TIRES?

[Speedy Spyder]

In the near future I will need to replace my rear tire, has anybody used the Kumho ECSTA AST on their spdyer? Your thoughts please....

 

[STELLING MAN]

KUMHO TIRE

I've got one the rear of my RT-S, I've got about 8,000 mi. on It and still looks brand new. The bike rides and handles better than the stock tire, I would use one again..

 

[Bob Denman]

I just traded in my 2014 RT-L. The Ecsta AST that it was wearing; had over 12,300 miles on it.
(The stock Kenda tire was shot at 5.700 miles)
I ran it at 23 psi, and it behaved admirably. I had NO drop-off in traction, and it always was consistent and predictable.
I'd buy another one! :thumbup:

 

[AeroPilot]

On my 5th one on RT's

Good reliable smooth rolling with about 25-30,000 miles tread life compared to 12,-13,000 on the OEM Kendas.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Tires

Ecsta AST, have had two on my RS~12-16000 miles, work best in the rain if you keep the pressure @ 20 or below. Running a General now, pleased so far but low mileage < 4000 miles

 

[wd8ajj]

Putting a full set on my 2014 this weekend

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

NEW TIRE PURCHASE

In the near future I will need to replace my rear tire, has anybody used the Kumho ECSTA AST on their spdyer? Your thoughts please....

Since you haven't actually purchased one yet ..... imho the money would be better spent on the General Altimax RT 43 in 215/60-15 or the Michelin Primacy ........... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Speedy Spyder]

Since you haven't actually purchased one yet ..... imho the money would be better spent on the General Altimax RT 43 in 215/60-15 or the Michelin Primacy ........... Mike :thumbup:

I did did some research:

23.86 (606)	25.16 (639)	1.3 (33) 5.4%
8.86 (225)	8.46 (215)	-0.39 (-10) -4.4%
74.95 (1903.81)	79.03 (2007.48)	4.08 (103.67) 5.4%
4.43 (112.5)	5.08 (129)	0.65 (16.5) 14.7%
845.33 (525.26)	801.67 (498.14)	-43.66 (-27.13) -5.2%

[TH="class: nobg"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]225/50-15[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]215/60-15[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Difference[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Diameter inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Width inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Circum. inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Sidewall Height inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Revolutions per mile (km)[/TH]

​

Speedometer Difference

20 mph (32.19 km/h)	21.09 mph (33.94 km/h)
25 mph (40.23 km/h)	26.36 mph (42.42 km/h)
30 mph (48.28 km/h)	31.63 mph (50.91 km/h)
35 mph (56.33 km/h)	36.91 mph (59.39 km/h)
40 mph (64.37 km/h)	42.18 mph (67.88 km/h)
45 mph (72.42 km/h)	47.45 mph (76.36 km/h)
50 mph (80.47 km/h)	52.72 mph (84.85 km/h)
55 mph (88.51 km/h)	58 mph (93.33 km/h)
60 mph (96.56 km/h)	63.27 mph (101.82 km/h)
65 mph (104.61 km/h)	68.54 mph (110.3 km/h)

[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Speedo Reading[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Actual Speed[/TH]

​

[TH="align: right"][/TH]

 

[Highwayman2013]

I did did some research:

23.86 (606)	25.16 (639)	1.3 (33) 5.4%
8.86 (225)	8.46 (215)	-0.39 (-10) -4.4%
74.95 (1903.81)	79.03 (2007.48)	4.08 (103.67) 5.4%
4.43 (112.5)	5.08 (129)	0.65 (16.5) 14.7%
845.33 (525.26)	801.67 (498.14)	-43.66 (-27.13) -5.2%

[TH="class: nobg"][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]225/50-15[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]215/60-15[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Difference[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Diameter inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Width inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Circum. inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Sidewall Height inches (mm)[/TH]

[TH="align: right"]Revolutions per mile (km)[/TH]

​

Speedometer Difference

20 mph (32.19 km/h)	21.09 mph (33.94 km/h)
25 mph (40.23 km/h)	26.36 mph (42.42 km/h)
30 mph (48.28 km/h)	31.63 mph (50.91 km/h)
35 mph (56.33 km/h)	36.91 mph (59.39 km/h)
40 mph (64.37 km/h)	42.18 mph (67.88 km/h)
45 mph (72.42 km/h)	47.45 mph (76.36 km/h)
50 mph (80.47 km/h)	52.72 mph (84.85 km/h)
55 mph (88.51 km/h)	58 mph (93.33 km/h)
60 mph (96.56 km/h)	63.27 mph (101.82 km/h)
65 mph (104.61 km/h)	68.54 mph (110.3 km/h)

[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Speedo Reading[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #0075AC"]Actual Speed[/TH]

​

[TH="align: right"][/TH]

Since the stock speedometer is usually off 2 to 3 mph the 215/60/15 fixes that. I had that size on my 2012 RT and it worked great.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree:... If that is really important to you: go with the 215/60. :thumbup:

(It wasn't to me. )

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

My Best tire so far

I tried the General but I think I had it over inflated and only got about 8,000 miles. someone on the thread, "you? " informed me on the best psi numbers.
Front Kumo Solus KH16 155/60R 15. Great handling if you are a sport rider. 16 to 18 psi max as they get a little bouncy with more air.
Rear Pirelli P4 P215/ 60 R15. Does everything well. 18 to 22 psi max. At 100 mph on the GPS reads 99 mph on the odometer
About 8,000 miles on this set up and they compare to new. Given my bad driving habits the best tire life and performance so far.

