Question for mecsw500

[Jackhartjr]

Howdy sir, I can't remember, have you ever run a non kenda on your Spyders?

 

[Snoking1127]

I think post #37 in this thread will answer that question for you. https://www.spyderlovers.com/thread...tires-more-durable.161475/page-2#post-1755648

 

[mecsw500]

Not on mine. I’ve ridden several Spyder’s with car tires though over the past 6 years. I did over a month on a loaner one so I got a good feel for them, I think. I was definitely thinking about going the car tire route after that experience, but I traded the bike instead.

For the original Kenda tires, the car tires, I forget what brand, were clearly superior. The rear tire was a General 43 I think. It made me understand why people went that route.

As for these new XPS branded ones, going from the sample on my 2026 S2S I think BRP have made some degree of progress in closing the performance gap, especially in the wet. They are predictable towards the limit. I would say they are now acceptable as original fitment from my sample set of one, especially on an RT LTD or S2S.

I’m at the point whereby I’ll probably keep the XPS branded Kendas until I need to replace them from wear or if their performance deteriorates over time. Now if I owned an F3S that decision might be entirely different.

What car tires I would choose, I don’t know. I’d probably choose a set whereby they come as close to stock sizes as possible in terms of circumference and preferably the same brand and type front and rear. Who knows what brands and suitable sizes will be available a couple of years from now though?

If I can’t find anywhere to fit and balance a car tire anywhere within 200 miles of being near me, I would probably put the same XPS branded ones back on and just be disappointed at my lack of choice, I wouldn’t be so upset that I would sell my Spyder and hang up my helmet.

Now, I’m not a really fast rider two up on my Spyder, though I don’t hang about. I ride a lot high in the mountains where riding it like I stole it isn’t practical. The roads are cold and poorly surfaced and the several thousand feet drops makes you think twice about lifting a wheel.

I’m actually quite fussy about tires, in my past on sports and sports touring motorcycles and sports sedans and SUVs. My current Range Rover I did junk the OEM Pirellis for Michelins to give me much better foul weather and off road performance. I always change my tires well before their wear blocks.

 

[Jackhartjr]

Not on mine. I’ve ridden several Spyder’s with car tires though over the past 6 years. I did over a month on a loaner one so I got a good feel for them, I think. I was definitely thinking about going the car tire route after that experience, but I traded the bike instead.

For the original Kenda tires, the car tires, I forget what brand, were clearly superior. The rear tire was a General 43 I think. It made me understand why people went that route.

As for these new XPS branded ones, going from the sample on my 2026 S2S I think BRP have made some degree of progress in closing the performance gap, especially in the wet. They are predictable towards the limit. I would say they are now acceptable as original fitment from my sample set of one, especially on an RT LTD or S2S.

I’m at the point whereby I’ll probably keep the XPS branded Kendas until I need to replace them from wear or if their performance deteriorates over time. Now if I owned an F3S that decision might be entirely different.

What car tires I would choose, I don’t know. I’d probably choose a set whereby they come as close to stock sizes as possible in terms of circumference and preferably the same brand and type front and rear. Who knows what brands and suitable sizes will be available a couple of years from now though?

If I can’t find anywhere to fit and balance a car tire anywhere within 200 miles of being near me, I would probably put the same XPS branded ones back on and just be disappointed at my lack of choice, I wouldn’t be so upset that I would sell my Spyder and hang up my helmet.

Now, I’m not a really fast rider two up on my Spyder, though I don’t hang about. I ride a lot high in the mountains where riding it like I stole it isn’t practical. The roads are cold and poorly surfaced and the several thousand feet drops makes you think twice about lifting a wheel.

I’m actually quite fussy about tires, in my past on sports and sports touring motorcycles and sports sedans and SUVs. My current Range Rover I did junk the OEM Pirellis for Michelins to give me much better foul weather and off road performance. I always change my tires well before their wear blocks.

Howdy sir. Thanks for the update.
I will say this. When it comes time to replace the Kendas, if you can't find a dealer, I would consider taking the rear tire off myself and taking it to any tire dealer and have them mount it. Most dealers will remove the fronts and install.
The Vredesteins I put on 2 different Spyders, as I recall didn't taken weights.
Again, thank you sir.

 

[mecsw500]

Howdy sir. Thanks for the update.
I will say this. When it comes time to replace the Kendas, if you can't find a dealer, I would consider taking the rear tire off myself and taking it to any tire dealer and have them mount it. Most dealers will remove the fronts and install.
The Vredesteins I put on 2 different Spyders, as I recall didn't taken weights.
Again, thank you sir.

BRP dealers here locally are very reluctant to install car tires on the fronts or rears of Spyder’s. This I respect as that’s their choice of liability and risk over customer desires. They are very upfront about this. They are very good for servicing so it is what it is I’m afraid. Out here in the west our choice of dealers outside the immediate area is a two day trip, one day’s long drive out and another to drive back. You have to remember other than within 100 of the west coast, this half of the country is only 15% of the population. Dealers are many hundreds of miles apart. Apart from the two dealers within 50 miles the nearest places are Las Vegas or Denver and I have to trailer the Spyder and the tires to get there.

 

[Mikey]

BRP dealers here locally are very reluctant to install car tires on the fronts or rears of Spyder’s. This I respect as that’s their choice of liability and risk over customer desires. They are very upfront about this. They are very good for servicing so it is what it is I’m afraid. Out here in the west our choice of dealers outside the immediate area is a two day trip, one day’s long drive out and another to drive back. You have to remember other than within 100 of the west coast, this half of the country is only 15% of the population. Dealers are many hundreds of miles apart. Apart from the two dealers within 50 miles the nearest places are Las Vegas or Denver and I have to trailer the Spyder and the tires to get there.

So, you don't do any of your own work on your bike?

 

[Snoking1127]

BRP dealers here locally are very reluctant to install car tires on the fronts or rears of Spyder’s. This I respect as that’s their choice of liability and risk over customer desires. They are very upfront about this. They are very good for servicing so it is what it is I’m afraid. Out here in the west our choice of dealers outside the immediate area is a two day trip, one day’s long drive out and another to drive back. You have to remember other than within 100 of the west coast, this half of the country is only 15% of the population. Dealers are many hundreds of miles apart. Apart from the two dealers within 50 miles the nearest places are Las Vegas or Denver and I have to trailer the Spyder and the tires to get there.

Like I have posted before, what is FORD had said you can only install Firestone tires on your Ford Explorer, a model that was having rollover issues? There is some sort of agreement between Kenda and BRP, which smells of constraint of trade.

 

[pegasus1300]

In the Metro Salt Lake City area there are 3 dealers, another in Vernal. There was one in Ogden but not sure now. I think Logan has closed and Provo has discontinued Spyder. St. George with a very active Spyder riding club has no dealer,go figure.
As to mounting tires, for the fronts I go to my local tire shop here in Mt.Pleasant. The fronts I can just go in and they will mount and balance. For the rear, I just take the rear wheel in, they mount(can't balance, but not needed) go home and reinstal the wheel. I am good for another 40,000 miles. They charge about $25.00 including disposal fee/wheel.

 

[BajaRon]

BRP dealers here locally are very reluctant to install car tires on the fronts or rears of Spyder’s. This I respect as that’s their choice of liability and risk over customer desires. They are very upfront about this. They are very good for servicing so it is what it is I’m afraid. Out here in the west our choice of dealers outside the immediate area is a two day trip, one day’s long drive out and another to drive back. You have to remember other than within 100 of the west coast, this half of the country is only 15% of the population. Dealers are many hundreds of miles apart. Apart from the two dealers within 50 miles the nearest places are Las Vegas or Denver and I have to trailer the Spyder and the tires to get there.

