Goodyear MTR Kevlar 315s on a 1993 FZJ80

[Hayes]

My decision came down to these or the BFG KM2. I opted for the MTRs due to the significantly greater siping and biting edges, under the assumption that they will provide better grip on ice and packed snow. I'll give a full report next winter.

I bought them from Discount Tire, and after a short discussion, they reduced their price from $280 per tire (!) to $275 plus a $50 instant rebate. That's $265 per tire, installed. I also opted OUT of the lifetime replacement certs. No, at $265 each I don't feel like I got a screamin' deal, but installed that beats the lowest online price of $260 per tire plus $144 shipping that I could find.

4 of the 5 tires took less than 2 ounces to balance. The 5th took a little over 4 ounces.

I've been running on 295/75R16 Terra Grapplers, and recently installed 4.88 gears. The 315/75R16 MTRs feel better matched to the gears than the 295s did--the 295s and 4.88s felt a little over revved around town. Doesn't feel sluggish at all. Really, the new tires feel great around town (have only driven ~60 miles so far).

The MTR Kevlars are certainly noisier than the Terra Grapplers, but I would not describe them as "loud." These are the most aggressive tire that I have ever personally owned, and I am pleasantly surprised. A highish pitched hum/whine becomes audible in the cabin at around 50 mph, but it's really no louder than the general road/wind/engine noise.

General road manners are very good. They give a little softer ride than the Terra Grapplers at similar pressures (35 psi cold), but don't feel squirmy or sloppy at all.

I'll be at Cruise Moab this weekend, and they will get the full slickrock test. I will certainly follow-up with photos and feedback.

 

[barrypt5]

Congrats!! They look really good and i really hope they treat you well....now if only the size i wanted had black lettering.............excited to hear how they do at Moab

barrypt5

 

[Moody]

Sexy.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

snazzy sidewalls

 

[Hayes]

snazzy sidewalls

Yes.
The general chatter on the web seems dislike them and writes them off as poser tread. Up close though, I think the sidewall tread on these is as thick as the sidewall tread on the old MTRs--just "snazzier."

 

[80t0ylc]

Ryan,
Good tire, good tire company, and Kevlar to hopefully strengthen sidewalls. I think you made a good choice! And they look good, too! Good luck at Moab! -Tom

 

[BirfMark]

I don't think these tires aren't technically a directional tread design, but why not mount them all the same direction?

Your passenger side tires are mounted 'backwards' when compared to the driver's side.

 

[bluto]

Yes.
The general chatter on the web seems dislike them and writes them off as poser tread. Up close though, I think the sidewall tread on these is as thick as the sidewall tread on the old MTRs--just "snazzier."

Some go by looks definitely.
They look more like my old GY Gatorbacks that was on my Mustang GT 5.0 than a Mud tire. But if they work they work.

I cant wait for your coming objective review of these tires after Moab. They will be my next set - just too bad the 285s only come with the OWL only.

 

[Hayes]

I don't think these tires aren't technically a directional tread design, but why not mount them all the same direction?

Your passenger side tires are mounted 'backwards' when compared to the driver's side.

The "directionality" or lack of it in these tires is discussed here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/272187-new-goodyear-mtr-kevlar.html?highlight=kevlar

I know they look odd compared to typical tires, but they are mounted exactly as Goodyear designed them to be mounted.

 

[80t0ylc]

I don't think these tires aren't technically a directional tread design, but why not mount them all the same direction?

Your passenger side tires are mounted 'backwards' when compared to the driver's side.

They're not directional, but they are "sectional". By that I mean that from a front view of vehicle with tires mounted, each section of the tire has a specific purpose in relation to the mounting on the vehicle. That is why GY recommends the way they're mounted. Actually a very high - tech tire. With GY's reputation, I think Ryan made an excellent choice. Now, let's see how they perform and hold up, I expect very well!

 

[Cruzer_89]

Do they rub with that lift you're running? I'm running front J's and 863 rear and I want 315's badly but i'm afraid they may rub.

 

[Hayes]

Will find out the extent of any rubbing down in Moab this weekend.

 

[little_joe]

Very nice Hayes - I am excited to hear your impressions of these tires.

I don't really see any siping on them though? Perhaps it's just the angle/distance of the photos?

 

[Sporin]

Very nice. I considered these as well but wound up getting a good deal on the TrXus MT's and ordered those instead. Super popular tire here in New England but those MTR Kevlars are really great looking.

 

[gotmud]

Cruiser porn! Be sure to give us a long-term update.

 

[Grench]

Will find out the extent of any rubbing down in Moab this weekend.

How was the trip?

 

[Hayes]

How was the trip?

The trip was great.
The tires worked great--which is not hard to do in Moab--but I am very happy with them. Took a few tries to get the pressure optimized. I ran with them at about 16 psi most of the time, and they seemed to hook-up and grip well.
They continue to run smooth and quiet on the highway (at 35 psi cold).

They do rub.
The rears rub the fenders when stuffed, but they are not damaging anything.
The fronts rub when stuffed and when compressed in high speed bumps. The rubbing sound from the front is quite loud but like the rears, doesn't appear to be causing any harm. I still cant figure out what exactly they're rubbing on up front.

So far thumbs up.

 

[Grench]

They do rub.
The rears rub the fenders when stuffed, but they are not damaging anything.
The fronts rub when stuffed and when compressed in high speed bumps. The rubbing sound from the front is quite loud but like the rears, doesn't appear to be causing any harm. I still cant figure out what exactly they're rubbing on up front.

I'm sure it's posted somewhere, but I'm lazy and it's a pertinent question to this thread.

What are you running for lift? Any bump stop extensions? I'm a bit concerned about the front rubbing at speed. Have you had a chance to carefully examine the insides of your front wheel wells to see where it's at? I could understand a bit of rub when turning hard with the wheel stuffed, but straight line... there should be gobs of room.

 

[Hayes]

I'm running the OME heavy springs (850/863) with 15mm trim packers on all 4 corners. No bumpstop extensions. I think my springs have sagged over the years, though.
When I say high speed bumps, I mean biggish bumps that compress the suspension, like whoop-dee-doos. I looked in the wheel wells and on the tires for evidence of where the contact was several times on the trail. I can't figure it out. I need to just park my truck on something that flexes it out and see where the contact is.
At some point I will swap out the springs/shocks for something more attuned to 35" tires, but for now I am not too concerned. I ran Behind the Rocks, Metal Masher, and Poison Spider over the weekend, and have not encountered any tangible problems with running the tires on my current lift.

 

[Hayes]

I figure they fit pretty well when I can do this all day and not mangle anything: