Having dealt with a handful of the manufacturers over the past years, it's likely that ALL of the sizes will be available, but it does take some times to tool up for each of them, with the most popular sizes being set up the quickest.
New BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Nottajeep
- Start date
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bjowett
Supporting Vendor
Some videos...
They are saying nov on their Facebook. I was getting ready to plop down some coin on the cooper st Maxx. May have to wait.
First Report:
61 total will be release over the coming year. Popular sizes Nov 1 (ish). Two more size release dates in 2015.
Center blocks are similar to current KO, but spaced further apart.
Siped down to the wear bars. 3D sipes (meaning when you open them up, it's not a straight cut). 3D sipes resist tire movement against itself, and help with longevity.
Sidewalls are straight off the current competition Baja KR2. Some CRAZY testing was done for sidewall strength (one of my complaints with the current KO).
Snowflake rated.
----
We tested in Baja MX over the past few days in Baja Challenge cars and Ford Raptors. 200ish miles of Baja terrain, driving at speeds up to 70mph on Baja 500/1000 course sections. I was one of the more experienced drivers (which wasn't saying much), some had never offroaded in their lives and one didn't even know how to drive a stick shift. Sand, water, rain, mud, rock, etc...all were present.
I was fortunate to be in a Raptor on Sunday afternoon during some heavy rains and flash floods. Being from WI, 'MUD is a way of life, so when our guide kept saying "time for 4wd" or "time for 4wd low and the rear locker", I generally ignored him and did it my way. Dropped into one wash full of water, steep muddy climb on the opposite side...I was in 4wd low, but no locker...left foot brake, crawl speed, and it walked up the slope without spinning. (guide orders to carry momentum were ignored) Sideways was possible in 2wd, but it still propelled that 7k truck forward without issue.
The BC cars were more entertaining...RWD, lightweight. I smacked a boulder with the left rear on Monday (oops - ha) and didn't do the rim much good...but the tire was unscathed. I looked at a LOT of the tires our groups ran over the two days, and couldn't find one that had any wear...well, that's not true...the BC car that was STILL running the KO2's it used to win the 2013 Baja 1000 and participate in dozens of other BC trips over the past months were worn...but if you drove like a crazed maniac around Baja for 7500ish miles, your tires would be thrashed as well
----
The current KO was released to the public by BFG in 1999. Obviously, tire technology changes, and while people !@#$%ing about the current KO for various things, I expect the changes made in the KO2 will impress users both on and off road.
I am pushing BFG to get me a set in time for SCC in early October...seems like some time trashing "my way" would be nice for folks looking for new tires.
----
The attached photo of the "worn" tire was from the ride-along trophy truck that Ryan Arcerio was taking us around in. 700hp. RWD only. Baja 1000, Baja 500, Mint 400 champion truck...twice for each race! 85-95mph per run. Put that much power to the ground on Baja race routes, particularly when you are showing off, and the results are obvious. ZERO flats, and the sidewalls looked perfect. I rode with Rob MacCachren in his prerunner buggy and we only hit 85mph...but HOLY HELL can that man drive like a maniac...and as calm as can be. Given the continuous abuse Rob and Ryan put their trucks and those tires through, I was impressed.
Bryce Menzies and I were paired up on Sunday as well. That kid has some skills as well, and pushed that BC car skillfully up a long rocky road with LOTS of near-death edges...the KO2's never missed a beat, holding corners at speeds well past my skill set.
Bad enough that a bunch of idiot journalists couldn't destroy them...the pro's couldn't either
61 total will be release over the coming year. Popular sizes Nov 1 (ish). Two more size release dates in 2015.
Center blocks are similar to current KO, but spaced further apart.
Siped down to the wear bars. 3D sipes (meaning when you open them up, it's not a straight cut). 3D sipes resist tire movement against itself, and help with longevity.
Sidewalls are straight off the current competition Baja KR2. Some CRAZY testing was done for sidewall strength (one of my complaints with the current KO).
Snowflake rated.
----
We tested in Baja MX over the past few days in Baja Challenge cars and Ford Raptors. 200ish miles of Baja terrain, driving at speeds up to 70mph on Baja 500/1000 course sections. I was one of the more experienced drivers (which wasn't saying much), some had never offroaded in their lives and one didn't even know how to drive a stick shift. Sand, water, rain, mud, rock, etc...all were present.
I was fortunate to be in a Raptor on Sunday afternoon during some heavy rains and flash floods. Being from WI, 'MUD is a way of life, so when our guide kept saying "time for 4wd" or "time for 4wd low and the rear locker", I generally ignored him and did it my way. Dropped into one wash full of water, steep muddy climb on the opposite side...I was in 4wd low, but no locker...left foot brake, crawl speed, and it walked up the slope without spinning. (guide orders to carry momentum were ignored) Sideways was possible in 2wd, but it still propelled that 7k truck forward without issue.
The BC cars were more entertaining...RWD, lightweight. I smacked a boulder with the left rear on Monday (oops - ha) and didn't do the rim much good...but the tire was unscathed. I looked at a LOT of the tires our groups ran over the two days, and couldn't find one that had any wear...well, that's not true...the BC car that was STILL running the KO2's it used to win the 2013 Baja 1000 and participate in dozens of other BC trips over the past months were worn...but if you drove like a crazed maniac around Baja for 7500ish miles, your tires would be thrashed as well
----
The current KO was released to the public by BFG in 1999. Obviously, tire technology changes, and while people !@#$%ing about the current KO for various things, I expect the changes made in the KO2 will impress users both on and off road.
I am pushing BFG to get me a set in time for SCC in early October...seems like some time trashing "my way" would be nice for folks looking for new tires.
----
The attached photo of the "worn" tire was from the ride-along trophy truck that Ryan Arcerio was taking us around in. 700hp. RWD only. Baja 1000, Baja 500, Mint 400 champion truck...twice for each race! 85-95mph per run. Put that much power to the ground on Baja race routes, particularly when you are showing off, and the results are obvious. ZERO flats, and the sidewalls looked perfect. I rode with Rob MacCachren in his prerunner buggy and we only hit 85mph...but HOLY HELL can that man drive like a maniac...and as calm as can be. Given the continuous abuse Rob and Ryan put their trucks and those tires through, I was impressed.
Bryce Menzies and I were paired up on Sunday as well. That kid has some skills as well, and pushed that BC car skillfully up a long rocky road with LOTS of near-death edges...the KO2's never missed a beat, holding corners at speeds well past my skill set.
Bad enough that a bunch of idiot journalists couldn't destroy them...the pro's couldn't either
Thanks Woody for your input and photos!
Looks like it's going to be neck and neck in the new Rugged All Terrain market with Toyo releasing their Open Country R/T to the market a few days ago.
Although I think for price, size, and weight I'll go with the BFG's once I take my snow tires off in Spring 15'.
Looks like it's going to be neck and neck in the new Rugged All Terrain market with Toyo releasing their Open Country R/T to the market a few days ago.
Although I think for price, size, and weight I'll go with the BFG's once I take my snow tires off in Spring 15'.
mcgaskins
SILVER Star
It's a bummer that the 285/75/16 size is the only one without out a price on their website! I'm thinking about either this tire or the 295/75/16 Toyo AT2 XT to replace my Duratracs soon. They're not worn, but I have ADD and would like something new.
glad i recently got a set of the KOs....not a fan of the MTR-esque sidewall. Ruins the clean/square looks. Not everything needs to be reinvented. I'm a huge BFG fanboy, hope they keep the KO in production for a while.
I know...haters gonna hate.
I know...haters gonna hate.
brian
SILVER Star
well they're not going to.
i was looking for a set of 285x75x16s a few weeks ago, and my local bfg dealer was showing 0 in his supply chain. had to go with 295s. so it lookd like they killed production early this year to empty the shelves of old stock before the new tires showed up....and i'm guessing to help get a bunch of the new style out the door quickly after they become available.
Cant wait to hear more real world feedback on these. Hope to have the cruiser built up in time for my sizes to be available.
The current KO's are $70 less per tire then the KO2's.
BFG has an availability chart for the first 25 (announced) sizes now. http://social.bfgoodrichtires.com/BFG_KO2_Sizing+Availability.pdf
Tire Rack is now showing the 285/75R16 as $236, the 315/75R16 as $240 vs MSRP $294 on BFG.
mcgaskins
SILVER Star
That's not a bad price on the 285s. I just wish they were a bit taller than 32.8" considering my Duratracs with 15,000 miles on them are still taller than that. I wish they were offering 295/75/16 off the bat.
Got a new set of KO2's yesterday for my 80 series. Only drove them home and around town a bit. But great ride and very quiet
Here are a few pics.
Are those 285s?
mcgaskins
SILVER Star
They look nice. 285/75/16 I'm guessing? Can you measure how tall they are mounted on the truck? I'm trying to go up a size without going to 35s, but these actually look a hair shorter than the Duratracs I currently have.
Just got some 285 75/r16 at costco. They wouldn't mount them on my 100 series since they were more than 2% bigger than stock. Price is pretty good $215 per tire. Going to get them mounted next weekend a buddy of mine who owns a side business mounting and balancing tires.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Is it me or does it seem like the sidewalls ballon out a lot.
mcgaskins
SILVER Star
Costco is hit or miss - a few years back they installed some 35s on my Jeep Cherokee with no questions asked
mcgaskins
SILVER Star
Also oddly enough, Tirerack shows the new KO2s for $9 cheaper per tire compared with the old one. Kinda weird right?
