Dealer says Car tires damage fenders - does this make sense???

[GRHorst]

A dealer told me today that someone mounted a car tire on the rear of their spyder and it damaged the fender. They said because "the car tire is wider". This doesn't sound right unless someone mounted an incorrect sized tire. Does this make sense?

 

[DGoebel]

A dealer told me ....Because they want to sell you 3 Kenda's for the price of one decent tire.
This doesn't sound right unless someone mounted an incorrect sized tire. ..... Likely true,
There are way more non-kenda tires that fit perfectly if you shop around.
There are many threads here that list many options for each Yr/Model Spyder.
I've had 28,000+ miles on a General Altimax on my '13 RTl with no issues
and now a Vredestien on my '18 RTL has more miles than the original Kenda lasted.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

A dealer told me ....Because they want to sell you 3 Kenda's for the price of one decent tire.
This doesn't sound right unless someone mounted an incorrect sized tire. ..... Likely true,
There are way more non-kenda tires that fit perfectly if you shop around.
There are many threads here that list many options for each Yr/Model Spyder.
I've had 28,000+ miles on a General Altimax on my '13 RTl with no issues
and now a Vredestien on my '18 RTL has more miles than the original Kenda lasted.

:agree: X's 10 .... Total HOOEY .... I seriously doubt that a wider tire could physically damage the fender, the space between the tire and SWING ARM & and the DRIVE BELT is what would cause issues long before the fender would .... It's too bad they didn't tell what that tire size was ..... Actually the OEM KENDA's are wider than any car tire that is recommended by members here. ..... I love Vredestein's they are the highest rated tire currently available .... however I discovered the RIKEN RAPTOR HR in 215/6-15 and recommend it over the Vredestein because at tire rack it sells for $ 80.xx which is $ 50.00 less than the Vredestein's, and it's only slightly less performance-wise ....Mike :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

I call shenanigans on that one. Yes, I sell car tires, but that's not the reason. There is plenty of room under the fender for a larger car tire (within reason). Now, if someone did a stupid thing and mounted a 235 or larger tire, then I could see it damaging the fender.

In short, if you're going to do stupid things, you're going to get stupid results. In which case, we know where the problem lies. And it's not with the car tire.

Otherwise, there are many car tires that will do you just fine.

 

[Wmoater]

GR can you tell us the tire (type, size specs) that is mounted on your spyder? From your picture looks like an F3 spyder correct?

 

[BajaRon]

GR can you tell us the tire (type, size specs) that is mounted on your spyder? From your picture looks like an F3 spyder correct?

It doesn't matter for the rear tire as BRP has been using the same size tire for the rear since the beginning and there have been no significant clearance changes since then. Not so with the front tires as the fender clearance was diminished with the changes in 2020.

 

[Wmoater]

I agree with you Ron. I was going to ask him to confirm it was an OEM tire. Then provide a link with a list of all the tires we have listed in the past that match it instead of simply replying there is no concern. If it was not an OEM tire, I just wanted the specs so he can compare to the same list. There is no way the rear tire is hitting the fender unless it’s way oversized. Just wanted him to see that.

 

[BajaRon]

I agree with you Ron. I was going to ask him to confirm it was an OEM tire. Then provide a link with a list of all the tires we have listed in the past that match it instead of simply replying there is no concern. If it was not an OEM tire, I just wanted the specs so he can compare to the same list. There is no way the rear tire is hitting the fender unless it’s way oversized. Just wanted him to see that.

I still think it's a story. But on the other hand, based on the fact that; 'If it can be done, it will be done'. And having seen some unbelievable things that I would never, in my wildest dreams, consider. With the doer of it thinking it was a good idea. So anything is possible.

 

[Peteoz]

It is fair statement by the dealer. A car tire could indeed damage the fender if some clown mounted a 285/90 17 on the rear. But the comment must be taken with a grain of salt unless the dealer provided the size of the tire they claim caused the damage and it was of a size recommended and used by experienced riders.

It is along the same lines as “a friend heard from a mate that a rider in a Goldwing group heard from another members mate in another group that a rider who installed a car tire on the rear fell off when he attempted his first corner”. No mention was made that the Wing rider had only been riding for a week, took the corner too fast, and would have fallen off no matter WHAT tire was on the rear :roflblack:

Pete

 

[GRHorst]

It doesn't matter for the rear tire as BRP has been using the same size tire for the rear since the beginning and there have been no significant clearance changes since then. Not so with the front tires as the fender clearance was diminished with the changes in 2020.

I'm still running the original OEM tire. Bike is a 2021 F3T. Tread still looks reasonable. But with 9,970 miles, it's time to start thinking about what my next tire will be.

 

[GRHorst]

You're all probably correct about this being total "hooey" :agree:
It may also be a misunderstanding about whether it was a rear tire or a front tire. As someone stated, there is much less clearance on the fronts. Actually, I've seen car tires tear up fenders on a car when mounting extra-large tires :lecturef_smilie:
There appears to be a lot of input on this site about the rear tires that work well. I will certainly look through this info between now and when it's time to replace the rear tire.

Next time I hear "hooey" I may have to press the special button I have mounted on my handlebars:

 

[JayBros]

I still think it's a story. But on the other hand, based on the fact that; 'If it can be done, it will be done'. And having seen some unbelievable things that I would never, in my wildest dreams, consider. With the doer of it thinking it was a good idea. So anything is possible.

Never underestimate the power of human ignorance or stupidity.

 

[Jdr00ejr]

A dealer told me today that someone mounted a car tire on the rear of their spyder and it damaged the fender. They said because "the car tire is wider". This doesn't sound right unless someone mounted an incorrect sized tire. Does this make sense?

My 2 cents worth is - it's totally possible this story is legit - IF (GREAT BIG IF) the person in question mounted the wrong size car tire. I know many that put oversized rims and tires on the Spyders, jack around with the wheel sensors, etc "because it looks cool." That would make the dealer not saying anything "incorrect" - but not 100% accurate either.

The right sized car tire on a Spyder is no different than the Kenda in size - but quite likely much better traction, handling, and price. ;-)

 

[BajaRon]

Never underestimate the power of human ignorance or stupidity.

We say this. But I'm not sure that we fully understand the magnitude that some are able to achieve.

 

[PMK]

Some folks have reported, and not sure how it happens, on these newer Spyder RT series, the plastic becomes dislodged and suffers damage from the tire.

No specifics, on what tire or size. Simply the owner could not resecure the plastic.

 

[BajaRon]

Some folks have reported, and not sure how it happens, on these newer Spyder RT series, the plastic becomes dislodged and suffers damage from the tire.

No specifics, on what tire or size. Simply the owner could not resecure the plastic.

There are retainers under the fender for wiring. We've seen these come loose allowing the wiring to get hung up in the tire. But this is not a tire problem.

 

[Peter Aawen]

There are retainers under the fender for wiring. We've seen these come loose allowing the wiring to get hung up in the tire. But this is not a tire problem.

:agree: And it REALLY doesn't matter if you've got A/mkt tires; OEM tires; over-sized tires; or even under-sized tires. If the wires dangle enough, especially if more than just one of those retainers comes loose, then it's almost certain that the dangling wiring will eventually get hung up on the tire, and then maybe it'll even damage the fender if/when it gets torn off - but that's not 'caused' by the tire!! :lecturef_smilie:

Mind you, I've seen a few of those retainers that didn't 'come' loose so much as 'were' loose from the factory, and then never got fitted or re-fitted properly during the dealer's Pre-Purchase Inspection... But maybe that's something unique to Ozzie Dealers, or even just a speciality of our local mob... :dontknow: . Yeah, Right! :roflblack:

 

[BajaRon]

:agree: And it REALLY doesn't matter if you've got A/mkt tires; OEM tires; over-sized tires; or even under-sized tires. If the wires dangle enough, especially if more than just one of those retainers comes loose, then it's almost certain that the dangling wiring will eventually get hung up on the tire, and then maybe it'll even damage the fender if/when it gets torn off - but that's not 'caused' by the tire!! :lecturef_smilie:

Mind you, I've seen a few of those retainers that didn't 'come' loose so much as 'were' loose from the factory, and then never got fitted or re-fitted properly during the dealer's Pre-Purchase Inspection... But maybe that's something unique to Ozzie Dealers, or even just a speciality of our local mob... :dontknow: . Yeah, Right! :roflblack:

Same here in the states. I was trying not to be negative so didn't say it myself. But now that you bring it up... Still, with the 2020+, it's best to stay with the OEM sized tire. The 175 gets you too close to these fasteners for my comfort anyway. We've done a few with the 175's. There seems to be a bit of variance in the fenders and there is also a small variance from tire to tire. When the combination is wrong, the 175 can connect. The 165's are plenty of tire so it's not worth the risk on the 2020+ models. Earlier Spyders do fine with the slightly wider 175's.

 

[troop]

Same here in the states. I was trying not to be negative so didn't say it myself. But now that you bring it up... Still, with the 2020+, it's best to stay with the OEM sized tire. The 175 gets you too close to these fasteners for my comfort anyway. We've done a few with the 175's. There seems to be a bit of variance in the fenders and there is also a small variance from tire to tire. When the combination is wrong, the 175 can connect. The 165's are plenty of tire so it's not worth the risk on the 2020+ models. Earlier Spyders do fine with the slightly wider 175's.

I have one of those 2020+ RT Spyders I both shimmed the fenders and went to slimmer profile screws to no avail. My Vredestein 165/60r15 tires still made slight contact on both my OEM wheels and PPA wheels. Spent damn near $100 on tire swapping. Not going to do any more swapping. My three year old 165/55R15 Achilles ATR-K tires work just fine, but I'll likely replace them after this season with Kenda Kanine's. I sent the Vredesteins down the road on my F3S sale.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I have one of those 2020+ RT Spyders I both shimmed the fenders and went to slimmer profile screws to no avail. My Vredestein 165/60r15 tires still made slight contact on both my OEM wheels and PPA wheels. Spent damn near $100 on tire swapping. Not going to do any more swapping. My three year old 165/55R15 Achilles ATR-K tires work just fine, but I'll likely replace them after this season with Kenda Kanine's. I sent the Vredesteins down the road on my F3S sale.

If those 165/60R15 Vredesteins touched your fenders at all, then be very wary about fitting Kanines :lecturef_smilie: One of the very few differences between them and the OEM Spec Kendas that I've been able to actually measure is their tread depth!

The Kanines have slightly more tread depth than the OEM Spec Kendas (IIRC it's less than 1mm, but that's probably juuuust enough to account for the reported 'better tire life' some claim from them... ) and I'm pretty sure the 'extra' all comes from a tad more 'rubber' added to the outside/rolling dia of the tire, rather than the tread pattern impression just being pressed in deeper than on the OEM Spec Kendas. Personally, I reckon that both OEM Spec AND the 'almost clone' Kanines are made so flimsily to start with that there's just not enough overall 'rubber' thickness in the tread area for the tread pattern to be pressed any deeper anyway!! :banghead:

So like I said - if the Vredesteins touched the insides of your fenders, you might wanta check that the Kanines don't too!! :lecturef_smilie:

There again, what air pressure did you have in the Vredesteins? Cos anything much more than 18 psi would've likely over-inflated them beyond what is strictly ideal &/or necessary for even a fully loaded & ridden hard Spyder's weight & performance capabilities, so with any higher pressures than that they'd blow up bigger, just like an over-inflated party balloon! :banghead: