general altimax rt43

[Pampurrs]

Yes I read that. No problem here in north Texas, I dont ride in freezing temperatures.

Hmmmm I lived in Dallas for 23 years and remember MANY freezing days in December, January, and February. :lecturef_smilie:

Pam

 

[Sarge707]

I too am trying this tire. I've got about a thousand miles so far and am pleased with it. It does make the speedo spot on. Performance, so far is good. Wear is too soon to tell much. I'm running it at 28 psi cold.

However, there is one thing I don't recall anyone mentioning. And, that being how difficult it is to mount. Because the tire is roughly 1/2" narrower than OEM it is very difficult to set the bead. When I had mine mounted, I had to go to 3 different shops, because they didn't have a rapid inflation device. That was the only way they were able to pop the bead, and even with that it was difficult.

This does cause me some concerns for a travel bike, frequently going to remote desert areas, like I do.

I guess time will tell all.

How Much of a problem is this? Should we consider ONLY 225-50-15 Stock size tires? I don't ride in rain so Hydroplaning is Not a Factor!

 

[KX5062]

The concern being losing the bead somewhere on the road due to a nail or whatnot.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BEAD LOSE CONCERN

The concern being losing the bead somewhere on the road due to a nail or whatnot.

If you drive around on a tire ( any tire ) that has no AIR in it......you have a good chance of the bead coming off..............And in an earlier post you mentioned going to THREE tire shops that couldn't get the bead to set...........I find this Bazaar....Except for TUBE tires .....I believe ALL tubeless tires need to have the Bead set this way .....Mike :bbq:

 

[KX5062]

If you drive around on a tire ( any tire ) that has no AIR in it......you have a good chance of the bead coming off..............And in an earlier post you mentioned going to THREE tire shops that couldn't get the bead to set...........I find this Bazaar....Except for TUBE tires .....I believe ALL tubeless tires need to have the Bead set this way .....Mike :bbq:

Bizarre or not, that's what happened.

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work. I had to go to a tire shop (I live in a small town, so there's not many choices) that had a rapid inflation device. I don't know it's technical name, but it's a device that dumps air into the tire so rapidly that it doesn't allow the air to escape and sets the bead almost instantly.

My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BEAD ISSUE

Bizarre or not, that's what happened.

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work. I had to go to a tire shop (I live in a small town, so there's not many choices) that had a rapid inflation device. I don't know it's technical name, but it's a device that dumps air into the tire so rapidly that it doesn't allow the air to escape and sets the bead almost instantly.

My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

#1....I don't understand " the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock ".........#2. .....I watched my tire guy remove all the tires from my Spyder rims ( 16 X's ) and He needed the Hydraulic arm to break the tire from the bead,.....I have " ZERO " concern that this is going to happen during a flat tire..........Mike :bbq:

 

[Peter Aawen]

.....

All tubeless tires have to have the bead set by air pressure, but because the tire itself is about 1/2" narrower than stock the standard inflation methods did not work.....


My concern is that a small nail or other debris can be picked up on the road without realizing it and substantial air pressure can be lost before you know it. Without the constant air pressure keeping the bead in place because of the narrowness of the tire could cause a loss of the bead. And, without a shop that has that air dump device, you won't be able to reset the bead. A remote possibility, but a concern none-the-less.

The first bit is (sorta) true, IF the fitter doesn't have shop air with sufficient air delivery at pressure; but hey, it really shouldn't take all that much, most shop air plants provide waaaaay more than necessary, & even if they don't all it usually takes is the operator leaning on the tire, or at worst, wrapping a ratchet strap run around the circumference of the tire & tightening it one or two notches as air is pumped in; & voila, bead seated!! But heck, even the little air compressor in my 4WD (that isn't much bigger than the air pump under the RT!) and that doesn't have an air tank to help delivers enough air flow at pressure is able to seat the beads on these tires & some much bigger with far more impediments to seating!! I wonder what the deal was with yours??? It sounds somewhat odd that no-one could seat it properly when it should be so easy.... even that size (or a size or 2 narrower) on a wide rim - that tire is well within the 'acceptable fitting' width specs for that width rim???

As for the second bit being an issue if you don't have 'constant air pressure', that's not really correct - once a tire bead is seated properly, it generally takes some fairly significant force to UN-seat the bead again, that's why tire shops have machines to do it these days.... Before those hydraulic/air driven machines came along, it took a fairly large amount of manual effort using a pretty big lever to 'break the bead' & start being able to remove the tire from the rim!! Unless you corner or otherwise somehow apply a LOT of torsional or lateral force to your tire once it's lost most of its pressure, you aren't likely to break the bead!! And if you are still riding once the tires lost enough pressure to let that happen, you got other problems already anyway!!

A small leak will only let air out slowly, & you should notice the change in ride & handling well before the loss of pressure becomes enough for 'normal' riding forces to become sufficient to break the bead's grip on the rim. And if the leak isn't small, but more of a 'dump all the air out now' thing, rolling the bead off the rim is gonna be the least of your troubles!! I wouldn't be worrying about this one too much, it really shouldn't be a significant concern or all that likely.

Worry Less, Ride More! :thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

I'm gonna get the Kuhmo Ecsta and be done with it. I got 14,800 Now and at least 1,000 to go on the Kenda and if the Kuhmo is as Good I will be happy.
I believe we get more miles in the Cooler climates as Compared to tropical climates- BUT I can't prove it? Must be Global cooling!:yes:

 

[The Ancients]

I just put the Altimax RT43 tire on my 2012 RS Sm5, it has the sport fender on and it has so much room I could definitely go taller. The Altimax is so much smother than the Kenda, question would I use the set button to change my LCD display back to U.S. temp and get the digital speedo back it seems the dealer change the setting but I didn’t realize it until I left.

 

[Mikey]

:bbq::bbq:opcorn: yup:agree:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I am curious, since tires are often a big topic, where did you obtain ratings on the Altimax RT43? Are these the tire sidewall ratings or something I have not found on Tire Rack.

I have found where Tire Rack tested a different version of the Altimax, but not this specific version.

Actually She wasn't aware of what was a good tire or not !!!! …………. I suggested She get the Altimax to re-place the worn out Kenda …. Mike :thumbup:

 

[Sarge707]

Does it come in the stock size and can you use it in cold Temps because the Kumho I just put on is kinda slick even with 21 pounds? Not sticky like stock.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Does it come in the stock size and can you use it in cold Temps because the Kumho I just put on is kinda slick even with 21 pounds? Not sticky like stock.

If you are referring to the Altimax RT43 - the closest size is 215/60-15 , however this size will correct the speedo reading to almost exact..... Get the lower speed rated model it is actually a stickier tire …. should wear about the same tho …………. Mike

 

[The Ancients]

I used tire rack.com for some research, amazon for some reviews but mainly here is where I looked for advice especially too see who recommended what tire the most. The Altimax was the name brand I’ve found to be the highest recommended, of course as one had said before a smile would ensue telling someone I have to check the tire pressure on my bikes Hankook, Falken etc would be cool as well. But as before I like the info here, the reviews given me insight and with that I purchased the tire and quite like it. I could tell how much smother it was when I rode home, and I could easily keep stable speeds compared to the Kenda, it is possible the Kenda was balding in the middle causing that but either way I’m really happy that I have the people and info here to help make that decision.

 

[starrider60]

Had the General Altimex installed at 14,000. Have 2,000 miles on it with 20 psi. Much improved ride :2thumbs: