OEM Rear Tire SHOT at 2,500 miles

[sledmaster]

Ron's sway bar was the missing piece to the ST-S. Now it rails like it should, no lane wandering, much more predictable and confidence-inspiring. It goes exactly where you want it to, really sweet to corner with this way and tracks better down the straight as well when there is wind or big trucks going by. I can't imagine why it isn't this way from the factory. There might be a negligible difference in ride quality, but for what is gained, who cares? It's like a totally different machine, what a beautiful upgrade! BajaRon is the MAN!

[Bob Denman]

[flamingobabe]

well....I'm feeling good....I have 11,000 miles and plan to change out tire next week....Mark is working almost full time....so we will go to OEM Kenda....

[jerpinoy]

There is a relative comparison of "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT" and WE ARE WHAT AND HOW WE DRIVE. Rear tires directly shows what kind of riders we are. JMO

[flamingobabe]

There is a relative comparison of "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT" and WE ARE WHAT AND HOW WE DRIVE. Rear tires directly shows what kind of riders we are. JMO

I ryde like a girl

[AbNormy]

A hot rod girl!

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[sledmaster]

This is curious. I started checking rear tire part numbers to see if there was a new rear tire for 2013. Checked 2013 ST-S rear tire part number 705 501 604. Checked 2012 RS, showed 705 501 464 but it superseded to the 2013 number 705 501 604. Interesting. So I checked the 2008 GS, it showed 705 500 958, but the supersede chain went to 705 501 312, then to 705 501 464, then to 705 501 604. So this tells me there have been four different part numbers for rear tires since the Spyder introduction, but they all appear to supersede to the 2013 number 705 501 604. I even checked a 2014 RT Limited and a 2014 ST-S and they both show the #604. It appears there is in fact a different tire for 2013 than what was used in 2012, but they are all now specifying the same #604. Now to see if we can get more info on what changed....

We received confirmation from BRP dealer support that the 2013 rear tire (#705 501 604) is a softer rubber compound. We told them about the unusually short life span we experienced, and they are aware of this “characteristic”. The 2013 tires have a rubber compound with more grip which, unfortunately, reduces its life span. They are actively investigating the issue.

This should mean if a dealer has a 2012 tire left in inventory (#705 501 464) it should last longer than the 2013 tire (#705 501 604), but regardless of what they order they would be receiving the #604.

It was agreed that the heavier vehicle, high speed operation and non-adjustable rear coil spring preload were also contributing factors to the shorter life span in comparison to my 2008s, but ultimately it was my heavy throttle hand that did the most damage.....

[DaveMcC]

I looked at mine yesterday & was noticing i'm pretty much getting bald in the center of my rear tire on my ST-L. I have a bit more miles than you do (4500 approx) but still thought i'd get more miles out of the tire. I will make it through the riding season with this tire, but will need a replacement in the spring. I didn't expect to have to buy a tire each season...and I don't ride nearly as many miles as many do (although I do quite a few group rides). I purchased an '08 GS that has a car tire on it...but the new ST-L has the stock Kenda...and i'm feeling hard pressed to replace it with another Kenda. Although I have heard many out there run various car tires on the different Spyders, I don't recall seeing anyone put one on a '13 ST. If they have, let me know your thoughts as i'm considering switching from the factory tire.

I got 5000 miles on my 2013 ST-LTD and switched to the exact same size Kumho. I now have ~7000 miles on the Kumho rear and probably will get another 2K. I'm an aggressive rider so I wouldn't put that Kenda crap on the rear. You gotta realize that BRP is French and they don't have a positive customer attitude when it comes to solving problems...like lousy OEM tires. My suspicion is that they have an agreement with Kenda so they cold get a volume discount on the OEM tires and are protecting Kenda by making life difficult for folks like us who believe tires should last longer if they're basically car tires.

[SilverFox1]

And what has French got to do with it? Is it because you're from Montana or just the US that you just replied to a three year old thread?

[Bob Denman]

And what has French got to do with it? Is it because you're from Montana or just the US that you just replied to a three year old thread?

Why not just ignore the comment, and let it show the World what sort of fool it's originator is?
Besides: what have YOU got against folks from Montana?
After all: it was good enough for Frank Zappa!

[MurrayBrown]

The original rear tire on my 2014 ST Limited lasted just over 24,000 kms. Checked the air pressures frequently. Changed out for a VEE rear time. Hope to double the mileage.