Auto Tire on Front of the Spyder

[ataDude]

:agree:You hit the nail on the head,Safety as we all know safety is number one, but i found that the std tyre are just not up to what i like my spyder to handle like. I done the shocks sway bar and they made it lot better, but still felt wrong going into corners so i felt that the tyres are not up to scratch, so first thing i done was put 25 psi in the frount WOW so much better by the way the std tryes say they can take up to 30 psi.
But the walls are soft on the std with a number of 41 rated i think,
so i done some looking at car tyres I am now running Dunlop 702 silica 14/185/60 with a rating of 81 in the side walls, feels great the tyres are soft compound and rated high speed. Im happy "BUT ITS UP TO THE OWNER TO MAKE THERE OWN MIND UP" "I like it it, works for me.hyea:
View attachment 4946

Another bi-directional tire. Should be interesting on wet roads. JMHO.

.

 

[WaltH]

I just got back from a ride in the country on my new front tires. I was traveling over familiar roads so I could see once again that there is a big improvement in how the Spyder corners with the new tires. The improvement is very noticeable. I don't know if I am actually safer with the auto tires, but I feel safer.

When I buy my next new Spyder (#3), I will have the Kendra tires on the front removed in the first week. I will "go auto" immediately. I will not wait for the Kendra tires to wear out. I may delay "going auto" on the rear until the end of the first wear cycle, but the front OEM tires must go.

Now I like my Spyder even more than I did before.

 

[darren]

Darren, welcome !

That is a very interesting tire thread pattern. It looks like it has some serious rain grooves on them. Have you had the chance to try them out in the rain yet? I am wondering if they handle deeper water well without hydroplaning?

Here are some pics of the Dunlop, they make the ride a lot more fun and going thur round abouts are a hoot , my thinking is if it steers like a car and doe's not lean like a motorcycle and the rims are the same dia as a std car rim what harm could there be in improving on a already great product [can am] how it is now i would say its a 8 out 10 where as when i 1st bought it it handled a 4 out of 10 i love my spyder so much due to the improvments that i don"t ride the buell View attachment 4954

 

[WaltH]

Here are some pics of the Dunlop, they make the ride a lot more fun and going thur round abouts are a hoot , my thinking is if it steers like a car and doe's not lean like a motorcycle and the rims are the same dia as a std car rim what harm could there be in improving on a already great product [can am] how it is now i would say its a 8 out 10 where as when i 1st bought it it handled a 4 out of 10 i love my spyder so much due to the improvments that i don"t ride the buell View attachment 4954

Your clearance to the fender appears to be about the same as mine. This is encouraging. I am hoping to meet someone who is running the 185mm tire at a future Spyder event. I would then have the opportunity to put an eyeball right on it.

 

[woodz428]

:agree:

Considering the OEM tires are only $62 each online--- I don't see any benefit in taking a risk on another tire that you have to play with pressures to make work. The low pressure and soft sidewalls were done for a reason.

Regardless of the cost, I doubt that there is any signicant difference between a factory tire and a nice set of aftermarket ones. If you go to any major bike manufacturer and read their owner's manual, they suggest the same precautions and warnings against using anything other than factory tires. Which are made by a normal tire company. They,of course, are much pricier. When I got some time with one of the factory reps, I was informed it was primarily a liabilty concern for them. Tires, like all manufactured items, have a variation. In a material like the compounds used in new tires it can vary...considerably. Now, for instance, on a sportbike with a set of aftermarket tires that had one end with a tire on the + size diameter of design specs and the other on one with the minimum, they feel the handling could be altered enough to create a lawsuit. The manufacturers get the tires that are nearest spec, so they are really more of a "select" fit instead of special or superior. Never seen it happen,not that it hasn't. But it does cover the manufacturer somewhat, especially on new sales. When the fronts need replaced, if I decide on a car tire I feel will work better, I'll get them. I will have the fronts shaved to correct any diameter variation.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks for the additional picture Darren. That looks like a really good fit.

