New tire update

[kngfsh27]

On Wednesday I had a new rear tire installed. A Kumho the same size as the Kenda. I could tell the difference just pulling out of the dealers parking lot. My wife rode with me yesterday and she commented several times over how much more stable the ride was for her. This was the first time we rode double that I could not feel the extra weight on the Spyder ( she weighs a whopping 120#). What a huge difference it makes when the rear tire has real sidewalls. I can't wait to get into some twisties with it.

[Deanna777]

What was your mileage on the original rear tire?


Deanna

[kngfsh27]

What was your mileage on the original rear tire?


Deanna

Just over 7600 miles and there was nothing left in the middle and very little left on the sides. I definitely had a soft compound Kenda. I will add that I ride a lot of two lane asphalt roads in Missouri and Kansas. Some of them can be real hard on tires.

[Deanna777]

Just over 7600 miles and there was nothing left in the middle and very little left on the sides. I definitely had a soft compound Kenda.

When I changed my original rear tire ( Kenda) I had 5,284 miles back in June of this year.

I replaced my original rear tire to a General Altimax RT 43, I like it, and I have not noticed a difference .

I have ridden on dry, wet, gravel, dirt roads. If you get a chance look @ my pictures of my original rear tire that I posted " go to Deanna777" threads started. Deanna

[Don in E Texas]

Just ordered my new rear tire (Ebay - $81.00 plus a few dollars Tax)) should be here Tuesday. My dealer will install for me. Mileage? 3,200. My past two Spyders the factory tire lasted 9,500 (2008) and 9,000 (2010).

[kngfsh27]

Just ordered my new rear tire (Ebay - $81.00 plus a few dollars Tax)) should be here Tuesday. My dealer will install for me. Mileage? 3,200. My past two Spyders the factory tire lasted 9,500 (2008) and 9,000 (2010).

WOW!!!! And I was feeling bad only getting 7600. I just want a tire that will last an oil change.

[Scugog58]

Just ordered my new rear tire (Ebay - $81.00 plus a few dollars Tax)) should be here Tuesday. My dealer will install for me. Mileage? 3,200. My past two Spyders the factory tire lasted 9,500 (2008) and 9,000 (2010).

Looking at my rear tire I'm looking to put a new one on in the spring. I have 6500 kms( approx 3700miles) centre is into wear indicators, outside edges just starting to wear. Not impressed.

[Deanna777]

Speaking of rear tires, in June I replaced mine, I got a General Altimax RT 43 and I paid ( $76.44 for tire ,Freight charge: $15.57, Total Payment: $92.01 tire size: 215/60 15. Mileage on original Tire: 5,284. Deanna

[spydermanstever]

On Wednesday I had a new rear tire installed. A Kumho the same size as the Kenda. I could tell the difference just pulling out of the dealers parking lot. My wife rode with me yesterday and she commented several times over how much more stable the ride was for her. This was the first time we rode double that I could not feel the extra weight on the Spyder ( she weighs a whopping 120#). What a huge difference it makes when the rear tire has real sidewalls. I can't wait to get into some twisties with it.

Did you choose the Kumho Ecsta AST model tire? When I was researching tires before I changed my tire, the Kumho was one I was considering before I ended up choosing the Toyo Proxes 4. I found the Kumho Ecsta AST, and the Toyo Proxes 4 to be one of the few tires available in the stock 225/50R15 size of the Spyder. The Kumho has a rating of 91H, where 91, the "load index" or load carrying capability, is 1356 lbs, and the H, the speed rating, is 130 mph. The Toyo has a rating of 95V, 95 representing load carrying capacity of 1521 lbs. and the V, speed rating of 149 mph (not that I intend to carry 1521 lbs and go 149 mph to test it! - lol). The original Kenda has a rating of 76H, meaning it is only good for 882 lbs, and has the same speed rating of your Kumho. Both the Kumho and the Toyo, I believe, are both good choices and a definite step up from the original Kenda and should outperform and last longer. Let us know how you make out with your Kumho after you clock up some mileage on it and I will report back on my Toyo to provide input for others needing to choose a replacement tire (same size) when it comes time for them.

[SpyderAnn01]

Did you choose the Kumho Ecsta AST model tire? When I was researching tires before I changed my tire, the Kumho was one I was considering before I ended up choosing the Toyo Proxes 4. I found the Kumho Ecsta AST, and the Toyo Proxes 4 to be one of the few tires available in the stock 225/50R15 size of the Spyder. The Kumho has a rating of 91H, where 91, the "load index" or load carrying capability, is 1356 lbs, and the H, the speed rating, is 130 mph. The Toyo has a rating of 95V, 95 representing load carrying capacity of 1521 lbs. and the V, speed rating of 149 mph (not that I intend to carry 1521 lbs and go 149 mph to test it! - lol). The original Kenda has a rating of 76H, meaning it is only good for 882 lbs, and has the same speed rating of your Kumho. Both the Kumho and the Toyo, I believe, are both good choices and a definite step up from the original Kenda and outperform and last longer. Let us know how you make out with your Kumho after you clock up some mileage on it and I will report back on my Toyo to provide input for others needing to choose a replacement tire (same size) when it comes time for them.

Are you sure about the weight rating on the Kenda? There was a big stink when Vee Rubber first made the Arachnid and didn't have it rated for the weight of the RT, so I find it odd that BRP would put a tire on the RT that isn't rated for the weight of the vehicle.

The Kumho should give you at least 20,000 miles but it has been my experience with them that they are not the greatest on wet roads. That said, I can't argue with $81 and 20,000 miles so I am putting another on my Spyder soon.

[garb55]

Are you sure about the weight rating on the Kenda? There was a big stink when Vee Rubber first made the Arachnid and didn't have it rated for the weight of the RT, so I find it odd that BRP would put a tire on the RT that isn't rated for the weight of the vehicle.

The Kumho should give you at least 20,000 miles but it has been my experience with them that they are not the greatest on wet roads. That said, I can't argue with $81 and 20,000 miles so I am putting another on my Spyder soon.

The Spyder RT with 1330 motor weighs a little over 1000 pounds
That weight is carried by 3 tires
so the rear of the Spyder is no where near 882 pounds
so the Kenda is fine with a rating of 882 pounds
It just does not last long

[STELLING MAN]

I just had a new Kumho put on Thursday, the original tire had 10,120 mi. on It, not to bad. I'm liking the new Kumho already, $71.00 with free shipping..

[SpyderAnn01]

The Spyder RT with 1330 motor weighs a little over 1000 pounds
That weight is carried by 3 tires
so the rear of the Spyder is no where near 882 pounds
so the Kenda is fine with a rating of 882 pounds
It just does not last long

Ok, but the Arachnid now has a rating of 80.

[Michaelscs]

I just had a new Kumho put on Thursday, the original tire had 10,120 mi. on It, not to bad. I'm liking the new Kumho already, $71.00 with free shipping..

Where did you get a Kumho for $71 with free shipping?

[murphybrown]

I just had a new Kumho put on Thursday, the original tire had 10,120 mi. on It, not to bad. I'm liking the new Kumho already, $71.00 with free shipping..

Great price. Need to order one. Will get 22k out of Khumo. So going to go with another one

[hecoon]

Did you choose the Kumho Ecsta AST model tire? When I was researching tires before I changed my tire, the Kumho was one I was considering before I ended up choosing the Toyo Proxes 4. I found the Kumho Ecsta AST, and the Toyo Proxes 4 to be one of the few tires available in the stock 225/50R15 size of the Spyder. The Kumho has a rating of 91H, where 91, the "load index" or load carrying capability, is 1356 lbs, and the H, the speed rating, is 130 mph. The Toyo has a rating of 95V, 95 representing load carrying capacity of 1521 lbs. and the V, speed rating of 149 mph (not that I intend to carry 1521 lbs and go 149 mph to test it! - lol). The original Kenda has a rating of 76H, meaning it is only good for 882 lbs, and has the same speed rating of your Kumho. Both the Kumho and the Toyo, I believe, are both good choices and a definite step up from the original Kenda and should outperform and last longer. Let us know how you make out with your Kumho after you clock up some mileage on it and I will report back on my Toyo to provide input for others needing to choose a replacement tire (same size) when it comes time for them.

i have used the kuhmo ast's since 08 and have always gotten over 35k on them they are good tires I have brifgestones on the front 45k and they still look good

[kep-up]

If y'all are wearing the center of the tire to the wear bars, and very little wear on the edges, you have it way overinflated. Bleed it! Observe it and continue to bleed it until the contact patch is the full width of the tire check it and maintain that pressure. Much safer, too, with the entire width of the tread on the ground.

[missouriboy]

Whoa! The 'overinflation' notion has been debunked here before. The Kenda center wear is caused by 'ballooning' at highway speed, not by overinflation (so said Nancy's Toy, AKA the motorcycle professor). Proper inflation is important to avoid tire failure caused by overheating in an underinflated tire. Watch out!

[jcthorne]

If y'all are wearing the center of the tire to the wear bars, and very little wear on the edges, you have it way overinflated. Bleed it! Observe it and continue to bleed it until the contact patch is the full width of the tire check it and maintain that pressure. Much safer, too, with the entire width of the tread on the ground.

Please do not start this again. For many tires what you post is true. For the stock Kenda, its not. The Kenda has poor construction and cannot support the width of the tread at speed. It balloons out and wears center. Its NOT an over inflation problem. Its a sub par tire problem.

[kep-up]

Please do not start this again. For many tires what you post is true. For the stock Kenda, its not. The Kenda has poor construction and cannot support the width of the tread at speed. It balloons out and wears center. Its NOT an over inflation problem. Its a sub par tire problem.

Then sue BRP for using an inferior tire.
Actually never heard of such a thing. Been mounting tires on bicycles, cars, trucks, motorcycles, since about 1960, and now on my Spyder. Never heard of such a thing.

[900Dave]

Then sue BRP for using an inferior tire.
Actually never heard of such a thing. Been mounting tires on bicycles, cars, trucks, motorcycles, since about 1960, and now on my Spyder. Never heard of such a thing.

You should start believing! It is true they balloon at highway speeds! I found the wet and dry traction on the Kenda to be really good. But no matter how much I lowered the pressure it wore the center.

[900Dave]

[QUOTE=
The Kumho should give you at least 20,000 miles but it has been my experience with them that they are not the greatest on wet roads. That said, I can't argue with $81 and 20,000 miles so I am putting another on my Spyder soon.[/QUOTE]

I wish I would get 20,000! I am at just over 11,000. I can probably squeeze another 3 or 4000 thousand out of it but it will be bald. We do ride pretty aggressive and I almost always have a passenger so that most certainly has a lot to do with it. That being said it is not a bad tire and I will probably buy another one.

[STELLING MAN]

For those who wanted to know where I bought my Kumho tire for $71.00 plus tax with free shipping, I got It from Discount Tire Direct #800-589-6789..

[SpyderAnn01]

I wish I would get 20,000! I am at just over 11,000. I can probably squeeze another 3 or 4000 thousand out of it but it will be bald. We do ride pretty aggressive and I almost always have a passenger so that most certainly has a lot to do with it. That being said it is not a bad tire and I will probably buy another one.

On a Kumho? I ride aggressively and add a heavy trailer to it but I have gotten 20,000 on each of the Kumho's that I have run.

For those who wanted to know where I bought my Kumho tire for $71.00 plus tax with free shipping, I got It from Discount Tire Direct #800-589-6789..

I just bought 2 from them online a week ago and they were $81 with free shipping. Never seen them at $71 before.

[missouriboy]

I wish I would get 20,000! I am at just over 11,000. I can probably squeeze another 3 or 4000 thousand out of it but it will be bald. We do ride pretty aggressive and I almost always have a passenger so that most certainly has a lot to do with it. That being said it is not a bad tire and I will probably buy another one.

My Kumho had 18,400 when I last saw it, and it still had enough tread that I wasn't even checking it yet. Haven't some folks reported 30,000+?

I ryde 2-up quite a lot, but I do try to avoid wheel-spin as much as possible...