What brand for replacement rear tire?

[suzi spyder]

My 2010 RTS looks like it needs a new rear tire. I have totally confused myself reading about tires. I know my dealer sells only Kendra tires but I have seem several comments that are not favorable to them.

What have you put on? Are you happy with it? Is there a difference in tires made for motorcycles and those made for cars?

I admit that my husband will do the work and change it but he says I have to learn about and make this decision as to which tire. Please help me impress him and sound knowledgeable about my decision.

Thanks.

 

[jcthorne]

Really? You want another thread where everyone is to list what tire they bought. There are MANY of this same thread already. Posting again will not give you anything different.

 

[trikermutha]

I would go to the search area first and type tire..There are a ton of topics posted on tires..Then you have to choose a tire ..Its mind boggling!!!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

HERE GOES

you obviously have a computer.......look here TIRERACK.COM.....select 215/60-15.......it will show you every tire they have in that size.....pick a tire by price or name or brand.......then scroll down through all that they show you about this tire..( it's pretty extensive ).....based on what you find take some notes on what you like about this tire ......then try another .....UTOQ means how long the tire will last ....100 not very , 800 forever, etc...If all this is too tedious .....PM me and I will tell you what I just told My GF to get for Her RT........your very welcome ....Mike :yes::yes::yes:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

SO I WENT SEARCHING FOR A REAR TIRE

My GF, Deanna777, also needs a rear tire for her 2014 RT. So I started at TIRERACK.COM because as far as I'm concerned they have the most info on tires that I can find in one place......I was surprised that #1. the yoko " S " drive ( 205/50 or 55 -15 ) and the Michelin " Defender " (215/60- 15 ) (Pricey)....did not score at the top of the pile ....not really close either .......... Here are the top three ( 215/60-15 ) in the all important wet and dry ratings #1. General Altimax RT-43, utoq 600 "T" speed , dry 9.1--- wet 8.8...........#2. Firestone Precision , utoq 560 "T" speed, dry 9.0---wet 8.7.............. #3.another General Altimax RT ( non43 ) utoq 600 "T" speed, dry 8.7----wet 8.3...........That's my three picks......also the Gen Altimax 43 can be had at DISCOUNT TIRE with free shipping anywhere in the lower 48........TIRERACK charges so get a quote then see if it's less at Discount tire......Good Luck ...............Mike

 

[Firefly]

I don't see the problem with the original poster asking about tires. It should always be a subject of conversation as tires and what's available continually changes. I'm running the KUMHO on the back and I'm not thrilled with it.

Reading reviews and specs on tirerack doesn't do squat for using them on a Spyder. I'd prefer real world experience on the actual machine I'm gonna use it on. I would NOT recommend the KUMHO... it doesn't do well in the rain.

Bridgestone Potenza's on the fronts are great.

So I too am looking for what works best on the rear.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I don't see the problem with the original poster asking about tires. It should always be a subject of conversation as tires and what's available continually changes. I'm running the KUMHO on the back and I'm not thrilled with it.

Reading reviews and specs on tirerack doesn't do squat for using them on a Spyder. I'd prefer real world experience on the actual machine I'm gonna use it on. I would NOT recommend the KUMHO... it doesn't do well in the rain.

Bridgestone Potenza's on the fronts are great.

So I too am looking for what works best on the rear.

Dan, I have had the same experience with the Kumho and will not be using them again. I just ordered a Yokohama S Drive and I hope that it does well in the rain. It looks to have a similar tread pattern to the Kenda.

To the OP, search on my user name and you will find a post that I recently replied to where I list all of the tires that I have used and the mileage that I got on each. This is on a 2014 RTS.

 

[Chupaca]

As I see it..!!

you can use any tire you find that fits any brand available. Unlike motorcycle tires these are more like car tires so naturally thats where everyone goes. Problem as I see it is that we don't have the weight to have car tires work to their full design capasities. To get the best ryde from them you have to play heavily with the air pressure which in many cases is under the tire manufacturers recommendations. Jmo of course, but there must be a reason that they have tires designed for motorcycles :dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome: Yes; there have been lots of threads about tires... and oils... and helmets... and speed limits... and...
Don't worry; we'll be happy to tell you what we can. :thumbup:
Rear tire replacement? In spite of reports of hydroplaning as the tread wears; the Kumho does have a strong following. (I'm running one right now, but it's too new to have any accurate info yet)
Id did try a Falken ZE912 on my last RT, and THAT one got VERY skittish on damp roads as it wore! :shocked: As much as I liked it; I wouldn't suggest them for the Spyders.
The OEM Kenda, and the Arachnid from VEE rubber seem to be more forgiving as they wear out. The trouble seems to be, that they wear out quicker than most of the other options...
If a safe and forgiving ride is your primary concern; stay with those two...
If you want more tire life; All that you need is a 225/50-15 tire for the rear... :thumbup:
(Just be aware of what it MIGHT do in the rain...)

 

[Highwayman2013]

My GF, Deanna777, also needs a rear tire for her 2014 RT. So I started at TIRERACK.COM because as far as I'm concerned they have the most info on tires that I can find in one place......I was surprised that #1. the yoko " S " drive ( 205/50 or 55 -15 ) and the Michelin " Defender " (215/60- 15 ) (Pricey)....did not score at the top of the pile ....not really close either .......... Here are the top three ( 215/60-15 ) in the all important wet and dry ratings #1. General Altimax RT-43, utoq 600 "T" speed , dry 9.1--- wet 8.8...........#2. Firestone Precision , utoq 560 "T" speed, dry 9.0---wet 8.7.............. #3.another General Altimax RT ( non43 ) utoq 600 "T" speed, dry 8.7----wet 8.3...........That's my three picks......also the Gen Altimax 43 can be had at DISCOUNT TIRE with free shipping anywhere in the lower 48........TIRERACK charges so get a quote then see if it's less at Discount tire......Good Luck ...............Mike

I saw that the Altimax RT43 has a great rating on Tire Rack and that would be my choice for a rear tire right now. I have 11,000+ on the Michelin Primacy I put on with lots of tread left. Gotta love the choices in the 215/60/15 size. Thanks Mike!

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

what size would be closest to OEM for a General Altimax RT43 ?

tia

osm

 

[Bob Denman]

Sizes... :shocked:
This is also a fun topic in here...
The Standard size is 225/50-15

You'll hear lots of folks using 215/60-15. This seems to be done to correct speedometer error issues. It'll make you speedometer read a couple of MPH slower at normal cruising speeds...

Another option might be a 205/55-15. This is almost exactly the same overall diameter as the OEM tire; it's just a bit narrower. (I wonder if that would reduce the chance of hydroplaning?)

If you can find a 215/55-15; that would once again, slow down your Speedometer by about a mph at cruising speeds, and could be considered as an "in-betweener".

NOTE: you probably shouldn't change tire sizes too far from stock... Nanny does keep an eye on rotational speeds, and will get upset if they differ too much!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I GAVE THAT INFO IN POST BUT

what size would be closest to OEM for a General Altimax RT43 ?

tia

osm

Since you asked ......215/60-15, for us it is less expensive to buy at Discount tire because they ship free. I suppose all of these can be bought elsewhere for less than Tire Rack........But that's your job.:roflblack::roflblack:..........Mike :thumbup:

 

[finless]

Dan, I have had the same experience with the Kumho and will not be using them again. I just ordered a Yokohama S Drive and I hope that it does well in the rain. It looks to have a similar tread pattern to the Kenda.

To the OP, search on my user name and you will find a post that I recently replied to where I list all of the tires that I have used and the mileage that I got on each. This is on a 2014 RTS.

Ann, I cannot wait to hear your opinion on the Yokohama S Drive. A couple of us are running that now and really like it. But I don't ride in the rain (because we don't get much here in So. Cal), and don't put NEAR the miles on you do! So your opinion will be interesting to hear!

Bob

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

DIAMETER

Sizes... :shocked:
This is also a fun topic in here...
The Standard size is 225/50-15

You'll hear lots of folks using 215/60-15. This seems to be done to correct speedometer error issues. It'll make you speedometer read a couple of MPH slower at normal cruising speeds...

Another option might be a 205/55-15. This is almost exactly the same overall diameter as the OEM tire; it's just a bit narrower. (I wonder if that would reduce the chance of hydroplaning?)

If you can find a 215/55-15; that would once again, slow down your Speedometer by about a mph at cruising speeds, and could be considered as an "in-betweener".

NOTE: you probably shouldn't change tire sizes too far from stock... Nanny does keep an eye on rotational speeds, and will get upset if they differ too much!

Bob the " NANNY " actually reads the .....CIRCUMFERENCE not the Diameter, hence the diameter is meaningless as a reference..................Mike :thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

Sizes... :shocked:
This is also a fun topic in here...
The Standard size is 225/50-15

You'll hear lots of folks using 215/60-15. This seems to be done to correct speedometer error issues. It'll make you speedometer read a couple of MPH slower at normal cruising speeds...

Another option might be a 205/55-15. This is almost exactly the same overall diameter as the OEM tire; it's just a bit narrower. (I wonder if that would reduce the chance of hydroplaning?)

If you can find a 215/55-15; that would once again, slow down your Speedometer by about a mph at cruising speeds, and could be considered as an "in-betweener".

NOTE: you probably shouldn't change tire sizes too far from stock... Nanny does keep an eye on rotational speeds, and will get upset if they differ too much!

Standard tire size for what year RT?
You of all people should know there's a difference....;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[billybovine]

Standard tire size for what year RT?
You of all people should know there's a difference....;-)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All rear tires are the same. Fronts are different depending on the year.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

REAR TIRES

All rear tires are the same. Fronts are different depending on the year.

:agree:.....for the REAR tires not only for the RT but for every Spyder ever made by BRP........Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Bob the " NANNY " actually reads the .....CIRCUMFERENCE not the Diameter, hence the diameter is meaningless as a reference..................Mike :thumbup:

:crackpipe:
Circumference and diameter may be used equally in these discussions...
Yes; the Nanny read circumference by counting tire revolutions...
But the two measurements are tied together by a single constant: Pi...
For our purposes; it can be approximated as: 3.14159***... :thumbup:
If you want to exercise your calculator a little bit:
Assume that "D" refers to diameter, and "C" refers to circumference...
C=PixD
Besides; most folks see a tire, and they relate to the height of it; not the circumference of it!



*** Pi is one of those numbers that just goes on forever.
Here it is, when taken out to 100,000 digits. :shocked:

http://www.geom.uiuc.edu/~huberty/math5337/groupe/digits.html

 

[johnwinslow]

My GF, Deanna777, also needs a rear tire for her 2014 RT. So I started at TIRERACK.COM because as far as I'm concerned they have the most info on tires that I can find in one place......I was surprised that #1. the yoko " S " drive ( 205/50 or 55 -15 ) and the Michelin " Defender " (215/60- 15 ) (Pricey)....did not score at the top of the pile ....not really close either .......... Here are the top three ( 215/60-15 ) in the all important wet and dry ratings #1. General Altimax RT-43, utoq 600 "T" speed , dry 9.1--- wet 8.8...........#2. Firestone Precision , utoq 560 "T" speed, dry 9.0---wet 8.7.............. #3.another General Altimax RT ( non43 ) utoq 600 "T" speed, dry 8.7----wet 8.3...........That's my three picks......also the Gen Altimax 43 can be had at DISCOUNT TIRE with free shipping anywhere in the lower 48........TIRERACK charges so get a quote then see if it's less at Discount tire......Good Luck ...............Mike

just my opinion but this is the tire. leave the tire lable on then you can burn it off when you first ride on it:yikes:
General Altimax RT-43, utoq 600 "T" speed , dry 9.1--- wet 8.8...........#