Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 90
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2

Has anyone had any experience with the new KM2 mud terrains from BFG?

also...

Anyone know when (or if) they will be available in the UK?

Cheers

John
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Sep 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 12
John,

Any review of the tires really depends on what use you intend for them, doesn't it? Here in the states I'd wager that MT's see more use on rock trails than in mud, so it depends who you ask.

From my own experience if you plan on a lot of asphalt driving as well (such as with a lot of dual use trucks here in the states) there are better tires than the KM2. The KM2 has a decent mud tread but is loud on the road and doesn't perform well in the wet. I don't know what types of terrain you are planning but the Interco TrXus MT line is very popular here in the USA, as they actually have a slightly more aggressive tread (better in mud) but are quieter on the road, last long, are good in the wet and mud, and also stick like glue on rocks. The KM2's where really designed for the rock crawling crowd and may be too specialized for what you need? Anyway, depends on what vehicle you intend to put them on and where you are going to go, but there are a lot of reviews on the web.

-Cabel

A popular sport here in the Eastern seaboard of the US is "rock crawling" so tire sidewall strength is a big concern. Earlier BFG tires didn't do to well in this area but the KM2's are supposedly much better. It all depends.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 90
Km2

Thanks Cabel

I am looking for an alternative to all terrains for my toyota (troupie) landcruiser.

The replacements are for next year's trip round Africa. Terrain is a mixture of :

Sand about 10 %
Rough track about 45 %
Mud about 15 %
Tarmac about 30 %

It is immediately obvious that the amount of mud work is small compared with other terrain we will travel on - the problem is finding the right compromise.

Where as muds are pretty poor in sand (until worn down), they are nowhere near as bad as AT's are in mud and wet

(I run AT's on my farm just because they happen to be on the vehicle and find them to be utterly useless in anything but dry, mud free conditions.

The other issue is side wall strength and resistance to puncture from thorns and side wall tear from rock. KM1's and I suspect KM2's are supposed to have tougher side walls and their deep tread helps against acacia thorns etc

I am therefore likely to go with a mud terrain tire (as the better but not perfect compromise) and wanted to know whether the KM2 were worth waiting for.

We used to live on a farm near Kapiri Imposhi in Zambia and used BFG trac edges when we could get them. They too were a bit weak in the side wall but were quite popular. I don’t believe they are made now.

Cheers

John
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Sep 2008
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: On our bicycles, probably pushing up a hill!
Posts: 435
Hi there

You should also look at Mickey thomson Baja MTZ. They are very popular in Oz. It is an excelent mud tyre, very quiet on the tarmac, and also very good in the rain. We are using them for our trip now (have a look at our site). They are wearing well at the moment. I carry 2 spares, and try to rotate the tyres every 5000 - 8000km for better life.
We also have a troopy, and use the 265/16 (about 32") for the good load carrying ability.

Cheers
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 476
M/T on rocky underground

Quote:
Originally Posted by chickcharnie View Post
Thanks Cabel

I am looking for an alternative to all terrains for my toyota (troupie) landcruiser.

The replacements are for next year's trip round Africa. Terrain is a mixture of :

Sand about 10 %
Rough track about 45 %
Mud about 15 %
Tarmac about 30 %

It is immediately obvious that the amount of mud work is small compared with other terrain we will travel on - the problem is finding the right compromise.

Where as muds are pretty poor in sand (until worn down), they are nowhere near as bad as AT's are in mud and wet

(I run AT's on my farm just because they happen to be on the vehicle and find them to be utterly useless in anything but dry, mud free conditions.

The other issue is side wall strength and resistance to puncture from thorns and side wall tear from rock. KM1's and I suspect KM2's are supposed to have tougher side walls and their deep tread helps against acacia thorns etc

I am therefore likely to go with a mud terrain tire (as the better but not perfect compromise) and wanted to know whether the KM2 were worth waiting for.

We used to live on a farm near Kapiri Imposhi in Zambia and used BFG trac edges when we could get them. They too were a bit weak in the side wall but were quite popular. I don’t believe they are made now.

Cheers

John

There is another big plus to the M/T's, that is that they last much longer on rough stoney tracks because the solid blocks do not tear off as easily as the A/T water discharged serrated blocks.

That M/T's are very poor in the sand is to M.O. not true. Driving with 10 identical Cruisers, 7 on M/T and 3 on A/T there was no noticable difference. Driver skills are much much more important!

Cheers,
Noel
exploreafrica.web-log.nl
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 90
MTs good on sand?

hanks all

Noel - your comment about MTs being good in sand is most interesting.

A friend of mine was traveling the dunes in Tunisia last year on brand new MT's.

He had changed from ATs and found no detectable difference.

If this is the case, MTs get the thumbs up from me and ATs get a very definite thumbs down ( I always thought they were only a glorified road tire anyway!).

Cheers

john
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 90
Mickey thomson Baja MTZ

Hi there Pumbaa

Like your website and the car!

The Mickey thomson Baja MTZ look like a good choice - thanks for the feed back

john
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A 235/85 R16 tyre pressures Terry Davies Equipping the Overland Vehicle 9 27 Dec 2011 06:58
GS1200 & multi-terrain tripcat Which Bike? 5 24 Oct 2006 09:58

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:29.