KUMHO ECSTA AST tires

[SPYD3R]

Hi Dan,
I have also put a Kumho on my Spyder...
But keep in mind, that we have heard more than a few reports of the Kumho tires doing some serious hydroplaning in wet weather.
This does NOT appear to be a trait shared by the OEM Kenda.
Other than a shorter service life (and some busted belts in them); has anyone found any other shortcomings with BRP's choice of tire?
I haven't seen it in here...
Mike is right; BRP has it's hands tied. They have to put a motorcycle tire on what legally is a motorcycle. We aren't so limited. But in our quest for a longer-lasting tire; are we sacrificing safety?


...just sayin'...

BOBBY;
i had a KUMHO mounted yesterday for my X-Country ride that start on the 27th of this month.... the Kenda that was removed from my F3-S had just over 3000 miles on it, and it was 65% gone... on my way home yesterday, i found some 'twistees' to ride, and the KUMHO tracks far better than the Kenda... the Kenda breaks loose while the KUMHO holds the road... as for hydro-planing... i found that my 1st KUMHO hydro'd while on a ride in Florida in 4" per hour rain... and the tire had well over 30,000 miles on it... i shudder to think what the Kenda would have been doing in that weather with 30,000 miles on it.... my guess is i would have been riding on the AIR PRESSURE at that mileage, because all the rubber would have long since been gone....

as one stated: the laws don't keep up with technology... have you ever met a politicians that knows anything about the laws they vote on? answer: NO....
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R F3-S

[Deanna777]

Dee,

I got a little more out of my original Kenda (7,200 miles in 8 months) before it was bald in the middle. I really didn't want to put another Kenda on there and have to change it again toward the end of this year.

It took me calling 4 dealers before finding one that would put a non oem tire on. The first 3 all said their dealer agreement with BRP wouldn't allow them to install a non oem tire. The 4th one said "no problem" and changed the tire ($37.50 for the labor) yesterday.

I also went with the General Altimax RT43 215/60R15. Rode it home in light rain that turned into heavy rain and then a downpour. It did fine in the rain. I think you will be happy with that choice of tire.

I called 1 Can-Am dealer on Wednesday ( 6/17/15) and got an appointment for Sat. 6/20/15 @ 9:00 they put the tire on. Sent PM. Deanna

[vtrider]

I will be calling the 3 dealerships that we have in Vermont, to see if they will install a NON BRP tire on my 2014RTS-SE6, I have 4,981 miles on the original rear tire which is a Kenda. My spyder is not a year old.

I will post here what I get for an answer.

Also, before I order a tire from DISCOUNT TIRE........................ I will be getting a GENERAL ALTIMAX RT-43 SIZE, 215/60-15 this is mike's ( Blueknight911) first choice. I want a good tire, that has good thread, that will push away the rain on the road. Deanna

Deanna777, I bought the Kuhmo tire from discount tire and had Landair in Essex do the installation for me. They are usually ok with customers bringing there own tires for them to install.

[Deanna777]

Deanna777, I bought the Kuhmo tire from discount tire and had Landair in Essex do the installation for me. They are usually ok with customers bringing there own tires for them to install.

I bought a General Altimax RT 43 and had Land Air do the installation for me also. Deanna

[olderman]

I am giving just my own experience with the Kuhmo, put a brand new one this spring and 8500 miles and it's toast. Very slippery in the rain, so I am putting a Michelin Defender 215-60-15 next.

Maybe I didn't read your first post. What model Spyder do you have ? I was going to replace the rear tire on a 14 R S with a Defender , and the dealership in town said it wouldn't fit.

[cyclekid58]

I got my new tire installed today on my spyder, I could not feel the difference when riding, I had a Can-Am dealer install the new tire. The spyder handled the same when I went around corners, and straight away' s.

Also I am near 6,000 miles.

I have not ridden my spyder in the rain yet, I will post how the new tire handles in the rain.

The original tire( Kenda) had 5,829 miles. Deanna

What air pressure are you running in the general, the recommended 28psi or???????

[Deanna777]

I would think that if you didn't even make a big deal about it, most tech's wouldn't even notice and would just put the new tire on without thinking twice about it.

Just seems if you call them and specifically ask about installing a non standard tire, you'll probably get some flack.

I got my new tire installed @ Land Air in Essex Junction Vt. on 6/20/15 Sat. Deanna

[Deanna777]

What air pressure are you running in the general, the recommended 28psi or???????

I am running 24 psi air pressure in my "General".

I also have a lot of clearance................. behind license plate 2 to 3 inches, top of tire to bottom of trunk 5 to 6 inch clearance. Nothing rubs on tire that is under the trunk. Deanna

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I am running 28 psi air pressure in my "General".

I also have a lot of clearance................. behind license plate 2 to 3 inches, top of tire to bottom of trunk 5 to 6 inch clearance. Nothing rubs on tire that is under the trunk. Deanna

She is running 24 lbs...........................The sidewalls are much stiffer than the OEM ..Crapenda's so full pressure is not needed......I run 21 lbs in my Michelin I think it rides better.........Mike

[remark2013]

She is running 24 lbs...........................The sidewalls are much stiffer than the OEM ..Crapenda's so full pressure is not needed......I run 21 lbs in my Michelin I think it rides better.........Mike

I think it rides better...., the Michelin or General tire?, Kent.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I think it rides better...., the Michelin or General tire?, Kent.

IMHO, ( in a blind test ).....there is no one on the Planet who could tell you what tire was on the rear of a Spyder by riding it !!!!.....However, I think you can tell by the tire pressure ( at least 4 +/- lb change ) if it feels different..........Mike

[Bob Denman]

Do you think that 21 psi is enough pressure, to give you even wear across the tire?

[PMK]

Do you think that 21 psi is enough pressure, to give you even wear across the tire?

Might use the chalk test. I am sure a quick google search will explain how the guys with 4wd pickups use chalk to gauge the tread pressure as the tire rolls. Pretty easy and I plan to use this method when I install the new Yokohama S Drive.

PK

[Bob Denman]

I had forgotten about that little test...

Mike; are you gonna give it a try?

[PMK]

http://www.4wheelparts.com/tire-whee...e-checker.aspx

[Bob Denman]

"Retardedly simple"... I think that even I can handle this test!

[ravseren]

I have tried to order a replacement tire for my 2012 RT. Discount tire won't sell it because of what I'm mounting it on, and Tire Rack doesn't have them. Anyone got a source for me to get one?
Appreciate a lead.
Thanks

[Bob Denman]

DON'T tell Discount Tire that it's for a Spyder...
A Toyota Tacoma Base model, in 2wd...
It's for your spare tire!

[Deer Slayer]

I had read about that happening here, so when I ordered a Kumho Tire from TireRack last week, I just put 1970 VW Beetle. I figured I could have just about any size rim on there I want and they would have nothing to argue against. They gave me no issues and shipped it right to me. I would imagine they have some sort of check come up that flags if someone puts in "Spyder".

My Kumhos 2 ea are for a 1970 VW dune buggy! No problem got 2 for $174.00 to da store in Winston-Salem.

[Deanna777]

Here are the pictures of my new rear tire( General Altimax RT 43): on my 2014RTS-SE6 Clearance from tire to back fender is: 2 inches, and top of tire to bottom of trunk is 2 to 3 inches. Deanna

[cyclekid58]

I called " Discount Tire" on Sat. 6/6/15, they have a problem finalizing my order( General Altimax RT43 215/60-15) I talked to someone, they said they do not Sell any Tires for Spyders. Has any one else had that issue from Discount Tire?

So I am going to order the General Altimax RT 43 215/60-15 from Tire Rack and see what they say. Deanna

I ordered the General Altimax RT43 from TireRack by size, on checkout checkmarked the box saying I didn't want to put in vehicle info, sale was approved and I had it in less than 2 days, shipping was very fast. Will be getting it installed next week.