New 315 KM 2's Finally Mounted

[VFRMAN]

Nuttin' too exciting here. Just another "Hey, look at my new tires" thread.

Had a friend sandblast and powdercoat an extra set of (5) factory alloys and mounted (5) KM 2's I bought from a MUD member this winter. Finally got them shipped here a couple weeks ago. If they had 200 mkiles on them I would be surprised. Even the (4) he had mounted on his Rover still had the nubbies on them. The 5th still had the sticker on the tread.

Kept the 295 BFG A/T's as a spare set. Still a lot of life left in them.

Had the 315's siped but haven't had a chance to drive in snow or on ice yet. Probably not til next year now.

The A/T's must be wearing because the KM 2's seem super quiet by comparison so far. Especially 75mph on the interstate.

Not much change in power, but this is flat land central. Pulled a big enclosed flat-front trailer back from the furniture store and no issues. Just won't expect miracles on any hills I would imagine.

Oh, and I'm getting "about" 22 mpg now.

 

[retrofive]

Looks great. Can't wait to bump up to 315's.

 

[VCCruzr]

LOL, your garage looks alot like mine. I have 11 bicylcles either standing or hanging around.

 

[akarilo]

Congrats on that. Just took a spin on a buddies KM2's today and was shocked how docile they were. Couldn't distinguish much difference over my a/t's. Slight high pitch hum on the freeway but hardly noticable.

 

[VFRMAN]

Thanks Retro/Akarilo. Happy so far, but really surprised how quiet they are, and I spend a lot of time on the interstate. If they get louder, I just turn up the stereo. Or listen to 4 kids scream and yell. Problem solved. I take the running boards off for the summer once all the slop melts. Always looks better with mudflaps instead.

VC,
Can never have too many bikes.

My garage is ridiculous. So much useless s*** just sitting on shelves or tables. I hate to even go out there it's so bad lately. My wife has 2 full 8' tables of leftover rummage sale crap that's been sitting there taking up space since last May. Last May! And she made like $120 for all that headache. Don't get me started...........

Granted, a fish house sitting there probably isn't the best use of space, but that's a project I'm actually working on.

 

[FJ809496TLC]

Just another look at my new tires thread. I run both KMs and KM2s. Pretty satisfied with both.

 

[LittleRock80]

New KM2's look GREAT! I really like the blacked out OEM's too. How tall are those 295 A?T's? I've always read they are a "True" 33, unlike most 285's that are actually closer to 32's. The reason I ask is because the BFG M/T's supposedly spec out at 34.8" tall, but in your comparison pic of the two side by side in your garage, they appear to be almost dead even as far as height? What's your take on it?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[rhyary]

Looks great!
Will the 315 on 2" rub the wheel well if your front come straight down from a pothole?

 

[Ebag333]

New KM2's look GREAT! I really like the blacked out OEM's too. How tall are those 295 A?T's? I've always read they are a "True" 33, unlike most 285's that are actually closer to 32's. The reason I ask is because the BFG M/T's supposedly spec out at 34.8" tall, but in your comparison pic of the two side by side in your garage, they appear to be almost dead even as far as height? What's your take on it?

Thanks,
Justin

285/75r16 is 32.8" in diameter.

295/75r16 is 33.4" in diameter.

315/75r16 is 34.8" in diameter.

So the 285 is actually closer to a "true" 33" tire, the 295 would be a slightly oversized 33" tire.

The 315's look similar in size because of the angle of the picture. And remember, while they may be 2" larger in diameter that is only an inch on either side, so they don't really look that much larger given the way they are leaned up against the wall.

 

[Cannon88]

Those look sweet! I was actually about to pull the trigger on some KM2's as well.

 

[jlg32281]

i'm jealous

 

[Bluetribal]

Although my Cooper Disco STT's have been incredible I think I will be making the switch to these.

 

[VFRMAN]

285/75r16 is 32.8" in diameter.

295/75r16 is 33.4" in diameter.

315/75r16 is 34.8" in diameter.

