We talked about a new rear tire for me. I bought one. But is this typical of Kendas?

[acdcking12]

I bought the tire you all recommended.

But is this normal wear from a Kenda? Basically plenty of tread on the sides, but bald in the middle?

[Woodaddict]

NORMAL!!! whether its under / over inflated. the tire has weak ply in the tread and sidewalls. just balloons as you get the RPM up, and center wears. Car tires much better quality

[old Timer]

I bought the tire you all recommended.

But is this normal wear from a Kenda? Basically plenty of tread on the sides, but bald in the middle?

For all practical purposes, no one on this forum recommends the Kenda tire. Most swap out as soon as practical. Read up the recommendations from your fellow Can Am Spyder owners and riders here, very good and accurate experienced based information.

[ARtraveler]

Typical performance if you use the "recommended" air pressure (28#) on the rear. I use 26# and have always got over 15K on a rear tire. I get 20K or more on the fronts. I am not a big "recommender," but have used them on all seven Spyders I have owned.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I bought the tire you all recommended.

But is this normal wear from a Kenda? Basically plenty of tread on the sides, but bald in the middle?

Just to be clear " I NEVER recommended you or anyone else buy a KENDA " so I hope I'm not included in those " you all's " .....Mike

[BajaRon]

I believe this is the Kenda Kanine and not the regular, BRP supplied Kenda tire. I have not actually recommended this tire. But I have conveyed the good reports from some who have used the Kanine and really like it. I've been wanting to run one myself to see how they do. I like the tire tread design and the rubber compound. It's the cord/belt strength that is in question.

Some seem to be having better luck with this tire. But obviously, it is not universal.

[carbonation]

Normal wear from a Kenda rear. I got about 8k out of each Kenda rear I have had and the center was to the wear bars. Fronts do a bit better. AND in stark contrast to the poor quality of Kenda MC tires, the car version, Kenda KR23A, have done well for me on the front so far.

ArTraveler is the exception to the rule. Maybe he putts around at 20MPH.... :-)

[EdMat]

ArTraveler is the exception to the rule. Maybe he putts around at 20MPH.... :-)

Don't think he or the Mrs. putts around too much, but he does not seem to abuse his equipment and always keeps it up. That's going to make someone a great deal on the F3's he has for sale.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Normal wear from a Kenda rear. I got about 8k out of each Kenda rear I have had and the center was to the wear bars. Fronts do a bit better. AND in stark contrast to the poor quality of Kenda MC tires, the car version, Kenda KR23A, have done well for me on the front so far.

ArTraveler is the exception to the rule. Maybe he putts around at 20MPH.... :-)

I have always told the truth about Kenda tires, I recommend Auto tires ..... But you are correct about the difference between Kenda Front and Rear tire wear. Here's the reason WHY .... the Kenda Spyder tires have a weakly made TREAD, the front tire sizes are much Narrower than the REAR. .... because of this the wider REAR tire will balloon at much slower speeds than the front, hence the center will wear faster .....JMHO ....Mike

[ARtraveler]

Normal wear from a Kenda rear. I got about 8k out of each Kenda rear I have had and the center was to the wear bars. Fronts do a bit better. AND in stark contrast to the poor quality of Kenda MC tires, the car version, Kenda KR23A, have done well for me on the front so far.

ArTraveler is the exception to the rule. Maybe he putts around at 20MPH.... :-)

I knew my comment would ruffle a few feathers. I guess that I am an exception to what "normal" people get for mileage on the Kendas. I guess that makes me exceptional. I am an older guy, but don't putt around at 20 mph. However, when riding our beautiful Arkansas twisties, which are mostly deserted from heavy traffic, I DO like to putt along at 40 mph.

RE: the Spyders for sale. The 2019 got all new K9's last year. Less than 5K on them. Another good year or so before anyone will need tires. The 2020 is still running the OEM's. Only 8K miles there, and they will be good for the next year also.

UPDATE: Both of the F3L's have now been sold. Both owners were very happy with the "like new" tires they came with.

[DGoebel]

I bought the tire you all recommended.

But is this normal wear from a Kenda? Basically plenty of tread on the sides, but bald in the middle?

I take it that what you're meaning is that this is a pic of the OLD original Kenda that you replaced with a better automotive replacement rear tire?
yes my '13 RTL rear looked like this at 8,800 my replacement Altimax 43 didn't even show wear at 24,000 miles.
What Recommended Tire did you get?

[acdcking12]

I take it that what you're meaning is that this is a pic of the OLD original Kenda that you replaced with a better automotive replacement rear tire?
yes my '13 RTL rear looked like this at 8,800 my replacement Altimax 43 didn't even show wear at 24,000 miles.
What Recommended Tire did you get?

I bought and now have the altimax 45

[Peteoz]

I bought the tire you all recommended.

Hahaha……that statement is self contradicting, acdc. If you asked 30 riders which tyre they recommend, you would get 20 different answers……unlike a question asked of economists, where you would get 30 different answers

Pete

[tofriendscreek]

I’ll gladly join ARTraveler and be another exception to the evident rule regarding the incredibly lousy performance of Kenda rear tires. I’m a mature guy, but I do NOT putt around. I’ve owned 5 Spyders. Collectively I’ve put nearly 200K miles on them, on roads of all kind. I’ve tried several different auto tires over the last 13 years. In MY experience, and like ARtravaler, all of the rear Kenda’s have gotten over 15K miles, with the exception of the one changed out last month. I can’t provide a reason for me and Kendas, but it sure saves a lot of money.

[Mikey]

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I’ll gladly join ARTraveler and be another exception to the evident rule regarding the incredibly lousy performance of Kenda rear tires. I’m a mature guy, but I do NOT putt around. I’ve owned 5 Spyders. Collectively I’ve put nearly 200K miles on them, on roads of all kind. I’ve tried several different auto tires over the last 13 years. In MY experience, and like ARtravaler, all of the rear Kenda’s have gotten over 15K miles, with the exception of the one changed out last month. I can’t provide a reason for me and Kendas, but it sure saves a lot of money.

Kenda tires " sure saves a lot of money " ...... well I had a Michelin rear tire and got 36,311 miles on that, I guess I saved money also .... Mike

[Deanna777]

Deanna

[baxter]

Tire wear mileage is like guessing how many jelly beans in a jar. It varies greatly. If your ok with whatever tire you got and the miles that you get, then so be it. No wrong answer...

[ulflyer]

One thing never talked about much is which tires provide the softer ride. Some of us prefer a softer ride over long wear. I've tried several car tires, front and rear, diff Can Am's, and for me, there's no question but they ride stiffer.

[Peter Aawen]

One thing never talked about much is which tires provide the softer ride. Some of us prefer a softer ride over long wear. I've tried several car tires, front and rear, diff Can Am's, and for me, there's no question but they ride stiffer.

Try Michelin or Pirelli tires, they both make some good 'luxury car' tires in sizes that fit our Spyders, and if you run them at appropriate (lower) pressures for the (lighter) load of a Spyder vs a car, they can give you a pretty plush ride AND reasonably good handling.

And just as an added bonus, you might also be pleasantly surprised by their longevity too!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

One thing never talked about much is which tires provide the softer ride. Some of us prefer a softer ride over long wear. I've tried several car tires, front and rear, diff Can Am's, and for me, there's no question but they ride stiffer.

I have talked about the " COMFORT " factor when choosing an appropriate PSI for your tires ( auto tires only ) numerous times. .... I really like the Vredestein tires ( past & present models ) .... they have a lower than most MAX tire weight rating, which means the Sidewalls are more flexible, so at the lower PSI's Peter & I recommend you should experience a more comfortable ride ......Mike

[baxter]

10,000 miles on oem tires and look like new. I check psi maybe 2x a year. fronts 20, rear about 25.

[Latrappe]

I had managed a bit over 20,000 KM out of my rear Kenda tyre just over 12,000 miles for memory, but I don't think it was that much different to my Honda ST1300.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I had managed a bit over 20,000 KM out of my rear Kenda tyre just over 12,000 miles for memory, but I don't think it was that much different to my Honda ST1300.

About average for the newest model Kenda ..... however your comparison is IMHO apples to oranges. Over the past 12 years of using Auto tires I haven't gotten less than 30,000 + miles ( for a rear tire ) from any of them. Besides the Auto tires longevity, they are a much safer tire, they are built stronger..... JMHO ....Mike

[acdcking12]

About average for the newest model Kenda ..... however your comparison is IMHO apples to oranges. Over the past 12 years of using Auto tires I haven't gotten less than 30,000 + miles ( for a rear tire ) from any of them. Besides the Auto tires longevity, they are a much safer tire, they are built stronger..... JMHO ....Mike

I love my rear car tire. The ride is slightly stiffer, but I really like how the bike rolls. New car tires on the front when my crappy Kendas die...