 

[Firefly]

:agree:You hit the nail on the head,Safety as we all know safety is number one, but i found that the std tyre are just not up to what i like my spyder to handle like. I done the shocks sway bar and they made it lot better, but still felt wrong going into corners so i felt that the tyres are not up to scratch, so first thing i done was put 25 psi in the frount WOW so much better by the way the std tryes say they can take up to 30 psi.
But the walls are soft on the std with a number of 41 rated i think,
so i done some looking at car tyres I am now running Dunlop 702 silica 14/185/60 with a rating of 81 in the side walls, feels great the tyres are soft compound and rated high speed. Im happy "BUT ITS UP TO THE OWNER TO MAKE THERE OWN MIND UP" "I like it it, works for me.hyea:
View attachment 4946

If you run the OEM front tires with much over 20 psi you will have a smaller contact patch to the pavement and will probably get more wear in the center == ditto for the rear which I now keep around 26 psi.

 

[Firefly]

Regardless of the cost, I doubt that there is any signicant difference between a factory tire and a nice set of aftermarket ones. If you go to any major bike manufacturer and read their owner's manual, they suggest the same precautions and warnings against using anything other than factory tires. Which are made by a normal tire company. They,of course, are much pricier. When I got some time with one of the factory reps, I was informed it was primarily a liabilty concern for them. Tires, like all manufactured items, have a variation. In a material like the compounds used in new tires it can vary...considerably. Now, for instance, on a sportbike with a set of aftermarket tires that had one end with a tire on the + size diameter of design specs and the other on one with the minimum, they feel the handling could be altered enough to create a lawsuit. The manufacturers get the tires that are nearest spec, so they are really more of a "select" fit instead of special or superior. Never seen it happen,not that it hasn't. But it does cover the manufacturer somewhat, especially on new sales. When the fronts need replaced, if I decide on a car tire I feel will work better, I'll get them. I will have the fronts shaved to correct any diameter variation.

The sidewalls on the OEM tires is softer - most likely to give better handling for the unique way the Spyder takes corners. I don't think the average rider should really mess with car tires as they might not research all the variables like some of you have been able to do. For me, the price of the OEM's are cheap enough and I'll trust the BRP folks knew what they were doing.

Even if I need to put a new set on every spring--- $130 bucks a year for new treads on the front is pretty cheap for piece of mind.

Had a buddy of mine mount the tires last week - but his setup couldn't balance them---- which I told him was okay as I'll be putting Ride-On in them as soon as it's nice enough to ride again.

The rear is probably not as important pertaining to sidewalls ,etc.....

 

[WaltH]

The sidewalls on the OEM tires is softer - most likely to give better handling for the unique way the Spyder takes corners. I don't think the average rider should really mess with car tires as they might not research all the variables like some of you have been able to do. For me, the price of the OEM's are cheap enough and I'll trust the BRP folks knew what they were doing.

Even if I need to put a new set on every spring--- $130 bucks a year for new treads on the front is pretty cheap for piece of mind.

Had a buddy of mine mount the tires last week - but his setup couldn't balance them---- which I told him was okay as I'll be putting Ride-On in them as soon as it's nice enough to ride again.

The rear is probably not as important pertaining to sidewalls ,etc.....

Is the way the Spyder takes corners really so unique? To me it resembles a sports car which takes corners flat. Think of the Spyder as a small sports car (roadster?). Most sports cars have VSS, and all cars sold in the U.S. beginning with the year 2012 will have VSS. Auto tires on the front makes the Spyder handle better. It corners with less body roll. I like my Spyder even more now than I did before.

Most corporate decisions are a compromise. They may be optimal for the corporation, but not for the consumer. When I got my first Spyder the rear tire had the same tread pattern as the front tires. By the time I replaced the rear tire, BRP had silently changed the tread pattern on the rear tire. I assume this was in response to reports of hydroplaning. In this case, the engineers were not "all knowing".

One's comfort level is a very important part of the Spyder experience. No one should put auto tires on a Spyder unless they are very comfortable with the idea.

 

[woodz428]

Is the way the Spyder takes corners really so unique? To me it resembles a sports car which takes corners flat. Think of the Spyder as a small sports car (roadster?).
Most corporate decisions are a compromise. They may be optimal for the corporation, but not for the consumer. When I got my first Spyder the rear tire had the same tread pattern as the front tires. By the time I replaced the rear tire, BRP had silently changed the tread pattern on the rear tire. I assume this was in response to reports of hydroplaning. In this case, the engineers were not "all knowing".

One's comfort level is a very important part of the Spyder experience. No one should put auto tires on a Spyder unless they are very comfortable with the idea.

Ditto

 

[WaltH]

Something more to think about.

Here's something more to think about. BRP specifies tires for the Spyder that are only available at Spyder dealers and absolutely no where else. Obviously, the objective here is to maximize profits. BRP wants the profit on the wholesale distribution of all the tires used on the Spyder. It also helps the dealers. Even Harley-Davidson could not get away with something like this. I am sure the automobile manufacturers would love to have a sweet deal like this. This is another example of the maxim: "what is good for the corporation is not necessarily good for the individual".

If my tires fail somewhere on the desert in Nevada, I would rather be looking for auto tires than some obscure Chinese brand sold only at Spyder dealers.

On my recent trip out west, I could not find a Spyder dealer who stocked the o-ring and crush washers for an oil change. I had to settle for an o-ring for a Sea Doo. The dealer said the Sea Doo o-ring cost was four times the cost of the Spyder o-ring, but he would "generously" only charge me $4.49 (Spyder price) for the o-ring. I get o-rings at home for $1.17 (auto supply store).

If Spyder dealers will not stock o-rings and crush washers, do you really think they will stock tires? Spyder owners change engine oil much more frequently than they change tires. I can travel with a spare supply of filters, o-rings, and crush washers, but I cannot carry spare tires, nor should I have to do so.

These factors do not out-weigh safety, but it is possible auto tires may even be safer. They sure feel safer.

 

[bone crusher]

Another bi-directional tire. Should be interesting on wet roads. JMHO.

.

:agree: Everyone is just slapping on tires because they look like they'll work...who really knows? I guess some never find anything stock to be worthwhile...so be it...the Spyder was tested vigorously with the OEM tire...there's a reason it's on the bike. Of course, there are other options, but who knows what effect they'll have on bike function/stability...

 

[bone crusher]

The sidewalls on the OEM tires is softer - most likely to give better handling for the unique way the Spyder takes corners. I don't think the average rider should really mess with car tires as they might not research all the variables like some of you have been able to do. For me, the price of the OEM's are cheap enough and I'll trust the BRP folks knew what they were doing.

Even if I need to put a new set on every spring--- $130 bucks a year for new treads on the front is pretty cheap for piece of mind.

Had a buddy of mine mount the tires last week - but his setup couldn't balance them---- which I told him was okay as I'll be putting Ride-On in them as soon as it's nice enough to ride again.

The rear is probably not as important pertaining to sidewalls ,etc.....

I agree...

 

[bone crusher]

Is the way the Spyder takes corners really so unique? To me it resembles a sports car which takes corners flat. Think of the Spyder as a small sports car (roadster?). Most sports cars have VSS, and all cars sold in the U.S. beginning with the year 2012 will have VSS. Auto tires on the front makes the Spyder handle better. It corners with less body roll. I like my Spyder even more now than I did before.

Most corporate decisions are a compromise. They may be optimal for the corporation, but not for the consumer. When I got my first Spyder the rear tire had the same tread pattern as the front tires. By the time I replaced the rear tire, BRP had silently changed the tread pattern on the rear tire. I assume this was in response to reports of hydroplaning. In this case, the engineers were not "all knowing".

One's comfort level is a very important part of the Spyder experience. No one should put auto tires on a Spyder unless they are very comfortable with the idea.

That's your opinion and you really have no idea (sorry)...the Spyer is not a sports car nor does it ride anything like one...it's a three wheel vehicle with very different weight and physics as compared to any car...we should be able to agree on that...Can-Am tested the stock tire to get it to match what the Spyder is capable of doing...I'm not one for the conspiracy theory that they want to hog the market and force us to buy some inferior product. As far as 'silently' changing the tire pattern, why infer that it was 'silent.'...every vehicle and part for a vehicle change with each successive model...it is normal to tweak things to make them better...I don't know why so many here think BRP is out to get one over on everyone!

 

[NancysToy]

If people want to experiment with alternate tires for performance or longevity purposes, so be it. Folks have done so with cars and motorcycles for many years. Some had the desired results, and some didn't. I doubt there would be any catastophic consequences, but the wrong choice sure could be a nuisance. If you have a goal in mind, I see no reason not to try, within the sizes that will be compatible with the VSS. Realize, however, that BRP will accept no responsibility, and will not approve.

If the reason is cost alone, I would hesitate to switch. Spyder tire life and cost is excellent, as far as sport-touring motorcycles go, even with the need to buy three tires and the higher labor to change the rear. I pay about $150 each for tires for my BMW and get only an average of 5,000 miles out of a set. That means two or more sets a year, plus $50 to mount them. In addition, the tires are very thin and susceptible to road damage, can't be safely repaired, and are stickier so they pick up nails and screws more easily. I have trashed a new tire in as little as 50 miles. By comparison, I have no problem replacing a Spyder rear once a year and the fronts every couple of years. Still cheaper in the long run.

 

[darren]

tyres

Is the way the Spyder takes corners really so unique? To me it resembles a sports car which takes corners flat. Think of the Spyder as a small sports car (roadster?). Most sports cars have VSS, and all cars sold in the U.S. beginning with the year 2012 will have VSS. Auto tires on the front makes the Spyder handle better. It corners with less body roll. I like my Spyder even more now than I did before.

Most corporate decisions are a compromise. They may be optimal for the corporation, but not for the consumer. When I got my first Spyder the rear tire had the same tread pattern as the front tires. By the time I replaced the rear tire, BRP had silently changed the tread pattern on the rear tire. I assume this was in response to reports of hydroplaning. In this case, the engineers were not "all knowing".

One's comfort level is a very important part of the Spyder experience. No one should put auto tires on a Spyder unless they are very comfortable with the idea.

:clap:all of the above you have to try it to know how much more fun it is on a spyder with good auto tyres corners are more stable and you have more control and less tyre roll:2excited:its just is better:yes:

 

[asmdjackal]

:agree:You hit the nail on the head,Safety as we all know safety is number one, but i found that the std tyre are just not up to what i like my spyder to handle like. I done the shocks sway bar and they made it lot better, but still felt wrong going into corners so i felt that the tyres are not up to scratch, so first thing i done was put 25 psi in the frount WOW so much better by the way the std tryes say they can take up to 30 psi.
But the walls are soft on the std with a number of 41 rated i think,
so i done some looking at car tyres I am now running Dunlop 702 silica 14/185/60 with a rating of 81 in the side walls, feels great the tyres are soft compound and rated high speed. Im happy "BUT ITS UP TO THE OWNER TO MAKE THERE OWN MIND UP" "I like it it, works for me.hyea:
View attachment 4946

Here is a way to make your spyder handle better - ditch the 14's and go with some 17's. http://www.spydertalk.com/forums/topic/11466-new-wheels/

night and day difference.:2thumbs:

 

[ataDude]

I'm with the experimenters... go for it. That's how we find alternatives that work... and may be better, in fact.

I are one.

.

 

[darren]

Here is a way to make your spyder handle better - ditch the 14's and go with some 17's. http://www.spydertalk.com/forums/topic/11466-new-wheels/

night and day difference.:2thumbs:

Thats how a spyder should look:clap:

 

[bone crusher]

Here is a way to make your spyder handle better - ditch the 14's and go with some 17's. http://www.spydertalk.com/forums/topic/11466-new-wheels/

night and day difference.:2thumbs:

More tread on the ground means more friction, true...with dry weather, you should do fine...in wet weather, it might be a disadvantage though...

As far as mileage and performance, you will sacrifice that as well...friction is an enemy to speed!