another tire issue

[ARtraveler]

2014 RT-S here. As you have read, the OEM tires on the 2014 were of a new softer compound. Most people had to replace the tires at between four to six thousand miles. You did good.

The replacement tires have done as good or much better. I got eight thousand plus on my first tire, thirteen thousand on my second tire, and am now on the third tire. All have been OEM Kendas. My dealer will not install other tires.

Chupaca: twenty two thousand and still going on the original OEM front Kenda's. :yes:

Motorcycle tires have always been good to wear out quickly. I was lucky to get 4500 on the rear of my Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 cc. :thumbup:

 

[PistonBlown]

How many miles on the TR1? How do the handle the cooler weather?

Here the road's are very rough surface so tires wear quickly e.g. the Kenda's used to last around 8000km (5000 miles). The Toyo T1R's have lasted around 12000km (7500 miles) so a +50% improvement. I replace tires as soon as they are close to the wear marks so could probably get more out of them.

The T1R is supposed to be a Summer tire but grip was significantly better even on very cold/wet days. Mind you I always found the Kenda was terrible on cold roads.

 

[Heliplt]

So what is the new tire in the picture. (Maker)

[h=2]215/60R15 General Altimax RT43 Tire[/h]

 

[Highwayman2013]

So what is the new tire in the picture. (Maker)

Looks like a General Altimax RT43

 

[_..stiffler..]

Why 215/60/15 and not the OEM size of 225/50/15.

I know they are close to the same height. But a bit narrow. Just wondering reason.

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

 

[Spyder2014]

Another tire issue

I just want to say that I have had 2 Spyder RT Limited's in the past 4 years. I had over 37,000 miles on the bike and traded in for a 2014 Ltd. I replaced the Kendra tires on the 2012 with car tires and they did OUTSTANDING. NO issue with the steering or anything. When I had very little mileage on the 14, I replace them with car tires and so far, I had zero issues.

Don't know if there is any issues with car tires vs. inferior Kendra tires, but the car tires have a 45,000 miles for the front and 40,000 for the rear tire, so, until BRP makes a better tire than what I have I will use the car tires.

 

[Heliplt]

Why 215/60/15 and not the OEM size of 225/50/15.

I know they are close to the same height. But a bit narrow. Just wondering reason.

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

there are tons of threads about tires. lots of people are using this tire and is highly recommended with great results, I.E. mileage, traction, noise Etc.

 

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by _..stiffler.. "Why 215/60/15 and not the OEM size of 225/50/15.
I know they are close to the same height. But a bit narrow. Just wondering reason. "
The 215/60 is just a bit taller, and helps to correct the speedometer error (2mph at 55...), that bothers some folks.

 

[_..stiffler..]

Awesome. Perfect thx.

I need a back tire soon. Just looming at options.

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

 

[Culpjp]

By now I would think everyone here know of the problem they had with the Kenda in early 2014. They have since gone back to the original compound and I for one (maybe the only one) have not had a problem with them front or back. I have had two rears and two sets of fronts. I am currently on my third rear, though I want to give the Aracnid a try and it is doing well. I am now convinced that it is where (geographically) you ryde that is determining much of the wear differences...and knowing where the wear limit blocks are....jmo mind you...as for center wear, you tube drag racing and watch what happens to the rear tires...:yikes: air pressure is only part of it.....

Lamonster has not had any good luck with the Arachnid tires, others have said they don't last any longer than the Kenda's.

 

[Chupaca]

I know, Ann (Squared Away ) also has not had great outcome. Still counting on the variables to make the difference. I had no problem with the Kenda may be the same with the Arachnid.

 

[beast68]

My 1st tire only lasted 4k miles BRP offered to pay for 1/2 the replacement tire. Dealer put on a Khumo for me. Khumo has slightly more road noise but does not feel as loose in the twisties.

 

[BajaRon]

How many miles on the TR1? How do the handle the cooler weather?

The Toyo TR1 gave me about 14k. The original Kenda went 11k but it had belt showing in some places so not a good comparison. I did a number of burnouts on the Toyo. I did not treat the Kenda in such harsh fashion. Plus I learned to ride the Spyder on the Kenda. I rode much harder on the Toyo.

What I am trying to say is that tire wear is relative. Some will say 'I got 15k on my Kenda so it must be as good as your Toyo'. But high mileage on a Kenda (IMHO) is more a function of where and how you ride than representative of tire quality.

