Any feedback on Kanines after 2 years?

[Peteoz]

I recently resurrected a thread discussing the “then new”, Kenda Kanines, to see how riders were finding them. Unfortunately, that has created confusion as members are responding to some of the 2 year old posts without realising, for which I apologise……I’ll ask the question in this new thread……

Those of you who have been running the Kanines for while, how are you finding them in terms of wet/dry grip, ride comfort, longevity etc. I had the Kanines on the front for 12 months until I replaced them with higher aspect aftermarkets to get a little more road clearance, and they performed very well for me. However, I now want to upgrade from the questionable OEM Kenda on the rear. I am unwilling to remove the rear myself, and my trusted mech (10 hour round trip) won’t mount aftermarkets due to potential liabilities (he’s a very small shop).

If the general feedback is good on Kanines on the rear, I’ll look at getting him to mount one. If the feedback is not so good, I’ll keep looking for someone who will mount an aftermarket. I believe Askitee may have found someone, and he is relatively close to me.

I would also be very interested to know if those using aftermarkets find they provide better cushioning on rougher roads than the Kenda Kanines (or Radials) thinner sidewalls. From my perspective, the aftermarkets appear to offer better cushioning, but that may simply be the effect of increasing the shock preload. I’d be interested in others experiences.

Many thanks for any feedback:thumbup:

Pete

 

[BajaRon]

The bigger question is, do you have a source for the Kenda Kanines?

 

[Peteoz]

The bigger question is, do you have a source for the Kenda Kanines?

Yes, Ron…….our one and only wholesaler received a batch a month or two ago, and still have stock. It might be worthwhile rechecking with your suppliers.

Pete

 

[baxter]

I had a 2020 RTL and put 22K on it. Stock tires, rode all over South, Midwest and West. Rode in all kinds of weather. From mountain roads to flat midwest straights, had no issues. Now have 2022 F3L with 5K on stock tires and no issues. I am not one that checks tire pressure that often. I did change the rear tire on the RTL at about 15K only because leaving on a multi day trip but tire tread had not reached the "gotta change" point but felt better with a new one on before leaving.

 

[ARtraveler]

Have had them on my 2019 F3L. Fronts installed at 19K even though the Kenda's were still good. Rear installed at 14K. Only 6k miles on the rears and about 1K on the fronts. No issues with them.

 

[Peteoz]

Have had them on my 2019 F3L. Fronts installed at 19K even though the Kenda's were still good. Rear installed at 14K. Only 6k miles on the rears and about 1K on the fronts. No issues with them.

Thanks AR……much appreciated:thumbup:

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

I had a 2020 RTL and put 22K on it. Stock tires, rode all over South, Midwest and West. Rode in all kinds of weather. From mountain roads to flat midwest straights, had no issues. Now have 2022 F3L with 5K on stock tires and no issues. I am not one that checks tire pressure that often. I did change the rear tire on the RTL at about 15K only because leaving on a multi day trip but tire tread had not reached the "gotta change" point but felt better with a new one on before leaving.

Thanks Baxter. I assume you are only referring to the OEM Kenda Radial tyres and not the Kenda Kanines?

Pete

 

[bikerbillone]

I'd also be interested interested in hearing about the Knines. Not in love with Kendas, but the hassle of finding someone to mount the rear is a tough go.

 

[BajaRon]

Yes, Ron…….our one and only wholesaler received a batch a month or two ago, and still have stock. It might be worthwhile rechecking with your suppliers.

Pete

I've had these on backorder since 03 of 2020. They will ship as soon as my supplier has them. They are supposed to ship later this month. But I've heard that before too. Thanks for the update. I want to run the Kanines for myself. Because the feedback is all over the place. Some say they are great. Others say they are junk. I've not heard anything in-between. And both report paths can't be right.

 

[Peteoz]

I've had these on backorder since 03 of 2020. They will ship as soon as my supplier has them. They are supposed to ship later this month. But I've heard that before too. Thanks for the update. I want to run the Kanines for myself. Because the feedback is all over the place. Some say they are great. Others say they are junk. I've not heard anything in-between. And both report paths can't be right.

Yeah, the only way is to try them yourself, Ron, as we all have different drivers and riding styles. I also think that many of the poor reviews of the Kanine are due to many riders actually commenting on the OEM Kenda radials during Kenda Kanine discussions, not realising that the Kanines are a different tyre (I have come across that several times).

I have to say that the 2 Kanines I had on the front were faultless in the 12 months I had them. They required minimal weights to balance, rode very well and cornered well (but I’m no speed demon………plus I am using a sway bar from a highly respected manufacture who shall remain nameless, which also improves cornering ). I was prepared to stick with them, except for my ride height issue.

I do have to say that in my short experience with the new aftermarkets, I have a “seat of the pants” feeling that aftermarket tyres provide a much smoother ride over potholed roads. I am currently after confirmation as to whether others have noticed that, of if I am simply making that up.:dontknow:

Pete

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yeah, the only way is to try them yourself, Ron, as we all have different drivers and riding styles. I also think that many of the poor reviews of the Kanine are due to many riders actually commenting on the OEM Kenda radials during Kenda Kanine discussions, not realising that the Kanines are a different tyre (I have come across that several times).

I have to say that the 2 Kanines I had on the front were faultless in the 12 months I had them. They required minimal weights to balance, rode very well and cornered well (but I’m no speed demon………plus I am using a sway bar from a highly respected manufacture who shall remain nameless, which also improves cornering ). I was prepared to stick with them, except for my ride height issue.

I do have to say that in my short experience with the new aftermarkets, I have a “seat of the pants” feeling that aftermarket tyres provide a much smoother ride over potholed roads. I am currently after confirmation as to whether others have noticed that, of if I am simply making that up.:dontknow:

Pete

I looked into the " Kanine " construction after they became available ..... the carcass is the same as the Kenda ..... the tread composition is different ( this is based on tire mileage reports on this forum ) ....... IMHO they arer only slightly better than the orig. Kenda's ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Peteoz]

I looked into the " Kanine " construction after they became available ..... the carcass is the same as the Kenda ..... the tread composition is different ( this is based on tire mileage reports on this forum ) ....... IMHO they arer only slightly better than the orig. Kenda's ..... Mike :thumbup:

Yeah, thanks Mike. In your experience, is it possible that the thicker sidewalls of the aftermarkets, running at 16-18 psi, are what is providing me the feeling of better bump absorption than the Kanines?

Pete

 

[sfcarn]

I have a 2021 RTL with the Kanine rear tire. I have 7000 miles on the tire with 5/32 tread depth left on the tire. We ride 2 up about 95% of the time usually fully loaded for traveling with tire pressure at 25 or 26 psi. My first Spyder was a 2014 RTL the original rear tire didn't get 5000 miles on it and it was about gone. Went with another OEM Kenda at the same mileage tire about gone, then switched to the Kanine the bike seemed to handle better. Sold the bike and bought the 2021.

 

[Peteoz]

I have a 2021 RTL with the Kanine rear tire. I have 7000 miles on the tire with 5/32 tread depth left on the tire. We ride 2 up about 95% of the time usually fully loaded for traveling with tire pressure at 25 or 26 psi. My first Spyder was a 2014 RTL the original rear tire didn't get 5000 miles on it and it was about gone. Went with another OEM Kenda at the same mileage tire about gone, then switched to the Kanine the bike seemed to handle better. Sold the bike and bought the 2021.

Thanks for the feedback, SF…….I ride “2up” 100% of the time, even though I’m by myself. :spyder:

Pete.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yeah, thanks Mike. In your experience, is it possible that the thicker sidewalls of the aftermarkets, running at 16-18 psi, are what is providing me the feeling of better bump absorption than the Kanines?

Pete

I really can't speak for " Kanine's " they are made by Kenda ..... after-market - to me are Vredesteins, Michelin, Generals etc. .... I have posted numerous times ( to acquaint new members ) that tires are part of the suspension, not ONLY in the area of performance. But in the riding comfort..... And don't let what they look like ( ie. under-inflated ) fool you. They are RADIALS and they have more flexible sidewalls ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I really can't speak for " Kanine's " they are made by Kenda ..... after-market - to me are Vredesteins, Michelin, Generals etc. .... I have posted numerous times ( to acquaint new members ) that tires are part of the suspension, not ONLY in the area of performance. But in the riding comfort..... And don't let what they look like ( ie. under-inflated ) fool you. They are RADIALS and they have more flexible sidewalls ...... Mike :thumbup:

I think the whole thing about this particular idea is a search for an OEM sized rear tire. Options are extremely limited. As far as I know. It's the OEM Kenda, the Kenda Kanine, and the Kumo. The Kumo is a definite upgrade from the OEM Kenda. But it's not great. The Vredestein's, and others you mention are a fair amount better than the Kumo. But they do not come in OEM size 225/50R15. This matters a lot to some. So, the interest in the Kanine. They came out for a short time and then were gone. Due to a combination of Kenda moving from Taiwan to Vietnam (I'm told) and Covid hitting. Vietnam shut everything down when that happened and left Kenda out to dry for awhile. They still had some of their manufacturing capabilities up and running in Taiwan. But with the petroleum supply issues added to their other woes. They have only been producing their A movers. The Spyder tires are definitely not in this category.

 

[FrogmanDave]

Thanks for the feedback, SF…….I ride “2up” 100% of the time, even though I’m by myself. :spyder:

Pete.

I don't care who are, that's some funny s**t there :roflblack:

 

[Peteoz]

I really can't speak for " Kanine's " they are made by Kenda ..... after-market - to me are Vredesteins, Michelin, Generals etc. .... I have posted numerous times ( to acquaint new members ) that tires are part of the suspension, not ONLY in the area of performance. But in the riding comfort..... And don't let what they look like ( ie. under-inflated ) fool you. They are RADIALS and they have more flexible sidewalls ...... Mike :thumbup:

Thanks Mike. That confirms my “seat of the pants” feeling re improved riding comfort from the aftermarkets.

Pete

 

[Isopedella]

i see you are in Aus. I have found these great. Especially when the perfect sealed roads are nowhere to be seen.

I have an 1100k ride planned in a few weeks. 160k of gravel / dirt

 

[Peteoz]

i see you are in Aus. I have found these great. Especially when the perfect sealed roads are nowhere to be seen.

I have an 1100k ride planned in a few weeks. 160k of gravel / dirt

Thanks Isopedella. I had the Kumho on my F3 and they worked a treat, but they only come in 160/55 size in Oz, and I needed taller, so I went with the Goodyear Duragrip 165/60. I now have to work out if the aftermarkets will serve me better than a Kanine on the rear.

Pete