BRP Tires

[Bob Denman]

You're right; it's much easier than typing in 'tires' to search and having to sift 4 pages of threads and hundreds of post. Then, if you try to get smart and type in 'tire wear', you have to hope that 'wear' was spelled correctly.

.

:agree: "Tar Ware" won't work... :gaah:

 

[sledmaster]

OK, back to tires.

We had been tracking the different part numbers used for the rear tires since 2008, and the 2013s and 2014s did in fact have a different part number for the rear. When I had burned through the original rear on my 2013 ST-S last fall in 2,500 miles (was ready to be replaced, but still ran it out of spite 'till 3,750) we contacted BRP service and Dany D. told us that they had in fact went to a softer compound and that they were working on it, which I assumed to mean were working with kenda to continually tweak the next batch, whether it be quality control or intentional compound variations. They knew the new # tires were not lasting as long, then compound this with heavier Spyders and we were not getting the miles from the OEM tires like we used to.

Oh well, after the first OEM tire went away so quickly on the ST-S I immediately switched to the dark side like I had with the GS.

We had also been told there was a "bad batch" of tires but understood this to be fronts, not rears, as some of the fronts were going away very quickly as well. Some of course were alignment issues, but some were not. Never did hear anything official on that one, I suppose that would just open a can of worms. :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

For a while, it seemed as if there was a rash of belt failures on the fronts... :banghead:
That sure seems like it could be a "Bad Batch"... :shocked:

 

[sddinnh]

Ok - back to tires

As of right now (on 2014 RTL MFG in Feb 2014 with almost 8000 miles on it) I'm running ALL new tires. The rear was pretty much gone at 7000 so I replaced it with a Michelin Hydroedge 215 / 60 / 15. If they did a new rear compound it was after February.

Then when we had it in for the Elka shocks last week, we noticed that the fronts were starting to cup badly and since I was leaving on a trip this weekend and didn't have time to do an aftermarket search, we just threw a new set of Kendas on the front and made sure they balanced up well and we took another shot at the alignment. The tread wear didn't look bad on the fronts, but boy were they cupped.

So now, with a 1000 miles on the Hydroedge, I can say that I really like that tire (wouldn't you know they've been discontinued) so I went out and found another one to have hanging around as a spare. I'll keep an eye on the fronts and will also long term find a quality replacement while I'm wearing those out.

I should also say the I'm running 25 psi F / 28 psi R.

 

[rgk]

Beeg Leaner

While I DO agree with you :thumbup:; some context is needed... :shocked:
Didja ever own a really "BEEG leaner"? 4,000 miles on a rear tire, was actually considered pretty good for them. :yikes:
It's what it took to enjoy the Sport!

On a K1000RS or an S1000R with Pirelli Rossos that would be quite acceptable. I would rather have a soft sticky tire that worked well on a wet surface, than a long lived tire that did not.

 

[Bob Denman]

 

[Dan McNally]

Had a new rear tire put on at Spyderfest 2013 and had to replace it this week. 5,000 miles on a tire is crazy...$300 bucks is crazy too! Mechanic said that's about average.:banghead:

You guys are too funny.

Maybe we should remind everyone, before they start a NEW THREAD, to use the SEARCH function and see how many times the same question has been asked and answered before? Hmmm?

I realize we are all LAZY at times, but seriously, how many times do we have to see the same exact question asked over and over and over again?

OK, I regress, there are times where one might be seeking the latest and greatest knowledge on a certain subject, but....PLEASE could more of us use the search function before starting a new thread? Please? It is not my intent to be picking on anyone in particular, just generalizing. It is a chronic pattern as we all know far too well. :banghead:

Hey Mike, how 'bout them POS Kenda tires on the Spyder? Ha ha.

He didn't ask a question . . . he merely expressed a comment regarding his experience . . . what should he have searched for "How does killerbee feel about his tire?" :dontknow:

 

[sledmaster]

My fronts are cupped terribly as well, noticed it back a month or so and now at 10,000 miles I am ready to replace. Been trying to stretch them this far, barely made it.

Problem is this 165/55 15 OE size is so very rare, only aftermarket option in the exact size (here in the U.S.) seems to be a Federal EVO 595 that is a drifter tire, pretty stiff sidewalls, not really too keen on that one.

The fenders are so very tight I do not know if we can squeak a set of 175/55 15s in there or not. I have not found anyone who has done this yet.