My guess is (in an Apples to Apples comparison) that someone who was able to get that many miles from a Kenda would probably get 20k plus from a quality car tire if they rode it the same.

The Toyo got a bit greasy near the end of its life in cold weather. Otherwise, it was a great tire, wet, dry or cold. Problem is, they have been discontinued for quite some time. But I believe that a good quality, appropriate car tire would give you similar results.

Why 215/60/15 and not the OEM size of 225/50/15.

I know they are close to the same height. But a bit narrow. Just wondering reason.

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

The real reason is that you can't get this tire in the OEM size. This is as close as you can get to 225/50/15.

 

[PistonBlown]

...they have been discontinued for quite some time.

Ah that explains why I couldn't get one this time around, they are still on their web site so assumed they were still available. I had to go with a Toyo Proxe 4 instead which is still a lot better than a Kenda but not quite as good as the T1R for performance. Not had it long enough to see what the wear is like.

 

[RudyB]

I just want to say that I have had 2 Spyder RT Limited's in the past 4 years. I had over 37,000 miles on the bike and traded in for a 2014 Ltd. I replaced the Kendra tires on the 2012 with car tires and they did OUTSTANDING. NO issue with the steering or anything. When I had very little mileage on the 14, I replace them with car tires and so far, I had zero issues.

Don't know if there is any issues with car tires vs. inferior Kendra tires, but the car tires have a 45,000 miles for the front and 40,000 for the rear tire, so, until BRP makes a better tire than what I have I will use the car tires.

What type of car tires are you using

 

[RudyB]

What make of tire would you recommend


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[BajaRon]

Ah that explains why I couldn't get one this time around, they are still on their web site so assumed they were still available. I had to go with a Toyo Proxe 4 instead which is still a lot better than a Kenda but not quite as good as the T1R for performance. Not had it long enough to see what the wear is like.

I have heard that they are still available in other countries. Maybe that is why they are still listed.

 

[Mkosma]

I ran my at 24 psi and got 12,500 before I had to replace it. I recently switched to an Altimax 215/60 R43. It is a much better tire

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[sduskin]

EXACTLY!!!

Typical. There is no way to keep a 2 ply tread tire from wearing in the middle. It's a given. Weak tread bands not only allow the tire to bulge in the middle when inflated. Centrifugal force at speed also acts to overwhelm the weak tread area causing a balloon effect. To me, it's a no brainer to go to a well made, less expensive car tire.

A car tire will have a 4 ply tread area. This keeps the tread flat against the road. When riding on the Kenda at speed you're only getting maybe 3" - 4" of contact. The rest of your tire is spinning in the breeze. Not a comforting thought if you have to make an emergency stop.

As you can see, I got my monies worth out of this Toyo Proxes TR1 tire (Left). Notice how much tread I put on the pavement compared to the Kenda (Right). The Toyo maintains a flatter tread area so you get nearly 100% contact with the pavement. As you can see, not so with the Kenda. The Red area is how much contact you have with the pavement at lower speeds. The Green is all you have at freeway speeds.

I know there are Kenda fans. But I wonder if they understand the full story.

Absolutely the best way to describe the condition. I sold tires for a couple years back right after highschool. My daughter currently is a tirebuilder for a MAJOR manufacturer. And you described the condition correctly. I got about 11k miles on my rear tire. Now I have 2k on my car tire replacement and no signs of wear yet.

 

[Lurker]

28 psi is overinflated in my opinion. I had it there and dropped to 26, especially in The FL heat coupled with the heat from the exhaust. Mine was changed at 9925 miles before I bought it due to a slice in the tire . Have put on 12,500 mi and by the looks and measurement with tire tread gauge I'm anticipating getting 19-20. Can't complain about the original fronts. At 22,500 miles now and expect I will change at 27-30 and I never go all the way to the wear bars. This doesn't mean I won't try something else. That is something I'll still have to ponder. I run the fronts at 17 psi.

Smart man, yes from what I have seen many are running 25+ in the front and up to 36 on the rear - 16 or 17 is proper for the front and 24 on the rear. Wider tires normally take less pressure due to increased surface area.
Also all the suggestions regarding dumping Kenda and going with standard automotive makes sense. I ran Kenda tires on other vehicles in the past and never had much luck. Continental seems like a good brand and in most cases don't even require balancing as they tend to be nice and round and true.