which tires

[pjm10626]

Looking to replace the stock size Michelin tires on my cruiser. Give me some input which to go with. I've narrowed it down to these two tires in 275 70 18. I plan on keeping ahc til it dies then I'll do a 3" lift, so the 33" is fine with me. The pricing is similar, so it comes down to looks and performance, both being new tire designs, I wanted to ask the mud crew.

Chose these:

BFGoodrich KM3
Introducing the KM3

or

Yokohoma Geolander MT G003
Geolandar M/T G003 | Mud Terrain Tire | Yokohama Tire

 

[pjm10626]

BFG Pros:
Murica
BFG supports the off road community big time

Yoko Pro:
Jap just like the cruiser
Better siping

 

[gatormark91]

Looked at your build thread. Nothing on or about your rig or how you seem to be using it says "I want my tires to be REALLY, REALLY, NOISY - what did you say??? I can't hear you over the drove of my MUD TERRAINS!!!". Unless you find constant road drone soothing, steer clear of M/Ts...

 

[05JLX470]

Mud Terrains can look cool, but I agree can be very noisy on the street. I would go with the BFG over the Yoko, just my thoughts. Let us know which route you go and post some pics.........

 

[bozncsurf]

@pjm10626

If you didn't need tires right this minute I would let the others run the KM3 first and get some real world reviews.

That being said my wife and I both run KO2s, reasonable ride & comfort, reasonable wet control - excellent life.

I think hers have just over 35k miles and look great and ride well.

The KM3 & KO2 share almost the same side wall tread design / pattern so you're not giving up any of the esthetics.

Just another way to confuse you more.

GL

 

[geanes]

I have 275/70/18 KO2s and love them. I know they aren't Mud Terrain tires. But, they have gotten me up and over every major Colorado Pass in both dry and wet conditions, gotten me thru deep sand on South Padre Island and handle loose rock on Black Gap in Big Bend. Best part, aside from the traction, has been the relative quietness on the road. They are a little louder than the stock tires on the LX. But, the KO2 comes with nearly all the traction of an MT tire (minus the obvious deep mud conditions) and a significant comparative reduction in road noise. Also, the AT tires typically last longer than MT tires if that's a priority.

If you intend to use your vehicle in frequently muddy situations or routinely drive in deep sand, I could see MT tires making sense. If, like me, you daily drive your rig AND take it on gravel/rocky roads that may or may not be wet, AT tires like the KO2 or the ST MAXX or the Terra Grappler are absolutely ideal compromises. I couldn't imagine driving the 1600 mile highway round trip to Colorado 2-3x/year on MT tires. They'd probably deafen me and wear down incredibly fast YMMV

By the way, the KO2s do shed mud pretty good IMO. Anytime I've driven in mud (red clay or caliche), the KO2s fling it EVERYWHERE. I've not experienced them once packing up and losing their grip. Over 25k and still at 12/32 on all 4. KO2s seem to last for me.

 

[bozncsurf]

@geanes pretty much summed it up!

Let us know when you get your new KO2s

 

[pjm10626]

Noise doesn't matter to me, so long as we aren't at interco levels . The build is just beginning, I plan on off roading a decent amount.

 

[ga12r1]

Noise doesn't matter to me, so long as we aren't at interco levels . The build is just beginning, I plan on off roading a decent amount.

If noise isn’t an issue I would say try the KM3s. I have high hopes for those tires. I’m hoping for a jump in compound/technology. If they are anything like the jump from KO to KO2 then they should be pretty awesome. Im looking for a noise level like a KO2 with a better ride and better wear than a KM2.

 

[ibrahim83]

As others have said, unless you NEED mud tires, all terrains will serve you better. Too many compromises with an m/t tire.

 

[REZARF]

Get the KM3... it's getting good reviews so far. Even in the noise department.

 

[pjm10626]

Yeah I know I don't want at's. If so I'd run the falken at3w which imo is the best all terrain tire bc they perform well and are half the price of ko2. Have the falkens on the Tahoe and they work well and have worn extremely well. Ko2s are great tires for sure not knocking them one bit. Plus I'm weird and don't want ko2s just bc literally everyone runs them. Thanks for the input guys. Seems everyone so far is leaning towards the km3 of the two, as am I.

 

[Justinfro]

I like these...

Cooper Discoverer STT PRO | Cooper Tire

 

[DDabs]

I know they are overpriced, but no one ever mentions Toyo M-55's. I would think that more people on this forum would run them considering their reputation on being extremely durable and rugged. They come in 275/70/18, does anyone run these?

 

[LuisJr]

I like these...

Cooper Discoverer STT PRO | Cooper Tire

I'm currently in the process of dumping mine 295/70r18. The mud hum was there significantly less than others I have experienced. My problem was but wasn't a balance issue. Had them for about 2500 miles. My local Big Brand has been a extremely patient with me and the tires. Balanced them 4 times in two months and we could never get the terrible steering shake/balance to disappear above 50mph. At this point chalked it up to a defective batch. Swapped back to stock 16" wheels/tires and issues completely disappeared and steering is insanely awesome and mpg went up 4-5mpg on the streets lol. Forgot how great it drives even lifted (F-22", R-23"). By far an awesome tire off-road on local trails and looked insane!!!!!!! I'm sure it's just a defective set, but I'm moving on.

I'm also just like @pjm10626 and keep avoiding K02s lol. I settled on a 285/70r18 Nitto Ridge Grappler. Size wise is perfect in my opinion at a 34" x 11.5" and also weighs in at 59lbs which is spitting distance from the K02 at a 275 size. So I'm hoping that 10lb difference(vs 295/70 Or 305/65), similar large size and tamer AT characterists end up being my personal in betweener perfection. Will report back mid week.


Luis Jr

Edit.... meh going 275/70 RG. Closest place for then had a required $30 freight per tire, on top of the already expensive uncommon size. Scratch that lol

 

[flintknapper]

BFG Pros:
Murica
BFG supports the off road community big time

Yoko Pro:
Jap just like the cruiser
Better siping

^^^^^^ The 'company' is Japanese based (Tokyo), but the tires are American made in Salem, Virginia.

 

[pjm10626]

@Justinfro the cooper stt pros look great and are great mud tires, but they didn't make my list for a reason. glad you're liking them though.

@DDabs never seen the toyos you mentioned, but after a glance they wont fit my needs. the open country mt's are great tires taht perform ride well and make little noise but they are soooo expensive i couldnt let them make my list. If money were no object id likely get them.

@LuisJr i figured teh stt pros would get loud quick one of the reasons they didnt make my list. The ridge grapplers are great, if i wanted a hybrid style tire i would likely go with them. My buddy just put a set on his 4runner and they are awesome tires. They did well this weekend when we went wheelin. Are you regeared with the 34"?

@flintknapper nice to know the yoko's are made in the US of A.

 

[atnolan94]

@Justinfro the cooper stt pros look great and are great mud tires, but they didn't make my list for a reason. glad you're liking them though.

@DDabs never seen the toyos you mentioned, but after a glance they wont fit my needs. the open country mt's are great tires taht perform ride well and make little noise but they are soooo expensive i couldnt let them make my list. If money were no object id likely get them.

@LuisJr i figured teh stt pros would get loud quick one of the reasons they didnt make my list. The ridge grapplers are great, if i wanted a hybrid style tire i would likely go with them. My buddy just put a set on his 4runner and they are awesome tires. They did well this weekend when we went wheelin. Are you regeared with the 34"?

@flintknapper nice to know the yoko's are made in the US of A.

I was going to suggest the Cooper ST MAXX, but based on your comments on the ridge grappler I assume they won't be what you are looking for....but for ayone else vewing this thread, the ST MAXX si a great "hybrid" MT/AT tire that I have had before and really enjoyed. Kind of wished I got them on the 100, but went KO2. The good news is if I pop a 285/75r16 KO2 in the San Juans/Durango or Moab, I know some shop will have another, I don't believe I could say the same of the ST MAXX.

 

[LuisJr]

@pjm10626 No re gear and I felt fine, it definitely zaps power but I didn't feel rushed to do anything, I just held a gear lower on hills and no problem. But since I'm going to a 33 that's 10lbs lighter, the power should be great and give me more time to re gear and wait for more reviews to come out on that Yoko 003, I was extremely interested in that vs the STT Pro. Definitely keep me posted if you go that route. My guess is that the KM3 will be awesome as well.

 

[pjm10626]

I found a rebate on the g003, discount tire had 100$ of a set of 4 and $125 a set of 5 if anyone wanted to buy them.