Might look into a 165/60 15 which is only 2.9% bigger diameter, same width, but only offered in like a Conti Pro Contact. Then there is a slighty narrower (10mm) 155/60 15 which is 0.8% bigger diameter, also in Conti Pro Contact or Kumho Solus KH 16. They are only a T 118 mph speed rating, ick. Was hoping for more of a summer performance tire with some sticky tread, thus why so many get stuck using the OE Kendas up front on the 15" fronts on the 2013s and 2014s. :gaah:

 

[sledmaster]

He didn't ask a question . . . he merely expressed a comment regarding his experience . . . what should he have searched for "How does killerbee feel about his tire?" :dontknow:

Valid point. He likely felt shafted, I can relate.

 

[Dan McNally]

Valid point. He likely felt shafted, I can relate.

I just ordered a Kumho Ecsta AST, this week . . . a local custom trike shop is going to mount and balance it for me . . . I know how he feels, too!

 

[sddinnh]

I just ordered a Kumho Ecsta AST, this week . . . a local custom trike shop is going to mount and balance it for me . . . I know how he feels, too!

I'm fortunate. My dealer will do ANYTHING I ask him to. Mount and balance off brand tires, install a brake on the handle bars, or put in aftermarket shocks and sway bars he doesn't care. The service manager and the tech are happy to do anything to keep me a happy customer. :thumbup:

 

[PW2013STL]

My fronts are cupped terribly as well, noticed it back a month or so and now at 10,000 miles I am ready to replace. Been trying to stretch them this far, barely made it.

Problem is this 165/55 15 OE size is so very rare, only aftermarket option in the exact size (here in the U.S.) seems to be a Federal EVO 595 that is a drifter tire, pretty stiff sidewalls, not really too keen on that one.

The fenders are so very tight I do not know if we can squeak a set of 175/55 15s in there or not. I have not found anyone who has done this yet.

Might look into a 165/60 15 which is only 2.9% bigger diameter, same width, but only offered in like a Conti Pro Contact. Then there is a slighty narrower (10mm) 155/60 15 which is 0.8% bigger diameter, also in Conti Pro Contact or Kumho Solus KH 16. They are only a T 118 mph speed rating, ick. Was hoping for more of a summer performance tire with some sticky tread, thus why so many get stuck using the OE Kendas up front on the 15" fronts on the 2013s and 2014s. :gaah:

Mine too. I started to notice it at 9000 (now at 10000) and had the dealer recheck the laser alignment. That checked out so I plan on using them the rest of the year and then replace. Please post what tire you decide on and how it fits.

 

[sledmaster]

Mine too. I started to notice it at 9000 (now at 10000) and had the dealer recheck the laser alignment. That checked out so I plan on using them the rest of the year and then replace. Please post what tire you decide on and how it fits.

Will do. I know our guy at Ollie's has been fighting this on several units.

 

[MouthPiece]

Had a new rear tire put on at Spyderfest 2013 and had to replace it this week. 5,000 miles on a tire is crazy...$300 bucks is crazy too! Mechanic said that's about average.:banghead:

That mechanic is full of BS.

Chris

 

[Chupaca]

Wait..!!

For a three day weekend..case of your favorite drink then search tires...then get back to us with a wrap up...:roflblack:

 

[900Dave]

My Kunho arrived today. Rear tire is shot at 7000 miles, only in the center of course. My fronts look real good, starting to cup a little bit on the outside. I plan to have them rotated at 10,000 miles and expect or hope to get 20,000 out of the fronts.

 

[Bob Denman]

Problem is this 165/55 15 OE size is so very rare, only aftermarket option in the exact size (here in the U.S.) seems to be a Federal EVO 595 that is a drifter tire, pretty stiff sidewalls, not really too keen on that one.

The fenders are so very tight I do not know if we can squeak a set of 175/55 15s in there or not. I have not found anyone who has done this yet.

. :gaah:

There are some 155/60-15s available that'lll fit! :2thumbs:

I'm glad that you mentioned the front fenders...
I did some quick measuring this past weekend... the "new" fenders have less than 3/4 of an inch clearance to the tire... The "Old" fenders were over an inch and a quarter... :shocked:

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

with all i have read about tires since i bought my :spyder2:, i am keeping an eye on mine, i did the road force last week when i redid my wheels & with 3,400 miles on them i don't see anything wrong.......yet. I still have very high tread without any noticeable edge wear or feathering. When the time comes i will do my research on what tires are best for my bike. The only thing
i don't know if i will be able to do is pull the rear wheel off.

 

[Bob Denman]

Don't worry; be happy!!
If you let every negative post in here upset you...



...you'd be dead! :shocked:

And THAT would be something to worry about!

 

[sddinnh]

Tires are like oil - there is no "best" one - only ones that individuals consider the best of whats available to them :yikes: