A note on tire compounds.

[BRPcare]

As some here have already noticed, BRP has brought back the rear tire compound for the Spyder RT from 2012 and prior. Since this June, any rear tire ordered will last longer (at the expense of some high-speed performance) than the pre-May '14 tire that generated certain longevity concerns.

Note that the pre-May '14 2014 tire is not defective - the compound used was softer so it was considered a higher-performing tire, but it did not achieve the same mileage as previous (and the previous and now current) tire compound.

A production change took place in June. All Spyders produced from that date ship have a rear tire with the longer lasting compound. Although we saw many benefits from the newer, softer tire compound, we heard the concerns folks about longevity and decided to revert back to the previous one.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TIRES

As some here have already noticed, BRP has brought back the rear tire compound for the Spyder RT from 2012 and prior. Since this June, any rear tire ordered will last longer (at the expense of some high-speed performance) than the 2014 tire that generated certain longevity concerns.

Note that the 2014 tire is not defective - the compound used was softer so it was considered a higher-performing tire, but it did not achieve the same mileage as previous (and the previous and now current) tire compound.

A production change took place in June. All Spyders produced from that date ship have a rear tire with the longer lasting compound. Although we saw many benefits from the newer, softer tire compound, we heard the concerns folks about longevity and decided to revert back to the previous one.

​Thank you Steve for this information......and if you have any influence at BRP please ask them to inquire with a real tire manufacturer about having one of their products certified for use on a Motorcycle ........Thank you......Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Steve,
I also want to Thank You, for this explanation... :thumbup:

Has BRP been in contact with any other tire manufacturers, in an attempt to find different sources for tires?

 

[cuznjohn]

i would like to know if BRP is planning on replacing the tires on the bikes with the less compound tires

 

[ivanlee]

i would like to know if BRP is planning on replacing the tires on the bikes with the less compound tires

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :roflblack:

 

[cuznjohn]

i have never discussed anything about tires because i felt that what you got you have to live with, but if they are changing compounds because of complaints by owners than they are admitting they made a mistake and i feel they should also fess up for the low quality and replace them. so i think my question is a legit one

 

[ARtraveler]

Thank you for posting the tire compound information. We higher mileage users, appreciate the fact that the tire compound has been changed back to the higher mileage compound.

I have changed out quite a few rear tires and prior to the 2014, got 13K to 15K per rear tire. My latest 2014, got 8.6K miles. Was told, I got the "old" compound this time around.

Tire change out can be expensive when it cannot be performed by the owner. My last was $421.00 and previous were in the $350 range.

Also agree with the others that would like an additional tire option besides the Kenda. Many of us are feeling a bit "trapped" by the lack of choice.

 

[Bob Denman]

i have never discussed anything about tires because i felt that what you got you have to live with, but if they are changing compounds because of complaints by owners than they are admitting they made a mistake and i feel they should also fess up for the low quality and replace them. so i think my question is a legit one

Your question is legitimate; but so is their answer: you've had the advantage of a tire that gave better grip... Ho much was that extra safety-margin worth to you? :dontknow:

 

[cuznjohn]

Your question is legitimate; but so is their answer: you've had the advantage of a tire that gave better grip... Ho much was that extra safety-margin worth to you? :dontknow:

well i have to admit that i know NOTHING about tires, so that being said i would rather have better grip on the front tires and longer lasting tire on the rear. just my opinion

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

it sure seems to me BRP should offer some adjustment on the present tires that are not lasting.. after all .. we paid for a sub-standard tire..

 

[jcthorne]

Is there a part number change to order the harder compound tire? How would one know which they are getting if ordering a replacement? Will these harder compound tires last longer than the OEM tire on my 2013 RT?

 

[ARtraveler]

Is there a part number change to order the harder compound tire? How would one know which they are getting if ordering a replacement? Will these harder compound tires last longer than the OEM tire on my 2013 RT?

Dealer told me they reverted back to the "old" part number. :dontknow::dontknow::dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

We can be a tough crowd sometimes. :roflblack:

I am happy that BRP came on and told it like it is.

It appears that longevity was given up for better handling. Apparently, it was one or the other. I cannot fault them for that.

I am glad the issue has been "solved" in less than a year. IMO--they don't owe a refund, and I would not go there. It would be nice though, if we had more than one tire brand choice.

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[dtkennney]

Thanks for the post. I will go back to the Kenda on my next tire change. It would also be nice to have another manufacturer qualified. It is tough to pay $179 for a two ply tire when you can get a 4 ply for under $90.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:

 

[mindman]

Thanks Steve, it's great to see BRP responding actively to customer complaints.

 

[DrewNJ]

You all complain about everything! Wow!! Like a room full of senior citizens and children!

Softer compound tires grip better and provide superior performance while sacrificing tread life. They are not "substandard" or "low quality". Many performance nuts pay MORE for softer compound performance tires because grip is more important than tread life.

 

[sledmaster]

I told you all about this a couple of months back, here is the info and the part numbers.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...EM-Rear-Tire-Construction&p=865976#post865976

 

[Dan McNally]

You all complain about everything! Wow!! Like a room full of senior citizens and children!

Softer compound tires grip better and provide superior performance while sacrificing tread life. They are not "substandard" or "low quality". Many performance nuts pay MORE for softer compound performance tires because grip is more important than tread life.

What you need is a tire that suits how you ride. If you are an aggressive "twisty" rider, you should have a softer compound that grips the road, better. If you are a rider who tours, and puts in lots of traveling miles, then a harder tire that lasts longer is what you should have.

It would be great if BRP gave us that choice and would market a "performance" tire and a "touring" tire, and allow us to select what suits us.

"One size fits all" never fits anyone . . .