How is the car tire vs bike tire working out?

[mxz600]

I too, would like to try a different tire--but the dealers here will not install them on for "safety" reasons.

I confess, I am not a mechanic--so a tire change by me--is out of the question.

I don't think my dealer would have installed a different tire either.

I never got to the point of finding out because when I checked to see what they would charge to replace the back tire, they said it would be 2 hrs labor ($180.00) to remove and install the back wheel plus the charge from Belle tire ($20.00) to mount the tire on the rim (my dealer doesn't have a tire changer). 200 bucks and I still don't have a new tire.

So I go buy a Kumho at Discount tire for $85.00 and take it to the local Honda dealer and they did the work for $65.00. Complete job $150.00.

When I took the Spyder in for the 12,000 mi service there was a note on the repair slip stating that the stock Kenda tires are the only tires approved for Spyders. They are designed to work with the anti-lock brakes and the VSS system.

[WackyDan]

When I took the Spyder in for the 12,000 mi service there was a note on the repair slip stating that the stock Kenda tires are the only tires approved for Spyders. They are designed to work with the anti-lock brakes and the VSS system.

If by "designed" they mean the tire is round, and made of rubber.... then I guess that is correct.

[Bob Denman]

I found a dealer (I'm not ratting him out!) who's willing to slip a Falken under the rear of the Spyder. He's just putting "reqr tire change" on the bill without any mentuion of the brand... I have heard of some dealers refusing to put anything but a stock "chickenskin" on the hoops...

[NancysToy]

When I took the Spyder in for the 12,000 mi service there was a note on the repair slip stating that the stock Kenda tires are the only tires approved for Spyders. They are designed to work with the anti-lock brakes and the VSS system.

I am not surprised that a dealer would note the different tire when doing the normal service. It is a CYA thing. It also shows that they are giving the Spyder a thorough going over during the service. That's a good thing. I remember when my dealer noted a slightly scratch wheel. I was happy that they looked things over that closely.

I get a kick out of what they say about the Kendas being designed to work with the VSS, and particularly the ABS. Think about it. The purpose of the system is to keep the vehicle under control when the traction, steering forces, or braking is not balanced. Having a different tire, that has more or less grip than the original, can throw the balance of the reaction to these physical forces off...but the VSS is designed to compensate for exactly that effect! Other than the possibility of it kicking in more frequently, or not having to kick in as soon as it did before, there should be no changes. Yes, other tires were not tested, and provide an unknown, but wet roads, gravel, and other road conditions provide unknowns, too. The VSS is supposed to deal with those things. It seems to me that there is no sound reason why it should not be able to cope with slightly different tires, too. Other than mismatched tire diameters, there should be no problem, IMO.

[ThreeWheels]

Absolutely. Makes perfect sense, just think about buying tires for your car.
Cars have ABS and many have traction control.
When you buy tires for your car, they look up the tire manufacturers to see which tires fit, they don't check the car manufacturer to see which tires are approved.
The difference is, thereare precious few, if any, tire stores for motorcyles. Right now, most of us rely on our Spyder dealers to service the tires.

[mxz600]

Having a different tire, that has more or less grip than the original, can throw the balance of the reaction to these physical forces off...but the VSS is designed to compensate for exactly that effect! Other than the possibility of it kicking in more frequently, or not having to kick in as soon as it did before, there should be no changes.

I kind of got a chuckle when I read that note on the repair slip.

But you are correct Scotty. The VSS does kick in more with the Komho than it did with the Kenda.

[EBNewsome]

Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?

[Grandpot]

I use the same pressure. Due to the Kenda's not being round and required a lot of weight to balance, the bike ran like crap. Now I have Pirelli, and it rides like a completely different bike.

[Deanna777]

[QUOTE=EBNewsome;1377129]Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?[/QUO I am running Continetal's Contiprocontact's on the front, @ 19 PSI.


​Deanna

[DGoebel]

I put Federal Federal Formoza AZ01 - 165/55R15 on the front, rear is a BFGoodrich Advantage T/A 215/60R15 (Has over 15,000 miles now and looks almost new)
I just finished a 4,800 mile 10 day trip with both front and rear set to 19lbs. We drove from MN thru Canada to Angle Inlet, MN then down to Fort Meyers FL, back up through the Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, and Devils Triangle on up to Cincinnati, then Dayton, Indianapolis, then back home. The CAR Tires were fantastic from paved to dirt to hot to wet surfaces and conditions.

[BigBlock]

[QUOTE=Deanna777;1377142]

Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?[/QUO I am running Continetal's Contiprocontact's on the front, @ 19 PSI.


​Deanna

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner.

[Docster]

[QUOTE=BigBlock;1377219]

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner.

There is only 1 opinion/correct answer regarding the "car tire" on a Spyder question. Search "Car tire" on the forums and see for yourself

[bobfeeney]

I'm also running a stock size Kumho on the rear of my 2010 RT. I agree with Dan that it isn't as sticky as the OEM tire but it's not a problem. We haven't had any rain to ride in so I don't know how it will be in the rain. Just less than 2,000 miles on it so I don't know how the wear will be but I hope it's better than the OEM. Only got 9,000 miles out of the first OEM and changed the second with about 5500 mile although it wasn't completely worn out.

Cotton

My first was also 10k and 2nd @ 5600mls totaly shot... put car tire on michlin Defender HT 205/60/15 now 8K on tire tread depth std @ 10/32 and as of todays maintainance on my RTS it is still @ 10/32 streight across tire running 28 PSI we ride 2 up hard all the time no babying on our 5015

[Peteoz]

Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?

There are a zillion opinions on this, EB. By “recommended psi”, I assume you mean the psi that BRP recommends for the Kenda fronts. That goes out the window when you switch to car tyres.

Some are running their car tyre fronts at 16psi (and have run them temporarily as low as 10psi with no problems - good car tyres are much more strongly manufactured than the Kendas, so they can be run lower with no issues) and some are running them at 24 and anywhere in between. Some may even be running them higher than 24psi, but that is fairly rare.

Have a good search, and you will see many threads providing the reasoning behind psi selections (some of it quite heated). You can then start with a psi based on that research, that appeals to you, and then gradually adjust the psi to suit your handling and wear needs. I am running my Kuhmo fronts at 18psi, and I’m a heavyweight

Pete

[Deanna777]

[QUOTE=BigBlock;1377219]

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner.

Hi BigBlock,

The Continental's are performing great, you'll notice a slight difference ( I ran the Kendas on the front, these were changed @ 12,807 Miles) in handling.

I had a slight fender vibration on the right side, when I applied the brakes, that is why I changed the front tires. I had 4 or 5 weights on the inside of the rims when the Kendas were on the .

Go with a The Continental's , then get Laser Alignment. I do not have the Bajaron sway bar on my spyder.

What year is your spyder?

What spyder model do you have?


I have a 2014RTS-SE6 the Tire size I'm running is 165/60 R15 and running 19PSI.

[BigBlock]

Thanks for the info Deanna. It’s a 2018 RT Ltd. Will look into the Continental’s

[Lurker]

Just some outside input - I have 4 reverse trikes of my own and run Continentals up front and various brands on the rear. Average life on the front is 40-45k and rear a bit less at 32k. 16-18 psi front and 24 on the rear. Early on I tried Kenda tires and did not have any luck with, well any aspect of that brand so I switched quite quickly to Formosa, Bridgestone and various other brands with great results and settled in on conti just because they have a nice profile and fit the rim specs nicely. In general all car tires will provide the needed adhesion and longevity required to go 30-50k if properly inflated and balanced (traditionaly)