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Another Tire Question
I recently purchased a 2009 RS SE5. I replaced the rear Kenda with a Kumho Ecsta 225/50r15 tire and I'm very happy with it. The front tires have plenty of tread left at 15,000 miles, but they're obviously the original tires - they have date codes showing they were manufactured in 2009. I don't like running tires that are more than 7 years old. I want to use something other than Kenda for replacements.
I've searched and found a few threads on front tires - my question is this: I saw a few old posts about using a 175/65r14 to replace the original 165/65r14 tires. But, I haven't found any recent threads or follow-up posts on this tire size. Does it work well? Any concerns? I can get 165/65r14 Bridgestone tires, but there are more options in the 175/65r14 size.
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Oh no..!!
I don't do tires... but you can get 30,000 out of the kenda fronts and unless you have signs of dry rot I would ryde them out. jmo
2012 RS sm5 , 998cc V-Twin 106hp DIY brake and park brake Classic Black
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I'm not a fan of the Kenda tires. IMHO they are low grade Chinese tires sold at a premium price. BRP teamed up with Kenda for OEM and replacement supply strictly for the $$$ they can make. BRP tries to convince us these are "special" motorcycle tires - they're not motorcycle tires and a Spyder isn't a motorcycle. BRP and Kenda don't publish actual diameters - they don't want us to know what's out there to replace it with.
I spent my career working for a European auto manufacturer in technical service and quality. I understand how these things work and I understand tire construction.
Thanks for the replies but I'm looking for feedback from someone that has run 175/65r14 tires on the front of their GS/RS.
Last edited by Koop; 03-09-2016 at 02:54 PM.
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Originally Posted by Chupaca
I don't do tires... but you can get 30,000 out of the kenda fronts and unless you have signs of dry rot I would ryde them out. jmo
I agree. The 14" Kenda front tires were actually pretty good.
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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Not much difference in those two tires you can check it out on this website
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r14-175-65r14
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It's the age of the front tires that is prompting me to replace them. Sidewall cracks aren't the only thing that cause tires to "age out." Here's a link to a NTSB presentation.
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Originally Posted by CMA/IBA_rider
Thanks for the link! Good info - although there can be differences from manufacturer to manufacturer even though they carry the same size designation. But, as you point out - the difference is pretty small.
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Very Active Member
Last edited by Highwayman2013; 03-08-2016 at 08:39 PM.
2016 F3 Limited
2019 Ryker Rally
2014 Suzuki V Strom 650
2020 CSC TT 250
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Very Active Member
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Originally Posted by Koop
It's the age of the front tires that is prompting me to replace them. Sidewall cracks aren't the only thing that cause tires to "age out." Here's a link to a NTSB presentation.
Thanks for posting that very important link. The information provided in that NTSB link is critical, and every vehicle owner or operator should be aware of it. When I was still working, we had a small fleet of vehicles used for a classified government mission. They were very low mileage. I started asking for permission to replace the tires and radiator/heater hoses at about the five year point - and kept getting turned down. I scheduled a meeting with the government senior executive (SES) who managed our program, and brought a guy from NTSB with me - he briefed my SES on this very subject - and I got my new tires and hoses.
Rubber wears out, just sitting on the shelf or on the vehicle, even when mileage is very low. Old tires kill.
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people buy these big motor coaches with low miles tires look new but way out of date. try replacing 6 or 8 of those babies. or sport looks cheap now
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Originally Posted by kbwitt
people buy these big motor coaches with low miles tires look new but way out of date. try replacing 6 or 8 of those babies. or sport looks cheap now
Yep - tires for my motorhome are over $500/each and I'll never wear them out. After 7 years they'll still look great but they'll get replaced.
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Front tire experience
My OEM's went south quickly due to bad alignment. I replaced them with Falken ZEIX ZE512's in 185/60 - 14 largely because of availability at the time. They were a b***** to fit into the fender space. Removing the mud flaps would help a lot. I really can't notice a difference in handling and will go back closer to OEM size next time. After a few K miles I had the laser alignment done by Squared Away but the tires already showed uneven wear so I still dance on some road seams.
If I decide keep this Spyder for a long time I may spring for new tires soon. It's an '09 RS SE5 with 14K miles and going strong.
Just another example to throw into the mix. Enjoy the search.
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I had 175/65R14 Kumho Solus TA11 tires mounted today. Getting the wheels back onto the Spyder was a chore. I removed the mudguards and had to finagle the wheels onto the lug studs to get them under the fenders. Clearance is tight but doable. So far, I'd have to say they are very smooth and I like the grip level. I replaced the original tires due to the 0309 (calendar week 3 of 2009) manufacturing date. Looking at the tread on the directional Kumhos and reading the reviews, I think this will be a superior tire, especially in wet conditions.
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Originally Posted by Koop
I had 175/65R14 Kumho Solus TA11 tires mounted today. Getting the wheels back onto the Spyder was a chore. I removed the mudguards and had to finagle the wheels onto the lug studs to get them under the fenders. Clearance is tight but doable. So far, I'd have to say they are very smooth and I like the grip level. I replaced the original tires due to the 0309 (calendar week 3 of 2009) manufacturing date. Looking at the tread on the directional Kumhos and reading the reviews, I think this will be a superior tire, especially in wet conditions.
I just had the rear tire done and went with the OEM Kenda. But these Kumho tires that you just put on are the ones I am lookin at to replace the fronts. I was not impressed with the OEM fronts and do not want to put another set on, but I was wondering about possible clearance issues. Thanks for the info, Koop! Appreciate it.
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Very Active Member
I am running the General Altimax RT 43 on the rear of the spyder, and I am running 26psi. New tire was put on @ 5824 miles. I like it, and it is my 2nd motorcycle riding season with it. Deanna
Current Spyder - 2023 F3 LTD Special Mineral Blue
Red LED NANO Saddlebag Marker Lights with Full Illumination
Sequential Fender LED'S (Amber/Red) with Safety Reflector
Dual Power Plate (12 V & USB ports)
Gremlin Bell
Rear Trunk Organizer (4 holders, 2 Elastic Holders)
Lamonster "Top Cuff" with adjustable drink Holder
SpyderPops Missing Guard Belt
Console Accent Trim (Carbon Fiber Domed Black)
Ultimate F3 Floorboards
Front Fairing Service Access Door Covers (Carbon Fiber Doomed Black)
Sway Bar with Links
Rolo Laser Alignment
Half Cover
A-Arm Daytime Dual Color LED Running Lights with Blinker Module
Hi-Viz DRL and Sequential Mirrors lights
Marinco 12Volt Power Receptacle with polarized leads & slide lock
Show chrome Trunk Shock
Former Spyder - 2014 RTS SE6 Cognac SOLD
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Originally Posted by Raptor
I just had the rear tire done and went with the OEM Kenda. But these Kumho tires that you just put on are the ones I am lookin at to replace the fronts. I was not impressed with the OEM fronts and do not want to put another set on, but I was wondering about possible clearance issues. Thanks for the info, Koop! Appreciate it.
I'm very happy with the Kumho Solus tires. The fit works on our 2009 RS. My wife remarked about how good they felt after she took a 40 mile ride yesterday.
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Originally Posted by Koop
I had 175/65R14 Kumho Solus TA11 tires mounted today. Getting the wheels back onto the Spyder was a chore. I removed the mudguards and had to finagle the wheels onto the lug studs to get them under the fenders. Clearance is tight but doable. So far, I'd have to say they are very smooth and I like the grip level. I replaced the original tires due to the 0309 (calendar week 3 of 2009) manufacturing date. Looking at the tread on the directional Kumhos and reading the reviews, I think this will be a superior tire, especially in wet conditions.
I have the same tires on my 09 and they have 54k on them with plenty of tread left
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I thought I was happy with the performance of the original Kenda front tires . At 20,000 miles they still had a lot of tread life left but I was starting to experience some front end vibration. Rebalancing may have cured the vibration. I installed the same size Bridgestone Potenza's about 1000 miles ago. I can't say how the wet road performance is but so far on dry pavement it is a huge improvement over the Kendas. I'm running with 24 psi.
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