general altimax rt43

[AY4B]

Oh !!!! "Dead Man Walking"

Not really, I'm the one that got broke. The difference is when I get led to the pond I drink.

[Sarge707]

People should be aware that the Yokohama S drive 215-55-15 is Specifically a Summer tire and states " Do Not Use in NEAR freezing temps or on Ice or snow?" Since I ride my RT in 35-45 degrees a lot in the winter (Like Today) I am going with the General Altimax in a month or so!

[Bob Denman]

I thought that saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink".

Pam

That may work for some of you lucky folks .
But I prefer mine!

[Deanna777]

Hi Dee,
How much air (in PSI), are you running in your rear tire?

Bob, I am running 26psi in the my rear tire on my Spyder. Also Why do you ask????

Are you going to get a General Altimax RT 43 tire for your rear of your spyder?

Deanna

[Deanna777]

Thanks!
(I'm running 25 psi in my Kumho...)
I wondered about your tire pressures, since Mike is such a proponent of running them with around 21psi or so in them...

I am running 26 psi in my rear tire on my spyder. Deanna

[Deanna777]

People should be aware that the Yokohama S drive 215-55-15 is Specifically a Summer tire and states " Do Not Use in NEAR freezing temps or on Ice or snow?" Since I ride my RT in 35-45 degrees a lot in the winter (Like Today) I am going with the General Altimax in a month or so!

You have made a good choice going with" General Altimax RT 43" since I am running the same kind of tire on my 2014 RTS-SE6.

I choose the General Altimax RT 43 because of the ratings it has. The spyder handles well, on dry, wet, gravel, dirt, roads. Also, I do not notice a difference of how the spyder handles. It still handles very smooth, and quite.

Also, I still have the Kenda's on the front tires, and the mileage on my spyder is 10, 320. The mileage on that was on my rear tire ( Kenda) was 5,824. Sent pm. Deanna

[Bob Denman]

Bob, I am running 26psi in the my rear tire on my Spyder. Also Why do you ask????
Are you going to get a General Altimax RT 43 tire for your rear of your spyder

It's largely just a matter of curiosity... I knew that Mike was running much lower pressures, and I wondered if you had also done the same.
I've got TONS of mileage left on my Kumho, but I may just try dropping down another pound or two in pressure...

[PMK]

People should be aware that the Yokohama S drive 215-55-15 is Specifically a Summer tire and states " Do Not Use in NEAR freezing temps or on Ice or snow?" Since I ride my RT in 35-45 degrees a lot in the winter (Like Today) I am going with the General Altimax in a month or so!

Agree, the Yokohama S Drive is a summer performance tire. Probably not a good choice for colder climates.

[PMK]

I choose the General Altimax RT 43 because of the ratings it has.

Deanna

I am curious, since tires are often a big topic, where did you obtain ratings on the Altimax RT43? Are these the tire sidewall ratings or something I have not found on Tire Rack.

I have found where Tire Rack tested a different version of the Altimax, but not this specific version.

[KX5062]

I too am trying this tire. I've got about a thousand miles so far and am pleased with it. It does make the speedo spot on. Performance, so far is good. Wear is too soon to tell much. I'm running it at 28 psi cold.

However, there is one thing I don't recall anyone mentioning. And, that being how difficult it is to mount. Because the tire is roughly 1/2" narrower than OEM it is very difficult to set the bead. When I had mine mounted, I had to go to 3 different shops, because they didn't have a rapid inflation device. That was the only way they were able to pop the bead, and even with that it was difficult.

This does cause me some concerns for a travel bike, frequently going to remote desert areas, like I do.

I guess time will tell all.

[Deanna777]

I too am trying this tire. I've got about a thousand miles so far and am pleased with it. It does make the speedo spot on. Performance, so far is good. Wear is too soon to tell much. I'm running it at 28 psi cold.

However, there is one thing I don't recall anyone mentioning. And, that being how difficult it is to mount. Because the tire is roughly 1/2" narrower than OEM it is very difficult to set the bead. When I had mine mounted, I had to go to 3 different shops, because they didn't have a rapid inflation device. That was the only way they were able to pop the bead, and even with that it was difficult.

This does cause me some concerns for a travel bike, frequently going to remote desert areas, like I do.

I guess time will tell all.

I am also running this tire, and I am happy with it. This will be my 2nd riding season with this tire.

The mileage on the new tire was 5,824. and mileage on the spyder now( on Oct. 15th was 10,000 + winter storage until April 2nd WOHOO!) I am running 26psi , and the spyder handles great, on dry, wet, gravel, dirt roads.

Deanna

[Deanna777]

I am curious, since tires are often a big topic, where did you obtain ratings on the Altimax RT43? Are these the tire sidewall ratings or something I have not found on Tire Rack.

I have found where Tire Rack tested a different version of the Altimax, but not this specific version.

PMK, Sent pm. the ratings that I got are for Wet, Dry, Comfort. Deanna

[PMK]

PMK, Sent pm. the ratings that I got are for Wet, Dry, Comfort. Deanna

Thanks for the pm.

Seriously, you should share that info on the open forum.

Curiosity has persisted as I kept wondering where these tire ratings were coming from or how they were derived.

Tire Rack has some very valid comparative tests done on their test tracks. Both wet and dry performance are measured. These Tire Rack ratings done on the test track are somewhat consistent conditions and may be carefully compared to truly compare one tire to the next.

The tire ratings you had sent me, and those too are listed on Tire Rack, are generated by consumer reviews.

Thanks for sharing the ratings info.

PK

[AY4B]

People should be aware that the Yokohama S drive 215-55-15 is Specifically a Summer tire and states " Do Not Use in NEAR freezing temps or on Ice or snow?" Since I ride my RT in 35-45 degrees a lot in the winter (Like Today) I am going with the General Altimax in a month or so!

Yes I read that. No problem here in north Texas, I dont ride in freezing temperatures.

[Deanna777]

Thanks for the pm.

Seriously, you should share that info on the open forum.

Curiosity has persisted as I kept wondering where these tire ratings were coming from or how they were derived.

Tire Rack has some very valid comparative tests done on their test tracks. Both wet and dry performance are measured. These Tire Rack ratings done on the test track are somewhat consistent conditions and may be carefully compared to truly compare one tire to the next.

The tire ratings you had sent me, and those too are listed on Tire Rack, are generated by consumer reviews.

Thanks for sharing the ratings info.

PK

You are Welcome!

Here are the Ratings for the **** General Altimax RT 43***
WET

• Hydroplaning Resistance 8.6
• Traction 8.7

DRY

• Cornering Stability 8.7
• Dry Traction 9.0
• Steering Response 8.6

COMFORT

• Ride Quality 8.6
• Noise 8.3
• Tread Wear 8.7

The is the PERFORMANCE EVALUTION the General Altimax RT43.
These ratings are Excellent to Superior.

Deanna

[Pampurrs]

Yes I read that. No problem here in north Texas, I dont ride in freezing temperatures.

Hmmmm I lived in Dallas for 23 years and remember MANY freezing days in December, January, and February.

Pam

[Sarge707]

I too am trying this tire. I've got about a thousand miles so far and am pleased with it. It does make the speedo spot on. Performance, so far is good. Wear is too soon to tell much. I'm running it at 28 psi cold.

However, there is one thing I don't recall anyone mentioning. And, that being how difficult it is to mount. Because the tire is roughly 1/2" narrower than OEM it is very difficult to set the bead. When I had mine mounted, I had to go to 3 different shops, because they didn't have a rapid inflation device. That was the only way they were able to pop the bead, and even with that it was difficult.

This does cause me some concerns for a travel bike, frequently going to remote desert areas, like I do.

I guess time will tell all.

How Much of a problem is this? Should we consider ONLY 225-50-15 Stock size tires? I don't ride in rain so Hydroplaning is Not a Factor!

[KX5062]

The concern being losing the bead somewhere on the road due to a nail or whatnot.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The concern being losing the bead somewhere on the road due to a nail or whatnot.

If you drive around on a tire ( any tire ) that has no AIR in it......you have a good chance of the bead coming off..............And in an earlier post you mentioned going to THREE tire shops that couldn't get the bead to set...........I find this Bazaar....Except for TUBE tires .....I believe ALL tubeless tires need to have the Bead set this way .....Mike

[KX5062]

If you drive around on a tire ( any tire ) that has no AIR in it......you have a good chance of the bead coming off..............And in an earlier post you mentioned going to THREE tire shops that couldn't get the bead to set...........I find this Bazaar....Except for TUBE tires .....I believe ALL tubeless tires need to have the Bead set this way .....Mike

Bizarre or not, that's what happened.

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work. I had to go to a tire shop (I live in a small town, so there's not many choices) that had a rapid inflation device. I don't know it's technical name, but it's a device that dumps air into the tire so rapidly that it doesn't allow the air to escape and sets the bead almost instantly.

My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Bizarre or not, that's what happened.

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work. I had to go to a tire shop (I live in a small town, so there's not many choices) that had a rapid inflation device. I don't know it's technical name, but it's a device that dumps air into the tire so rapidly that it doesn't allow the air to escape and sets the bead almost instantly.

My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

#1....I don't understand " the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock ".........#2. .....I watched my tire guy remove all the tires from my Spyder rims ( 16 X's ) and He needed the Hydraulic arm to break the tire from the bead,.....I have " ZERO " concern that this is going to happen during a flat tire..........Mike

[Peter Aawen]

.....

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work.....


My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

The first bit is (sorta) true, IF the fitter doesn't have shop air with sufficient air delivery at pressure; but hey, it really shouldn't take all that much, most shop air plants provide waaaaay more than necessary, & even if they don't all it usually takes is the operator leaning on the tire, or at worst, wrapping a ratchet strap run around the circumference of the tire & tightening it one or two notches as air is pumped in; & voila, bead seated!! But heck, even the little air compressor in my 4WD (that isn't much bigger than the air pump under the RT!) and that doesn't have an air tank to help delivers enough air flow at pressure is able to seat the beads on these tires & some much bigger with far more impediments to seating!! I wonder what the deal was with yours??? It sounds somewhat odd that no-one could seat it properly when it should be so easy.... even that size (or a size or 2 narrower) on a wide rim - that tire is well within the 'acceptable fitting' width specs for that width rim???

As for the second bit being an issue if you don't have 'constant air pressure', that's not really correct - once a tire bead is seated properly, it generally takes some fairly significant force to UN-seat the bead again, that's why tire shops have machines to do it these days.... Before those hydraulic/air driven machines came along, it took a fairly large amount of manual effort using a pretty big lever to 'break the bead' & start being able to remove the tire from the rim!! Unless you corner or otherwise somehow apply a LOT of torsional or lateral force to your tire once it's lost most of its pressure, you aren't likely to break the bead!! And if you are still riding once the tires lost enough pressure to let that happen, you got other problems already anyway!!

A small leak will only let air out slowly, & you should notice the change in ride & handling well before the loss of pressure becomes enough for 'normal' riding forces to become sufficient to break the bead's grip on the rim. And if the leak isn't small, but more of a 'dump all the air out now' thing, rolling the bead off the rim is gonna be the least of your troubles!! I wouldn't be worrying about this one too much, it really shouldn't be a significant concern or all that likely.

Worry Less, Ride More!

[Sarge707]

I'm gonna get the Kuhmo Ecsta and be done with it. I got 14,800 Now and at least 1,000 to go on the Kenda and if the Kuhmo is as Good I will be happy.
I believe we get more miles in the Cooler climates as Compared to tropical climates- BUT I can't prove it? Must be Global cooling!

[The Ancients]

I just put the Altimax RT43 tire on my 2012 RS Sm5, it has the sport fender on and it has so much room I could definitely go taller. The Altimax is so much smother than the Kenda, question would I use the set button to change my LCD display back to U.S. temp and get the digital speedo back it seems the dealer change the setting but I didn’t realize it until I left.

[Mikey]

yup