1. This is a "mud and snow" tire, which means that its ultimate dry road summer grip is LIKELY not going to be any better than that of the stock Goodyear RS-A, except that the extra width might help
2. You should veridy that the extra width will fit, not only when at static ride height, but also when suspension is working. Someone else on the site has probably tried wide tires, any maybe could post about whether there are any clearance issues.
3. It would be nice to know the weight of these tires.
My SSR: 04, True duals w/Cherry Bombs, 3G spoiler, 4.56 , K & N Cold Air Kit, Gforce KDW T/A
KDW-2's
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ce+T%2FA+KDW+2
I just installed these, 295/45/20 in the rear, great tire, great looks and the taller sidewall fill the fenderwell better. It has a rim protecter bead as well, very useful on the SSR's wide rear track.
I like the idea of 315's for the rear but I'm still trying to figure out what you would use for a front tire, None of the available Nittos in that series would fit the stock rims, I don't think.
My SSR: 04, True duals w/Cherry Bombs, 3G spoiler, 4.56 , K & N Cold Air Kit, Gforce KDW T/A
Tires
Jim,
I still have the goodyears on the front, but in the back my center treads were worn pretty good, even though I'm anal about keeping the pressure at 30. (could be the burnouts?)
I could have driven them a few more thousand, but with no spare.....
by the way, one of our members, Hammer, works in the Michelin plant in SC that makes the KDW-2's and had a hand in their design. He's pretty quiet on here, but really knows tires.
I like the idea of 315's for the rear but I'm still trying to figure out what you would use for a front tire, None of the available Nittos in that series would fit the stock rims, I don't think.
I will use a different brand on the front. It don't matter. Many say it will matter but that is bull. From my 20 years of autocross and Jap superbikes, I have always mixed tires as long as they are radials.
Well I got 13,000 out of the rear factory Goodyears but to be honest with them when you drag race they ware a little faster, I just put a set of 294/40R20 KDW's about three weeks ago, Really don't care much for them either but for $628 I will get some use out of them, I am still waiting for some good 17 or 18'' wheels that will work on the SSR, That is what should have come out on it in the first place, I think the SSR would look so much better with tires and not wheels with rubber bands around them
1. Did you buy KDW or KDW2 tires? (Big difference)
2. Were they not appreciably stickier than the Goodyear RS-A tires under hard accleration? They are supposed to be. If not, I will need to reassess my options, as I had planned on getting the Goodrich KDW (not KDW2) tires when my factory RS-A rear tires need replacement (currently 26,000 miles and only significantly worn in the CENTER). I want to get tires that are much stockier, in an effort to reduce the amount of wheelspin I experience with the supercharger.
My SSR: Black, '03, 1sb, #1256, License Plate was WOW FCTR
I got over 40,000 miles on my orginal RSAs and it looks like I'll have over 40,000 on my replacement RSAs.....what the heck are you guy doing to your tires
__________________
2003 Black SSR #1256 1sb
100000 miles (02/04/07).....
150000 miles 10/22/08
1. Did you buy KDW or KDW2 tires? (Big difference)
2. Were they not appreciably stickier than the Goodyear RS-A tires under hard accleration? They are supposed to be. If not, I will need to reassess my options, as I had planned on getting the Goodrich KDW (not KDW2) tires when my factory RS-A rear tires need replacement (currently 26,000 miles and only significantly worn in the CENTER). I want to get tires that are much stockier, in an effort to reduce the amount of wheelspin I experience with the supercharger.
Jim G
Jim Why do you thinking KDW rather than KDW-2. I cant believe the difference in hook up with the- 2's, (compared to the RSA) and the 295/45 looks really meaty in the rear. It's also a whole different truck in the rain, both in hookup and hydroplaning resistance.
- 4 lb. lighter. THis is a big advantage in both handling and acceleration, as a tire rotates at high speed.
- is almost identical in diameter (29.5 inches) to the stock Goodyear RS-A (29.25 inches), whereas the KDW2 is about 4.5% larger in diameter. That 4.5% difference is equivalent to a 4.5% gearing change in the wrong direction.
Jim I went through those facts in my initial considerations. In fact I think it was me who brought up the origional concerns re gearing and weight in some posts a few months back. I cant argue with the numerical facts(except that I come up with a 3.5 gearing loss.) I knew that I was going to make a gear change anyways so that didn't bother me. I think that the higher wall 45 series is a significant factor in the w-2 ability to hook up, which trumps the gearing loss. Numbers are just numbers, and I am not wanting to debate with you, so don't take me wrong, I am just trying to share my personal experience. I have driven on both KDW styles and the experience changed my mind so I am just saying that If you get the opportunity to drive on and see both mounted you might rethink it also. Somewhere in my future I hape to find some wheels AND tires that provide some substantial weight savings. The total weigh of the the stock wheels and KDW vs W-2 if I remember is a 68 vs 72 lbs. Both porkers by any stretch.
I got over 40,000 miles on my orginal RSAs and it looks like I'll have over 40,000 on my replacement RSAs.....what the heck are you guy doing to your tires
6.0scSSR: Remember, YOU asked me WHY! I was just replying explaining MY personal leanings on tire choice. I was not trying to say that your choice was somehow "wrong". Just different.
1. Did you buy KDW or KDW2 tires? (Big difference)
2. Were they not appreciably stickier than the Goodyear RS-A tires under hard accleration? They are supposed to be. If not, I will need to reassess my options, as I had planned on getting the Goodrich KDW (not KDW2) tires when my factory RS-A rear tires need replacement (currently 26,000 miles and only significantly worn in the CENTER). I want to get tires that are much stockier, in an effort to reduce the amount of wheelspin I experience with the supercharger.
Jim G
I got the KDW not the KDW2's, You already know why I didn't go with the 2's, It was a little hard saying I didn't really care for the KDW's as they are better than the tires that come on the SSR, The first thing you see is the sound when they break loss, It is louder, I have broke the Goodyears lose and never heard them, I played with the air and got it where it would come off the line with a low 1.9 60ft. time, That is with them spinning, Seems like I did a high 1.8 with low air, On the street they are a much better tire, Looks better and way better in the rain, The torque my SSR puts out it would almost have to have a set of full slicks to do what I want,
6.0scSSR: Remember, YOU asked me WHY! I was just replying explaining MY personal leanings on tire choice. I was not trying to say that your choice was somehow "wrong". Just different.
Jim G
Jim All is . I never thought you implied I was wrong. I was just trying to explain that even though I went through the same reasoning that you did and also concluded that I wanted the origional KDW, that after driving on both, I surprised myself by changing my mind. By the way, I am really excited about your new fan project. Take care Peter
My SSR: '06 Screamin' Redline Red Vin # 23025 3SS Born Dec, 4, 2005 , Chrome package, gauges
I think I'm ready for tires . . . .
WOW ! !
You guys are scaring me.
My daily drive SSR (work truck) always has between 500-700 pounds in the cargo bay and I've got 44,000 miles on my Goodyear OEMs. Its difficult to be hard on rear tires with a 5.3 I've had OEM Goodyears on half ton Silveradoes in the past and I always got 60-70K on them. Don't understand the difference.
I have noticed, however, that the rears are now almost down to the wear bars in the middle and the fronts have considerable wear on the inside crowns of the tire (the rest of the tire looks fantastic). Could this be alignment ?
I want to purchase some new tires, but would like to go with the KDW2s at the lower price. I'm not concerned about "ride" and a larger diameter only means a larger circumference, which to me means gas mileage could only improve (more vehicle travel per engine revolution). I like the idea of a larger tire in the back, since I'd like to also, maybe, put on a smaller tire in front and achieve a stronger "raked" look without fooling with the suspension.
What size exactly do I request pricing on when going to these KDW2s ? Has anybody had any issues with this taller (and I'm told slightly wider) tire?
KDW-2's
Both porkers by any stretch.
. I never thought you implied I was wrong. I was just trying to explain that even though I went through the same reasoning that you did and also concluded that I wanted the origional KDW, that after driving on both, I surprised myself by changing my mind.
I think I'm ready for tires . . . .