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KM2's vs MTR Kevlar

3

3MAX

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Getting ready to buy some tires - would like to hear everyone's opinion on these two. Truck will spend 70% of it's time on the road, probably half of that will be towing a boat.

The other 30% will be hunting / trail riding. A lot more mud than rocks where I'll be riding. I'll probably only put 5000 miles or so per year on it, but it may see an occasional 500 mile round trip on the highway.

I'll be running 35's.

So, I've narrowed it down to these two choices - which would you go with for my use??
 
KM2s are getting stupid-expensive compared to the MTRs....

My KM2s are $700 ea now vs. maybe $500 ea for the MTRs.

Next time around, I doubt I'd be willing to pay that price premium for the KM2s.

-G
 
can't speak to the MTR's, but I'm not overly pleased with the KM2 durability on the street....

they perform awesome... quite, work very well, etc.. but it seems to be a pretty soft compound..... I figure I'll be lucky to get 20,000 out of em mileage-wise, if I'm lucky...
 
Greg72 said:
KM2s are getting stupid-expensive compared to the MTRs....

My KM2s are $700 ea now vs. maybe $500 ea for the MTRs.

Next time around, I doubt I'd be willing to pay that price premium for the KM2s.

-G
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I'm running 15" wheels, so the prices are more reasonable (still high). The MTR's are around $140 less for the set of 4 after rebate. The cost is close enough that I'm willing to pay more for the KM2's if the fit my use better.

I've read some reviews with folks complaining about the MTR's being out of round. Anyone here had issues with that?
 
ryoken said:
can't speak to the MTR's, but I'm not overly pleased with the KM2 durability on the street....

they perform awesome... quite, work very well, etc.. but it seems to be a pretty soft compound..... I figure I'll be lucky to get 20,000 out of em mileage-wise, if I'm lucky...
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This is the most common complaint I've seen with the BFG's. Reviews say they ride well for a mud tire, perform well off road, but wear quickly and the slightest bit of mis-alignment makes it that much worse.
 
I was just used to the oldschool mud and mall terrains that you could consistently get 50 to 60 g's out of either one...

these are more Interco-like in mileage.. :doah: :haha:


it IS a well made, performing tire.. threw mine on, no balancing at all... and they ride perfect at 75, 80... :pimp:
 
Got a set of 33x12.5x15 km2's on my 97. Got roughly 60k(36 miles) on them now, still about fifty/sixty percent tread.

Cupping is going to kill them before actual tire wear, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set IMO.
 
I'm a die hard BFG mud terrain guy. I haven't had a set of KM2s yet but planned on getting some soon when I lift the blazer. From this thread it seems a lot more people have the BFG vs the MTR but they aren't the most happy with them. Decisions decisions.
 
mine lives driving around gravel marina's a good bit of time, so that may have some to do with it too.. they just seem a bit softer than the old muds and AT's...
 
ryoken said:
mine lives driving around gravel marina's a good bit of time, so that may some to do with it.. they just seem a bit softer than the old muds and AT's...
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If only you knew what I would do to get a set of old BFG mud terrains!
 
I liked the old tread design...but the new one is starting to grow in me.

Heard rumors of a new all terrain design too......
 
I like my KM2s. I think the tread design is improved over the old MT.

To the OP, if your wheeling will consist mostly of mud, I would choose the KM2 over the MTR. The MTR has that middle strip with the small siped tread blocks. I've seen that strip clog up in sticky situations which will decrease traction. The KM2 has more of a paddle effect with it's tread design in the sticky stuff. This difference may be debatable since most mud paddling is done with the outer treads anyways, but every little bit helps in the real world.

Don't get me wrong, I like the MTR. It was my first choice when buying tires and for the type of driving/wheeling I do. But, because they were unavailable when I was ready to buy, I went with my second choice the KM2.
 
I don't think there's a right or wrong here. Most everyone running either of these tires are pleased with them. Like someone else here said, seems there are more folks running the KM2's. That's probably what I'll end up with mainly because the BFG dealer here in town is better to deal with and he's done me right on my last couple sets of car tires. Hopefully I'll get decent mileage out of them - I'm not gonna be daily driving this rig, but still would like to see somewhere around 30-35k out of the tires.
 
I will add that I have had both (I know this is an old post). The KM2's sidewalls puncture fairly easy, I have yet to puncture an MTR sidewall....
 
I went with the KM2's. Got about 8500 miles on them so far and have been well pleased. Almost no sign of wear, they balanced well, and are very quiet compared to other mud tires I've run in the past. I'm satisfied with both on and off road performance.
 
I am running 37x12.5x17 MT/Rs on my Tahoe. They work fairly well in most situations but do lack in traction in the muck. My biggest complaint with them is their flimsy sidewalls. I slash or poke a hole through a sidewall at least once or twice a winter and every time I go to the hammers I kill at least one within that week.

I've never run an offroad tire with such a terrible sidewall. My next set of tires will be some 37" Nitto trail grapplers. They are just as quiet on the pavement, balance well, and perform great offroad without the constant sidewall failures.
 
I've had two sets of BFG MTs on my blazer, 33s then 35s. I got 48K out of each of the previous pairs. I bought new KM2s last year but the truck is sitting gutted in the driveway so can't comment on how the newer tread will wear. The new KM2 tread does look like it would be quieter.
 
I have Krawlers on mine but I also picked up a set of KM2's for spares. Everytime I see MTR's I ask the people what they think and always get a positive response. When mine wear out I may look at the MTR's just because of the price and I like the tread pattern. I do love my krawlers but when you are toalking 800 dollar savings on a set of 4 I have to look at the MTR's. Plus I will want to go bigger in size than my current 37's.
 
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