So the 285 is actually closer to a "true" 33" tire, the 295 would be a slightly oversized 33" tire.

The 315's look similar in size because of the angle of the picture. And remember, while they may be 2" larger in diameter that is only an inch on either side, so they don't really look that much larger given the way they are leaned up against the wall.

Thanks.

What he said.

Angle of that pic mostly. They are definitely taller. Looking on the spreadsheet I keep on the LC, the 295 A/T's have about 53,000 miles on them. Still have a lot of life left, but no comparison in tread to the new 315 KM 2's. I'll maybe take some better comparison pics tomorrow for the heck of it.

With those huge lugs(and they do seem a softer compound though I've heard somewhere here on MUD that they are supposed to be the same?) I can't see them wearing as good as the A/T's did but anything close and I'm happy. Those A/T's have been through a lot of spinning in the snow and ice on frozen lakes. Since half the time I was in reverse, the miles on them are probably even a lot higher.

Rhyary,
Not sure on the rubbing yet, but there are enough potholes here to test it out every day. We'll see. I don't really think so unless maybe when it's pretty well stuffed. Cruising flat ground and hitting a pothole I don't think it will, but who knows. With the 80's lightning-fast steering response, and exceptional braking abilities, I just zig zag around them.

Just took a couple night shots of the truck still hooked up to the enclosed trailer I've been pulling around stuffed to the gills with furniture and misc crap for a couple weeks. I dont know what it weighs, but it's a pig. Flat front and sticks up and catches every bit of wind it can.

I can pull it just fine on the interstate at 60-65, but hills(which I haven't hit yet) will kill it I'm sure. It's like a big dead weight back there, but certainly tolerable here in ND. Anywhere else, maybe not so much.

 

[VFRMAN]

Here are some RPM #'s for anyone curious.

85mph @ 2700 RPM's per tach and GPS. Reads about 7mph slow on speedo.

 

[VFRMAN]

Might just be me, or the high winds lately, but it does tend to "wander" a bit more with these tires than it did with the A/T's. Rides smooth, but I've noticed a little more steering input required. Pretty good cross wind today though so maybe it's just that. Time will tell I guess.

One more gratuitous shot in case there aren't enough pictures of 80's on 315's here on MUD.

 

[jvazquez53]

Don't know but mine feels a little wobbly after I installed my KM2's, however my shocks/suspension is shot. Waiting for the tax return to get either OME or the other new suspension which I do not remember the brand at this time. All I remmember is that the logo is green.

 

[VCCruzr]

Might just be me, or the high winds lately, but it does tend to "wander" a bit more with these tires than it did with the A/T's.

Mine wandered less going from NTGs to KM2s but I ran higher pressure in the NTGs. I knew the caster would be off going from 33s to 35s and the lower air pressure helps alot.

 

[Eric Hohlfelder]

Hey, never to many pics of an 80 with 315's. How about a close up showing wheel well clearance up front with the tires turned a bit, maybe on the curb even? Looks good, I've been on the fence to going up from 285's to 295's or 315's. If it only rubs a little at full lock and or stuff, maybe thats OK.

 

[BigJon]

Very nice purchase! KM2's are absolutely amazing tires

 

[cool breeze]

Read this from Tireracks web site:

Tires are comprised of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric. Due to these different components, your new tires require a break-in period to ensure that they deliver their normal ride quality and maximum performance. As tires are cured, a release lubricant is applied to prevent them from sticking in their mold. Some of the lubricant stays on the surface of your tires, reducing traction until it is worn away. Five hundred miles of easy acceleration, cornering and braking will allow the mold release lubricant to wear off, allowing the other tire components to begin working together. It is also important to note that your old tires probably had very little tread depth remaining when you felt it was time to replace them. As any autocrosser or racer who has tread rubber shaved off of his tires will tell you, low tread depth tires respond quicker.
"Don't be surprised if your new tires are a little slower to respond (even if you use the exact same tire as before). Their new, full depth brings with it a little more tread squirm until they wear down