Rear Tire - What is the Best Option

[Web Runner]

BF Goodrich

I think I am the only one using a BF Goodrich Advantage T/A 215 60 15. Only have about 2k miles on it, but it seems to be holding up just fine. No fitment issues, no rubbing issues. Speedo is more accurate.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Not many posts regrading the S.Drive Yokohama. Ironic since it is not a passenger car type tire, but sold as a performance tire. The size on the sidewall for the tire we tend to run is smaller than oem, however the design of the tire and tape measure prove it is equal to the oem but far exceeds oem performance.

I know the Kuhmo gets many praises here, however there are also discussions of the Kuhmo being less than stellar in the wet.

I ran a Yokohama S Drive and only got 8,700 miles on it. And I agree that the Kumho is less than stellar on wet roads.

 

[Brian Kay]

Brian, I replaced the OEM rear tire at 5,392 miles. The Kumho has 7,929 miles on it and the remaining tread depth is 5/32. I got lots of great recommendations for the General Altimax but decided to use the Kumho since I had used 2 of them on a GL1800. Looks like I paid $84 for the tire from Discount Tires, and $139.66 to Mountain Motorsports in Marietta for mounting.

I'll try the Altimax next time.

-Bill

I'm going to try the Kumho and see how it goes. I'm also going to see if extreme propulsion in Cartersville will mount it for me...MMM Kennesaw said $128, but I don't like them as much as EP.

 

[_..stiffler..]

I couldnt get a general altimax unless I ordered it off the net. but I didnt have time since we are going away on a trip here at the end of the week. and being in canada shipping tends to take longer than usual.

but I did how ever get a 215/60/15 uniroyal tiger paw for the back. costed about $90 cnd so thats like $5 usd haha.

I will give a review after this weekend to see how it worked for me.

the wife and I are doing this trip friday to monday.

 

[finless]

Bob

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Yes, your less than long life tire has been talked about many times in regards to the S.Drive. Ironically, for no good reason we have never understood why you are the sole person that got such low miles from the tire. So far those posting about actually using an S.Drive have constantly made remarks about how it is superior to the Kuhmo in regards to grip and Bob White posted a video of his at something like 12k miles and barely worn.

I am reporting my experience. Most people don't put 8,000 miles on their Spyders in a year let alone in a month so my experience is different than most. Finless uses his Spyder for a daily commuter not for long distance riding. That may explain why his tire is lasting longer than the Yokohama I had. I was riding 400 to 500 miles per day every day for those 8,000 miles

If you will reread my remarks I said that the Kumho is less than stellar in the rain. The Yokohama has the closest tread pattern to the Kenda and that is a good thing. The Yokohama handled pretty well in the rain, although on a road that was pretty much covered with water it did hydroplane.

.

 

[Mazo EMS2]

Another vote for the General Altimax....opinion of course, but so far I certainly feel a difference in the 2500 miles I have on it.

 

[Deanna777]

Another vote for the General Altimax....opinion of course, but so far I certainly feel a difference in the 2500 miles I have on it.

What differences do you feel with the General Altimax tire?

What psi are you running?

I am running the same tire on the rear of my spyder. I am running 26psi.
Deanna

 

[Pampurrs]

I am not going to praise nor condemn the General Altimax RT43, but people should be aware it is not a performance tire, it is a passenger car tire as described by General Tire. With that comes compromises in performance and grip. Your tire mileage life should be very high considering it has a 75,000 mile rated tread life. Sticky performance tires often run a softer compound to increase grip, where long life tires run a firmer compound and have less grip.

Tire Rack rates the General Altimax RT43 as a Grand Touring All Season tire, even capable in the snow.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/perfCat.jsp?perf=GTAS

View attachment 134246

I'm getting good performance from my General Altimax RT43, and I ride very aggressively. I've even ridden in the rain and taken some snappy turns without losing any grip.

Pam

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Relax, there is no attack on you for getting less miles per tire than others. Yes, you agreed with my mentioning the Kuhmo is known to be less grip in the wet and my mentioning it is based on face to face discussions with people that rode them and other posts here. We have never had a Kuhmo installed on our machine simply because it does rain often here.

As I mentioned, your name often comes up in regards to tires wearing quickly. It is no lie that many times your mileage is less than what others get, however, as you mentioned you are certainly not a typical Spyder user.

I would be curious though to see, if you track or log the miles that are pulling the trailer vs no trailer. I never posted my opinion that possibly pulling the trailer has an impact on your lower tire life. Also, when you pull the trailer, if that is a factor to the tire life, any idea of how much payload weight you place in the trailer?

In regards to what tire is best, each owner leans towards what parameters that use to decide. Myself, I insisted the tire had a directional tread that was symmetric left and right of the tires centerline. I wanted a performance tire with more grip and good ability to shed water, I preferred a 4 ply sidewall for less sidewall flex when cornering. Many tires had this possibility, some of the tires I considered are no longer readily available. The S.Drive was reasonably priced, a high quality tire, and based on others should see reasonable miles before worn out.

I don't get worked up over a person running any tire they prefer, it's all good if they are happy with it. I share honestly what I have learned or experienced and let others decide.

You certainly have a lot to say on this subject! I have gotten similar tread life as others have on Kumho and Kenda tires even while pulling my trailer. My point is that the S Drive, being a high performance summer tire, may not be the choice for people looking for longer tread life.

 

[irvin48]

the altimax can be had in 3 different speed ratings. which one
does everyone run. the regular ?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

the altimax can be had in 3 different speed ratings. which one
does everyone run. the regular ?

I don't remember there being a choice. It was the Altimax RT-43

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I don't remember there being a choice. It was the Altimax RT-43

ALTIMAX - SPEED RATING CHOICE

Yes, there is a choice ........ However, the higher speed rating doesn't come in our size!!!!.......Mike

 

[Deanna777]

the altimax can be had in 3 different speed ratings. which one
does everyone run. the regular ?

The size I am running is 215/60 R 15, in the General Altimax RT 43.

Speed rating 94T ( speed rating 118 mph ( 190ph)

Deanna

 

[Chupaca]

You asked....:yikes: I would go for Round, preferable of a good rubber compound, maybe from Brazil, in the size that will best fit your rim and recommended by the manufacturer and the nanny. Artistic tread design with the accompanying rain blocks to prevent hydroplaning and sticky enough to keep you stuck to the road. Raised white lettering would be a plus with an air mixture that will not make you float away. Country of origin would be optional and price under what the msrp is. :roflblack: but then I don't recommend any tire, I have used Kendas and they have been great. I am currently trying the Arachnid from Vee Rubber out of Siam (now know as Thailand)... We... no, I will see if it is as good as the Kenda or as bad as others say... :thumbup:

 

[Mkosma]

I have had a 2010 RT and now a 2014 RT. I am now currently on my fourth back tire. My first OEM tire did not last 5800 miles, the second after adjusting my tire pressure to 24 psi it made it to 12,500 miles. My third tire did not last 7000 miles and wore on the outside not on the inside like most OEM tires. I now have an Altimax 215/60 R15. I ordered it from tire rack.com, it was delivered to my house. I took it to my dealer and had them install it on my RT. I now have over 6000 miles on this tire, and it shows no tire wear. So far it has been the best tire I ever put on my bike. Between my 2010 and this 2014 I have logged over 80,000 miles between the two. I will use Altimax tires from here on out.

Black Beard

 

[rays hell]

I'm trying an S Drive this time on my 15 RTS so far I have 4k miles on it and I like it.

 

[PMK]

You certainly have a lot to say on this subject! I have gotten similar tread life as others have on Kumho and Kenda tires even while pulling my trailer. My point is that the S Drive, being a high performance summer tire, may not be the choice for people looking for longer tread life.

Agree the S.Drive may not be the tire of choice for all people. However, the other tires mentioned may not be the best for some others. Your amount and duration of riding, is certainly not typical for most Spyders, maybe some but not most.

In the past, some of us have messaged about tires, and it seems your mileage on various tires gets discussed. Nothing bad, just discussion about the why of you getting the mileage you get, and sometimes how it contradicts what others are seeing. No doubt there are factors that make the difference.

Some of the mileage expectations always had me wonder that for the average rider, how old in calendar time will the tire be when finally worn out. For some people this could be in the 10 to 15 year range for a tire. As the tire ages, the rubber dynamics will age also and the tires tend to become more slippery.

So for some people, is it better to run a similar priced better performing tire that has a lower mileage expectancy?

The primary point is offer is to do your homework and choose what is best for you.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I don't remember there being a choice. It was the Altimax RT-43

So Ann, of all the rear tires you have used on your RT's ..... what tire has given you the best mileage? ....Thanks .................. Mike :thumbup:

 

[GeorgiaBill]

Ann, I agree with your comment about the Kumho on wet roads.

I rode in thunderstorms with very heavy rain yesterday and got many VSS alerts. Some were in standing water - no surprise. I was pretty cautious as were the cars on the road. The speed limits were 55, 65, and 70, but no one was going that speed. My speed was generally 40 - 60 and I got alerts as low as 43, and it felt like the clutch had been disengaged. A shift from 2nd to 3rd on a slight incline resulted in an alert with a very gentle throttle. Hooray for VSS, I always stayed in my lane.

I have 8,100 miles on the tire with 5/32 remaining tread, 27 PSI, and had expected to get to 12,000 before replacing the tire. It may be replaced early, or I try to avoid wet conditions. I used Kumhos on a GL1800 simply to reduce motorcycle tire slippage and did not notice a single slippage.

I'll start reading reviews and pay more attention to traction. Don't see me getting a Yokohama tire based on my experience on cars. Put S Drives on a turbo Miata and kept for about 2 months. Then the YK580 on my turbo Forester was gone in 29 days. Both sets of tires wandered on the interstates. Probably no parallel to a single tire on a Spyder, but I think I'll look elsewhere.

-Bill

I ran a Yokohama S Drive and only got 8,700 miles on it. And I agree that the Kumho is less than stellar on wet roads.