Installed Kenda Kruz tires

[paddyo]

Replaced the stock Bridgestones on my 09 Nomad with Kenda Kruz K673s front and rear -- 130/90 16 on the front and 160/80 16 on the rear. The stock rear tire was into the wear bars at 7,500 miles. I ran the Kendas on a Suzuki Boulevard C50 and on my last set I got 33,000 miles on the front and 22,000 miles on the rear. I ran them each at 36 psi. I ride regardless of weather and had no problems in the rain. I will will run these on the Nomad at 36 psi as well. Because the rear tire is a little taller than the stock tire, it has helped the accuracy of my speedometer. According to my GPS, the speedometer on the stock tires was 4 mph fast. With the 160/80 on the rear, it is only 2 mph fast according to the GPS.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Yes the Bridgestone's didn't do very good for me. I got a little over 9,000 on the rear and about 11,000 on the front. I now have the Dunlop Elite 3's and with about 2,000 or so miles I can't see that they have worn any.

[cactusjack]

I have been looking at a new rear tire and have been considering going to the 160/80-16. In doing so, it offers a few more tire choices than the 180/60-16.

One thing to think about, the Nomad outweighs your old C50 by 200 pounds or so. I'd suggest you run more than 36 PSI in them. I am curious about the Kendas and would like to know how yours hold up, although I suspect I'll be replacing my rear tire in the next few weeks.

[landman]

hey CJ,you might want to consider the dunlop e-3 in 160/80-16.
i have 10,000 miles on my rear tire and it still has a fair amount of
life left.ride and handling is great.it is however a bias that is built on the radial type profile.

[Cajunrider]

That's great mileage for both on your C50. I hadn't heard of Kenda before. Did you purchase them online?

[cactusjack]

I was looking at the Kenda Kruz 160/80-16 on denniskirk.com it's around $86. The Elite 3 is around $150. I wouldn't mind spending 2x the $$ on the Elite 3 if it would last 2x as long.

Hell, maybe I'll give one a try. The fitment is for the Honda Goldwing, one of the few bikes heavier than my Nomad.

I was leaning toward the Dunlop D417 for $149. Still might go that route.

[ringadingh]

In not sure if they are available in Canada, but at that price its certainly worth considering, especially if they can last for a decent length of time.

[bigmacbkr]

I put the same rear Kenda tire on my Nomad about six thousand miles ago and it still has more tread on it than the Stone did when new. I only got about five thousand miles on the Stone when I replaced it. I love the Kenda and will definitely put a Kenda on the front when I replace it. The quality is at least as good as any of the others, it wears like steel, and the tread depth is deeper than any motorcycle tire I've ever seen, yet it is by far one of the least expensive. Why some bikers seem reluctant to move up to Kenda is beyond me! ???

[paddyo]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Did you purchase them online?

I purchased them through my dealer. If you do not purchase them through them, they charge $80/tire for installation. However, purchasing the tires through them, only costs about $60 more than the best online price and that includes installation. So I considered that to be a good price.

I have ordered mine in the past from Trax Motorsports (www.traxms.com). They have both good prices and service.

Originally Posted by bigmacbkr

I put the same rear Kenda tire on my Nomad about six thousand miles ago and it still has more tread on it than the Stone did when new.

bigmacbkr,
What tire pressure are you running with your Kenda rear tire?

[cactusjack]

I order my tires online and then either mount them myself, or if I'm feeling lazy I take them to a cycle shop that will mount a tire for $10.

[ringadingh]

I also mount my own tires, not that bad a job once you know how. The best price to get it done at a dealer here is at least $30.00 if you bring them the wheel, although all my pals get it done free. They bring their tires to me for mounting.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

That's great mileage for both on your C50. I hadn't heard of Kenda before. Did you purchase them online?

If Im not mistaken, I think the Kenda tires used to be Yokahama tires, or where bought out by them.
Yokahama used tobe popular here years ago and then dropped out of sight.

[Cajunrider]

Kenda tires are manufactured in China, correct?

[wiz]

I too had very good experience with Kenda Kruz tires on my C50 but I did not realize they were available in the Nomad sizes. I will have to look into this, right now my Cobras are going strong. Thanks!

[cactusjack]

Alright, I bit and ordered a Kenda Kruz 160/80-16 from Dennis Kirk. Total cost was $98.98. I had to pay for shipping because it was < $100. The tread depth on this tire is 12/32", compared to 8/32" for the ME880 and 9/32" for the Avon Venom.

If this tire can go 10,000+ miles, it's a pretty good deal in my book. Time will tell.