BFG KM and KM2 tire Review

[Theycallmenica]

I have a set of 35" BFGs on 15" Wheels, older BFG and the 2 of the new KM2. The reason for having these two different tires is the reason for the review.

I don't drive my LC on the road much mainly use it for desert trail driving. In the past two years I have gone through about 8 flats, with these tires. Yesterday was the latest flat. The side wall build is just too , too , too soft. Some lime stone took out this one. Its just not acceptable. The KM2 that I got back from 4wheel parts, they have an awesome lifetime warranty btw, Sucked, sage brush punctures it like if it was a balloon. For comparison my brothers FJ60 has MT Baja Claws we wheel together and he has not had one flat not one side wall punctured, and the guy even climbs over burned out cars he finds in the desert. Others in my club also no flats and no side wall damage they mostly have interco brand of tires . I have had 4 sidewall tears and 3 punctures by sage brush. dead sage brush while parking or turning around in the desert roads. Now I have to drive 115 Miles to get a new tire. just not a good tire in my opinion, the so called 3 ply behaves like a one ply.

So avoid this tire if you off road, if you crawl forget it, it is well balanced and behaves well on the pavement and on mud and sand but does not like sharp rocks or even sandstone. So when you purchase these tires remember get the warranty you WILL have to use it over and over again.

I will post pictures of the damage and rock that caused it later today

If you have had a good or bad experience with these tires let me know.

Rafa

 

[UltraFJ40]

Thanks for that write up Nica. It might not be the case for everyone, but I don't think I'll be testing them any time soon.

 

[Motley Cruiser]

Unfortunate to have so many flats! I've had good luck with my KM2's (no flats...yet) on my FJ Cruiser, but it's definitely different wheeling up here in Oregon/Washington. I do have to say i love the traction on the KM2's (285/75/R17 @16-18 PSI) for NW wheeling through mud/roots/rocks.

Despite no flats, my KM2 sidewalls have sustained significant cosmetic sidewall chipping, but no structural damage yet. I'll probably go with a different brand (MT or DC) when these wear out, but mostly just to try out something new.

 

[Theycallmenica]

From this to

this is in 3 minutes flat

 

[Theycallmenica]

From this !?!?!? If you go near sharp or semi sharp stuff get something other than a KM2

 

[psreno]

I won't buy BFG's again for the same reason. I thought maybe they had rotted or something. I had 2 brand new tires get sidewall flats from tiny -TINY scrub brush. And I wasn't thrashing around either. That was easily 10 years ago, maybe even 15 so I don't know if the compound has changed.

 

[65swb45]

Rafa, I've got a thread up currently about a sidewall cut I got out at Red Rock from basically nothing as well in my BFG MT on the 45. I comparison I ran the ProComps on the 40 twice over Rubicon and twice over Dusy, as well as TX and Moab before I got one sidewall cut on the 'Con [that I REALLY deserved cause I was driving like the tires were puncture proof having been lucky for so long]

I've had good and bad luck with lots of different brands of tires over my 30 years of wheeling and can't say that BFG stands out as a weak link.

I do know that my 5 ply rated 235 x 85 x 16s have NEVER gotten a cut.

Maybe you should consider smaller tires!

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Pretty much my experience with BFGs off-road.

Acceptable manners and wear on the highway, but don't hold up all that well in the bush. I went through 5 tires the last time I mounted BFGs. Others have been somewhat better - General, Swamper, Toyo etc.


~John

I have a set of 35" BFGs on 15" Wheels, older BFG and the 2 of the new KM2. The reason for having these two different tires is the reason for the review.

[...] In the past two years I have gone through about 8 flats, with these tires. Yesterday was the latest flat. The side wall build is just too , too , too soft. Some lime stone took out this one. Its just not acceptable. [...] I have had 4 sidewall tears and 3 punctures by sage brush. dead sage brush while parking or turning around in the desert roads. Now I have to drive 115 Miles to get a new tire. just not a good tire in my opinion, the so called 3 ply behaves like a one ply.
[...]

Rafa

 

[bigndn]

Unfortunate to have so many flats! I've had good luck with my KM2's (no flats...yet) on my FJ Cruiser, but it's definitely different wheeling up here in Oregon/Washington. I do have to say i love the traction on the KM2's (285/75/R17 @16-18 PSI) for NW wheeling through mud/roots/rocks.

This is my experience, the only difference is that my KM2s get swapped between my FJ40 and '85 truck. I also wheel in the PNW and have been impressed with the mud/roots/rocks/snow traction.

From this to

this is in 3 minutes flat

What tire pressure were you running????

One last thing.........why is this in 40/55 series tech? You're driving an 80 series.

 

[1911]

If you have had a good or bad experience with these tires let me know.

I have KM2's on my 40 and love them so far, no flats, but that's with only one trip to southern Utah / Canyonlands for a week. Excellent traction when aired down.

On my other 4WD truck (FJC) I currently have Toyo Open Country MT's and they are as tough as nails. I have wheeled those tires and scuffed the sidewalls at Katemcy Rocks, Moab, BFE, BMRA, etc., have more than 50,000 miles on them, and have never had a flat. But the sidewalls are very stiff and you have to air them way down to soften them.

 

[Theycallmenica]

This is my experience, the only difference is that my KM2s get swapped between my FJ40 and '85 truck. I also wheel in the PNW and have been impressed with the mud/roots/rocks/snow traction.




What tire pressure were you running????

One last thing.........why is this in 40/55 series tech? You're driving an 80 series.

Well this happened when I had the tires on the 80 but most flats have occured on my fj55 the tires get switched back and forth. and 80 peeps dont wheel as hard as the 40 and 55. the tire pressure was at 20 psi. when you handle the tire it feels like a mud flap so soft.

 

[Theycallmenica]

Rafa, I've got a thread up currently about a sidewall cut I got out at Red Rock from basically nothing as well in my BFG MT on the 45. I comparison I ran the ProComps on the 40 twice over Rubicon and twice over Dusy, as well as TX and Moab before I got one sidewall cut on the 'Con [that I REALLY deserved cause I was driving like the tires were puncture proof having been lucky for so long]

I've had good and bad luck with lots of different brands of tires over my 30 years of wheeling and can't say that BFG stands out as a weak link.

I do know that my 5 ply rated 235 x 85 x 16s have NEVER gotten a cut.


Maybe you should consider smaller tires!

That is sad, the used tires that I bought from you a while back have come in so handy Mark, a god knows I've needed all those spares. The tire shop dude thinks I am his best friend now since I visit him so much.

Went to Last Chance this past weekend it was hot, hot, but awesome to see the birds of prey and monitors.

Well I have the 39.5 in the back yard I can always pop those in and see how long to break the stock 27 spline birfs, lol

 

[Theycallmenica]

I have KM2's on my 40 and love them so far, no flats, but that's with only one trip to southern Utah / Canyonlands for a week. Excellent traction when aired down.

On my other 4WD truck (FJC) I currently have Toyo Open Country MT's and they are as tough as nails. I have wheeled those tires and scuffed the sidewalls at Katemcy Rocks, Moab, BFE, BMRA, etc., have more than 50,000 miles on them, and have never had a flat. But the sidewalls are very stiff and you have to air them way down to soften them.

All I am saying is be very careful around brush and sharp rocks , have a spare handy you will use it. yes the traction is great but thats about it. always carry a patch up kit that would also help if brush is a concern.

 

[Theycallmenica]

 

[Theycallmenica]

Tires have done well in these obstacles but then again four failures not a good thing, octavio62 had two sidewall fail in snow hit a rock and in Azusa canyon mud hit a tree buried in the muck,