I discussed it with the dealer, and he called BRP. He was told that for insurance and liability purposes he could not install automotive tires on the Spyder.
It seems that BRP has designed the tires to work with the VSS system and the tread is also part of that design.
Only a particular tread? Is that seriously what they're claiming?
Wow! Forgive my scepticism but if that is the level of intricacy BRP say they have reached in designing their VSS, what part does the road surface play in their calculations? Tarmac? Concrete? Rough or smooth? Worn or fresh? Wet, dry, hot or cold?
Come on, if the tread is such a sensitive issue then the way the tread and the VSS together react to the road has to be a factor. The grip available from such a wide variety of surfaces must play a part in our safety. It obviously does, but do BRP say their warranty is breached if we don't ride on a good tarmac surface? Course not, that would be silly. As silly as saying the grip from a Goodyear tire is inferior to BRP's own brand of rubber.
And how about the loading on the tire? Two heavy people with a month's worth of luggage and at the other end of the scale the skinny guy who goes out for a blast on his Spyder around his local streets? And don't even get me started on tire wear...
Kenda? Well, who are they? Certainly they're not on a par with the giants of the world's tire industry such as Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli, et al, but they are BRP's chosen ones, chosen to produce unique BRP tyres at unique BRP prices, only available from BRP's own unique dealerships and hanging over it all is the threat that if you don't buy them and only them you may infringe your insurance agreement and/or your warranty.
There is an expression to describe this very cosy supply arrangement but I won't repeat it here, enough to say there is a smell around this topic, folks, and it ain't roses. :doorag: