KM2's or Wrangler MT/R Kevlar?

[theksmith 3,833]

has anyone here owned both the BGF KM2 and the new Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar? they are pretty much tied for being the top rated mud terrains currently.... how did they compare to each other for you?

 

 

i've been very happy with my 2 sets of KM2's, but it's almost time for new tires and part of me wants to just try something different.

[Russell84 1]

I've only had KM2's (and have loved both sets), but I have friends that swear by the MT/R's. They're also very popular at KOH (for a reason, I would imagine). Another tire you might want to look into is the Nitto Trail Grappler MT. They're very heavy, but they stick like glue on rocks and are very durable.

 

One other thing to keep in mind is that KM2's run pretty small. The 35" KM2's actually measure in at around 34" mounted, so when you go to a different tire that's a true 35, you might rub in places you never have before.

[ZJ Woody 1]

I also have been running the BFG KM2s on my '96 ZJ and have been happy with them.

I have heard about sidewall defects in the Goodyear MTRs but do not know for sure how extensive this is.

I can tell you this, I have been on two of the longer Jeep trips this year so far with another club, one to Moab, UT and one to Death Valley, CA. On both of those trips I witnessed two different Jeeps, both with Goodyear MTRs have a tire failure due to what appeared to be a sidewall defect. On the last trip the tires were aired down to around 16 lbs and the sidewall cord ripped and was poking out of the sidewall. It appeared as though the tire was not damaged from outside the sidewall as there were no cuts, or marks on the sidewall at the spot where it failed.

I would do some more research on the Goodyear MTRs before making your switch.

Woody

[gearhead 408]

I've been running KM2s, but I am now looking for something different next time....maybe Toyo MTs?

[GOTMTNS 2]

My plan is to go to the Kevlars next go round, both are good tires but the Kevlars have some very loyal followers and I want the added strength if I end up doing my 15,000 mile exploring trip from AZ to Prudhoe Bay next summer.

[SlyDawg 14]

I've been running KM2s, but I am now looking for something different next time....maybe Toyo MTs?

 

I have 35x12.5x18 Toyo M/T Open Country tires with 40k on them. Will end up getting a little over 50k, I am guessing. I will definitely replace them with the same Toyo tires.

[gearhead 408]

Good to know! Thanks!

 

I have 35x12.5x18 Toyo M/T Open Country tires with 40k on them. Will end up getting a little over 50k, I am guessing. I will definitely replace them with the same Toyo tires.

[theksmith 3,833]

Toyo MT's were my original choice for the WJ, but the KM2's came out just in time when i got it lifted. i think the MT/R's and KM2's look more aggressive than the Toyos and that's why i'm looking at those 2. i do hear the Toyos have less noise.

 

i have absolutely no complaints with the KM2's, just pondering why everyone seems to love the MT/R's lately. the MT/R's look like they might be slightly quieter and better in rain & ice than the KM2's based on the tread pattern, but that's just a guess.

[LO PHAT 1]

I hate all of the KM2 vs MTR debates. In my opinion you should choose your tires based on the type of driving you will be doing. Here is something I had put together for the VJC group a while ago.

 

MTR with Kevlar

 

If you daily drive your vehicle and wheel on the weekends, this is a more logical choice as it is the best compromise. The strip of closely spaced tread blocks makes this tire a little better for the road but a little less aggressive off-road. The Kevlar sidewalls are primarily a marketing gimmick, so don't fall victim to that. Yes, they do provide some additional protection, but they are only something like 2% stronger (as in puncture resistant) than the materials used in the KM2 sidewalls. An interesting observation about the tread design is that it is somewhat directional despite there being only one tire mold. This means that when driving in wet weather conditions the tires on one side of the vehicle are actually channeling water toward the center of the tire rather than away from the tire like on the other side of the vehicle. Some people are bothered by this, but most seem oblivious to tire design. These tires must always be mounted to the wheels a certain way (the strip of closely spaced tread blocks goes toward the inside of the vehicle), so there is never an option to "flip them" on the wheels.

 

KM2

 

If you use your vehicle primarily for off-road travel, this is probably the better tire to have. It has often been written that more time and money went into the development of this tire as a true off-road tire for everything from mud to rocks. It was designed specifically to be self-cleaning and to flex and wrap around rocks for greater traction, especially when aired down. Not having any closely spaced tread blocks makes this tire more aggressive off-road, but it will therefore be somewhat louder and faster wearing on the road. There is no set way in which these tires must be mounted to the wheels, so they can be mounted black wall out or white letters out. This also means that they can always be "flipped" on the wheels if uneven tread wear occurs (like on the outside lugs from rock crawling, for example).

[Scramblin_Jim 1]

I have a 2010 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon and looking at upgrading to a taller tire.

 

There is more to this than just tire size. From my experience with the BFG's I have a lot of cut sidewalls now. I have ~ 39K miles on the 5 tires (I rotate them all). I have ~ 8/32nds left on the worst tire and about 9/32nds on the best one.

 

I am concerned that going to another tire moves me up in sidewall rating from a C to D. I fear that that will cause less flex and a more harsh ride.

 

Tire weight is also a concern as that does impact MPG's.

 

I read on other Jeep forums that lava rock is expecially tough on the sidewalls and the Goodyear's will resist that more. The Toyo's are a much heavier tire and thus will impact MPG's more than the BFG's and Goodyear's.

 

With this all said, I have not made up my mind but thinking of going to the Goodyear's based on all the cut sidewalls I currently have on my BFG KM2's