Front tires for the 2014 RT

[Richard Brown]

Does anyone know if the Kumho Solus KH16 175/55-15 will work on the front of the 2014 RT Spyder? I am putting a new Kumho 225/50-15 on the rear. I realize that the manual calls for a 165/55-15 for the front but I can't find a Kumho that size. Will the 10mm wider tire on the front cause a problem?

 

[BikerDoc]

If you do a search for "Kumho front tires" you will get all kinds of threads discussing this and you can take you pick

 

[Bob Denman]

The Solus does come in a size that's just a little bit narrower, but maintains the same overall height by having a bit taller sidewall... :thumbup:

 

[sledmaster]

Bob is correct here. I am running the Kumho Solus KH 16s in the 155/60-15 size on my 2013 ST-S. It is within 1% in diameter and only 10mm narrower, which amounts to about 3/8". The difference from the cheap junk stock kendas was amazing and immediate, in all conditions. So far it isn't cupping like the stock tires did. I honestly have not found any negative. I suppose since the Solus is a stronger tire there might be a small difference in chatter-bump ride quality and compliance, but I have not noticed it as I already have the Fox shocks and one of Ron's sway bars in there to stabilize the front end.

I would love to hear if anyone has in fact installed the 175s. It looked really tight to go 10mm wider thus we opted for the 155s. I will not hesitate to use this tire again. One thing is for sure, I will never install a kenda tire on a Spyder ever again, front or rear. Still running Toyo Proxes 4 in the rear on both of my Spyders.

 

[Bob Denman]

Here's some of the Math... :thumbup:

 

[Richard Brown]

happy at last

Bob is correct here. I am running the Kumho Solus KH 16s in the 155/60-15 size on my 2013 ST-S. It is within 1% in diameter and only 10mm narrower, which amounts to about 3/8". The difference from the cheap junk stock kendas was amazing and immediate, in all conditions. So far it isn't cupping like the stock tires did. I honestly have not found any negative. I suppose since the Solus is a stronger tire there might be a small difference in chatter-bump ride quality and compliance, but I have not noticed it as I already have the Fox shocks and one of Ron's sway bars in there to stabilize the front end.

I would love to hear if anyone has in fact installed the 175s. It looked really tight to go 10mm wider thus we opted for the 155s. I will not hesitate to use this tire again. One thing is for sure, I will never install a kenda tire on a Spyder ever again, front or rear. Still running Toyo Proxes 4 in the rear on both of my Spyders.

I installed 2 Kumho 155/60R15 tires on the front of my 2014 Spyder today and what a difference. No more pulling to the Right. It also seems much easer to steer. Thank goodness for the internet, the dealers were sure no help. I put 20 PSI in the two front tires. Is this any different from what you are using?

 

[SPYD3R]

YES

i would say YES....
I have the Kumho Solus KH16 175/65-14's on the front of my '09 RS and they are absolutely the ballz....

you may need to use 'wedges' like on the last picture, but i have clearance without any issues...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S

 

[Richard Brown]

air pressure

i would say YES....
I have the Kumho Solus KH16 175/65-14's on the front of my '09 RS and they are absolutely the ballz....

you may need to use 'wedges' like on the last picture, but i have clearance without any issues...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S

What air pressure are you using?

 

[Bob Denman]

Hi Richard,
What Dan runs up front on his '09 may not allow for a fair comparison when it comes to tire pressures.
The 14" tired-bikes could run lower pressures due to the taller sidewalls.
Since you've bumped up to a 60 series tire; you MIGHT be able to get away with running a pound or two less.
But starting at 20 psi sounds like a good plan! :thumbup:

 

[SPYD3R]

DO NOT

What air pressure are you using?

DO NOT go by what others use for 'psi'...
it all depends on how you ride...
i ride 1 UP all the time... never a 2nd person... never a heavy load...
if your ride varies from 1 to 2 ppl, from light to heavy, adjust as needed... more weight = more psi...
i constantly watch my tire wear, and they seldom varies in how they wear...
it takes time and effort to know just how much 'psi' you should use, so study your vehicle and makes notes...
however: 22 -24 psi in frt, 18 - 22 psi in rr...
enjoy...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: It's largely a matter of personal preference... :thumbup:

Hey Dan!
Is that new F-3 still "scratching all the right itches"?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I installed 2 Kumho 155/60R15 tires on the front of my 2014 Spyder today and what a difference. No more pulling to the Right. It also seems much easer to steer. Thank goodness for the internet, the dealers were sure no help. I put 20 PSI in the two front tires. Is this any different from what you are using?

That is too bad that your dealer was no help. Sounds like you had a bad tire, as many others have had, and it should have been replaced under warranty. I would bet that if you had swapped the wheels from one side to the other and gone for a test ride your Spyder would have pulled to the left.

 

[Richard Brown]

Tried two sets

That is too bad that your dealer was no help. Sounds like you had a bad tire, as many others have had, and it should have been replaced under warranty. I would bet that if you had swapped the wheels from one side to the other and gone for a test ride your Spyder would have pulled to the left.

Yes I did the test and swapped from one side to the other and yes it did pull to the left. The dealer replaced the tires with more stock tires. It went straight for a few hundred miles and then started pulling to the right again. I decided "enough" and put Kumho tires on the bike. The bike feels better than it ever did. Now lets hope it continues that way. We are almost always 2 up but neither one of us is very big. I am starting out with 21psi in the front and I will be watching the tire wear very carefully. I want to thank all of you for the great advise.