Rear Tire Options

[BajaRon]

While I'm a firm believer that MC tires belong on MC's and car tires belong on cars BUT, since the Spyder basically uses a modified car tire provided by the lowest bidder I think the conversion to another tire is almost a no brainer. Too bad there isn't a compatible front (yet).

There are 2 tires that I haven't seen in these discussions that I think are perfect for the Spyder:

The Hankook Ventus R-S2 @ $99

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...5WR5Z212&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

and the BF Goodrich g-Force Sport @ $99

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...5VR5GFSP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

I've used the g-Force sport on a GTi and it's a great all season tire with a relatively soft sidewall that I think would work great on the Spyder. I have a friend who has run the R-S2 on an S2000 and a Mini Cooper S and has nothing but good things to say about it. For an overall wet and dry performer I think the g-Force is the way to go.

Did a fair amount of research before I went with the Toyo T1R. In all of the ratings generated from actual driving by experts the Hankook was very low, especially in wet conditions.

Since my highest priority was wet performance I did not consider the Hankook. The G-Force rated much higher but not as good as the Toyo T1R. Plus, I really like the look of the tread on the Toyo T1R. Not my 1st priority but one of the criteria I was interested in.

Since the Spyder kind of showcases the rear tire I thought an impressive tread pattern was a plus.

 

[powerbyaj]

Nitto NT450 VS OEM Tire

Comparison between Nitto NT450 and OEM Tire:

 

[BajaRon]

I would love to compare my new Toyo tire to the stock tire.....

But Lamont is out riding right now.

What a great guy! First he had it mounted on the rim, installed it with proper belt tension and alignment (he's really good at that), and now he's testing my tire for me, free of charge!

You just don't find friends like this anymore....Do you....? :dontknow:

 

[DragonSpyder]

I found this tire and it looks like it could be a good option for the Spyder!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...c=38497&counter=1&ar=45&rd=16&sw=false&cs=225

 

[BajaRon]

I found this tire and it looks like it could be a good option for the Spyder!

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...c=38497&counter=1&ar=45&rd=16&sw=false&cs=225

That probably would be a great tire for our Spyder. Downside is they don't make it in our size.

That is the problem with many of the tires I would like to try.

 

[Putt-Putt]

Have you noticed that the stock tire has wear bars that are at different heights. I like the looks of the Nexen-N2000. Now has anyone put on the size 175 fronts on instead of the 165 stock tire? Did it fit under the fenders with no problems? It is a lot easyer to find the 175 size. That is what size I was thinking about putting on.

 

[b2k]

That probably would be a great tire for our Spyder. Downside is they don't make it in our size.

That is the problem with many of the tires I would like to try.

Ron this is no problem to fix (just a few strike of the keys)
That is the problem with many of the tires LAMONT would like to try:2thumbs:

 

[jimmykjimmy]

I just asked my dealer about the cost the change the rear tire and was quoted $260.00. :gaah: That sounds like 2.5 hours of labor. When I was a kid working summers in a motor coach garage we could change all 6 tires in less time than that. How hard is it to change this tire?

Is changing the rear tire that big a deal. Sounds like the dealer is trying to retire on the change out.

 

[BajaRon]

Ron this is no problem to fix (just a few strike of the keys)
That is the problem with many of the tires LAMONT would like to try:2thumbs:

Well, at least I ordered him the right tire size...hope he likes "His" new tire!

 

[BajaRon]

Originally Posted by ElkSpyder
I just asked my dealer about the cost the change the rear tire and was quoted $260.00. :gaah: That sounds like 2.5 hours of labor. When I was a kid working summers in a motor coach garage we could change all 6 tires in less time than that. How hard is it to change this tire?
.

This is for the tire plus labor isn't it? Even that is high when you can get a great tire for less than 1/2 that amount. Way less than 1/2.

 

[ElkSpyder]

This is for the tire plus labor isn't it? Even that is high when you can get a great tire for less than 1/2 that amount. Way less than 1/2.

No just the install. And I did get the same Toyo tire you found. Sorry you can't have mine either.

 

[BajaRon]

No just the install. And I did get the same Toyo tire you found. Sorry you can't have mine either.

Really? They stood there with a straight face and told you $260 labor to put your tire on your Spyder?

That is outrageous!

(I don't want to keep your tire. I'd be more than happy to return it. I just want to use it for awhile...I'd send it back as soon as I see the wear bars).

 

[Olddude39]

Olddude39

As far as guessing air pressure is concerned I found that the recommend air pressure on the oem tires are a little low. I run 20psi in the front and 30psi in the rear.

On the Kumho tire I run anywhere from 32psi to 40psi and it really doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

With over 35,000 miles on my tires it's more about not having to change a tire in the middle of a trip or changing it before it really needs it because I don't want to change in the middle of a trip. I'll be heading to Sturgis soon and I'll be running this tire and I'm pretty sure I'll make it there and back without needing a new tire. If this was the oem I would be changing it out when I had a good 3K left on it.

Are you saying that you are getting 35K miles on the Kumho rear tire or am I missing something?
Thanks

 

[Peter Aawen]

Are you saying that you are getting 35K miles on the Kumho rear tire or am I missing something?
Thanks

ldpost:

Olddude, it always pays to check the date that any thread you might want to reply to started, AND check the date of the most recent posts in the thread too! In this case, the post you quoted & are replying to was made about 12 years back!! :shocked:

As for the tire milage, Yes, 35K on a good quality automotive rear tire (ie, not Kenda or any of their clones! ) is quite achievable, altho I'd suggest that running anything much more than 18 or so psi in a car tire is likely to compromise the ability of that tire to properly or to it's best potential do the job of keeping you safe & comfortable on the road while returning good tire life!! :lecturef_smilie:

This is because 'Real' car tires have a somewhat heavier construction than that of the lightweight OE spec Kendas, so the car tire's construction (especially that of their sidewalls, tread layers, & the tread compound itself... ) will support waaay more than the 'much lighter than the average car' type loads imposed by our Spyders; and that means that if you run them at 'normal car type pressures' of 30 psi or so, they will be over-inflated, resulting in very little flex during their use, giving you a really solid ride & jarring everything from the road surface on up, potentially damaging components along the way; and it'll also mean that the tire's tread will never reach its optimum operating temperature! That in turn will mean that you are getting less than optimum traction, ride, & handling characteristics from the car tire, and the 'over-inflation for the load' pressures will be exposing the tire to greater tread wear & a higher risk of damage by road debris, potholes, etc plus all that other stuff!! It's be sorta like over-inflating a party balloon & expecting it not to blow if you poke it with anything pointed! :yikes:

If all other things remain equal, then running 'stronger & heavier constructed' car tires under a lighter weight machine will mean you'll need less air pressure in them to carry the lighter load & still get them to work properly! :thumbup: But as always, it's your Spyder & your tires, so you can choose to do with them as you will.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

ldpost:

Olddude, it always pays to check the date that any thread you might want to reply to started, AND check the date of the most recent posts in the thread too! In this case, the post you quoted & are replying to was made about 12 years back!! :shocked:

As for the tire milage, Yes, 35K on a good quality automotive rear tire (ie, not Kenda or any of their clones! ) is quite achievable, altho I'd suggest that running anything much more than 18 or so psi in a car tire is likely to compromise the ability of that tire to properly or to it's best potential do the job of keeping you safe & comfortable on the road while returning good tire life!! :lecturef_smilie:

This is because 'Real' car tires have a somewhat heavier construction than that of the lightweight OE spec Kendas, so the car tire's construction (especially that of their sidewalls, tread layers, & the tread compound itself... ) will support waaay more than the 'much lighter than the average car' type loads imposed by our Spyders; and that means that if you run them at 'normal car type pressures' of 30 psi or so, they will be over-inflated, resulting in very little flex during their use, giving you a really solid ride & jarring everything from the road surface on up, potentially damaging components along the way; and it'll also mean that the tire's tread will never reach its optimum operating temperature! That in turn will mean that you are getting less than optimum traction, ride, & handling characteristics from the car tire, and the 'over-inflation for the load' pressures will be exposing the tire to greater tread wear & a higher risk of damage by road debris, potholes, etc plus all that other stuff!! It's be sorta like over-inflating a party balloon & expecting it not to blow if you poke it with anything pointed! :yikes:

If all other things remain equal, then running 'stronger & heavier constructed' car tires under a lighter weight machine will mean you'll need less air pressure in them to carry the lighter load & still get them to work properly! :thumbup: But as always, it's your Spyder & your tires, so you can choose to do with them as you will.

:agree: ..... Peter do you realize that after you & I pass on ( hopefully not for very long time ) or leave Spyderlovers, there will not be anyone ( that I know of ) to continue our Mantra about " Tire Science " ..... maybe Kenda tires will hear what we've been preaching :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: ... I think not .....Mike :thumbup:

 

[troop]

OK .. So has anyone been able to get 30+K miles out of a auto rear tire? I see threads in the low 20K's, but not 30

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

OK .. So has anyone been able to get 30+K miles out of a auto rear tire? I see threads in the low 20K's, but not 30

well I have 24,000 + miles on my currant rear tire ( a Pirelli P-4 all season + ), but it still has quite a bit of tread left .... I'm pretty sure it will get at elast 30,000 + miles ..... Mike :thumbup: .....PS it has been superceded by a new model .....

 

[shakin_jake]

well I have 24,000 + miles on my currant rear tire ( a Pirelli P-4 all season + ), but it still has quite a bit of tread left .... I'm pretty sure it will get at elast 30,000 + miles ..... Mike :thumbup: .....PS it has been superceded by a new model .....

~~~just curious Mike, what’s the born on date of that pirelli tire?


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood