Question about the General (Altimax RT43)

[SpyderConvert]

While I am not mechanically incompetent, I must say that changing the rear tire on an RTL is NOT for the meek or those who cannot use four letter expletives silently! That being said, I did get 11,700 miles out of the original tire and since it was down to the wear bars, I figured that it was time for a change. I watched as many of the videos on this subject that I could find and pored over a lot of the forum questions and answers that I could find. So, I put on my big boy pants and bought the General in 215/60 r15 and removed the rear wheel. I found someone to change and balance the tire and put the wheel back on (with a friend's help).
I was used to the Kenda "breaking loose", but I did not expect it with the General! To be fair, the roads were still a little wet from the morning's rain, but I did not expect that the tire would break loose so easily! In curves, the bike would actually start to fishtail with no change in throttle input! When it started to rain, things got worse!

My question: I remember hearing many times how you should take it real easy on new motorcycle tires for the first 100 miles because they were inherently slick when new. Should I have expected the same with a car tire on the Spyder?? Traction was great on dry roads, but that squirrellyness on wet roads was totally unexpected! Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[troop]

What PSI are you running in the general car tire? Remember, it only needs about 18-20 PSI. The tire installer might have just "assumed" being a car tire he should put in up to 35#.

 

[PW2013STL]

What PSI are you running in the general car tire? Remember, it only needs about 18-20 PSI.

Agree 100%!
Most think that since BRP recommends 28# that is what all tires require, but since true car tires are designed for vehicles that are more than twice the weight of a Spyder less pressure allows your tire to perform at it's best.
I run between 18-20# in my rear car tires.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Because the Spyder is so light in the rear any tire will be prone to breaking loose on wet pavement. I had a Michelin HydroEdge on my 2013 RT. I was surprised how quickly it broke loose even after several thousand miles of wear. My current Cooper will break loose but not nearly as quickly. The General Altimax I used before the Cooper would also break loose on wet pavement and hard acceleration.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Agree 100%!
Most think that since BRP recommends 28# that is what all tires require, but since true car tires are designed for vehicles that are more than twice the weight of a Spyder less pressure allows your tire to perform at it's best.
I run between 18-20# in my rear car tires.

:agree: ...200%, any spyder using auto tires needs way less air pressure. New tires need to wear a bit before they will provide best traction .... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[SpyderConvert]

Because the Spyder is so light in the rear any tire will be prone to breaking loose on wet pavement. I had a Michelin HydroEdge on my 2013 RT. I was surprised how quickly it broke loose even after several thousand miles of wear. My current Cooper will break loose but not nearly as quickly. The General Altimax I used before the Cooper would also break loose on wet pavement and hard acceleration.

I was actually considering a Cooper tire, but I posed the question when I purchased the tire which he thought would be best for my application, the Cooper or the General. He said the General, no question.

 

[vindex1963]

No traction problems with the General and I'm running it at 20psi.

 

[RICZ]

On these cooler day, it takes longer for tires to warm. When tires are cold and harder, they do not have the traction they do warm. Ever notice the electric tire warmers on race bikes?
I agree, that installer may have put way too much air in. When I bought my F3L new, the first thing I did when I got it home was to check the air in the tires. The DEALER had put 40 psi in all three!
I do not trust other guys with tools and my vehicles and that includes air gauges. Trust but verify as Ronnie Reagan would say.

 

[Gordy]

i agree with all the posts i have had two generals on mine and they last great if you keep the pressure down also had a kumho and two other brands and the general was the best

 

[troop]

I was actually considering a Cooper tire, but I posed the question when I purchased the tire which he thought would be best for my application, the Cooper or the General. He said the General, no question.

What was the PSI ?

 

[Deanna777]

I am also running the General Altimax RT43 on the rear of my spyder.

I am on my 2nd General Altimax RT 43..

Mileage on my first General was approximately 17,033 ( the OEM was changed at 5,824)miles. The 2nd General rear tire was changed last year at roughly at 26,000 miles. I haven't had any problems the General.

I run 26PSI.



I ride solo all the time.
Deanna

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I am also running the General Altimax RT43 on the rear of my spyder.

I am on my 2nd General Altimax RT 43..

Mileage on my first General was approximately 17,033 ( the OEM was changed at 5,824)miles. The 2nd General rear tire was changed last year at roughly at 26,000 miles. I haven't had any problems the General.

I run 19 PSI.



I ride solo all the time.
Deanna

19 psi , interesting ..... you used to run it at 26 psi .... why the change ???? .................Mike :thumbup:

 

[SpyderConvert]

I swear that I had posted a "quote reply" when questioned about the psi, don't know what I did wrong. Once I got the wheel back on the floor, I dropped it down from #28 to #18 before I rode it. Thank you all for your input!!

 

[Deanna777]

19 psi , interesting ..... you used to run it at 26 psi .... why the change ???? .................Mike :thumbup:

I forgot that I use to ran 26PSI.

I'll change my post to 26PSI.
Deanna