Since you haven't actually purchased one yet ..... imho the money would be better spent on the General Altimax RT 43 in 215/60-15 or the Michelin Primacy ........... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TIRE WEAR AND PSI

I tried the General but I think I had it over inflated and only got about 8,000 miles. someone on the thread, "you? " informed me on the best psi numbers.
Front Kumo Solus KH16 155/60R 15. Great handling if you are a sport rider. 16 to 18 psi max as they get a little bouncy with more air.
Rear Pirelli P4 P215/ 60 R15. Does everything well. 18 to 22 psi max. At 100 mph on the GPS reads 99 mph on the odometer
About 8,000 miles on this set up and they compare to new. Given my bad driving habits the best tire life and performance so far.

Although I find it odd that the Altimax would wear early with a higher inflation ( you didn't mention what PSI ? ) ...... I'm glad to hear you are trying that Pirelli out .... I think might be a better tire than the Altimax ... I plan to get that for my next rear tire ...... I would try to get it close to 18 psi and see how it handles for you. Have you been on a WET road with it yet ????? ......Thanks , Mike :thumbup:

 

[bikerjays]

front tire selction and psi

Original kenda front tires had slight cupping on both sides and this resulted in a handlebar vibration from 50 to 70mph. I replaced them with a pair of Kumho 175 55 15 solus KH16s. The bike handles better and has no vibration with less than 1 oz balance weights on each rim. I am using 20psi and that seems fine but will adjust when I go on more challenging roads.

2015 rt-s
doc humpreys adapter and brp belt tensioner
anti sway bar

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

Wet traction

Well now that I have all this new low end power from my ECU flash, I can easily spin the rear tire when the pavement is wet. But I feel it is about a wash compared to the General. I really enjoyed the general tire, but I think my local car shop guy inflated it to 32 psi and I didn't catch it. It wore the center line on the Altimax. I'm at 20 psi on the Pirelli and it looks very good for the miles.

Although I find it odd that the Altimax would wear early with a higher inflation ( you didn't mention what PSI ? ) ...... I'm glad to hear you are trying that Pirelli out .... I think might be a better tire than the Altimax ... I plan to get that for my next rear tire ...... I would try to get it close to 18 psi and see how it handles for you. Have you been on a WET road with it yet ????? ......Thanks , Mike :thumbup:

 

[MikeT]

In the near future I will need to replace my rear tire, has anybody used the Kumho ECSTA AST on their spdyer? Your thoughts please....

From the perspective of a first spyder owner, who's been looking into replacement rear tires:
A. There is no "consensus" as to which tire and size to use. That being said here are my rookie thoughts:
1. The Kumho ECSTA AST KU25 is the exact same size tire(225/50R15) as what comes on the Spyder. There are riders who choose this for the OEM uniformity in a car tire. This may not be the OEM size for a '13 STS
2. An alternative same size tire, just .80" narrower(8.1" vs. 8.9") is the 205/55R15. The Yokohama S Drive is the most popular tire in this size.
The "other issue" is finding a Spyder Dealer to install a car tire within a reasonable distance. For me, I'm going to have to use an independent motorcycle shop.
Happy Hunting
Mike
remember any car tire is better than the OEM Kenda.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Tires

Both the 205/60R15, and the 215/60R15 are popular tire sizes used as replacements. Many to choose from. It has been reported that the 60 series tires correct the spedometer/gps error that exist with the OEM Kenda. The XXX/60R15 tires are both taller(increased sidewall height), and as a result a larger circumference compared to the 225/50R15.

Just a word of caution here; if you have an RS or RSS, (can't speak to the ST series, though I suspect the the results are identical) the 60 series tires do indeed put your speed indicated on your speedometer exactly in line (phase) with your GPS. They fit, but very tight in proximity to the rear fender.. Examine carefully the routing of the license plate light wiring, not much room for error before it rubs on the tire. I have been told that this is not an issue on the RT's. Ask me how I know:yikes::yikes::yikes:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FITMENT

Both the 205/60R15, and the 215/60R15 are popular tire sizes used as replacements. Many to choose from. It has been reported that the 60 series tires correct the spedometer/gps error that exist with the OEM Kenda. The XXX/60R15 tires are both taller(increased sidewall height), and as a result a larger circumference compared to the 225/50R15.

Just a word of caution here; if you have an RS or RSS, (can't speak to the ST series, though I suspect the the results are identical) the 60 series tires do indeed put your speed indicated on your speedometer exactly in line (phase) with your GPS. They fit, but very tight in proximity to the rear fender.. Examine carefully the routing of the license plate light wiring, not much room for error before it rubs on the tire. I have been told that this is not an issue on the RT's. Ask me how I know:yikes::yikes::yikes:

:agree::agree::agree: ..........However this is easily remedied by adding a 1/4 " spacer between the fender and it's bracket ....... been there - done that ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Speedy Spyder]

Thanks for all the input. I make my decision and ordered a Kumho ECSTA AST KU25 225/50 15.

 

[Bob Denman]

Good choice! :clap: :2thumbs:
Thanks for letting us know what your decision is.