front tire federal evo/ or achilles

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NEW CAR TIRES

I just put Federal Evo's on my 2015 RT-S today. Those thing make a lot of difference in the ride! The hold/grip well. Until you change to them it is hard to realize the difference they make. Very happy. Ordered from Walmart online. Mount/balance for $21 at Walmart. I have a Kumho on the rear.

If you aren't already doing this ....try a lower PSI for awhile 14-15 for front ....18-19 for rear .... the tires will perform better at those pressures .............. ...........Mike :thumbup:

 

[Markg]

tire pressure

Thanks!.....I will try that.

 

[Gunner3773]

The Federal, despite having the same number on its side, is far from the same size as the OEM kenda. The Kenda tires are not true to size. Actually a good bit undersized. You have to compare actual sizes if you want to maintain size. Many use the Federal tires just fine but they are not the same size as you indicate. Still do not understand the infatuation with cheap tires.

What size most closely matches the size of the OEM Kenda?

Gunner

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

I thought that I would send an update on my Federal Formosa AZO1 175 55r15 upgrade from the stock Kenda tires on the front of my 2013 RTL.

i have only had them on for about 200 miles thus far, it took about two miles to definitely sense a dramatic change in the performance. Specifically, I mean to say that the machine tracks better, is much more stable, even on straight sections of roads, it grips corners like never before and I feel that all of that should lead to safer operation.

Now for last night's ride. This trip included some highway, some well paved state routes, county roads and some of them are a little twisty and well worn, all pavement that I have been on many times. This was huge!

Some of these roads have those hidden troughs that we are all too familiar with, well we get used to a little movement with them, I call it "Road Rutt Bounce or RRB. The RRB was reduced to a level that was almost nonexistent, wow, :yes: I know it was there, i travel these roads at least once per week, it was awesome. I cannot express what a difference this tire change made in my Spyder.

Joe

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NICE RIDING TIRES

I thought that I would send an update on my Federal 175 55r15 upgrade from the stock Kenda tires on the front of my 2013 RTL.

i have only had them on for about 200 miles thus far, it took about two miles to definitely sense a dramatic change in the performance. Specifically, I mean to say that the machine tracks better, is much more stable, even on straight sections of roads, it grips corners like never before and I feel that all of that should lead to safer operation.

Now for last night's ride. This trip included some highway, some well paved state routes, county roads and some of them are a little twisty and well worn, all pavement that I have been on many times. This was huge!

Some of these roads have those hidden troughs that we are all too familiar with, well we get used to a little movement with them, I call it "Road Trough Bounce or RTB. The RTB was reduced to a level that was almost nonexistent, wow, :yes: I know it was there, i travel these roads at least once per week, it was awesome. I cannot express what a difference this tire change made in my Spyder.

Joe

So Joe .... what tire pressures are you using .................. Please tell me they are about 14-15 psi ray:ray:ray:....( on the front ) Mike :thumbup:

 

[marty1096]

So Joe .... what tire pressures are you using .................. Please tell me they are about 14-15 psi ray:ray:ray:....( on the front ) Mike :thumbup:

What is the handling difference from 165/55/15 and 175/55/15..
which is the equivalent to oem

 

[Markg]

psi

I just couldn't do it! I tried the Evo's at 15psi. I didn't notice a big difference & had to raise it to 18psi. Something in my head just wouldn't let me be satisfied with tire pressure that low. My wife rode it today for 235 miles & could tell a lot of difference compared to the Kenda's. Had the rear Kumho at 20psi.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

SOMETIMES

I just couldn't do it! I tried the Evo's at 15psi. I didn't notice a big difference & had to raise it to 18psi. Something in my head just wouldn't let me be satisfied with tire pressure that low. My wife rode it today for 235 miles & could tell a lot of difference compared to the Kenda's. Had the rear Kumho at 20psi.

Mark, think about this Fact .... your FRONT tires NOW have a higher pressure than what BRP / Kenda recommend for their CRAP tires .... I don't recommend ( and neither does Peter ) on what someone's Butt feels like ....it's all about the Science.... There won't be a BIG difference ( by what it FEELS like ) .... but if it rains your tires will feel it a lot ..... There aren't any tires made ( not even F-1 RAIN tires ) that won't Hydro-plane ..... just some that will do it SOONER .... This is Science not my BUTT talking :yikes: ..:roflblack: .. Question : Since the Air Pressure debate is an on-going Topic, have you ever heard anyone on this forum say any Spyder that has car tires , should keep them at a high pressure ( similar to an auto ) because in their opinion Science proves this to be True ...... I haven't ...if you have please let me know ..... PS on the rear you are so close :thumbup: ... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Markg]

It's tough!

It's just a brain thing.....and mine isn't very big. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. If it is all about the rain....maybe I will take that day off from riding!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Tire psi etc.

It's just a brain thing.....and mine isn't very big. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. If it is all about the rain....maybe I will take that day off from riding!

I ABSOLUTELY agree it is a Brain thing not a Butt thing so here's another way of looking at this issue .... FACT: the harder the tire the rougher the ride ......... a softer tire is more compliant and gives a less jarring ride. :yikes: ..... But will a 3lb difference actually KILL you, I'd be lying if I said yes, or even maybe, the odds are that it won't.... But I know what the science says it should be, so why would I try to prove science wrong. If science says when you exit an airplane at 10,000 ft. without a parachute you will very likely die...... are you willing to try and prove science wrong :lecturef_smilie: ..... Stay safe .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

So Joe .... what tire pressures are you using .................. Please tell me they are about 14-15 psi ray:ray:ray:....( on the front ) Mike :thumbup:

I started at 18, then I. Saw your post, and lowered it to 16 and could feel no appreciable change. So this week I will take them down to 14-15 because in a few weeks I am going to have to spend a lot of time wth you, and God only knows what rathe I will suffer if not in compliance by then. :yikes: It is just a joke Mike, you know how much I value your experience!

Joe

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

PSI = HAPPINESS

I started at 18, then I. Saw your post, and lowered it to 16 and could feel no appreciable change. So this week I will take them down to 14-15 because in a few weeks I am going to have to spend a lot of time wth you, and God only knows what rathe I will suffer if not in compliance by then. :yikes: It is just a joke Mike, you know how much I value your experience!

Joe

There was a popular song, " Feelings ", but it doesn't apply to tire psi ....... Members here have said they can tell if their tires are 1/2 lb.off ...well if those people were challenged to guess which of their front tires had 14 or 15 psi in them ( after taking a drive ) and asked to put a $1000.00 on their guess - you would have ZERO takers. It's not about the Feel ( unless you have a FLAT ), it's about the Science. And I get the joke :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:, but remember I am doing the COOKING :lecturef_smilie: :yikes: :roflblack: :roflblack: ......................Mike :yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[KX5062]

The Federal, despite having the same number on its side, is far from the same size as the OEM kenda. The Kenda tires are not true to size. Actually a good bit undersized. You have to compare actual sizes if you want to maintain size. Many use the Federal tires just fine but they are not the same size as you indicate. Still do not understand the infatuation with cheap tires.

What size most closely matches the size of the OEM Kenda?

Gunner

?????? opcorn:

 

[KX5062]

Yokohama has a great tire for the front of your Spyder. Use a top tier tire instead of looking for the cheapest rubber available from third world countries.

While I completely agree with your point, I don't see a Yokohama tire in a size that seems appropriate. While the Federals, which I admit are not a first rate company, do make tires that are proven to fit and work well. So it seems to me "the proofs in the puddling".

 

[Deanna777]

We just put Continental Conti Pro Contact tires on the front and have a General Altimax on the back.
My hubs thinks "out of the box" with tires, etc. With the new tires and a lazer alignment, it is like riding on a cloud!!!

I am also running the Continental Contiprocontact tires on the front and also running the General Altimax RT43 on the rear.

No problems with either brand of tires. I have a 2014 RTS-SE6 and I have 15,000 miles on the General Altimax RT43, and at least 4,000 miles on Continental Contiprocontact that are on the front. (The front tires were changed last year).


Deanna

 

[cruisinTX]

I just installed the Federals size 175 55r 15 on my 2013 RT. Wow, what a tremendous handling difference from the originals. Perhaps it is the wider tire, perhaps the contruction or the polymer. Who cares it is a huge improvement. :yes:

One additional footnote, I took the wheels/tires off the Spyder, took it to the local tire shop, they move a lot of rubber, asked them to remove the old and mount and balance the new, they took care of it straight away. $12.50 for each mount and balance, $2.75 disposal fee for the old tires, plus tax, done and out the door in 30 minutes from the time I walked in.

Joe

I'm curious about front tire sizing. Would running a 175/60 or a 175/55 be enough of a difference to cause any major problems with the nanny? The 175/60 is 5.07% larger circumference than the OEM 165/55s and the 175/55 is only 1.96% larger. There seems to be a better selection of tires in those sizes than in 165/55.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

The dreaded nanny

I'm curious about front tire sizing. Would running a 175/60 or a 175/55 be enough of a difference to cause any major problems with the nanny? The 175/60 is 5.07% larger circumference than the OEM 165/55s and the 175/55 is only 1.96% larger. There seems to be a better selection of tires in those sizes than in 165/55.

ZERO - nada - nothing ..... the "Nanny" reads the rear wheel/tire size, ........and the 175/55 will work with ANY fender type ..... I have an Altimax RT43 in 175/65 on my 2014 RT (with basic type fenders) I did tweek the front brackets a tad ..... I love this tire especially the wet traction it provides .... PS the rear is also an Altimax (215/60R15) and its traction rating is one of the highest available in the current tires available ...........PS car tires on Spyders will work at their optimum at 15psi front and 18psi rear ...... this is despite folks who claim otherwise, those folks have no education in tires and what they can & can't do ... They are from the "well I think it feels OK crowd" ....Science plays NO role in their opinions ......... jmho ...... Mike :thumbup: