New tires

[jcthorne]

I will not argue the balooning effect of the poor construction Kenda's. Its well documented here and in other threads and many personal experiences.

As far as longevity of the Yoko S-Drive we install on the rear, average life seems to be about 18k. Some more, some a bit less.

I and others can personally attest to the MUCH better grip of the S-Drive vs the kenda in use.

 

[SPYD3R]

TIRES is TIRES

give some consideration to:
HANKOOK for the front -

and MICHELIN Hydro-Edge in the rear - hard to find, but worth the search...
i rode on these from SC to Nova Scotia and back with ZERO concern... after all, they are car tires and we are a heck of a lot lighter than a car....

BEST OF LUCK on your choices....
Dan P
SPYD3R

PS: pay no attention to the KUMHO's below...

 

[Road-Kill]

give some consideration to:
HANKOOK for the front -
View attachment 152576 View attachment 152577 View attachment 152578
and MICHELIN Hydro-Edge in the rear - hard to find, but worth the search...
i rode on these from SC to Nova Scotia and back with ZERO concern... after all, they are car tires and we are a heck of a lot lighter than a car....

BEST OF LUCK on your choices....
Dan P
SPYD3R

PS: pay no attention to the KUMHO's below...

Car tires do not belong on a vehicle 1/3 the weight of what they are intended for. Will they work? If you do not use them to the max that's needed. I want soft rubber for better grip so I'm sticking with my OEM. No issues so far so why change.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Real World Test of Kenda Contact Patch

Where did you get this info? Not being rude but I would like to read up on what you said or are you basing this on experience? I can only state that my Kenda/BRP tires lasted 13,000 for the rear and the front tires only need to be swapped. I could easily get another 3,000 (?) miles on the rear if I wanted to. What mileage do you get with aftermarket tires? .......20,000-30,000 miles? My thoughts

As I have stated in another thread on tires ... I have two miles of gravel to travel in order to get to pavement. Very early in my Spyder ownership, I tested the contact patch of the Kenda in order to determine the best pressure for my weight and what I carry on the Spyder. It was VERY clear that, at speed, the center of the Kenda is ALL THAT IS IN CONTACT with the road. For example, pull off our gravel road onto fresh pavement and crack the throttle to quickly get up to 60 - 65 mph; stop quickly (but safely) and inspect the tire. Guess what? I nice dark stripe right down the middle of the tire and nice light dust residue on the edges ... so JCTHORNE is right; you are (at speed) running only on the center 2 inches or so of the Kenda. In my book, that is NOT safer than full contact.

Consider, also, that the Yokohama S-drive (and many of the other car tires chosen by Spyder ryders) are actually performance tires for sports cars. So, they are already designed for a car on the lighter side and for speed with good traction (best of all worlds, in my opinion).

All the best .... Ann

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TIRES AND SUCH

Car tires do not belong on a vehicle 1/3 the weight of what they are intended for. Will they work? If you do not use them to the max that's needed. I want soft rubber for better grip so I'm sticking with my OEM. No issues so far so why change.

Well what's your OPINION on poorly constructed tires that can BARELY support the weight of A Spyder ...... Because that's what you probably have ....a KENDA :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:................. Mike :thumbup:

 

[SPYD3R]

ATTENTION

Well what's your OPINION on poorly constructed tires that can BARELY support the weight of A Spyder ...... Because that's what you probably have ....a KENDA :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:................. Mike :thumbup:

Mike;
pay no attention to the nay-sayers... i have over 100,000 miles on my various SPYD3RS all with CAR TIRES.... the vast majority of us SPYD3R PEOPLE are riding CAR TIRES, and i've NEVER SEEN, nor HEARD of anyone having an issue with them....
to each their own... and if some people want to buy the KENDA's and get 1500-2000 miles of wear, that's ok with me... i'm NOT here to tell ANYONE what to buy or use... i just give my HUMBLED OPINION, just like most of us do on this website....
hope all is well up there in the Green Mountains Mike...
Dan P
SPYD3R

 

[taxmyzer]

I have

The Hankook's on the front & Yokohama S-Drive on the rear. Very happy with the combination, I have about 10k miles on the S-Drive and 5k on the Hankooks. Will be using this combination again.

