Are the OEM XPS front tires really directional, on '25 S2S?

[mecsw500]

Well, it appears that I have spoken out of turn here. Should have kept my mouth shut. Those are not directional tires. I think the factory is mounting them the way they do so the blocks match as the inside blocks look to be larger than the outside blocks.

So, please disregard what I said. My bad!

No, no. Please speak out. I'd rather go look and find out I was fine rather than have a tire unravel on me.

Thanks for all the information you take the time to hand out.

I'd rather have false positives than false negatives. Or is that the other way around. Well, whatever, many thanks again.

 

[BajaRon]

I don't know that I've ever had anyone thank me for bad advice. But much appreciated anyway!

Soooo, back to what I was thinking, we should be able to rotate the wheels if we wanted to. The manual probably hasn't been looked at too close to catch the error?

Should be able to. I don't see why not. So, the manual says they are directional? It does not appear that they think so at the BRP factory. Very strange, but updates to the owner's manual have been notoriously lacking at times.

It is odd that there appear to be directional arrows on these tires. Apparently, they are just confusing decoration.

 

[hogmemberisold]

Now to look at the rear... it's the newer XPS and could be the same design as the fronts, just a regular radial...

 

[mecsw500]

So I wanted to get a definitive answer to this question, so I asked Can Am/BRP via the form on their website.

I'm convinced they are not directional, but...

Even Can Am themselves are unsure and they mount the things at the factory.

However, unfortunately, this was the response I got:

_______________________________________

Thank you for contacting BRP.

Thanks for reaching out with your question about the XPS? branded Kenda tires and the rotation markings.

Our customer service team isn't technically trained, so were not able to confirm directional fitment.

For accurate guidance, please contact your closest Can?Am dealer or refer to your operators guide.

For reference, here are the closest dealers in your area:

Moto United
801-572-6720;
Karl Malone Powersports Salt Lake MM SPO
801-972-8725

Kind regards,

XXXXXX
Customer Relations Representative
Représentante des relations avec la clientèle

 

[kbirdsong]

So I wanted to get a definitive answer to this question, so I asked Can Am/BRP via the form on their website.

I'm convinced they are not directional, but...

Even Can Am themselves are unsure and they mount the things at the factory.

However, unfortunately, this was the response I got:

_______________________________________

Thank you for contacting BRP.

Thanks for reaching out with your question about the XPS? branded Kenda tires and the rotation markings.

Our customer service team isn't technically trained, so were not able to confirm directional fitment.

For accurate guidance, please contact your closest Can?Am dealer or refer to your operators guide.

For reference, here are the closest dealers in your area:

Moto United
801-572-6720;
Karl Malone Powersports Salt Lake MM SPO
801-972-8725

Kind regards,

XXXXXX
Customer Relations Representative
Représentante des relations avec la clientèle

Interesting, why wouldn't BRP customer service teams have a tier 2 support team to answer technical questions as basic as this? Seems silly as most tier 2 teams are just technical resources that aren't fully dedicated to a customer service role but serve as a database of knowledge for questions.

 

[hogmemberisold]

So, looking at the owners manual, they show the front tire tread pattern, which is what we have.



Only thing I can think now is once a direction is used, you should stay with that direction, whatever it may be?

Clear as mud....

*Edit* --> Ahhhh, that picture is there for the tread depth only.... I'm going with the idea of non-directional for the front.

 

[Jackhartjr]

XPS tires are just new Kenda offerings. I think Kenda has gotten such a reputation that BRP decided to deflect customers with the new label. But a rose by any other name...

Perfectly said sir! Or you could have said, 'a pile of dog crap by any other name! Lol

 

[Mikey]

So, looking at the owners manual, they show the front tire tread pattern, which is what we have.

View attachment 257011

Only thing I can think now is once a direction is used, you should stay with that direction, whatever it may be?

Clear as mud....

*Edit* --> Ahhhh, that picture is there for the tread depth only.... I'm going with the idea of non-directional for the front.

I take a look at that picture of that tire, and it don't look like the same tread pattern that I see on my bike or the same pattern in post 16, looks different! Maybe I am looking at it wrong! Look at the pattern on the outside edges.

 

[Copperman]

What is a rotational tire? One that can be rotated? A directional tire had better not be rotated.

HA! I knew what I meant. Fixed it.