OEM Rear Tire SHOT at 2,500 miles

[Flanker]

About 6500 on my 2012 Kenda............................still looks good. I've never had any of my motorcycle tires last that long (might be related to hard wheel spinning starts and burn outs ).

 

[bullant12]

Got 5200 on my 2013 RTS. When I traded for the 2010 at 12000 miles, the tire was ready to change. My wife's RS was swapped at 13000 miles.

I agree on the Kenda having issues. Heard of many front tires going bad as well.

I got my 2013 and the wife's RS both Kuhmo's. So far mine at 9300 miles and the RS at 15100 they are looking good.

 

[Sny]

Have you done a 3 wheel alignment?

There's been more than a few Spyders that are severely toe-out on one side and toe-in on the other... this results in the bike crabbing down the road in order to go straight, and wears the heck out of your tires (it's called scrubbing.)

I would suspect this has more to do with it than any suspected change in the composition of the tire itself.

 

[sledmaster]

Saw no need for alignment, let go of the bars and it runs true and straight, front tires look brand new. The outer edges of the rear were like new, it was the centrifugal force of the high speed operation that made the center go bald like that. To get an average speed of 60 mph over the course of 3,750 miles one has to be going 80 mph for every moment of 40 mph running, and is going 100 mph for every moment of going 20 mph. I am convinced it was the high speed operation. All of the four other Kendas I wore out on my 2008s looked the same, but they lasted more like 5,000 each. That's the point, what is the difference between the 2008s only getting 5,000 per Kenda where the 2013 was down to half (well, 3,750 is when it got swapped). My 2008 GS #006 averaged 56.5 mph over 32,000 miles, 2008 GS #659 averaged 56.0 mph over 33,000 miles, so we are down to weight difference between the 2013 and the 2008s and the lack of rear spring preload adjustability. The 2013 weighs more and it is carrying more weight on the rear with the spring being as it is. I believe this to be far more likely of a cause than needing a 3-wheel alignment, would you not agree? If the 4-ply tires do not last as long as they did on the 2008s I am going to swap out the rear shock and spring so I can get some adjustability back to the pre-load and see what happens. Funny thing, the 2013 makes the 2008s really feel old, especially with the Bajaron sway bar in there. Wow, what a difference that made to the handling!

 

[Bob Denman]

I was waiting to see when you would mention Ron's "magic touch"... :2thumbs:

 

[sledmaster]

BajaRon is the MAN!

Ron's sway bar was the missing piece to the ST-S. Now it rails like it should, no lane wandering, much more predictable and confidence-inspiring. It goes exactly where you want it to, really sweet to corner with this way and tracks better down the straight as well when there is wind or big trucks going by. I can't imagine why it isn't this way from the factory. There might be a negligible difference in ride quality, but for what is gained, who cares? It's like a totally different machine, what a beautiful upgrade! BajaRon is the MAN! :bowdown:

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs:

 

[flamingobabe]

well....I'm feeling good....I have 11,000 miles and plan to change out tire next week....Mark is working almost full time....so we will go to OEM Kenda....

 

[jerpinoy]

There is a relative comparison of "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT" and WE ARE WHAT AND HOW WE DRIVE. Rear tires directly shows what kind of riders we are. JMO

 

[flamingobabe]

There is a relative comparison of "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT" and WE ARE WHAT AND HOW WE DRIVE. Rear tires directly shows what kind of riders we are. JMO

I ryde like a girl

 

[AbNormy]

A hot rod girl!

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[sledmaster]

This is curious. I started checking rear tire part numbers to see if there was a new rear tire for 2013. Checked 2013 ST-S rear tire part number 705 501 604. Checked 2012 RS, showed 705 501 464 but it superseded to the 2013 number 705 501 604. Interesting. So I checked the 2008 GS, it showed 705 500 958, but the supersede chain went to 705 501 312, then to 705 501 464, then to 705 501 604. So this tells me there have been four different part numbers for rear tires since the Spyder introduction, but they all appear to supersede to the 2013 number 705 501 604. I even checked a 2014 RT Limited and a 2014 ST-S and they both show the #604. It appears there is in fact a different tire for 2013 than what was used in 2012, but they are all now specifying the same #604. Now to see if we can get more info on what changed....

We received confirmation from BRP dealer support that the 2013 rear tire (#705 501 604) is a softer rubber compound. We told them about the unusually short life span we experienced, and they are aware of this “characteristic”. The 2013 tires have a rubber compound with more grip which, unfortunately, reduces its life span. They are actively investigating the issue.

This should mean if a dealer has a 2012 tire left in inventory (#705 501 464) it should last longer than the 2013 tire (#705 501 604), but regardless of what they order they would be receiving the #604.

It was agreed that the heavier vehicle, high speed operation and non-adjustable rear coil spring preload were also contributing factors to the shorter life span in comparison to my 2008s, but ultimately it was my heavy throttle hand that did the most damage.....pps:

 

[DaveMcC]

Go Kumho

I looked at mine yesterday & was noticing i'm pretty much getting bald in the center of my rear tire on my ST-L. I have a bit more miles than you do (4500 approx) but still thought i'd get more miles out of the tire. I will make it through the riding season with this tire, but will need a replacement in the spring. I didn't expect to have to buy a tire each season...and I don't ride nearly as many miles as many do (although I do quite a few group rides). I purchased an '08 GS that has a car tire on it...but the new ST-L has the stock Kenda...and i'm feeling hard pressed to replace it with another Kenda. Although I have heard many out there run various car tires on the different Spyders, I don't recall seeing anyone put one on a '13 ST. If they have, let me know your thoughts as i'm considering switching from the factory tire.

I got 5000 miles on my 2013 ST-LTD and switched to the exact same size Kumho. I now have ~7000 miles on the Kumho rear and probably will get another 2K. I'm an aggressive rider so I wouldn't put that Kenda crap on the rear. You gotta realize that BRP is French and they don't have a positive customer attitude when it comes to solving problems...like lousy OEM tires. My suspicion is that they have an agreement with Kenda so they cold get a volume discount on the OEM tires and are protecting Kenda by making life difficult for folks like us who believe tires should last longer if they're basically car tires.

 

[SilverFox1]

And what has French got to do with it? Is it because you're from Montana or just the US that you just replied to a three year old thread? :shocked:

 

[Bob Denman]

And what has French got to do with it? Is it because you're from Montana or just the US that you just replied to a three year old thread? :shocked:

Why not just ignore the comment, and let it show the World what sort of fool it's originator is? :dontknow:
Besides: what have YOU got against folks from Montana?
After all: it was good enough for Frank Zappa! :roflblack:

 

[MurrayBrown]

Trying VEE Rear Tire

The original rear tire on my 2014 ST Limited lasted just over 24,000 kms. Checked the air pressures frequently. Changed out for a VEE rear time. Hope to double the mileage.