This is an interesting position. While I agree that there might be some potential for liability, especially if the wrong tire is chosen. Yet in all these years with thousands of riders having traveled millions of miles on 'Car' tire clad Spyders. I don't know of anyone who has heard of a case brought against anyone because of it. Much less BRP or a dealership losing such a case.

The Spyder community seems to be pretty tight knit in that whenever there is a negative event that anyone hears about, it is quickly reported on Facebook, forums like this, etc. Then soon spreads throughout all venues. This is even true for unsubstantiated rumors as much as those with verified facts.

In the end, it causes me to wonder if there is one reason given, and another, unspoken reason, for this policy.

Though I agree with mecsw500. It's their dealership, and their decision. I always say, if you don't agree with your dealership, you can always start your own and do things your way. I know it's not a realistic approach. But it makes the point that this is still a free country. And that, my friends, is something to celebrate! Warts and all!

 

[mecsw500]

Like I have posted before, what is FORD had said you can only install Firestone tires on your Ford Explorer, a model that was having rollover issues? There is some sort of agreement between Kenda and BRP, which smells of constraint of trade.

I think the trouble is, from a constraint of trade perspective, is that nobody makes a tire in the defined size with the correct weight rating to be in the 20/28 psi range, or thereabouts.

Can Am decided that 165 and 225 were about the right widths for the Spyder which seems feasible. From the 55 and 50% aspect ratio was probably correct for the weight rating and ride comfort. Like any car maker, the OEM tire is usually contracted to a primary car tire supplier.

If you go to a car dealer they often provide the OEM tire as a replacement. Now, independent tire shops not only have the equipment to fit and balance tires, they have a selection of brands in the correct sizes, weight limits and speed ratings to choose from.

If independent tire shops could readily fit tires and balance alternative brands of tires if the alternative tires existed in the correct specification and there was enough business to invest in the correct balance machine interfaces.

When we go to a Spyder dealer or tire shops, it’s like asking to fit a car tire which has often the wrong sizes and the wrong weight specification. A car dealer wouldn’t do this for a car either in many cases.

So we are often stuck with the fact that car tires sometimes don’t meet the aspect ratio size and don’t meet the weight rating and few places have adaptors to balance tires automatically. It’s not only Spyder’s, many high end cars have the same issue, the OEM tire is the only choice.

If there were alternative tires of the correct size and weight limits from other manufacturers, I’m sure BRP dealers would be more inclined to fit them I think. Dealers are reluctant to fit a tire that runs at 14 psi and independent tire shops are reluctant to fit a tire that does not conform in their fitment lists to a vehicle they have zero experience with.

If the right tires existed the constraint of trade might be feasible, but as it stands, I think that would be a tough legal case to overcome.

 

[Snoking1127]

This is an interesting position. While I agree that there might be some potential for liability, especially if the wrong tire is chosen. Yet in all these years with thousands of riders having traveled millions of miles on 'Car' tire clad Spyders. I don't know of anyone who has heard of a case brought against anyone because of it. Much less BRP or a dealership losing such a case.

The Spyder community seems to be pretty tight knit in that whenever there is a negative event that anyone hears about, it is quickly reported on Facebook, forums like this, etc. Then soon spreads throughout all venues. This is even true for unsubstantiated rumors as much as those with verified facts.

In the end, it causes me to wonder if there is one reason given, and another, unspoken reason, for this policy.

Though I agree with mecsw500. It's their dealership, and their decision. I always say, if you don't agree with your dealership, you can always start your own and do things your way. I know it's not a realistic approach. But it makes the point that this is still a free country. And that, my friends, is something to celebrate! Warts and all!

"In the end, it causes me to wonder if there is one reason given, and another, unspoken reason, for this policy." Like the contract BRP has with Kenda as a tire supplier? Then there is the whole issue of a tire marked Motorcycle only when the rims on the Spyders are a J style car bead and not motorcycle beads.