Who is actually using a 165/55 R15 car tire? What brand & where to get them?

[BikerDoc]

Thanks, I'll look for those. I would bet money that BRP knew what they were doing.

I have Federal Evo on the front of my 2014 RTL. My original OEM tires were defective and these have 24000 miles on them and still look good...

 

[jcthorne]

Another alternative is Bridgestone Potenza RE030

AJ

What size Bridgestone Potenza are you running and with which fenders? They are not available in the stock 165/55-15.

 

[Craigger_T]

Hope you don't mind holding them in your inventory. If you scoured the forum, you'd see that fronts commonly last 30K or so, not what you're used to on two-wheelers. 9K for the rear is about time to do it but the fronts will be there for a while.

I've got 18,000 + miles on an F3-S, replaced the rear (worn out) with a Kuhmo car tire and am very happy with it so far. Over the last two years I can't keep the front Kenda's balanced. Lately they go out of balance in a day! Lots of tread left but they have to go!

 

[Bensonoid]

My Kenda's had lots of tread left but were starting to scallop so I got rid of them last year.

 

[UtahPete]

My Kenda's had lots of tread left but were starting to scallop so I got rid of them last year.

My original Kendas on both bikes have plenty of tread left at 17k miles. They've had the scalloped pattern for most of those miles but it hasn't caused any handling or vibration issues. I'll probably try a car tire once I get to 20k.

 

[jcoats1]

I'm trying to find front tires for my 2013 RTS SE5. I've read all the messages on the board about using car tires and am not interested in discussing that issue. I'd appreciate it if someone who is actually using a car tire size 165/55 R15 could tell me what brand you have and where I might buy two of them. I know there are a number of people who have pre-2013's that use the R14 tires, but those don't help me. Thanks.

Put 2 ContiWinter Contact tires (155 60 15) on my 13 RTL recently. They fit the fenders exactly. Got caught in heavy rain 3 days ago and they don't hydroplane any. They also have a very good directional tread. Available from Tire Rack for $93 each. They made a big improvement over the Kenda's.
That tire was made for the SMART car....

 

[DGoebel]

At 22K I replaced my Kenda's with the Federal Formoza AZ01 All-Season Radial Tire - 165/55R15 75V - http://a.co/c106Fo7 - WHAT an improvement! Running them at 17 lbs now with Two up, full saddlebags, frunk, and trunk for a two-week trip. Memorial Day weekend 3-day test ride was smooth as glass and hot as **** but we did 750 miles that weekend comfortably.

 

[Jheck]

My Kenda's had lots of tread left but were starting to scallop so I got rid of them last year.

same here, lots of scalloping on the inside of both tires, so had a couple of Federal Formosas put on.

 

[teninospyder]

My original Kendas on both bikes have plenty of tread left at 17k miles. They've had the scalloped pattern for most of those miles but it hasn't caused any handling or vibration issues. I'll probably try a car tire once I get to 20k.

I agree with you on scalloped condition, with only change being "22,000 miles on our fronts so far" :yes: