Front tires

[MikeT]

Since you really don't have any specific complaint about the Kenda tires: why not wear them out first, and then go get some quality replacements? :dontknow:
Why spend money before you have to?

:agree:
There's a lot about tires that confuses a first-timer. There doesn't seem to be much space between the OEM tire(165/55/15) and the fender. How are people running 175 and 185 tires??????
Mike

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:
There's a lot about tires that confuses a first-timer. There doesn't seem to be much space between the OEM tire(165/55/15) and the fender. How are people running 175 and 185 tires??????
Mike

This is actually a two-part question:
There's the original fenders...
and the new ones that showed up in 2013...

 

[cognaccruiser]

:agree:
There's a lot about tires that confuses a first-timer. There doesn't seem to be much space between the OEM tire(165/55/15) and the fender. How are people running 175 and 185 tires??????
Mike

I can only speak for the 175 Continentals that I'm running and I know others are too. There is absolutely no problem fitting them on my 2014 RTS. I believe you are on a 15 which has the same fender as my 14. Seeing 185 was a little surprising to me but if someone is using a 185 in a particular make of tire I tend to believe it. Something to keep in mind is that a tire can be advertised as a certain size but that size tire listed by one company can be different from the same size listed by another company. It is the actual/real size of the tire that counts.

Gary

 

[SpyderSteveFL]

Do car tires on the front make that much difference with handling? I have added the sway bar and I have done the laser alignment. I don't think it handles bad but I think it could be better. The bike only has about 7000 miles and the front tires still look like new but I don't have a problem changing them if it would make it handle better yet.

I think it depends on what you mean by 'handling' and what you think could be better. I don't agree that the sway bar is the best thing you can do - again it depends. Shocks are just, if not more, important again depending on what you want. The sway bar and shocks complement each other. If you want better cornering, speed in curves, less nosediving, etc. you need to upgrade the shocks. Also, on alignment, its not all about the ROLO. You need to ensure the DPS is set correctly - thats a computer setting. Have the DPS checked first as that free and easy. Then shocks, then tires. But again, depends on what exactly you are looking to improve, 'handling' is too generic.

 

[viperryder]

Another vote for Federal Formoza 165/55R 15. Just put a set on front and the Spyder handles very well. Got two tires delivered and installed for $150 total. Great tires.

 

[Purple Guy]

I can only speak for the 175 Continentals that I'm running and I know others are too. There is absolutely no problem fitting them on my 2014 RTS. I believe you are on a 15 which has the same fender as my 14. Seeing 185 was a little surprising to me but if someone is using a 185 in a particular make of tire I tend to believe it. Something to keep in mind is that a tire can be advertised as a certain size but that size tire listed by one company can be different from the same size listed by another company. It is the actual/real size of the tire that counts.

Gary

I also have a 2014 and have put Continental Contiprocontacts on in the 175/55R15 size. No problems with fitment, no Nanny complaints and they do seem to improve handling. There are other options if you search the forum as this question does come up fairly often.

Gary

I too have 175/55/15 Continental Contipro Contacts on my 2014 RT and they fit & handle perfectly!

 

[south GA Farm Boy]

front Federal Formoza AZ01 tires

What do you guys find is the best air pressure for your front Federal Formoza AZ01 tires? I know the 2016 RT Limited calls for 20+or- 2 lbs! What is working best for you that are running the Federal's?

 

[Eugene]

:agree:
And a "Helmet" section too!

Shocks - Shocks - let's not forget Shocks!

 

[jake6470]

Has anyone checked to see if installing tires that differ from the OEM size and brand while the trike is under warranty will give Can Am the opportunity to void the original or extended warranties? Yes, I know tires are consumables so they aren't covered under the Can Am warranty, but when there's an engine problem that can in any way link to tire size, such as revolutions/mile, speedometer accuracy, etc., it would seem that Can Am would be in a position to void coverage. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

VOIDING WARRANTY

Has anyone checked to see if installing tires that differ from the OEM size and brand while the trike is under warranty will give Can Am the opportunity to void the original or extended warranties? Yes, I know tires are consumables so they aren't covered under the Can Am warranty, but when there's an engine problem that can in any way link to tire size, such as revolutions/mile, speedometer accuracy, etc., it would seem that Can Am would be in a position to void coverage. Anyone have any experience with this?

Read about the Moss-Magnussen Act .......... and imho it would be a real stretch for BRP or their legal team to relate one to anything else ....Mike:thumbup:

 

[DJFaninTN]

What do you guys find is the best air pressure for your front Federal Formoza AZ01 tires? I know the 2016 RT Limited calls for 20+or- 2 lbs! What is working best for you that are running the Federal's?

running 18 lbs and loving it

 

[jake6470]

front tires

Blueknight, you're right on. In the 'Requirements' paragraph of the Act appears the following:

Warrantors cannot require that only branded parts be used with the product in order to retain the warranty.[SUP][7][/SUP] This is commonly referred to as the "tie-in sales" provisions,[SUP][8][/SUP] and is frequently mentioned in the context of third-party computer parts, such as memory and hard drives.

Well OK, I can go get some real front tires now. Thanks, Blueknight!

 

[spyder123]

FRONT TIRES

At 1900 miles, I switched to Federal Formoza AZ01s in stock size (165/55 R15). I believe that the handling is MUCH better.

At what pressure do run them?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

At what pressure do run them?

I run my Formoza's at 19 psi.

 

[SpyderConvert]

AZ01s

At what pressure do run them?

I'm running them at 19 psi for now.

 

[2Paw]

When you guys buy tires at someplace like Discount Tire what do you tell them you're putting them on? Around here at least they won't just sell you tires without knowing what you're putting them on and a Spyder won't cut it. Thanks lawyers.

 

[kbwitt]

Do car tires on the front make that much difference with handling? I have added the sway bar and I have done the laser alignment. I don't think it handles bad but I think it could be better. The bike only has about 7000 miles and the front tires still look like new but I don't have a problem changing them if it would make it handle better yet.

You have a good 10,000 miles left. I would use them up before changing. I think my new car tires big improvement but when ever you change out old hard rubber for new soft it feels a lot better. In my opinion you would be wasting money for the difference .

 

[rudym]

buy online and SAVE

When you guys buy tires at someplace like Discount Tire what do you tell them you're putting them on? Around here at least they won't just sell you tires without knowing what you're putting them on and a Spyder won't cut it. Thanks lawyers.

Buy online!

 

[teninospyder]

front tires life (?)

I have almost 17,000 miles on my original 2014 RT Limited Kenda front tires and haven't reached the wear indicators yet (currently reads 7MM total). I have no problem with handling, even at highway speeds (OK... even a little over). As we all know, tire prices - as well as finding mounting service for tires not purchased at that location - can be all over the map. Not trying to argue here (and I certainly DON'T support BRPs pricing strategy on ANYTHING) - just trying to understand everyones problem with keeping the recommended tires. Any help appreciated.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I don't think there are any real problems with anyone keeping the FRONT Kendas Tenino, it's mainly the rear tire that is the real problem - their tire life back there is appalling, & the grip & handling is not really all that much better! :shocked:

However, since the front end of your Spyder doesn't really weigh a heap or put much load on whatever tire you run up front, especially once you've had a proper wheel alignment done, ANY tire should last alright & work really well up front & for most, the Kendas do OK. BUT - when you do need to change them, or if you are one of the unlucky owners having the majorly annoying vibration issues or out of round tire problems that some do have with them, try fitting a 'real' car tire instead.... & then try not to be too hard on yourself for not doing it earlier; because in exactly the same way other tires are better on the rear, just about any 'proper' tire WILL be scads better than the Kendas up front too, cos when it all boils down, while they last alright under the minimal loads placed on them, when it comes to everything else, they are just sorta OK at best!! :dontknow:

The Kenda Tire Company can make some reasonable tires, they excel at making reasonable bicycle tires & fork lift tires, and they make a pretty good range of Off- Road tires for 4x4's too, but the tires they make for our Spyders/BRP seem to be subject to appalling quality control & construction standards & barely satisfy the requirements of most for tire life, ride, & handling, & WE get to pay the penalty. Just about ANY 'proper' car tire in the appropriate sizes & running at the correct pressure for the tire & its load (& not necessarily as per the tire placard on your Spyder) will provide better ride, better handling, better wear, better traction in the wet or dry, and essentially better all around performance, often being easier to balance & align too, as well as being somewhat cheaper to own & fit! :shocked:

So it's not really a matter of "trying to understand why anyone has problems with keeping the recommended tires", it's more a matter of trying to understand why anyone DOES keep them at all?? And why BRP won't come to terms with the millions of miles owner funded real world testing that fairly conclusively shows there are potentially many WAAAAYYY better tires out there available on the market?? Why DO they (& some owners) persist with fitting tires that are clearly not meeting the majority of owners' expectations on the rear, & while the Kendas are sorta OK as far as tire life is concerned up front, at the right tire pressures just about any similar car tire will out-perform the Kendas in every respect up front as well? :dontknow: