Rear Tire - What is the Best Option

[Brian Kay]

All,
If I do a search on this site, there are numerous threads on replacing the rear tire...so in order to narrow down my search, and give everyone a chance to voice their opinion again but directed to me, I thought I'd throw out the almighty question and get to the point:

I'm needing to replace the rear OEM tire on my 2014-RTS-SM6. I have 5900 miles on it and it's worn out! What I am looking for are recommendations or best options on replacing the rear tire; Brand, Size, etc.

I know I'm asking for a lot of opinions, but I know I'm going to get some good responses and some good guidance too.

Dealer wants $189 for the OEM and $128 to install it...options here too, please. Thanks in advance as always!

 

[Cruzr Joe]

I use the Kuhmo on the rear, the OEM tire (Kenda) are only two ply, the Kuhmo is 4 ply and rides great. I use the OEM tires on the front and usually get 23,000 +


Cruzr Joe

 

[jtoro1]

Tires

205/55/15 Yokohama s drive

 

[The Governor]

Since I have the 14" wheel up front.... 185/60R14
TOYO Extensa
Rear 225/50ZR15
TOYO Proxes 888

 

[Richardv]

Kumho

All,
If I do a search on this site, there are numerous threads on replacing the rear tire...so in order to narrow down my search, and give everyone a chance to voice their opinion again but directed to me, I thought I'd throw out the almighty question and get to the point:

I'm needing to replace the rear OEM tire on my 2014-RTS-SM6. I have 5900 miles on it and it's worn out! What I am looking for are recommendations or best options on replacing the rear tire; Brand, Size, etc.

I know I'm asking for a lot of opinions, but I know I'm going to get some good responses and some good guidance too.

Dealer wants $189 for the OEM and $128 to install it...options here too, please. Thanks in advance as always!

Using Kumho ecsta AST 225/50R15 on 3 of our bikes. My son in law has a Toyo proxies 4 205/60R15. Both perform great but 225 looks better in my opinion. Tire direct $89.00 an $10 in a tire shop to install. I removed the wheel and they just mount the tire. I use beads to balance. All is great.

 

[The Governor]

205/55/25 Yokohama s drive

25" wheel!!!??

I bet the NANNY hates it, but that it looks COOL!!!!!!

 

[Deanna777]

Rear tire replacement suggestion

I have a 2014RTS-SE6 and I am running the General Altimax RT 43 on the rear.

Tire size: 215/60 R 15 @ 26 PSI.

I have 7,588 miles on the General ( I had the original Kenda rear tire changed @ 5,824) the current mileage on my spyder is 13,412. I choose the General tire because of its Performance evaluation, it is listed below.

Here is the Performance evaluation information:

Wet:
Hydroplaning Resistance 8.6
Traction 8.7

Dry:
Cornering Stability 8.7
Dry Traction 9.0
Steering Response 8.6

Comfort:
Ride Quality 8.6
Noise 8.3
Tread wear 8.7

This is my 2nd season with the General, and the tire still looks new. My spyder handles great, and their are several other spyder owners on this site are running the same tire. ( Pampurrs, Highman2013, cyclekid, garb55,)

Deanna

 

[Bob Denman]

Throw another vote on the Kumho Ecsta AST pile... :thumbup:
(In the OEM sizing.)

 

[garb55]

I have a 2014RTS-SE6 and I am running the General Altimax RT 43 on the rear.

Tire size: 215/60 R 15 @ 26 PSI.

I have 7,588 miles on the General ( I had the original Kenda rear tire changed @ 5,824) the current mileage on my spyder is 13,412. I choose the General tire because of its Performance evaluation, it is listed below.

Here is the Performance evaluation information:

Wet:
Hydroplaning Resistance 8.6
Traction 8.7

Dry:
Cornering Stability 8.7
Dry Traction 9.0
Steering Response 8.6

Comfort:
Ride Quality 8.6
Noise 8.3
Tread wear 8.7

This is my 2nd season with the General, and the tire still looks new. My spyder handles great, and their are several other spyder owners on this site are running the same tire. ( Pampurrs, Highman2013, cyclekid,)

Deanna

Add me to the list
General Altimax RT 43
215/60R15 @ 28 puonds
I had a Kumo on after the OEM tire but did not like the ware on it
OEM 6,000 miles
Kumo 12,000 miles
Altimax 9,000 miles still looks new
Don

 

[Deanna777]

Add me to the list
General Altimax RT 43
215/60R15 @ 28 puonds
I had a Kumo on after the OEM tire but did not like the ware on it
OEM 6,000 miles
Kumo 12,000 miles
Altimax 9,000 miles still looks new
Don

Don,
I just added you to the list.

Deanna

 

[Pampurrs]

I have a 2014RTS-SE6 and I am running the General Altimax RT 43 on the rear.

Tire size: 215/60 R 15 @ 26 PSI.

I have 7,588 miles on the General ( I had the original Kenda rear tire changed @ 5,824) the current mileage on my spyder is 13,412. I choose the General tire because of its Performance evaluation, it is listed below.

Here is the Performance evaluation information:

Wet:
Hydroplaning Resistance 8.6
Traction 8.7

Dry:
Cornering Stability 8.7
Dry Traction 9.0
Steering Response 8.6

Comfort:
Ride Quality 8.6
Noise 8.3
Tread wear 8.7

This is my 2nd season with the General, and the tire still looks new. My spyder handles great, and their are several other spyder owners on this site are running the same tire. ( Pampurrs, Highman2013, cyclekid, garb55,)

Deanna

:agree: Great tire!

Pam

 

[kmdowney167]

I also replaced OEM with Kumho Ecsta AST 225-50/R15. Stretched the OEM out to 8700 miles and I now have 17,000 on my Spyder so almost same miles on the Kumho and it isn't showing any wear and the performance has been great!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[IGETAROUND]

Rear tire

Throw another vote on the Kumho Ecsta AST pile... :thumbup:
(In the OEM sizing.)

throw in a third for the Kumo. Take the rear shock lower bolt outm finish jacking the bike up. Put on jack stands remove the rear axle need 36mm socket. When axle bolt removed lift the swingarm up and roll the rear tire out. You will also have to take the rear brake caliper off, not forgetting to support / suspend while awaiting reinstallaton. Easy peasy about 3 hours start to finish including getting the new tire mounted. Just a thought for consideration don't worry about balancing the tire take it and ride it for 100 miles. If you think you need to balance it you can always add beads or something. I am confident that you can get a smooth ride without balancing. Enjoy
Al in kazoo. Just did all 3 while vacationing in California

 

[jcthorne]

We sell and install the Yokohama S Drive. Great traction, much better wet weather performance than the Kuhmo and a very well made performance oriented and speed rated tire.

 

[_..stiffler..]

I'll be adding the general altimax.

No reason. Just I can get it cheap. And really all these tires people are talking about will be better than oem.

Stiff

Sent on Note 5 in Taptalk

 

[bodymanpainter]

I'll be changing to the Altamax also just because I like the looks and can get a great price on one.
I have the Kumo Ecsta on our RT now with 18,000 miles and it's real close to being worn out.
Toby

 

[Trbayth]

Add me to the Kumho camp. Netzley's put on one for me in December. It did great on the East Coast Posse trip to Spyderfest. Got about 5000 miles on it so far and it looks almost like new.

Went for a ride last night after the storms blew through. Hit 15000 miles on the bike. Planning a trip to Virginia next week for work with a co-worker that rides a Sportster. If he doesn't wimp out on me!

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: on your mileage, and have fun on your trip! :2thumbs:

 

[Highwayman2013]

Many choices in the 215/60/15 size. I'm running a Michelin Primacy (discontinued) for 19,000 miles so far with plenty of tread left.

 

[Brian Kay]

Love this community for the great knowledge, great comments and most certainly the great help that everyone gives on a short notice.

My options are tilting towards the Kuhmo...great looking tire, I can get the OEM size, tread looks cool (nothing to do with anything, lol), and price is about $80-$90 on-line.

Still going to let the dealer remove, mount, and install the SOB for the $128...some things are worth paying for. Now, if they can't get to it for several days I may think otherwise.

Thanks again y'all.