Non-OEM rear tire for RT - best for wet roads?

[UtahPete]

I think the most potentially hazardous situation for Spyder riding is on wet roads (well, after icy roads, but I wouldn't knowingly go out in those conditions).

If wet road performance is paramount over longevity, which tire would you recommend?

[PW2013STL]

I have had great success running Mitchlan Premier A/S tire. If you look it up in TireRack the description states it was designed to be the best wet road tire. I found it so on our RT.

[bluewoo]

Good question, I always went with the softest compound on my Goldwing vs mileage. A lot of Gold wingers used winter car tires on the rear, But I never tried it and I wasn't a fan of the side walls getting destroyed leaning on corners.

To my understanding the lower the UTOG number the softer the compound is.
Does anybody run a snow tire or even consider it on the rear on these spiders?

Good reading here https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...he-Best-Option

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have had great success running Mitchlan Premier A/S tire. If you look it up in TireRack the description states it was designed to be the best wet road tire. I found it so on our RT.

I recommend the Vredestein Quatrac 5 ………… But the Premier is a very, very close second ……………. Mike

[Navydad]

Very pleased with my General Altimax and I have been in some frog stranglers.

[UtahPete]

Very pleased with my General Altimax and I have been in some frog stranglers.

That's what I have on there now. It's been a good all-around tire for me but lately the wet road traction hasn't been the greatest. Maybe it's just worn down too far (although it only has about 14k miles)

[UtahPete]

I have had great success running Mitchlan Premier A/S tire. If you look it up in TireRack the description states it was designed to be the best wet road tire. I found it so on our RT.

This one? https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...REAS&tab=Sizes

[UtahPete]

I recommend the Vredestein Quatrac 5 ………… But the Premier is a very, very close second ……………. Mike

This one? QUATRAC 5 - SIZE: 205/65R15

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...tnum=065HR5QT5

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I would check around for 205/60-15 ( Vredestein does make this )…… if not that one will work ……….. and it's 33 cheaper than the Michelin ……….plus it's slightly better in the wet …...jmho …. Mike

[Richardv]

I think the most potentially hazardous situation for Spyder riding is on wet roads (well, after icy roads, but I wouldn't knowingly go out in those conditions).

If wet road performance is paramount over longevity, which tire would you recommend?

...proxie 4 !!! Very predictable, and keeps it performance with wear.

[Tango]

Have matching Vredestein's on all three wheels. Love the handling. Tom

[UtahPete]

...proxie 4 !!! Very predictable, and keeps it performance with wear.

Which Toyo Proxes 4? There are several.

[asp125]

Is that the complete name of the tire?

I think he means Toyo Proxes 4

[PW2013STL]

This one? https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...REAS&tab=Sizes

I ran the 205/60R15. I purchased mine from Costco.

BTW - I agree with what you are experiencing with the General tire. At 14,000 miles I was having slipping issues in the rain, and by 17,000 I felt it was to dangerous to drive on.

[PW2013STL]

I would check around for 205/60-15 ( Vredestein does make this )…… if not that one will work ……….. and it's 33 cheaper than the Michelin ……….plus it's slightly better in the wet …...jmho …. Mike

Check out Vulcan Tire Sales as they may have this size.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I ran the 205/60R15. I purchased mine from Costco.

BTW - I agree with what you are experiencing with the General tire. At 14,000 miles I was having slipping issues in the rain, and by 17,000 I felt it was to dangerous to drive on.

IMHO when using Auto tires on our Spyders the PSI's in those tires need to be lower for the tire to perform at it's best ….. My Michelin Hydro-Edge had great wet weather traction up to about 25,000 mi. ( @17 psi ) then the traction got progressively less. The last time I rode it in rain , ( approx. 1/8 in. on the surface in Fla type rain )) I couldn't go above 35 mph, it is coming off this winter. ……………..good luck …… Mike

[UtahPete]

I would check around for 205/60-15 ( Vredestein does make this )…… if not that one will work

Mike, regarding tire profile, why do you say that? Just curious about your reasoning. Thanks.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I recommend the Vredestein Quatrac 5 ………… But the Premier is a very, very close second ……………. Mike

Vredstein doesn't make the correct size for the rear so i went with kumho on rear with the quatrac's on the front. i'm happy.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, regarding tire profile, why do you say that? Just curious about your reasoning. Thanks.

205/60-15 tire …. " 60 " is the aspect ratio , which is the distance between the RIM & the TREAD surface ..,.. OEM is a 50 aspect ….. 65 is quite a bit higher …. you want to stay as close to 50 as possible for many reasons - like clearance ………… I think I read that some folks in Australia have use 65's on the rear tires ….. maybe they will chime in ….. hope this helps ….. Mike

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Vredstein doesn't make the correct size for the rear so i went with kumho on rear with the quatrac's on the front. i'm happy.

…….… Other than the KENDA brand I think there are ONLY 4 other tire makers that make this size ( 225/50-15 ) …… annnnnnnnnnnnnd they are ODD brands ( except for Kumho's ) that I have not seen any performance test for ……………… Almost everybody on this Forum use " 60 ' series tires on the Rear ….. and have not had any issues.

[chris56]

I used the TOYO T1-R on my RT - its symetrical and worked very well here in the Alps, also ordered one for my new Ryker - the Dealer was happy to have a new Kenda in stock now ..

https://www.reifen-guru.at/produkt/T...-ZR16/R-282532

[UtahPete]

205/60-15 tire …. " 60 " is the aspect ratio , which is the distance between the RIM & the TREAD surface ..,.. OEM is a 50 aspect ….. 65 is quite a bit higher …. you want to stay as close to 50 as possible for many reasons - like clearance ………… I think I read that some folks in Australia have use 65's on the rear tires ….. maybe they will chime in ….. hope this helps ….. Mike

And the 205 is the surface width of the tread, I think. Is a wider tire (like the 235) better or worse for what I'm trying to do? Or, maybe the issue with the wider tire is clearance at the swing arm...

[jcthorne]

Yokohama S-Drive 205/55-15. We have installed MANY of these to lots of happy customers. They come back and get more when they wear out too. Great tire, rain or shine on a Spyder. Better traction than the soft compound and weak carcass Kenda and still lasts considerably longer with even tread wear. Quality, made in USA tire.

[Deanna777]

Hi,


I am running the General Altimax RT 43 rear ( size 215/60R15).
Wet 8.5

Hydroplaning Resistance 8.6

Wet Traction 8.5.


I have a 2014RTS-SE6.


Next month I am going to order an other General Altimax RT 43 tire to replace my current rear tire( General Altimax RT43) . The first tire has about 16,576 miles on the General.


Deanna

[SpyderAnn01]

A good question to ask is how many miles do you have on the tire you are recommending? Not saying that anyone posting here doesn’t have enough miles to make a recommendation but I have often seen people make recommendations when they have fewer miles on their ride then many of us put on in a day.

I have had great wet weather handling on the General running 24-26 psi and although I live in the desert, I frequently ride in the rain. 30,000+ annual miles