Got rid of the Crapenda (Kenda) front tires

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The Continental Contiprocontact 165/60R15 tires I ordered from Tire Rack came the other day so I took them down to the local tire dealer to have them installed. Just a heads up! They charged me $45 total to mount and balance the two tires. So when you order a car tire plan on paying something on the order of $10 each for mounting and $10 balancing for each tire. I'm guessing this is near what any tire shop will charge and probably reflects the revenue portion for that service when they sell you a tire, mounting and balancing included.

Anyway, I took 'Nid out for about an 80 mile ride on Saturday. The constant pull to the right I was having is gone. The OEM Kendas had about 14,000 miles on them and had almost 1/2 the tread left. Joe and Ann of Squared Away did a laser alignment last Spyderfest and later checked it twice. Alignment stayed dead on but I had that constant pull to the right. I decided that changing the tires was the only cure. The new Continentals track perfectly straight. :yes: Balancing took zero weights on one and three small stick-ons on the other.

So here's another vote :thumbup: in favor of dumping Kenda fronts if they aren't giving you a smooth balanced ride!

 

[wd8ajj]

Good deal. I ordered the balance kit from Lamonster so will never have to re-balance tires again. I have mine checked every year and they did change a bit, so now save the 15 bucks the tire store charges and hope to have a smooth ride from now on. The OEM tires rear went bald in 6K. have Vee now and 10k and almost like new.

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: on fixing that constant "right-hand turn"... :yes:
Now; you're ready for NASCAR!
Good luck with the new tires! :thumbup:

 

[Elembytes]

Congrats on the new rubbers!

The Continental Contiprocontact 165/60R15 tires I ordered from Tire Rack came the other day so I took them down to the local tire dealer to have them installed. Just a heads up! They charged me $45 total to mount and balance the two tires. So when you order a car tire plan on paying something on the order of $10 each for mounting and $10 balancing for each tire. I'm guessing this is near what any tire shop will charge and probably reflects the revenue portion for that service when they sell you a tire, mounting and balancing included.

Anyway, I took 'Nid out for about an 80 mile ride on Saturday. The constant pull to the right I was having is gone. The OEM Kendas had about 14,000 miles on them and had almost 1/2 the tread left. Joe and Ann of Squared Away did a laser alignment last Spyderfest and later checked it twice. Alignment stayed dead on but I had that constant pull to the right. I decided that changing the tires was the only cure. The new Continentals track perfectly straight. :yes: Balancing took zero weights on one and three small stick-ons on the other.

So here's another vote :thumbup: in favor of dumping Kenda fronts if they aren't giving you a smooth balanced ride!

Glad that you got some great results for the headaches you have endured. Just not sure why Kenda has so many issues. I thought at one point in time they had changed rubber compounds and a lot of the issues with wear etc., had been rectified but just like so many other things about the Spyders, for what these machines cost, you'd think some better tires would be the way to go along with some basic other things like the 3rd brake light being standard but hey, what do I know?

$10 for mounting and balancing even here in KS is pretty much standard fare anymore. Don't get me started on that. Had to replace the alternator on my wifes 2001 Honda Civic and it was $300 for the part and $300 to install- seriously? WOW- Growing up I remember putting an alternator on vehicles for less than $50!

Anyway- congrats on the new tires and here is to a lot more dead-on tracking straight!

 

[M109Dreamer]

What tire pressure are you running?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

What tire pressure are you running?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

Right now 18, but that's subject to change as I watch the wear rate across the tire. That's what I ran in the Kendas and they were wearing pretty evenly.

 

[M109Dreamer]

Right now 18, but that's subject to change as I watch the wear rate across the tire. That's what I ran in the Kendas and they were wearing pretty evenly.

Ok, thanks. I will be swapping ours this year.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

 

[Fat Baxter]

I swapped out my front Kendas for Kumho Solus's at around 14,000 miles, even though they still had lots of tread (the rear only lasted 6,500, and was replaced by a General Altimax). Best handling upgrade ever! The ever-present twitchiness vanished; my Spyder is now as smooth and stable as advertised. I guess my Kendas were slightly out of round, or had belt separation issues.

In fact, I recommend that new Spyder riders ditch all 3 Kendas immediately. Don't bother to wait for them to wear down.

 

[Peter Aawen]

.....In fact, I recommend that new Spyder riders ditch all 3 Kendas immediately. Don't bother to wait for them to wear down.

Strongly support that recommendation!! :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

KENDA VS. CAR TIRES

It's well known that I'm not a Fan of Kenda tires because in general I don't think they are well made and there is a good possibility you will get a defective one ..... their Quality control suc*s compared to almost all car tires ( at least the Name brands ). If you get one that's well made - on the front they will give decent service. On the rear FA-GED-ABO-DED IT ..... :roflblack: ........ So IMS don't be surprised if have those Conti's for 40,000 happy miles ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[cognaccruiser]

Also just changed over to ContinentalContiProContact but in the 175/55R15 size fronts last week and just finished putting on a General Altimax in the rear on the weekend. Only had it out in our neighbourhood trying to get the belt alignment correct but everything felt really good. Time to get the plates on for this season.

Gary