I Thought BRP Changed Rear Tire Compounds For Longer Tire Life

[MikeT]

I have a 2015 RT Limited (April 2015). This is my/our first Spyder. I just crossed 6200 miles. Rode 2500 miles in '15. Of the 3700 miles we've ridden this year, 2700 of it has been 2 week long trips with all compartments full; but within the BRP's guidelines. The wear bars are close to the surface. As usual the center of the tire is wearing the fastest. This I expected. I'm estimating that I'll only get 8,000 miles out of this tire. Not expexting. We ride 2-up 95% of the time. I've run 28 PSI in the tire. To say the least, I'm a little surprised by this milage since it seems more typical of a 2014. Any thoughts????? Thanks.
Mike

[lilwill]

I have a 2015 F3s with almost 6k on it and the rear tire is showing major signs of wear


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[AeroPilot]

Your decision on when to change but I think the Kenda gets changed out early due to water breaker bars molded in tire being mistaken for the wear bars. Sells more tires. Again, your decision, but changed the wifes 15 RTS at 12,500 and my 15 RT just this week at 14,950 miles. Best wear of the four Kendas we've wore out. Our worst was the 14 vintage replacement that was quite bald at 8,000 and we tend to be easy on tires. Your wear and your choice.

I'd say that 8,000 with two up is better than most get from a Kenda OEM on an RT IMHO.

[ARtraveler]

I have a 2015 RT Limited (April 2015). This is my/our first Spyder. I just crossed 6200 miles. Rode 2500 miles in '15. Of the 3700 miles we've ridden this year, 2700 of it has been 2 week long trips with all compartments full; but within the BRP's guidelines. The wear bars are close to the surface. As usual the center of the tire is wearing the fastest. This I expected. I'm estimating that I'll only get 8,000 miles out of this tire. Not expexting. We ride 2-up 95% of the time. I've run 28 PSI in the tire. To say the least, I'm a little surprised by this milage since it seems more typical of a 2014. Any thoughts????? Thanks.
Mike

The rubber compound was supposed to be changed back to the "old style" on the 2015's. I got 9K on the "new" style the first go around. Replaced my 2nd rear tire on my RT-S 13,000 miles later--closer to normal. You may have some other issues. Bad tire?

[Bob Denman]

Hi Mike!
My early 2014 only got 5700 miles out of the OEM Kenda, and it was toast!
It was in the Spring of 2014, that they changed back to the compound used in prior years...
I sort of doubt that you've got the "old mix"; it's probably more due to running two-up, with a relatively high tire pressure...

[SpyderAnn01]

When the tire is bald in the center you don't need any stinking wear bars. They changed the compound on the front tires in 2014. Don't think they did anything to improve the rear.

[AeroPilot]

..

[jaherbst]

When the tire is bald in the center you don't need any stinking wear bars. They changed the compound on the front tires in 2014. Don't think they did anything to improve the rear.

Now you tell me😬

Jack

[jaherbst]

Well Pam got -17,000 on her Kenda's and I got 10,000 and could have ridden another 2-4000. Many many things come into play when talking tire mileage.

If I get 10,000 on my motorcycle I am happy. I never judge my tires by mileage but by performance. I.e. Grip, ride, performance on wet surfaces . I will always stay with a softer compound tire (motorcycle). Safety first/mileage secondly! JMO

Jack

Jack

[jaherbst]

When the tire is bald in the center you don't need any stinking wear bars. They changed the compound on the front tires in 2014. Don't think they did anything to improve the rear.

Ann you did tell me they changed the rear tire compound in early 2014 and gave me a date when this change over was made. Trust and verifie-- I called Danny and he verified this to me. Hope you were both correct.

If not it would be nice to know.

Jack

[JayBros]

Jack, Ann told me that tires on 2014s with a manufactured date after 2814 were of the "old" harder compound.

[jcthorne]

Well Pam got -17,000 on her Kenda's and I got 10,000 and could have ridden another 2-4000. Many many things come into play when talking tire mileage.

If I get 10,000 on my motorcycle I am happy. I never judge my tires by mileage but by performance. I.e. Grip, ride, performance on wet surfaces . I will always stay with a softer compound tire (motorcycle). Safety first/mileage secondly! JMO

Jack

Jack

My Yokohama has MUCH better traction than the OEM Kenda did. We will see how long it lasts but most get 15k or so.

[retired1]

In my opinion, Kendas tire compound changes are BS. Speaking from experience, I never got over 7000 miles on my 2010 RTS or my 2014RTS. JMO
I'm talking about the rear tire.

[nesdspyder]

2015 RT L here 6200 miles on my fronts and tires are wore bald on the inside. Rear tire is getting down to where I can maybe get 2000 miles out of it to be safe.

[SpyderAnn01]

The front tires were more of the problem on the 14s. The rear Kenda's always sucked. Prior to 14 you could get 15,000 to 20,000 on the front tires then they changed the compound and 7,000 to 10,000 was the norm. In May or June of 14 they changed the compound and went to something a bit harder. I don't remember anything one way or the other on the rear compound. I'm getting old.

If you have a front tire with a date of 0114 to about 2614 you likely have the crappy one. I currently have Kenda's on the front of mine and they have a 2013 manufacture date and I have about 17,000 on them and they are just about ready to be changed.

[Pirate looks at --]

The front tires were more of the problem on the 14s. The rear Kenda's always sucked. Prior to 14 you could get 15,000 to 20,000 on the front tires then they changed the compound and 7,000 to 10,000 was the norm. In May or June of 14 they changed the compound and went to something a bit harder. I don't remember anything one way or the other on the rear compound. I'm getting old.

If you have a front tire with a date of 0114 to about 2614 you likely have the crappy one. I currently have Kenda's on the front of mine and they have a 2013 manufacture date and I have about 17,000 on them and they are just about ready to be changed.

Only 17000 Ann? Lets see for you that is what 2 weeks??

[Bob Denman]

The front tires were more of the problem on the 14s. The rear Kenda's always sucked. Prior to 14 you could get 15,000 to 20,000 on the front tires then they changed the compound and 7,000 to 10,000 was the norm. In May or June of 14 they changed the compound and went to something a bit harder. I don't remember anything one way or the other on the rear compound. I'm getting old.

If you have a front tire with a date of 0114 to about 2614 you likely have the crappy one. I currently have Kenda's on the front of mine and they have a 2013 manufacture date and I have about 17,000 on them and they are just about ready to be changed.

I'm currently at 16,000 miles on the front Kendas... They're starting to look a bit tired, but still have some life let in them
On my 2010: I had 17,208 miles on the front Kendas, and they were just about done...
So my very limited experience has shown me that the front tires seem to have gotten about the same mileage: no major changes or problems.

[Tango]

Mike the rear crapender tires are just that. CRAP! Be real happy if your rear tire gets 5,000- 7,000 miles or more. Go for a car tire and you will never look back. Tom

[Chupaca]

So much involved and this site has proven to be tough on tires. At this point I find it hard to believe many know how well the tires perform cause they always compare them to their cars and switch at the first chance. For those of you who did have two wheelers prior can you honestly say you got better mileage than the oem Kendas on your spyders..?? Do the car tires get as good a mileage on your spyders and they do on your cars..?? not saying don't go to car tires they have some good ones and some get you great mileage and it is your choice.

20160504_090715.jpg Where to find the ware bars....

20160324_085157.jpg What your tire will look like when you reach the ware bars.....19,000 miles

This is just me and I am not telling anyone what to use or defending any manufacturer. You need to use what you feel is the best tire for you and your passenger..

[SpyderAnn01]

Gene, looks like you kept that tire on for several thousand miles more than you should have. I'm sure you were sliding around corners with that.

[jcthorne]

2015 RT L here 6200 miles on my fronts and tires are wore bald on the inside. Rear tire is getting down to where I can maybe get 2000 miles out of it to be safe.

Yours is an alignment issue, not a tire issue.

[AeroPilot]

So much involved and this site has proven to be tough on tires. At this point I find it hard to believe many know how well the tires perform cause they always compare them to their cars and switch at the first chance. For those of you who did have two wheelers prior can you honestly say you got better mileage than the oem Kendas on your spyders..?? Do the car tires get as good a mileage on your spyders and they do on your cars..?? not saying don't go to car tires they have some good ones and some get you great mileage and it is your choice.

20160504_090715.jpg Where to find the ware bars....

20160324_085157.jpg What your tire will look like when you reach the ware bars.....19,000 miles

This is just me and I am not telling anyone what to use or defending any manufacturer. You need to use what you feel is the best tire for you and your passenger..

Looks like your riding style, weight of the GS and overall roads and shifting with your SM5 must be pretty smooth! Thanks for the pics and description! Don't know if the GS correlates to the RT, but would like to know your tire pressure; you may have posted, but sometimes I can't even remember mine

[Chupaca]

Because of the softer sidewalls and weight being lighter and the fact I can't seem to hold to the speed limit I run around 28 maybe less....

[nesdspyder]

Yours is an alignment issue, not a tire issue.

Well, it has been aligned three times in 6200 miles and I really don't know what to say. WAITNG ON Can Am to come up front to me to tell me what is wrong. The fuse is getting SHORT!!

[Fat Baxter]

Chupaca -- that's what my original Kenda looked like when I changed it out at 6900 miles for a General Altimax RT43. (I have a 2014 RT-S)

I'm thinking hard about replacing the front stock Kendas. They now have 13,700 miles. I've noticed something odd: When I look down at the left tire, I see a solid spinning black disk (as one should). But when I look at the right tire, its outline seems to be fluttering, which I'm told indicates an out-of-round tire. What's really odd is that there's no uneven wear on either tire.

I'm thinking hard about a set of Kuhmo Solus KH16s soon. I'll just have to endure the bother of getting a non-Spyder shop to fit them (just as I had to do with the non-OEM rear a while back). I wish the dealers weren't so anal about non-OEM tires (and yes, I've read the threads about the legal issues).

IMO, the tire issue generates the most maintenance discussion. I saw a recent thread elsewhere on Spyderlovers urging BRP to consider shaft drive. I would rather BRP spent the effort on expanding their tire options.