Tire questions

[Revrent]

I have done a search and it appears that most here have gone with the Federals or Q5's for the fronts. We are now trying to make a decision on which to go with on the fronts with living in Texas. So far all I can find is the Q5's might be better in wet conditions but I cant find any more info than the one post.

The search does not seam to be working as well for what others are using on the rear of their spyders. (it keeps directing me to the post on the front tires)

My wife had her stock rear tire start showing excessive wear on her 2018 F3 Limited on a run in 2019 and we were able to get it changed out but had to go with a stock tire from the dealer. I thought it would at least give me 12k but after looking at it today at 8K its down to the wear bars in the middle of the tire (I have been keeping up with the recommended tire pressure). I do not plan on using stock again. I would love to hear what you are running on the rear.

Thank you
John

 

[CopperSpyder]

Vredestein Quatrac 5 and Federals tires are the most talked about ones. They use them on the rear also. If you do a search there are more then one post about sizes used etc. Or just wait I'm sure the tire people will chime in soon. Good luck with your decision on what tire & size to get. Their all good.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Just had a set of 3 Vredestein Quatrac 5's delivered today from tire rack. Got the 205/70/15 for the rear, fronts are stock size.

Al in Kazoo

 

[Snoking1127]

Just had a set of 3 Vredestein Quatrac 5's delivered today from tire rack. Got the 205/70/15 for the rear, fronts are stock size.

Al in Kazoo

I do not see where the Quatrac 5 is is made in the stock 165/55R15, they do make a 165/60R15!

 

[Peteoz]

I thought it would at least give me 12k but after looking at it today at 8K its down to the wear bars in the middle of the tire (I have been keeping up with the recommended tire pressure). I do not plan on using stock again. I would love to hear what you are running on the rear.
Thank you
John

John, just as an aside, you ARE looking at the wear bars and not the blocks between the treads are you? There’s a small triangle indicator on the sidewall that shows where the wear bars actually are, and quite a few posts on it. Sorry if I am “teaching you to suck eggs”, but just in case.....

Pete

 

[Snoking1127]

I have done a search and it appears that most here have gone with the Federals or Q5's for the fronts. We are now trying to make a decision on which to go with on the fronts with living in Texas. So far all I can find is the Q5's might be better in wet conditions but I cant find any more info than the one post.

The search does not seam to be working as well for what others are using on the rear of their spyders. (it keeps directing me to the post on the front tires)

My wife had her stock rear tire start showing excessive wear on her 2018 F3 Limited on a run in 2019 and we were able to get it changed out but had to go with a stock tire from the dealer. I thought it would at least give me 12k but after looking at it today at 8K its down to the wear bars in the middle of the tire (I have been keeping up with the recommended tire pressure). I do not plan on using stock again. I would love to hear what you are running on the rear.

Thank you
John

This tire matches the OEM size:
Sumitomo HTR A/S P01
225/50/15 inflation 28+/- 2

 

[Possible]

I just ordered the Federal Formoza AZ01 All- Season Radial Tire-165/55R15, and the Kumho Ecsta AST KU25 All-Season Tire - 225/50R15,
for Peggy's 2013 ST-S 5SM. They have excellent reports from people who have them, and they only set me back $177, including shipping,
which was free. Can't beat that with a stick. The Vredestein looked pretty nice but were nearly twice the price so, being the frugal soul I
am, I went with the Federals.

 

[RICZ]

At 4K miles, I dumped the front Kendas for Federal Formoza and the improvement in every parameter was dramatic, to say the least. For the rear, I am considering General Altimax and Kumho Ecsta.

 

[2dogs]

Reverent, you should be good with whatever car tire you choose. A Federal, Q5, or a honey roll donut is far and away a better tire than an OEM krapanda. Just a bit of info, I went to a 215/60R-15 and it brought my speedo to within 1 MPH of my GPS. The OEM tire was 4MPH off. It's a little taller tire than OEM but it still has clearance. About a 1/2" clearance when the shock was fully compressed.

 

[Peteoz]

At 4K miles, I dumped the front Kendas for Federal Formoza and the improvement in every parameter was dramatic, to say the least. For the rear, I am considering General Altimax and Kumho Ecsta.

Ric, just be aware that while the Kuhmo Ecsta work really well out here in the Land of OZ, quite a number of US riders have reported poor handling in wet conditions. No one really knows why......maybe different road compounds?. There are a few posts on the subject floating around :dontknow:

Pete

 

[ButterSmooth]

Ric, just be aware that while the Kuhmo Ecsta work really well out here in the Land of OZ, quite a number of US riders have reported poor handling in wet conditions. No one really knows why......maybe different road compounds?. There are a few posts on the subject floating around :dontknow:

Pete

It seems that most folks have tried the Kuhmo Ecsta AST, which is available in the stock 225/50R15 size. After reading some negative reports of wet weather handling (after 15k miles), and considerable research on revs per mile, I decided to try the Kuhmo Ecsta P31, an Ultra High Perfomance summer tire in 205/55R15. After the first 1000 miles or so, it seems to be a fine tire. BUT, I haven't ridden in the rain in the last 5 years.

Don't get hooked on the size numbers, since there is a wide variation from one manufacturer to the next. The Vredestein Q5 size that has reportedly worked for members of this forum is 205/65R15. That looks to be the popular choice.

 

[Navydad]

I just ordered the Federal Formoza AZ01 All- Season Radial Tire-165/55R15, and the Kumho Ecsta AST KU25 All-Season Tire - 225/50R15,
for Peggy's 2013 ST-S 5SM. They have excellent reports from people who have them, and they only set me back $177, including shipping,
which was free. Can't beat that with a stick. The Vredestein looked pretty nice but were nearly twice the price so, being the frugal soul I
am, I went with the Federals.

Hey frugal guy. Don't worry, you will like the Federals. I have 30,000 on mine through dry, downpours, and everything in between. Always felt safe and secure with them and I ride aggressively. Altimax on the rear. 18 PSI front and 20 rear has worked very well for me as 95% of my Spyder riding is two up. If riding alone I take the Guzzi.

 

[Steve W.]

I put Q5 all around on my wife's RT-S. 175/55 on the front, 205/65 on the rear. 18 psi all around.

Have only had them on for about 5500 miles, so we have no idea how long they will last.

Have only been in light rain a couple of times, but one of those times was about 5 hours long.
The Q5s felt better in the rain than the stock tires felt on dry road. :thumbup:

.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Just had a set of 3 Vredestein Quatrac 5's delivered today from tire rack. Got the 205/70/15 for the rear, fronts are stock size.

Al in Kazoo

Al I think you are the first to use a 205/70-15 ..... I know the 205/65 will fit ...... are you sure it's a 70 series:thumbup: tire ????? ..... Mike

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

This tire matches the OEM size:
Sumitomo HTR A/S P01
225/50/15 inflation 28+/- 2

Unfortunately Tire Rack does not list this brand/model/size tire ..... they do have the HTR A/S PO2 ( not in 225/50-15 tho ) and that doesn't have the an impressive wet/dry rating, compared to some other popular tires ...... At 28 +/- 2 PSI this is almost 10 lbs HIGHER than either I or Peter feel is optimum ..... but it should hold air, so that's a good thing ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Snoking1127]

Unfortunately Tire Rack does not list this brand/model/size tire ..... they do have the HTR A/S PO2 ( not in 225/50-15 tho ) and that doesn't have the an impressive wet/dry rating, compared to some other popular tires ...... At 28 +/- 2 PSI this is almost 10 lbs HIGHER than either I or Peter feel is optimum ..... but it should hold air, so that's a good thing ...... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

Yeah, my bad. I found that out a few weeks ago. I have to delete that from the doc I put it in. Thanks

 

[Revrent]

Pete, I did not know about the triangles (thank you), however after going out to the garage after reading your post, the middle of her rear tire, the tred is almost gone. So new tires in her future.

Thank you
John

 

[IGETAROUND]

Al I think you are the first to use a 205/70-15 ..... I know the 205/65 will fit ...... are you sure it's a 70 series:thumbup: tire ????? ..... Mike

Oops, my bad, the rear is a 205/65/15; but what's a increasee of 5 amongst friends!!!

 

[DingerD]

Yokohama Avid Touring 215/60/15 is what we put on our 2012 RTL and 2013 RTS. Very solid, smooth and quiet. Really liked them.

 

[Mazo EMS2]

In the grand scheme of things, a pair of tires is a pidley amount of money when you consider your investment of the Spyder. Buy a set, ride on em for 1000 miles and if you don't like em, get something different. I can only comment on the Vredesteins, and I definitely prefer them to the OEM's.