Kumho Ecsta AST 225/50 R15 vs Yokohama S Drive 205/50 R15

[Rob Rodriguez]

Going to need a new rear tire on my 2012 RS soon. Doing some research and it looks like these tires both get good reviews and will work on the Spyder.

Any one here tried both and preffered one over the other?

[wis2013rtltd]

I during my search noted some folks that complained of hydroplaning with the Kuhmo as it wore.

In fairness, others have commented the opposite on the Kuhmo regarding hydroplaning.

I have noted however no complaints on the S Drive, although admittedly fewer are running it.

Mine should be installed this week and we will be on a 4,000 mile trip next month, so I will too report my opinion.

I will say, aside from wear, I had no issues at all with any of the OEM Kendas on the rear of the Spyder. Near us the dealer charges about 300-400 for the Kenda tire and installation, and considering the mileage before it needs to be replaced adds up to approx. .20 per mile to operate the Kenda, I decided to try the S Drive. Also to me the S Drive has a similar tread design.

Good Luck.

[SPYD3R]

I GOT KUMHO'd AGAIN THIS PAST SATURDAY....
MY 3rd KUMHO.... 2 ON MY '09RS/SE5 AND NOW ON MY F3-S....
i 1st put a KUMHO on in early '09, i was probably the first 1 to do so, and i've never looked back... i will NOT put a Kenda back on... EVER AGAIN....
do the KUMHO's hydro-plane.... YUP... on a ride in Florida, we were witnessing 3 - 4" of rain per hr... my KUMHO had 30,000 miles on it, and YES it hydro'd when i tried taking off too fast... and also felt it slip when i went over the wide-white cross-walk lines which are plastic and very slippery when wet....
other than that, theKUMHO's are excellent... and you'll get 3 - 5 times better mileage than from the OEM tires... BTW, all tires will hydro-plane under the conditions mentioned above...
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R F3-S

[BikerDoc]

I am on my 4th Kumho and love them, but will be interested in your opinion of S Drive, especially after it has 20000 miles or more on it..

[Bob Denman]

205/50-15?
or
205/55-15?
That latter is within 1/10th of one percent of the OEM tire's overall diameter.
If you go shorter; your speedometer will be off...

[Deanna777]

HI Rob,

I just bought/ and had a dealer install a General Altimax RT 43 215/60 15 on my 2014RTS-SE6. I really like it. I have not ridden in the rain yet with the new tire.

The dealer who installed the tire was Land Air, I called them last week Wed. 17th and I got installed on Sat. 20th. I have not noticed a difference from Kenda( the original tire) and I am almost @ 6,000 miles.
My original tire had 5,235 miles.
Good luck,
Deanna

[Rob Rodriguez]

Hi Deanna,

I'm going to have Walt's do my tire. Actually I'm due for an oil change so they are going to do both. Walt's is a nicer ride for me than Land Air and they are going to let me ride their F3 demo while the bike is being serviced. I'll check the General tire.


Right Bob.....55.............I have a typing problem, I'm not very good at it

[blacklightning]

My new kumo should be in on Wednesday, and I am having it installed on my 2014 RT Thursday. I have just over 7k miles, and am in desperate need of a new one. We have a 560 mile road trip scheduled for Saturday. I will report back once I give it a chance.

[Bob Denman]

Right Bob.....55.............I have a typing problem, I'm not very good at it

There are so many different tires available; I didn't know if you were going to try one that would seem to be completely different...

You've never watched me curse at my keyboard... two steps forward; 1&1/2 back...

[Deanna777]

Hi Deanna,

I'm going to have Walt's do my tire. Actually I'm due for an oil change so they are going to do both. Walt's is a nicer ride for me than Land Air and they are going to let me ride their F3 demo while the bike is being serviced. I'll check the General tire.


Right Bob.....55.............I have a typing problem, I'm not very good at it

HI Rob, I went with the Can-Am dealer that could install my new tire the soonest. So I could keep riding, and not having my spyder in the shop for a long time, just for a tire install. let me know what you think about the General Tire, if you choose.
Deanna

[otter28169]

My last tire was a Toyo, and I loved the wet traction it delivered. It lasted about 9000 miles. I now have the Ecsta and I have noticed that the wet traction is less impressive. The treadwear rating on the Kumho is 400 compared to 300 on the toyo so I am hoping to get 12000 out of it.

Just sayin'............

[Rob Rodriguez]

My last tire was a Toyo, and I loved the wet traction it delivered. It lasted about 9000 miles. I now have the Ecsta and I have noticed that the wet traction is less impressive. The treadwear rating on the Kumho is 400 compared to 300 on the toyo so I am hoping to get 12000 out of it.

Just sayin'............

Hmmm that's a lot less miles than others are reporting. You must ride it


My main reason for using something other than the Kenda is price. I'd like to think a different tire will get better mileage (maybe in the 15-20K range) but I can buy a Kumo for $82 delivered and the kenda is $189. That's just crazy. I don't really have any complaints about the stock Kenda. It has about 9000 miles on it and has been decent in my usage. I figure the Kumo can't be any worse, should get the same or more mileage and is a lot less $.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

My last tire was a Toyo, and I loved the wet traction it delivered. It lasted about 9000 miles. I now have the Ecsta and I have noticed that the wet traction is less impressive. The treadwear rating on the Kumho is 400 compared to 300 on the toyo so I am hoping to get 12000 out of it.

Just sayin'............

.....I have Toyo's T1R's 185/55-15's ( V-rated ) on the front and those suckers stick like glue wet and dry.........best front tire I've ever had on a Spyder.......and I only paid $57.00.....Mike

[sealfloorboards]

I ad Pro Caliber, In Vancouver Washington, mount my Kuhmo yesterday. Service tech. said it would last forever but warned me of the traction problems. I'm not a hot rodder nor do I ride much in the rain, so I don't think that this will be a problem for me. Was not happy with low miles I got on my factory tire.

[olderman]

I during my search noted some folks that complained of hydroplaning with the Kuhmo as it wore.

In fairness, others have commented the opposite on the Kuhmo regarding hydroplaning.

I have noted however no complaints on the S Drive, although admittedly fewer are running it.

Mine should be installed this week and we will be on a 4,000 mile trip next month, so I will too report my opinion.

I will say, aside from wear, I had no issues at all with any of the OEM Kendas on the rear of the Spyder. Near us the dealer charges about 300-400 for the Kenda tire and installation, and considering the mileage before it needs to be replaced adds up to approx. .20 per mile to operate the Kenda, I decided to try the S Drive. Also to me the S Drive has a similar tread design.

Good Luck.

Until 2 years ago I lived in Pewaukee Wi. Now live in Ventura Ca. I just put on a new tire last week on a 14 r s. Out the door $277.77 I too bought a Kenda. Did you get the tire from Cedar Creek ?I got 5200 miles on the first tire and I think the next one will be the Komho (? )

[wis2013rtltd]

Until 2 years ago I lived in Pewaukee Wi. Now live in Ventura Ca. I just put on a new tire last week on a 14 r s. Out the door $277.77 I too bought a Kenda. Did you get the tire from Cedar Creek ?I got 5200 miles on the first tire and I think the next one will be the Komho (? )

for the rear and Federal EVO for the fronts. The fronts were cupping and had weights that ran 1/4 around the wheel so I am getting rid of them even though they had plenty of tread left. Very disappointed with the front tires cupping, was laser aligned when new. I honestly think they were from a bad batch since they required so much weight to balance.

The dealer I bought the Spyder from will not mount anything but the Kenda brand. I did locate another shop that will mount and balance them.

Im not far from Pewaukee, was in CA this winter, your weather is awesome most of the time. WI does have nice weather too, but only 18 days a year.....

[Sempyder]

205/50-15?
or
205/55-15?
That latter is within 1/10th of one percent of the OEM tire's overall diameter.
If you go shorter; your speedometer will be off...

This is correct. I have the 205/50 15 and my speedometer is 2 mph over gps mph. For me I'm hoping to have less speed awards handed to me from state police this summer.


Sempert out,

[Deanna777]

Here is my new rear tire pictures: I have a General Altimax RT 43. Deanna

[Y-me]

Deanna777,

I'm considering a new big end tire for a 13' RT to replace the absolutely garbage Kenda.
I used a Kumho AST on my 10' RSS and loved it though the specs on your General are better.

How does the General fair with the rear fender and are you seeing any speedo or ride differences?

Best,
Y

[Firefly]

I've had the Kumho on for about 10,000 miles. Don't like it.... too slippery from day one. Wear has been slightly better than OEM... which I got 8,000 miles off of.

Wish you could still buy the Toyo's....

[cyclekid58]

I too am looking at the General Altimax RT43 for the rear as my stock tire is about wore out at 10,500 miles. I will be interested to see how it handles for you in wet weather driving and overall opinion of the tire, no clearance problems with the 215/60 R15 I assume?

Here is my new rear tire pictures: I have a General Altimax RT 43. Deanna

[Deanna777]

Deanna777,

I'm considering a new big end tire for a 13' RT to replace the absolutely garbage Kenda.
I used a Kumho AST on my 10' RSS and loved it though the specs on your General are better.

How does the General fair with the rear fender and are you seeing any speedo or ride differences?

Best,
Y

Y, The "General" works well with the rear fender, there is about ( behind license plate to tire )2 to 3 inch clearance................top of tire to bottom of Trunk 5to 6 inch clearance. I do not feel any ride/ or Speedo differences. Get the "General" tire for your 13'RT.

On my original Kenda tire I had 5,824 miles. I bought my 2014RTS-SE6 last year on July 30th. Deanna

[Deanna777]

I too am looking at the General Altimax RT43 for the rear as my stock tire is about wore out at 10,500 miles. I will be interested to see how it handles for you in wet weather driving and overall opinion of the tire, no clearance problems with the 215/60 R15 I assume?

I had 5,824 miles on the original tire( Kenda) I have ridden on dirt/gravel roads with the new General Altimax RT43 tire on my spyder, I do not feel a difference, I do not get any vibrations. The spyder handles well.

Clearance........ behind license plate 2 - 3 inches............. top of tire to bottom of the trunk : 5to 6 inch clearance, you could set a soda can on top of the tire with no problem. Their is a lot of clearance, I definitely do like the tire, and I have not ridden in the wet weather yet. I will post when I can when I have ridden in the wet weather. Deanna