KM2 reviews?

[gijohn40]

I am thinking of buying some 35x1250x15 km2 and was wondering what everyone thinks of them... are they great in snow? do they wear ok?

I need a great snow tire for the hills of Bountiful (pizza delivery in my LJ). I use street tires during the dry months so these would be mostly for winter and Moab...

ok tell me your stories...
John

 

[sixstringsteve]

For snow deeper than 2", I loved my KM2s. For snow under 2" and hardpacked ice I hated them, until I siped them. Once siped they were noisier, but they were tons better in ice and packed snow.

Apart from the ice and packed snow traction, I loved my KM2s. I know lots of guys love the maxxis trepadors (skippy and mesha) and lots of guys love their MTR Kevlars (boxrocket, mbryson).

A good A/T would be better in the light snow and ice, and a dedicated snow tire would be 100x better.

I'm trying to find a similar tire myself. I like the BFG A/T KO2s, but they're not available in my size yet (april). I'll probably end up going with the Toyo A/T2s.

 

[STAG]

Yeah I don't reccomend the KM2's for what you are needing out of a tire. I can and would reccomend the Toyo AT2 for sure.

Just from my experiences.

 

[moab_cj5]

I had KM2's on my 05 LJ and HATED them in winter. I never found winter conditions where they performed well.
I don't have another suggestion since I sold the rig with those tires on it, but I hated them. I would look at other options.

 

[Kevin B.]

For snow deeper than 2", I loved my KM2s. For snow under 2" and hardpacked ice I hated them, until I siped them. Once siped they were noisier, but they were tons better in ice and packed snow.

My experience exactly. They're great everywhere except ice, and they get a lot better on ice once you sipe them. No MPG hit, they're quieter than some AT tires I've had, they hooked up everywhere I pointed them, I've loved them.

 

[gijohn40]

I had the ko's on my LJ last winter and loved them... maybe I will just get another pair...

 

[DAA]

I need a great snow tire for the hills of Bountiful (pizza delivery in my LJ).

I've been running KM2's on my LJ since they first came out. Absolutely horrible tire for that specific application.

As hairy as those steep streets get during some storms, I think I'd run an AT or even a snow tire, but add light duty tire chain when conditions demand. Or just get some studded retreads for the winter delivery season?

- DAA

 

[N-Smooth]

I liked the km2's in snow just the same or better than the couple sets of ko's I've had. I daily'd my Jeep for a couple of winters with them and never had an issue but some people are way more particular than me about handling and want their rigs to be performance automobiles on the street. I just drove it (insert shrugging emoticon here)...
All that boring stuff aside, love them on the rocks. The only tire I'll go to when these are done is Treps and that's mainly because the sidewall is a little beefier and has more tread on it. I've not had an issue with the sidewall other than a puncture that probably would've claimed a Trep sidewall as well but would still like the sidewall tread of the Trep. I may get another set of km2's for all I know.

 

[Kevin B.]

I need a great snow tire for the hills of Bountiful (pizza delivery in my LJ).

Absolutely horrible tire for that specific application.

I missed that part. I agree, lousy tire for steep slick streets. It might work, but there's way better out there. If you need a snow tire, get a snow tire. Or at least Duratracs.

 

[mbryson]

From those streets, I think I'd go with a BFG AT(or ?). For a mud terrain, the Kevlars and Toyo MT are really good for ice but that is not saying much as MTs just plain suck on ice.

 

[lhracing]

BIG no-way on the KM2 for winter driving, I take mine off every Fall and put them back on in the Spring. Find a good AT tire that is sipped.

 

[gijohn40]

after looking at pricing and such I was kinda leaning on the Dick Cepek Fun country's but they only run a 33 in 15 inch rim size... anyone have any experience with them?

 

[sixstringsteve]

No experience, but the guys on expo love them.

Just today I purchased a set of Cooper S/T Maxx tires. Zero experience, but reviews say the dick cepeck tires do a little better in deep snow. The coopers do a little better in rock and mud.

For what you're explaining, I would go with a dedicated winter/snow tire+ wheel combo, especially since you have summer tires already.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Here you go. Fun country thread:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/32054-Dick-Cepek-Fun-Country-II

cooper ST Maxx thread:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/59755-Cooper-Discoverer-S-T-Maxx?highlight=cepek

 

[gijohn40]

read the thread on the fcII and liked what I read... even though they are the old style I bet the new style isn't much off the path. Its funny that someone mentioned the Norseman radials from years ago... I remember them from when I was in high school 78-82 and you could get a set of 4 for like $120 from Armstrong tires off of main and about 1100 south and when I first saw these tires I though they were the same ones... lol