 

[willey]

roadkill

two things,if you switch the front tires you can't just switch the wheels,because the kendas are directional tires and you can usally buy two car tires for about the price of one kenda from a dealer.its your bike and your money.

 

[monkeyboymorton]

I have now installed the Toyo Proxes T1R tires back and front and the handling is like day and night compared to Kendas.Allan

Hi Allan, can you tell me what size T1R you fitted to the front? I can find 225/50/15 for the back (although they are getting scarce) but nothing close to the OEM size for the front - closest being 185/50/15 but not sure they'll clear the fenders.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

185/50-15 Toyo's

Hi Allan, can you tell me what size T1R you fitted to the front? I can find 225/50/15 for the back (although they are getting scarce) but nothing close to the OEM size for the front - closest being 185/50/15 but not sure they'll clear the fenders.

I had those exact tires on my 2014 RT ( with the old style fenders that were shimmed ) and they stuck like GLUE .... actually upset the Nanny way to often :gaah: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[greybeard]

tires

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: .... Well here's some :gaah: :yikes: :banghead: ...... He/She/It doesn't know what they are talking about !!! ... First of all SPYDERS ....CAN'T slip & slide in the Rain or wet ..... the VSS prevents this ....That's why folks can put car tires on their Spyders and pump them up to 40 PSI and live to say " feels fine to me "...... I suspect the REAL reason for this change is SOMEONE contacted BRP and ratted on this dealer , and BRP told the dealer in no in-certain terms if they continue to do this they will be punished.... BRP wants to continue selling those Crappy Kenda's for ....10 X's what they cost to make ....... ( might actually be closer to 15 x's )..... Your welcome , Mike :thumbup:

I hate to burst your bubble but spyders can slip and slide- I know this for a fact. that being said your answer means to me YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

CREDIBILITY

I hate to burst your bubble but spyders can slip and slide- I know this for a fact. that being said your answer means to me YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY

Really .... well there is BIG difference between 6 inches and 6 feet or a complete 360 ........... and guess what ... it matters not one WIT what the CLUELESS think about Me :lecturef_smilie: :roflblack: .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[monkeyboymorton]

I had those exact tires on my 2014 RT ( with the old style fenders that were shimmed ) and they stuck like GLUE .... actually upset the Nanny way to often :gaah: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: ..... Mike :thumbup:[/QUOTE

Ah thanks for the info.

 

[Road-Kill]

Well what's your OPINION on poorly constructed tires that can BARELY support the weight of A Spyder ...... Because that's what you probably have ....a KENDA :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:................. Mike :thumbup:

Barely supporting the weight of a Spyder.......really? :roflblack: (back at you)

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: The contentiousness of a good argument over tires is always entertaining! :clap:
But when you finally knock off all of the hyperbole: THAT's when folks will listen to you. nojoke

 

[Joerolwing]

Back tire

I just returned from a 3,324 mile, 20 day trip with a new Michelin Pilot on the rear. I got less than 8,000 on a Kenda. In turning reasonable sharp corners at speed with the Kenda, the Spyder wanted to turn an increasingly tighter circle. This doesn't happen with the Michelin. I use 18 pounds of pressure and have found absolutely no downside to a car tire yet.

 

[ARtraveler]

:shocked: The contentiousness of a good argument over tires is always entertaining! :clap:

Can't agree more. Dealer has solved my problem--so I can just watch.

Now what kind of oil is best, and how often should I change it out?

What octane should I use in my :spyder2::f_spider:'s?

When should I change out my battery?

:bbq::bbq::bbq::bbq:

 

[Poseidon]

I'm new here, but I'm pretty sure the correct answer is peanut oil and you change it when it is time to fry the turkey. :roflblack:

 

[RudyB]

Tires

I'm thinking of putting new tires on my F3T . Front I'm thinking Continental contiprocontact 175/55/r15. For the back I'm thinking either Bridgestone B340 or Kumo solis kh-16 or Toyo proxes 4. Any thoughts guys?

Continentals on front great choice on front back I recommend General Altimax RT 43 215/60/R15