I've got a bent front wheel - any idea where to buy a new one?

[Tango]

BAJARON had some rims the other day when we were there. Contact his shop.

 

[mecsw500]

How did the post get so far out in the weeds! Guy thinks he's got a bent rim and wants to buy a new one!

Sorry, my fault I think. I’m getting senile. I need to get out more. Back to, I saw lots of pairs on EBay so it’s easy to get two that match.

 

[cgroh360]

I also put on a new set of tires at the dealership and had them balanced

 

[cgroh360]

I bought two new rims and will have them installed next week when they come in, I took the tires off my friends bike and it rode great and got down to the left front wheel was bad? I just ordered the black out rims not the sandstone rims that are on the S2S

 

[Mikey]

I bought two new rims and will have them installed next week when they come in, I took the tires off my friends bike and it rode great and got down to the left front wheel was bad? I just ordered the black out rims not the sandstone rims that are on the S2S

Got to ask, how do you know it's the rim??? I still say it could be the tire; in most cases it is!! Did you break it down, and spin the rim?

 

[cgroh360]

I bought two new tires, balanced them, and still had the problem. Then I took the tire off a friends bike and tried it on mine, no vibrations. Then I put one of my rims on one at a time and eliminated it down to the left rim.

 

[Mikey]

I bought two new tires, balanced them, and still had the problem. Then I took the tire off a friends bike and tried it on mine, no vibrations. Then I put one of my rims on one at a time and eliminated it down to the left rim.

I have seen this very thing happen to a friend; he had to take his tires and rims to another shop and have them rebalanced because the first shops machine was out of calibration! The issue went AWAY!! Just a thought before you jump down the rabbit hole. Good luck! Sorry if I pissed you off!

 

[Snoking1127]

I bought two new tires, balanced them, and still had the problem. Then I took the tire off a friends bike and tried it on mine, no vibrations. Then I put one of my rims on one at a time and eliminated it down to the left rim.

What tires did you buy?

 

[mecsw500]

No disrespect sir. It's still a kenda! In 18 years, they haven't impressed anyone!

OK, the original Kendas weren’t brilliant but in many cases they weren’t as bad as they were made out to be. I had them on my 2021 RT LTD and I thought they were acceptable, except in the wet. There we’re issues for some people with inconsistent manufacturing and quality assurance, and especially for tire wear.

With the newer XPS branded tire, still made by Kenda, I do see an improvement though. I think BRP was probably getting too many tire warranty claims. The sidewalls seem to be a bit beefier, the manufacturing quality seems better with fewer balance weight from the factory.

As for riding, they seem smoother and quieter, and are miles better in the rain. These are goals BRP state they were looking to improve. They also said tire life. On this score we shall have to wait and see but going by their other goals I would expect them to perhaps be right in this area too.

Would I rush out and buy car tires before these XPS branded tire were worn out? No I won’t. When they are worn out I will look carefully at their relative performance to car tires and make a decision then.

Kenda as a brand seem to be improving as they become more involved in motorsports such as being the spec tire for formula drift. Their track tires for motorcycles have seen a lot of progress as have their OHV competition tires. As Can Am uses the same spec tire for years, I think only when they approve new options do we see that jump in technology. I think the XPS tire reflects some of those advancements.

So new on the bike at delivery they do seem a fair bit better than their predecessors, so I’m going to see how well they perform as they wear and give them the benefit of the doubt until they proves otherwise.

 

[Jackhartjr]

No disrespect to you sir, however, the kendas were every bit as bad as the reputation they got!
In case you haven't seen my take on the kendas, when I put Vredesteins on two different RT's, the ride and handling improved by 100 percent, ESPECIALLY in the rain.
BRP could and should have put better tires on these machines!

 

[Snoking1127]

One of the first things I am going to do to my new to me Northern 2018 RTL when I see it for the first time is install Vredesteins Quatracs on the front and a General Altimax RT45 on the back.

 

[mecsw500]

No disrespect to you sir, however, the kendas were every bit as bad as the reputation they got!
In case you haven't seen my take on the kendas, when I put Vredesteins on two different RT's, the ride and handling improved by 100 percent, ESPECIALLY in the rain.
BRP could and should have put better tires on these machines!

I thought the Kendas fitted to my 2021 RT LTD were kind of OK but a bit borderline in certain circumstances. The Spyder deserved better. Certainly they were pretty horrible in the rain like you said. But I live in a desert so we don't usually get much rain in riding season.

The new XPS branded Kendas I've tried out in the rain this spring (yes it actually rained) and I think they are a big improvement. Even in the dry I think they are a definite improvement over what was stock five years ago. They seem more robust at the very least. I think perhaps BRP was fed up with tire warranty claims?

Do I think car tires are perhaps better? Very possibly. But just as the first set of OEM tires on a car are usually not up to what you can buy when they wear out, I think these XPS Kendas are not something I will rush out and change. I don't think from other Spyders with car tires that I have ridden, that the difference is going to be anywhere near as dramatic as it once was.

I know it's going to take a lot to change peoples minds but I do think the XPS Kendas are finally now are at least acceptable for what comes on the bike new. I can now ride in the rain without an undue fear of the traction and braking action.

So I'm with you on what you say, I just think BRP has caught up somewhat with this latest fitment.

 

[Snoking1127]

I thought the Kendas fitted to my 2021 RT LTD were kind of OK but a bit borderline in certain circumstances. The Spyder deserved better. Certainly they were pretty horrible in the rain like you said. But I live in a desert so we don't usually get much rain in riding season.

The new XPS branded Kendas I've tried out in the rain this spring (yes it actually rained) and I think they are a big improvement. Even in the dry I think they are a definite improvement over what was stock five years ago. They seem more robust at the very least. I think perhaps BRP was fed up with tire warranty claims?

Do I think car tires are perhaps better? Very possibly. But just as the first set of OEM tires on a car are usually not up to what you can buy when they wear out, I think these XPS Kendas are not something I will rush out and change. I don't think from other Spyders with car tires that I have ridden, that the difference is going to be anywhere near as dramatic as it once was.

I know it's going to take a lot to change peoples minds but I do think the XPS Kendas are finally now are at least acceptable for what comes on the bike new. I can now ride in the rain without an undue fear of the traction and braking action.

So I'm with you on what you say, I just think BRP has caught up somewhat with this latest fitment.

 

[mecsw500]

View attachment 254971

Lol. Very good. I'd hardly think I'm drinking the Kenda Cool Aid though, just stating an opinion, which is worth what anyone paid for it.

 

[Calimusjohn]

We got it. You like your Kenda tires. Many owners have found them lacking. Can we move on?

 

[cgroh360]

OK new rims and the spyder is riding as smooth as ever, love the ride not the same as the Goldwing because not leaning into curves but it is good and I will enjoy it

 

[VitoNam]

OK new rims and the spyder is riding as smooth as ever, love the ride not the same as the Goldwing because not leaning into curves but it is good and I will enjoy it

Good to hear things have worked out for you! Updates are always worthy.

 

[Snoking1127]

I have a 2023 S2S and the left front wheel shimmies really badly at 62 mph. I have had it balanced twice and it's no better. The bike only has 1400 miles on it and I took it in the dealer with 90 miles on it saying it had a bad vibration. I changed the shocks, tires, sway bar, and finally took the wheels off a friends bike and found it was the left front wheel. I don't think the dealer is going to help me on this, so does anyone have any ideas on where to buy a new wheel?

You can buy a pair of PPA wheels for the cost of one OEM wheel.

 

[UtahPete]

One of the first things I am going to do to my new to me Northern 2018 RTL when I see it for the first time is install Vredesteins Quatracs on the front and a General Altimax RT45 on the back.

That's the combo I will soon have at my next rear tire change.

With the newer XPS branded tire, still made by Kenda, I do see an improvement though. I think BRP was probably getting too many tire warranty claims. The sidewalls seem to be a bit beefier, the manufacturing quality seems better with fewer balance weight from the factory.

Do they take a lower tire pressure than the older Kendas (28psi, I think)?

 

[Peter Aawen]

Do they take a lower tire pressure than the older Kendas (28psi, I think)?

NO - the XPS branded tires are still just Kendas (so far, anyway!) with the same carcass (less load capable; not made as strongly as most 'real' auto tires - or most 'real' motorcycle tires for that matter! ) as the Kenda branded tires, and they still NEED the pressure recommended on your Spyder's tire placard to do the job, however poorly that may be!! In my experience, running any OEM Kenda tire fitted on a Spyder/Ryker, regardless of whether it's branded 'Kenda' or 'XPS', at anything much more or less than saaay, +/- 2 psi could be catastrophic! They just aren't made for it, or up to it either!!

So if it's a Kenda tire on a Spyder/Ryker, and that includes those Kenda tires that are branded 'XPS', then you really should run it at or at least very near the BRP tire placard recommended pressure.