Elqueso2
Member
I need new tires. My stock Kenda rear is almost gone and I decided to go with the General Altimax RT45 205 /60 R15 91H SL BSW. I live in Southern California and ride all year round on freeways and Canyons. This tire is great for the winter riding and our hot summer ones too. With that said, I hate my stock Kenda front tires on Calif roads/canyons and going to change those too. I’m going with the Vredestein Quatrac or the Continental ContiProContact and my question is for you guys/gals is about the 2 different sizes. I am also presently running a Baja Ron’s Performance Sway bar.
I’m looking at the Factory Stock Sizing (165/60R15 77H) vs sizing up to the (175/55R15 77T).
Here is my thinking rational in all the research I did and need some advice/thoughts:
My exact match for the Spyder’s rear tire is the General Altimax RT45 (Size: 205/60R15) and the Vredestein Quatrac (165/60R15 77H). Sizing up to the Vredestein Quatrac or the Continental ContiProContact 175/55R15 front tire gives me a slightly wider contact patch and a marginally shorter sidewall compared to the stock 165/60R15 tire.
What the 175/55R15 gives me over the 165:
Vehicle Stability System (VSS) - Compatibility: the 175/55R15 size will not cause VSS issues on the Spyder.
The Can-Am VSS calculates computer interventions based on the rolling height (outer diameter) ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheel.
• Stock 165/60R15 Diameter: ~22.8 inches
• Sized Up 175/55R15 Diameter: ~22.6 inches (which is actually sized down)
Because the overall height difference is less than 1%, the wheel speed variance stays well within the factory electronic tolerance window. The computer reads this setup completely normally and will not throw fault codes or trigger premature braking in a curve. Furthermore, since I have a Baja Ron’s anti-sway bar mechanically limits body roll and keeps both front tire patches flat on the pavement in canyons, the VSS is even less likely to intervene under normal riding conditions.
So, I am leaning towards either the Vredestein Quatrac 175 tires vs the Continental ContiProContact 175 tire. I know about the Vredestein but curious to hear about the Continental too. For me the Vredestein Quatrac are a little harder to purchase.
This sounds like a no brainer but I wanted to hear from the folks who are using them before pulling the trigger.
Thank you in advance. Mike
I’m looking at the Factory Stock Sizing (165/60R15 77H) vs sizing up to the (175/55R15 77T).
Here is my thinking rational in all the research I did and need some advice/thoughts:
My exact match for the Spyder’s rear tire is the General Altimax RT45 (Size: 205/60R15) and the Vredestein Quatrac (165/60R15 77H). Sizing up to the Vredestein Quatrac or the Continental ContiProContact 175/55R15 front tire gives me a slightly wider contact patch and a marginally shorter sidewall compared to the stock 165/60R15 tire.
What the 175/55R15 gives me over the 165:
• Enhanced Cornering Stability: The wider tread footprint puts more rubber on the road. This yields a more planted feel when entering canyon turns, increasing lateral grip.
• Sharper Steering Response: Because the 55-series aspect ratio means a slightly shorter sidewall than the stock 60-series, there is less rubber flex under load with the turn-in will feel immediate and crisp.
• Aggressive Stance: Visually, the slightly wider profile fills out the front fender lines nicely.
• Ride and Comfort: The difference in the side wall is so minimal and the ride smoothness is the same on roads.
• Sharper Steering Response: Because the 55-series aspect ratio means a slightly shorter sidewall than the stock 60-series, there is less rubber flex under load with the turn-in will feel immediate and crisp.
• Aggressive Stance: Visually, the slightly wider profile fills out the front fender lines nicely.
• Ride and Comfort: The difference in the side wall is so minimal and the ride smoothness is the same on roads.
Vehicle Stability System (VSS) - Compatibility: the 175/55R15 size will not cause VSS issues on the Spyder.
The Can-Am VSS calculates computer interventions based on the rolling height (outer diameter) ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheel.
• Stock 165/60R15 Diameter: ~22.8 inches
• Sized Up 175/55R15 Diameter: ~22.6 inches (which is actually sized down)
Because the overall height difference is less than 1%, the wheel speed variance stays well within the factory electronic tolerance window. The computer reads this setup completely normally and will not throw fault codes or trigger premature braking in a curve. Furthermore, since I have a Baja Ron’s anti-sway bar mechanically limits body roll and keeps both front tire patches flat on the pavement in canyons, the VSS is even less likely to intervene under normal riding conditions.
So, I am leaning towards either the Vredestein Quatrac 175 tires vs the Continental ContiProContact 175 tire. I know about the Vredestein but curious to hear about the Continental too. For me the Vredestein Quatrac are a little harder to purchase.
This sounds like a no brainer but I wanted to hear from the folks who are using them before pulling the trigger.
Thank you in advance. Mike
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