Author Topic: goodyear mtr  (Read 10217 times)

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drunkencityworker

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goodyear mtr
« on: November 11, 2010, 07:46:54 AM »
Even though there is no substitute for swampers, I have grown to like my old school bfg mt. I am not to fond of the km2 style. Has anyone that had the old school bfg mt that now uses the goodyrear kevlar mtr or bfg km2 please give a quick review in comparison to the old school bfg mt. Thanks for any responses.

Offline jfrabat

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2010, 09:14:54 AM »
Even though there is no substitute for swampers, I have grown to like my old school bfg mt. I am not to fond of the km2 style. Has anyone that had the old school bfg mt that now uses the goodyrear kevlar mtr or bfg km2 please give a quick review in comparison to the old school bfg mt. Thanks for any responses.

I neer used the old BFG MT, but a good buddy of mine did.  I now have the KM2's on my rig, so I think I can compare them.  The KM2's are WAAAAY quiter on the road, seem to last a bit more, and have tougher sidewalls than the original MT's (MTR kevlars are tougher, tough).  As far as traction on mud, I think they are about the same (maybe a slight edge to the new ones, but it's not a noticeable difference).  Can't say about rock or sand, as I dont do that type of wheeling...
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline Jeffy

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2010, 09:15:33 AM »
The biggest downside for the KM's is the sidewalls.  Sharp rocks, roots, etc...  You'll tear them open sooner or later.
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Offline aka-justin

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2010, 10:48:40 AM »
I've deflated my KM2's in the blow sand and flew up a blow sand hill i've been trying to get up for years.  I'm very happy with my Mud Terrians.  I can't speak to much else (yet).  Pretty dry where I'm at.
[1995 YJ 2.5L with 4" lift on 31" KM2 - Sold] 1995yj
[2003 TJ Rubicon 4.0L with 4" lift on 35" Wrangler M/T - Sold]
To be continued...
--Justin

Offline jfrabat

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2010, 10:49:08 AM »
The biggest downside for the KM's is the sidewalls.  Sharp rocks, roots, etc...  You'll tear them open sooner or later.

By KM's you mean the originals, right?  Not the KM2's?  Because I have put some decent slashing on my KM2 so far and the tire is working just fine...  (remember the post when the wheel came off the Jeep and the Jeep fell on the tire?)
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline neale_rs

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2010, 11:00:12 AM »
Here locally pretty much the only tires used are Super Swampers or BFG.  I still run the KMs and many are now running the KM2s.  The performance is about the same from what I've seen.  This is in mostly dry terrain with short wet sections of mud or rocks once in a while.  I wouldn't rush to change out the KMs unless they have some damage.
'95 YJ, 33 x 12.5 mud tires, RE 4.5 ED lift, Atlas 4 speed, rear D44, ARBs front and rear, 4.56 gears, 8000# winch

drunkencityworker

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2010, 11:23:58 AM »
running a mix matched set. 2 in front are from a swap I made. 50%-60% Tread and are siped for xtra wet grip. one rear is 80% with a thin slash in sidewall and some cracking from being run offroad only at low pressure like bead locks I picked up for $60. The other rear is 99% and was given to me by a neihbor. I mounted on new bead lock to find a pin hole in side wall about 1 inch from main tread edge. It is getting patched properly as we speak. Looking to milk these for 6months or so. Researching my options and posting this thread around for real life experience with the newer style tires.

Offline Bounty Hunter

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2010, 12:05:16 PM »
The MT/R's in my opinion have always been over-rated and over-priced.  My biggest problem with the latest design (kevlar) is that you're giving up good traction on about 1/4 or 1/3 of the tire where the tread blocks are closely spaced.  Take out every other tread block in this band and you would have a decent MT tire.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2010, 12:05:51 PM »
By KM's you mean the originals, right?  Not the KM2's?  Because I have put some decent slashing on my KM2 so far and the tire is working just fine...  (remember the post when the wheel came off the Jeep and the Jeep fell on the tire?)

KO = AT

KM = MT

KM2 = MT Mark II
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Offline Jeffy

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2010, 12:35:43 PM »
The MT/R's in my opinion have always been over-rated and over-priced.  My biggest problem with the latest design (kevlar) is that you're giving up good traction on about 1/4 or 1/3 of the tire where the tread blocks are closely spaced.  Take out every other tread block in this band and you would have a decent MT tire.
The MT/R was developed to out perform the Interco SS in rockcrawling comps while still giving you the ability to drive it day-to-day.  The MT/R's were never marketed as a mud tire per say.  The MT in MT/R does not stand for Mud-Terrain but rather Maximum Traction (/Reinforced).  The MT/R as well as the KM2's are designed to be rockcrawler tires and still be able to drive every day.  In other words, they are a compromise.  I agree that they're over-priced BUT I think the MT/R was/is one of the best all-arounder's without compromising too much.  (If you need a more dedicated tires then they aren't the best option of course.) The MT/R's only real weakness was in mud, but still wasn't too bad.  Now, I'm not so sure about the Kevlar's.  For the most part competition off-road events are dead so they aren't marketing them for that anymore.   The tighter lugs only cover 1/4 of the tread though.  I don't really like what they did with the sidewalls though.  A bit too flashy.  The tighter tread will help in areas where an AT is superior then an MT.



BTW: you can still get the old BFG MT's (pre- KM's) still.  They sell under the name Mud Kings.

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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

drunkencityworker

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2010, 04:15:34 AM »
Well my hand was forced. The tire guy told his helper to patch my tire. The kid didnt unbolt the bead and the tire machine pushed a hole in the sidewall. He said he had to buy me a new bfg. I said i would pay the difference for a goodyear mtr. In fact order 2. Sso i cankeep. Same tires on an Xle for now..  Iwill be a customer for life. Since he took care of me. I chose the gy mtr for the sidewall protection now that i am running beadlocks and i will be airing down even further in the future. Thanks for the replies guys

Offline neale_rs

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2010, 08:55:39 AM »
Sounds like it turned out pretty well.  My dream has been to run bias ply Super Swampers with beadlocks at 2 or 3 psi.  My guess is that it would provide with open diffs about the same traction as my KMs at 12 psi with a rear locker.  It would be fun to try it anyway...

'95 YJ, 33 x 12.5 mud tires, RE 4.5 ED lift, Atlas 4 speed, rear D44, ARBs front and rear, 4.56 gears, 8000# winch

Offline Jeffy

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2010, 09:14:40 AM »
Well my hand was forced. The tire guy told his helper to patch my tire. The kid didnt unbolt the bead and the tire machine pushed a hole in the sidewall. He said he had to buy me a new bfg. I said i would pay the difference for a goodyear mtr. In fact order 2. Sso i cankeep. Same tires on an Xle for now..  Iwill be a customer for life. Since he took care of me. I chose the gy mtr for the sidewall protection now that i am running beadlocks and i will be airing down even further in the future. Thanks for the replies guys
Congrats!

Sounds like it turned out pretty well.  My dream has been to run bias ply Super Swampers with beadlocks at 2 or 3 psi.  My guess is that it would provide with open diffs about the same traction as my KMs at 12 psi with a rear locker.  It would be fun to try it anyway...


I don't think it works quite like that.  If you get one side light, you'll still be 1WD.  Also with beadlocks, you could just pull the valves out and deflate the tires to 0psi.  The tires are usually stiff enough to still hold up.  The only problem with running that low is having the tire slip off the bead but that's moot if you're going to run beadlocks.

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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline neale_rs

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2010, 10:38:13 AM »
What I've noticed is that TJs with open diffs, just due to the greater flex, can just about match an SUA YJ with a rear locker.  It may sound like I'm exaggerating but I've seen it happen on several trips on rocks (also see the Bash videos that I think Art posted one time).  With really low pressure, the tire provides extra effective flex about equivalent to the sidewall height (about 9" with a 33" tire).  Just estimating, this might be enough to bring a YJ close to TJ flex. I may be wrong but I've come to believe in the awesome power of flex and low tire pressure!
« Last Edit: November 12, 2010, 10:41:55 AM by neale_rs »
'95 YJ, 33 x 12.5 mud tires, RE 4.5 ED lift, Atlas 4 speed, rear D44, ARBs front and rear, 4.56 gears, 8000# winch

Torch_Ind

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Re: goodyear mtr
« Reply #14 on: November 12, 2010, 07:44:47 PM »
I have ran both km's and currently have KM2's  working in a tire shop/garage I have never liked Goodyear..


I would go bfg's over Goodyear any-day..