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Rear tire options - any suggestions?
- Thread starter R.S.S.
- Start date
Tslepebull
Active member
I replaced the stock rear Kenda tire on my Canyon with a Vredestien Quadtrac 5 at about 8,500 miles. I was hoping for greater hydroplaning resistance. It has worked great; we haven't had a drop of rain since. However, the new tire has performed very well on dry pavement. I have the pressure set at 18 lbs.
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mecsw500
Well-known member
To test it out, start the barbecue. That should get the rain falling for you.
iSilentP
Active member
I have installed the General Altimax RT45 225/60 R15 (not the stock 225/50 R15) in the rear of the 2014 RT. What I like so much about this particular size is that it fixes the variance between the real (GPS-based) speed and the odometer which was always ~10% off (faster than actual) speed. Now my speedometer and GPS are totally in sync, giving me peace of mind.
UtahPete
Well-known member
The General Tire Altimax RT45 has been a solid performer and highly recommended for the rear tire ever since I had to replace my OEM in 2016. I'm having another new one put on soon.
Cobranut
Well-known member
Doesn't look like that tire is available in the correct size, 225/50R15.
There are very few After market tires available that still wear the same 'nominal size' label as the OEM Kendas/XPS labelled tires (possibly because of a purposeful decision by BRP in order to scare some un-aware owners away from using anything but their OEM Kendas/XPS labelled tires) but there are quite a few A/mkt tires in sizes often mentioned here on the Forum that are very close (but slightly larger) in actual physical size, despite having a different nominal size printed on their sidewall.
That said, because of the 'smaller than it really needs to be' size of those OEM Kendas/XPS labelled tires, staying with running the OEM size of tire WILL mean that your Speedo is going to read somewhat faster than your true speed, and that your odo/trip meters will likely tell you that you've travelled a little further than you really have, thereby skewing your speed, fuel economy, service intervals et al in order to make you think you've gone faster/travelled further than you really have; so by going for a slightly taller (or larger rolling dia) tire, you can help your Speedo/odo/trip meters to show a speed/distance travelled that's closer to an accurate reflection of what's true/correct.
Just Sayin'
BajaRon
Well-known member
It is a shame that BRP has not gone to a 16 or 17 inch rear wheel. It would open up a great number of excellent tire options. But then, as Peter alludes to above, they would have a difficult time selling their OEM tire option if they made this move.
It’s just another angle on ‘Planned Obsolescence’. Options have narrowed significantly since 2008 when the Spyder first came out. I am glad that they went to 15” front wheels from the original 14”. That has, at least, improved the front end options.
It’s just another angle on ‘Planned Obsolescence’. Options have narrowed significantly since 2008 when the Spyder first came out. I am glad that they went to 15” front wheels from the original 14”. That has, at least, improved the front end options.
Snoking1127
Well-known member
I will repeat again, I have installed 2 General Altimax RT45 and 1 RT43 215/60R15's on three of my 2018's Spyder RTLs and one RT45 on an in-laws 2014 Spyder, with no issues other than the Spyder handles better that and the tire will last at least 3 times longer than the Kenda product.
BajaRon
Well-known member
Cobranut is correct that both the General Altimax and the Vredestein Quatrac are not offered in the OEM 225/50 R15 size. This is a legitimate concern with some riders. Especially those who feel the manufacturer’s recommendations are always best.
But consider how much rubber is in contact with the pavement. The OEM Kenda is putting 3”-3.5” of rubber on the road surface at Freeway speeds as evidenced by the typical wear pattern shown in the attached picture. My guess is that this ballooning process begins around 45 MPH and gets worse as speed increases, based upon customers who do most of their miles 2 up and in the 40-45 mph range. Their OEM tires still wear somewhat more in the middle, but not as badly as the normal OEM tires that we see.
With an Altimax 45, 215/60 R15 tire, you lose 3/8” of tread width and gain over 5% in height, making your speedometer and odometer more accurate, as pointed out by Snoking1127.
While 8-5/8” of tread on the Altimax is less than the 9” on the OEM Kenda, keeping all of the Altimax on the ground compares quite well to the 3”-3.5” you are getting with the OEM Kenda at speed. 100% of 8-5/8" being better than 35% of 9".
So, in reality, you are actually increasing traction and stability with a narrower tire.
Same goes for the Vredestein 205/60 R15, which is ¾” narrower than the OEM tire.
But consider how much rubber is in contact with the pavement. The OEM Kenda is putting 3”-3.5” of rubber on the road surface at Freeway speeds as evidenced by the typical wear pattern shown in the attached picture. My guess is that this ballooning process begins around 45 MPH and gets worse as speed increases, based upon customers who do most of their miles 2 up and in the 40-45 mph range. Their OEM tires still wear somewhat more in the middle, but not as badly as the normal OEM tires that we see.
With an Altimax 45, 215/60 R15 tire, you lose 3/8” of tread width and gain over 5% in height, making your speedometer and odometer more accurate, as pointed out by Snoking1127.
While 8-5/8” of tread on the Altimax is less than the 9” on the OEM Kenda, keeping all of the Altimax on the ground compares quite well to the 3”-3.5” you are getting with the OEM Kenda at speed. 100% of 8-5/8" being better than 35% of 9".
So, in reality, you are actually increasing traction and stability with a narrower tire.
Same goes for the Vredestein 205/60 R15, which is ¾” narrower than the OEM tire.
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My first new car I bought was an AMC Gremlin X. What made it an X was a manual floor shift and extra wide raised white letter tires. This car was an absolute nightmare hydroplaning machine. When I replaced the tires from the "correct size" back to a narrower size, it made a huge difference. Wide tires and wet roads do not mix! Same with the Spyder. I have experienced the OEM "correct size" and a better quality 205/60R15 directional tire in the wet and I am never going back!
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Danvirsse
Active member
I've had a Vredestein Quadtrac 5, both front and rear, on my 2017 F3-T this whole summer. I'm closing in on 9000 miles with them, 99.9 percent twisty, paved backroads. They have performed flawlessly in all types of weather including 160 miles in pouring rain. When it becomes time for new tires, assuming they're still available, I'll be using them again.
PS: 205/60-R15 Rear and 165/60-R15 in Front
PS: 205/60-R15 Rear and 165/60-R15 in Front
BajaRon
Well-known member
I've had both the Quatrac 5 and the newer design, directional Quatrac tires. According to independent testing, both tires are good, but the newer Quatrac is better. Slightly better in the dry, somewhat more so in the wet.
If I were putting them on a car, I think I'd stick with the older Quatrac 5 because they can be rotated. But on a Spyder, the better wet is a real plus, and not being able to rotate them is not an issue.
If I were putting them on a car, I think I'd stick with the older Quatrac 5 because they can be rotated. But on a Spyder, the better wet is a real plus, and not being able to rotate them is not an issue.
Cobranut
Well-known member
My speedo reads spot on with the original Kenda.
I have a new Kumho Ecsta in 225/50-15 to swap on sometime this winter.
It's actually a bit wider than the Kenda, and I used those same tires in the same size on my old Miata with great results. Unfortunately, they seem to have discontinued that size.
I really don't want any taller tire, as it will reduce my effective gear ratio, making the bike even slower. (Not like these are fast by any means).
I have a new Kumho Ecsta in 225/50-15 to swap on sometime this winter.
It's actually a bit wider than the Kenda, and I used those same tires in the same size on my old Miata with great results. Unfortunately, they seem to have discontinued that size.
I really don't want any taller tire, as it will reduce my effective gear ratio, making the bike even slower. (Not like these are fast by any means).
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