company?

[JerryB]

Hi Ron,

Re: Not a good showing for the dealership.

Hey, BRP; are you listening?

I thought not,

Jerry Baumchen

PS) Last week I received an email from BRP that said they would respond within 24 hours. That was on the 18th. Hmmmmmmmmmm!

[ARtraveler]

It appears that you have one of "those" dealers. Welcome to the club. Tell you anything to avoid your buying the tire of "your" choice.

I have given up fighting the system. There could be bigger battles ahead, so I don't want to burn any bridges.

However, I can ride two wheels again.

[canamjhb]

The "Moss-Magnuson Act" PROHIBITS dealers from REQUIRING consumers use specific propriety brand products. IE; a specific BRAND of oil, spark plug, tire, etc. Lots of dealers apparently are big into intimidation and probably encouraged by mother BRP but it is not a requirement that you use "their" tire to maintain warranty. Maybe BRP thinks they are exempt because they at a Canadian Company but I don't think they are. I would NEVER go back to using Kenda tires and NEVER recommend them to anyone. Especially when a much superior tire is half the price.

[ARNIE R]

[PistonBlown]

I normally get through 2 or 3 rear tires a year, I've only had one Kenda on the rear, that was the one that came with the Spyder. Never had an issue with sensors etc. Every tire I've fitted has performed better than the Kenda for both grip and wear.

I do have a new Kenda sitting in my Garage but never bothered getting it fitted - I'll probably put it on if I ever trade in the RS. After all what goes around, comes around:-)

[Bob Denman]

It's amazing that the dealerships still try to sell this line of Bull*****...