Update on my RIKEN rear tire!

[Fjrwillie]

Upon recommendation of BlueKinight911, I mounted a RIKEN rear tire. Have a little more than 1500 miles. Been thru torrential rains. Handled that with confidence that they were not gonna lose their grip on the wet pavement or hydroplane. Of course I did back off the throttle a bit and did skirt puddled rain when I could. Seem to handle the bumps and holes with grace.

I came off Kenda Kanines that were ok, but didn't get the miles out of the rear - I was hoping for at 15000 miles.

Willie

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Upon recommendation of BlueKinight911, I mounted a RIKEN rear tire. Have a little more than 1500 miles. Been thru torrential rains. Handled that with confidence that they were not gonna lose their grip on the wet pavement or hydroplane. Of course I did back off the throttle a bit and did skirt puddled rain when I could. Seem to handle the bumps and holes with grace.

I came off Kenda Kanines that were ok, but didn't get the miles out of the rear - I was hoping for at 15000 miles.

Willie

Thanks for this report ...... As I posted earlier I am very happy with this tire ..... it's a bonus ( during high inflation ) that it's about $20.00 less than any other great tire ....... Mike :thumbup:

[BajaRon]

I really like the test track reports at Tire Rack. Not saying they are the last voice in tires. But they do give some very good information.

Scroll down to the video portion.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/riken-raptor-hr

Here are some other tests of tires popular with Spyder owners.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/kumho-ecsta-ast

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiProContact&partnum=755TR5CPC&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes#testResults

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I really like the test track reports at Tire Rack. Not saying they are the last voice in tires. But they do give some very good information.

Scroll down to the video portion.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/riken-raptor-hr

Here are some other tests of tires popular with Spyder owners.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/kumho-ecsta-ast

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiProContact&partnum=755TR5CPC&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes#testResults

Ron, the Kumho - ecsta / ast as reported " this tire needs - a significant increase in WET traction " .... I have never recommended this tire for just that reason ..... and the Conti Contac is even worse ......, Mike :thumbup:

[BajaRon]

Ron, the Kumho - ecsta / ast as reported " this tire needs - a significant increase in WET traction " .... I have never recommended this tire for just that reason ..... and the Conti Contac is even worse ......, Mike :thumbup:

That is why I said 'Popular'. Not necessarily good. The problem, as you know. is the more and more limited options available. There are great tires out there. But they don't make them for our rims. I wonder if BRP did this to us on purpose! No, they would never do that...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

That is why I said 'Popular'. Not necessarily good. The problem, as you know. is the more and more limited options available. There are great tires out there. But they don't make them for our rims. I wonder if BRP did this to us on purpose! No, they would never do that...

Ron ....:agree: they are Popular tires, however they are far from the best tires ..... and ALL Auto tires fit CanAm Spyder rims / wheels .... the issue is ... SIZES .... there are some fantastic tires sold today , however not many will fit a Spyder..... Both Fed DOT and BRP state the wheels and tires are both " J " type.... so they match perfectly. ..... I'm really impressed with my new RIKEN especially the low price. .... Mike :thumbup:

[BajaRon]

Ron ....:agree: they are Popular tires, however they are far from the best tires ..... and ALL Auto tires fit CanAm Spyder rims / wheels .... the issue is ... SIZES .... there are some fantastic tires sold today , however not many will fit a Spyder..... Both Fed DOT and BRP state the wheels and tires are both " J " type.... so they match perfectly. ..... I'm really impressed with my new RIKEN especially the low price. .... Mike :thumbup:

You're right. I misspoke. I just meant that there are very few tires out there that will fit our application. I should not have used the word rim.

[Jetfixer]

Since the stock Kenda's clearly state on their sidewall that they are "J" type tires, doesn't that make them car tires?

[bigbadbrucie]

Since the stock Kenda's clearly state on their sidewall that they are "J" type tires, doesn't that make them car tires?

Not so much car tires. They fit on car RIMS! They are also clearly marked FOR SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE USE ONLY.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Since the stock Kenda's clearly state on their sidewall that they are "J" type tires, doesn't that make them car tires?

NO .... as BBB just posted the Warning label on the sidewall " for Special Motorcycle use only ".... the Kenda's are too weak for even the " Smart " car

[rugercharger]

what particular riken tire was used? and what size?

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

what particular riken tire was used? and what size?

Riken HR in 215/60 - 15 ....I bought it on-line@ tire rack .... If you chose to do this... DON'T TALK or ask questions of a salesperson ..... order the model and size and DECLINE any auto info...... many folks have made this mis-take and learned the saleman will tell you we can't sell it for a Spyder .. I also have the ZR A/S on my Cobra ..... Mike :thumbup:

[fatboy]

i have 25000 on a riken 13000 of that was put on in 30 days still looks good

[troop]

i have 25000 on a riken 13000 of that was put on in 30 days still looks good

25,000 on a rear and 13,000 in 30 days? Wowza :) "Maybe" mean 2500 and 1300 ?

[fatboy]

no rode to all four corners

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Since the stock Kenda's clearly state on their sidewall that they are "J" type tires, doesn't that make them car tires?

According to DOT regs - Yes, BUT they are too weak to actually support even the lightest Car made ..... hence to special; dis-claimer from Kenda ..... Mike :thumbup:

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

i have 25000 on a riken 13000 of that was put on in 30 days still looks good

WOW that's quite a few miles ..... Do you have a TREAD depth tool ???? .... If so, could you take and report some measurements

[troop]

no rode to all four corners

Dayum :) Awesome !!

[BigPoppa]

Sorry to chime in...not an owner yet but I'm following threads to learn about the Spyders before deciding whether to purchase one.

Is the issue with the "official" Kendas just mileage or are there other issues? Will purely automotive tires provide the same level or better traction than the Kendas do?

[Peteoz]

Sorry to chime in...not an owner yet but I'm following threads to learn about the Spyders before deciding whether to purchase one.

Is the issue with the "official" Kendas just mileage or are there other issues? Will purely automotive tires provide the same level or better traction than the Kendas do?

No, not just mileage, Poppa. Some (but not too many) get reasonable mileage out of their Kendas. It’s their build quality that is questionable. They usually require an inordinate amount of balance weights, are sometimes out of round, etc etc. Sure some buy aftermarket tyres purely to save money, but most buy them for the more sure footed feel you get, with added mileage as a bonus.

Pete

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

No, not just mileage, Poppa. Some (but not too many) get reasonable mileage out of their Kendas. It’s their build quality that is questionable. They usually require an inordinate amount of balance weights, are sometimes out of round, etc etc. Sure some buy aftermarket tyres purely to save money, but most buy them for the more sure footed feel you get, with added mileage as a bonus.

Pete

:agree: .... Kenda Spyder tires are built to the absolute MINIMUM allowed by law. .... they have very weak casing's and have the worst DEFECT rate of any tire I've seen in past 65 years...... Mike :thumbup: