Issues with Kenda Tires or Not?

[Snoking1127]

What I see is that those who have only used Kenda tires do not know what they are missing in regard to better handling with tires like the Federal's and Vredestein's. When I first got a Spyder in 2020 I was on I-10 South of Phoenix and being anywhere near a semi-truck had us and the trike getting blown around pretty good. Fast forward 3 years and I still get buffeted around in a semi's wake, but at least now the trike tracks straight.

 

[DGoebel]

The only issue I had with my '13's Kenda's was incredibly short life span,
here's a pic of my OEM Kenda on the left at 9,000 miles, General Altimax on right at 29,000 miles
Same Spyder, same driver and passenger, you can decide

Same issue on my '18 RTL OEM Kenda didn't make it 8,150 miles before it had to be replaced (with a Vredestein Quatrac)
Here's my 2018 RTL OEM Kenda rear

 

[Gwolf]

I voted issues, but not handling or vibration issues. The only issues I have with them is they only last about half as long as the other tires I have replaced them with. I do have issues with having to change tires twice as often as should be nessesary.

 

[bikerbillone]

Oh yeah, looking forward to these results, I am particularly interested in the Knines but then the poll is not specific, maybe the comments will be helpful.

56K miles on Vredsteins, oh my! That is on big PR sales incentive.

 

[FrogmanDave]

I think what we are going to get here are mistaken comments about how much better smoother etc new car tyres felt to those who swapped over from Kendas.
Of the dozens of sets of new tyres on everything from slot cars to Kenworths that I've ever replaced regardless of the brand, every single time they are newly balanced with even tread, equal pressures, usually newly aligned geometry. If they didn't feel "new' there was something else worn that needed looking at. Easy to assume it's the new tyres that are superior to the replacements, Kenda or not.

Truer words have never been spoken. Replace your old worn out tires with the exact same new tires and the ride is going to be much, much better.

 

[Leaping1]

Your best move is to go to a 15" front wheel. This will give you much better results and tire options that work very well.

Added Note: Any Can-Am Spyder OEM wheel will work. I'm running a 2015 F3 wheel on my 2008 GS. The Spyder not only looks better with a 15" wheel, it rides and handles better as well.

Thanks for the response. Being on a fixed income, cost is a factor for me. I have looked at used 15 inch rims for the Can Am and it appears an outlay of $450 - $500.00 so I will suffer through with the 14". I will be shopping for the Vredestein tire which Tire Rack appears to have in stock. From what I have read that the 15" rims run a 55 tire while the 14" runs 65 tire so the actual tire height is very similar. Maybe I will get some extra money and go your route but right now I am stuck with the 14" wheels. Thanks for always giving us helpful information. Leon

 

[BajaRon]

Thanks for the response. Being on a fixed income, cost is a factor for me. I have looked at used 15 inch rims for the Can Am and it appears an outlay of $450 - $500.00 so I will suffer through with the 14". I will be shopping for the Vredestein tire which Tire Rack appears to have in stock. From what I have read that the 15" rims run a 55 tire while the 14" runs 65 tire so the actual tire height is very similar. Maybe I will get some extra money and go your route but right now I am stuck with the 14" wheels. Thanks for always giving us helpful information. Leon

The taller sidewall tends to want to roll under on turns. Though if you are conservative, it's not a big a deal. Adding rims to the equation does increase the cost. But only once. Maybe there is someone here on Spyderlovers that has installed a set of PPA's or whatever and might have a set to sell.

 

[Snoking1127]

I am in Arizona, but I have these dark 2018 wheels that the original owner removed at 1250 miles. They are like new.

 

[BajaRon]

Thanks for the response. Being on a fixed income, cost is a factor for me. I have looked at used 15 inch rims for the Can Am and it appears an outlay of $450 - $500.00 so I will suffer through with the 14". I will be shopping for the Vredestein tire which Tire Rack appears to have in stock. From what I have read that the 15" rims run a 55 tire while the 14" runs 65 tire so the actual tire height is very similar. Maybe I will get some extra money and go your route but right now I am stuck with the 14" wheels. Thanks for always giving us helpful information. Leon

Here's a set for $350.00, free shipping! Includes tires that look good. At about $100.00 each for Kanines, etc. That brings the wheel price down to about $150 for both. Plus tax, of course.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2664094679...8jqo6TTgC02ZSFtU+mpRBhXAA=|tkp:Bk9SR-66m4PAYw

Here's another set for $160.00. Well, $200.00 when you add shipping. But he's entertaining offers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2961827229...etUINWaSBt8UGSo7/HiYDvsQ==|tkp:Bk9SR-q6m4PAYw

 

[bikerbillone]

Ron, I keep following, you are a trooper, sharing look up and Canam Spyder knowledge. Thinking out loud, it's only 800 or so miles from Sebring FL to Greenville TN. Catch a Days Inn for 60 buck or so for over nighter, get everything done to my 20 RTL, then go sight seeing and mountain carving. Yeah, that might work.

 

[BajaRon]

Ron, I keep following, you are a trooper, sharing look up and Canam Spyder knowledge. Thinking out loud, it's only 800 or so miles from Sebring FL to Greenville TN. Catch a Days Inn for 60 buck or so for over nighter, get everything done to my 20 RTL, then go sight seeing and mountain carving. Yeah, that might work.

Sounds good to me! Love to see you! Had a customer come from Chicago just to get a sway bar installed. I told him how glad I was that he did. But said surely there was someone between Chicago and Greeneville, TN that would have done the work for him. He said he just needed an excuse to take a ride!

Spyder & Ryker owners are the best! We are so lucky to have fallen into this niche. I blame it on Lamont... He's the one who got me started. Against my will and better judgement, by the way. The best life friend I've ever had.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Ron, if things work out and the creek don't rise, I'll give you a head's up. Cool story about the guy from Chicago, a nice day ride. I know I ain't getting out of the driveway without the Mrs. on the pillion, she loves to ride on that machine.

 

[BajaRon]

Thanks Ron, if things work out and the creek don't rise, I'll give you a head's up. Cool story about the guy from Chicago, a nice day ride. I know I ain't getting out of the driveway without the Mrs. on the pillion, she loves to ride on that machine.

Some of the best riding in the nation around here. The Blue Ridge Parkway is magnificent! Just call to set up an appointment so we can jump on your ryde as soon as you arrive.

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes sir, been on the Blue Ridge several times, gets better every time, Dragon not bad either. For sure I will give you a call, a heads up for an appointment. This could be fun now that I think on it.

 

[Snoking1127]

Yes sir, been on the Blue Ridge several times, gets better every time, Dragon not bad either. For sure I will give you a call, a heads up for an appointment. This could be fun now that I think on it.

I was up the Blue Ridge back in late 1965 or early 1966 while stationed at USCG headquarters radio station in Alexandra, Va.

My shipmates were impressed with the elevation. I told them that at my home town of Port Angeles, Wa. you could drive from sea level to ski level a mile high in 30 minutes.

 

[bikerbillone]

USCG Alexandria, must have been on the Potomac, Old Town is quite the place.

 

[Snoking1127]

USCG Alexandria, must have been on the Potomac, Old Town is quite the place.

No it was way out on Telegraph Road, on acreage. We had big rhombic antennas pointed out into the Atlantic Ocean where Coast Guard cutters were on weather station 24/7/365. Station got snowed in a big storm in January 1966. A set of keys to the transmitter house got lost in the snow and were found a month or two later.

 

[bikerbillone]

OK, interesting history, thanks.

 

[RiderDuke]

Ron, I keep following, you are a trooper, sharing look up and Canam Spyder knowledge. Thinking out loud, it's only 800 or so miles from Sebring FL to Greenville TN. Catch a Days Inn for 60 buck or so for over nighter, get everything done to my 20 RTL, then go sight seeing and mountain carving. Yeah, that might work.

.I did this last year... Granted I'm only 6 hours away... Daniel hooked me up with a sway bar and a new rear tire. (Gen Altimax).. I could have done it myself but I prefer riding, so a trip there was worth it... Then I met some friends in Blairsville Ga. I was able to break in the rear tire riding the dragon. So, just do it, you will not be disappointed...

 

[WRCLVR]

Yeah the folks at BaJaRon's place are great. Daniel installed the ultimate sway bar on my wifes brand new 2023 Sea to Sky as well as installing F3 handlebars that came back further to my wife who has shorter arms. I also picked up a BRP jacket from them too. service was great and all the folks were friendly....
We live in Marietta GA so it was a bit of a trip ~5 hours. We then did the requisite mountian roads on my 2019 POM RTL and her 2023 S2S.

To anyone on the fence.. just go there.. oh make an appointment too as Ron says