How is the car tire vs bike tire working out?

[BigBlock]

Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?[/QUO I am running Continetal's Contiprocontact's on the front, @ 19 PSI.


​Deanna

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner. :dontknow:

 

[Docster]

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner. :dontknow:

There is only 1 opinion/correct answer regarding the "car tire" on a Spyder question. Search "Car tire" on the forums and see for yourself

 

[bobfeeney]

stock rear tires

I'm also running a stock size Kumho on the rear of my 2010 RT. I agree with Dan that it isn't as sticky as the OEM tire but it's not a problem. We haven't had any rain to ride in so I don't know how it will be in the rain. Just less than 2,000 miles on it so I don't know how the wear will be but I hope it's better than the OEM. Only got 9,000 miles out of the first OEM and changed the second with about 5500 mile although it wasn't completely worn out.

Cotton

My first was also 10k and 2nd @ 5600mls totaly shot... put car tire on michlin Defender HT 205/60/15 now 8K on tire tread depth std @ 10/32 and as of todays maintainance on my RTS it is still @ 10/32 streight across tire running 28 PSI we ride 2 up hard all the time no babying on our 5015

 

[Peteoz]

Those of you that are running car tires (especially the front) are you running them at the recommended psi, or a little less?

There are a zillion opinions on this, EB. By “recommended psi”, I assume you mean the psi that BRP recommends for the Kenda fronts. That goes out the window when you switch to car tyres.

Some are running their car tyre fronts at 16psi (and have run them temporarily as low as 10psi with no problems - good car tyres are much more strongly manufactured than the Kendas, so they can be run lower with no issues) and some are running them at 24 and anywhere in between. Some may even be running them higher than 24psi, but that is fairly rare.

Have a good search, and you will see many threads providing the reasoning behind psi selections (some of it quite heated). You can then start with a psi based on that research, that appeals to you, and then gradually adjust the psi to suit your handling and wear needs. I am running my Kuhmo fronts at 18psi, and I’m a heavyweight :thumbup:

Pete

 

[Deanna777]

Deanna, how are the Continental's performing. Even though I just purchased my Spyder I was thinking of getting rid of the Kendas (only 600 miles on them) and trying the Continental's. Would I notice a big difference in handling?

Or should I keep the Kendas on and go with the Bajaron swaybar first then some new front tires? Bare with me I'm a newbie Spyder owner. :dontknow:

Hi BigBlock,

The Continental's are performing great, you'll notice a slight difference ( I ran the Kendas on the front, these were changed @ 12,807 Miles) in handling.

I had a slight fender vibration on the right side, when I applied the brakes, that is why I changed the front tires. I had 4 or 5 weights on the inside of the rims when the Kendas were on the :spyder2:.

Go with a The Continental's , then get Laser Alignment. I do not have the Bajaron sway bar on my spyder.

What year is your spyder?

What spyder model do you have?


I have a 2014RTS-SE6 the Tire size I'm running is 165/60 R15 and running 19PSI.

 

[BigBlock]

Thanks for the info Deanna. It’s a 2018 RT Ltd. Will look into the Continental’s

 

[Lurker]

Just some outside input - I have 4 reverse trikes of my own and run Continentals up front and various brands on the rear. Average life on the front is 40-45k and rear a bit less at 32k. 16-18 psi front and 24 on the rear. Early on I tried Kenda tires and did not have any luck with, well any aspect of that brand so I switched quite quickly to Formosa, Bridgestone and various other brands with great results and settled in on conti just because they have a nice profile and fit the rim specs nicely. In general all car tires will provide the needed adhesion and longevity required to go 30-50k if properly inflated and balanced (traditionaly)