Kenda Kruz

[FROG MAN]

Most of you know my Dunlop D404 is shot after 4.5-5K on the back of the 84. Last year before our trip to the beach and vogel I installed new Kenda Kruz tires on the 89. after 3000 miles I can say the tires still look like new. Handling and ride is good with no problems. The 89 only gets rode two up while the 84 is my solo machine. I bought the kenda's because the price is right and the rear tire is a 6 ply rating instead of 4 with a load capacity of over 900 lbs. I just ordered a new set for the 84. $145 shipped to the front door.The tread depth on the rear is a very deep design.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-guide/Kenda-K673KruzF.jpg (http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-guide/Kenda-K673KruzF.jpg)
Kenda K673 Kruz Front
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-guide/Kenda-K673Kruz.jpg (http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-guide/Kenda-K673Kruz.jpg)

[Squidley]

The front tread design looks like it should tread water pretty good, let us know how it does in the twists. It might just turn out to be a good inexpensive alternative to some of the other higher priced tires we buy :confused24:

[FROG MAN]

Twisties???:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:


All West Virginia has is Twisties!:cool10::cool10::cool10:

[ghosst]

just a quick reply as to tires ..some of the honda guys are putting michlin car tire on the rear of there 1800s ..they say they are getting huge mileage..dont know much more but it sounds interesting ..:cool10::080402gudl_prv:

[Yammer Dan]

I put one of the Kendras on the rear of Blue Beast about a week before she went down. It felt good but didn't have time to see what it was going to do.

[buddy]

I finally put on the Kenda Kruz tires.The tires been in the spare bedroom,finally got around to putting them on, I was just too lazy at the time.Real nice tires Really good for what little money I spent on them.Front tire was a breeze putting on,but the rear tire ,man that one was a pain in the rear.Hardest tire I ever put on ,the sidewall on this tire is real stiff I never seen one this hard putting on,had my son helping too.Took almost an hour just putting on the tire.But it sure did pay off.These tires made the Venture a whole new bike as for handling and smooth ride.I took off the Venom dint like the feel of the tires at hwy speeds,any time over 70mph the Venom would walk,but these Kenda Kruz are the way to go.

Thanks Frogman I been looking at these tires for some time but kinda wonder if they were any good since they are so low of $ tire.When I seen that they did so good for you I figured why not.Glad I did I really like these tires.These tires should last me for a while.
Rear tire has 11/32 tread
Front tire has 7/32 tread

Buddy

[FROG MAN]

Buddy my only regret with the kenda's is they are a little slippery on a wet highway. I now have kenda kruz's on the 89, 84, and the back of the 99. Ask Yammer Dan how easy that back tire is to mount.:rotf::rotf::rotf:

[Yammer Dan]

Yep those things are a little stiff!!!

[Mean Dog]

I put one of the Kendras on the rear of Blue Beast about a week before she went down. It felt good but didn't have time to see what it was going to do.

Ok who sells the Kenda Kruz tires and can you get them in WWW? I just bought another set of Dunlop 404's WWW after getting 11,000 miles out of my stock rear and still good tread on the front one. I could probably get another 2000 out of the rear but want the WWW on before Vogel.

Dog

[FROG MAN]

If you want new fresh stock go to AMT.
www.americanmototire.com/

You can also buy from a few suppliers selling on Ebay at a big savings but there usually last year stock 1 year on the shelf.

[buddy]

Sorry Frogman,

Had to pull off the Kenda Kruz for the trip to Ark.
The tires do well on the bike but once I hooked up the trailer,the bike went nuts.Could not hold it steady on the road lowered the psi in the rear tire which seemed to help - 32psi, but I could still feel the rearend sway.So I went back with the Elite 2,now I can go 70mph with the trailer with no problems at all so much better.I have to say one thing is the Kenda tire does have a much smoother ride than the Elite 2.

Kenda Kruz are ok for your bike for cruising, but for me they are not made for pulling trailers.



Buddy

[FROG MAN]

Thanks buddy,

I have suspected that deep groove tread pattern may be unstable for towing. There has to be some explanation. I had the same problem with the 89 but the trailer loaded was 600 lbs. I knew it was a first gen or tire problem. I met a electriglide pulling the same trailer coast to coast with no problems.I installed a new Kenda Kruz on the 99 and pulled the kompact kamp trailer 2000 miles this summer no problems. The voyager kit may have added the stability. It would be interesting to talk with a Kenda rep about this. The tires are great otherwise and time will tell about there tread wear mileage.

[Thom]

i pulled my silver trailer up to vogel this year 1080 miles round trip , up to 75 mph. the kendas did great and i pull a over 600 lb. around here up to 55mph. agin great , a dealer mounted and speed bal. mine . the front tire makes a weird sound when locked up at 45mph , kid cut me off , did not have a trl on .
i run 34 lb. in front 37 lb. in rear .
thom

[FROG MAN]

Thanks Thom

I have heard dropping the tire pressure on the kendas helps. Mine are at full max 40 rear and front.This is getting to be a mystery.

[FROG MAN]

After 6000 miles of riding mostly two up on the 89 the Kenda's still look like new. We just towed our compact kamp trailer fully loaded to the Asheville rally. The bike pulled strong and stable. The tongue weight on the trailer was incorrect and I could see the trailer whipping a little but I could not feel this on the bike. I did get some instability when I set my feet out on the highway boards at speeds above 75.We have had these for over two years now and find them a good tire for the money.Not much more then the D404's we had on the 84 that only lasted 5K.

[bmannon]

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to say I just ordered a set of the Kenda Kruz tires and will be putting them on soon. I too am in WV and they will get a hard work out on the twisties. I will let y'all know how they work out.

[FROG MAN]

Good luck with the Kenda's. Most members here are Avon fans. I have never run Avons. Cooper tire owns both Kenda and Avon so not sure how much difference there is.:thumbsup2:

[jburrell]

If you wana know about CT on rear check with gunboat as he uses a car tire a 155. Gets fantastic mileage and pulls a trailer

[PB&J]

Nuts! I put the Kendra on my XS11 2 years ago with my sidecar and was amazed at well they wear. Especially the way my sidecar eats through a tire.I thought they were my little secret. Cheap and wear like iron. Oh well i guess the secrets out now.

[ddoggma]

I'm running a set of Kenda Kruz tires. Have a bout 1000 miles on them so far. They seem nice, no problems to report. I think I got them from Chapperall Motor sports. If you buy 2 tires you get free shipping. My total was $140.00 for both shipped:thumbsup:

[MiCarl]

the front tire makes a weird sound when locked up at 45mph

How is the noise when not locked up?

[5bikes]

Friend's 88 Std. wanders terrible with the Kruz's, front and rear. Not safe at all over 60mph. We put a Dunlop Elite II on the front from a 2nd 88 and most of the wandering went away. He's going to Avon's this week.
We have adjusted all the bearings, read all the posts, spent many hours trying to figure out what was wrong, changed air pressure in tires and suspension, has a Super Brace, reset clamps, axles, triple trees, checked bearings for wear. It was OK before the Kruz's went on.
More if the Avon's fixes the wander, was so bad he almost lost it 3 times going over a well paved mountain road.

[bmannon]

sounds like he got a bad tire, i would return it if it was a new one from a dealer....

Friend's 88 Std. wanders terrible with the Kruz's, front and rear. Not safe at all over 60mph. We put a Dunlop Elite II on the front from a 2nd 88 and most of the wandering went away. He's going to Avon's this week.
We have adjusted all the bearings, read all the posts, spent many hours trying to figure out what was wrong, changed air pressure in tires and suspension, has a Super Brace, reset clamps, axles, triple trees, checked bearings for wear. It was OK before the Kruz's went on.
More if the Avon's fixes the wander, was so bad he almost lost it 3 times going over a well paved mountain road.

[bmannon]

got the Kendas mounted and have put ~50 miles on them. They are nice and smooth, no noise, no wandering, shaking etc. Do well in the curves too. I am VERY pleased! The only thing I dont like about them is the fugly tread pattern, but I can live with that.

Can anyone comment on how they do on a wet road?

[Yammer Dan]

bmannon What part of the great state of West by God are you in? Getting a few on here now.

[bmannon]

Huntington

[Yammer Dan]

I'm only about 40 miles on the other side of Charleston from you. UP 79.

You don't leave that pretty Blue thing sit outside with the keys in it do you??:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: What year is that?

[bmannon]

I'm only about 40 miles on the other side of Charleston from you. UP 79.

You don't leave that pretty Blue thing sit outside with the keys in it do you??:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: What year is that?


Its actually sitting outside my office door with the key in the switch, it is a '90 model....

[Yammer Dan]

Sharp looking bike from pic.

[bmannon]

sharp looking bike from pic.

thank you, she dont look too bad when its all clean.

[Yammer Dan]

My 1st one was a 84 Blue one. A learning experience.

115 MPH in 3rd gear!!!

[texasrices]

So What I am reading from all the previous threads is that the Kenda Kruz are great tires and the little price should not make anyone afraid of making the leap.

Maybe suspect in the rain and towing a trailer, but other than that a great tire??!!??

I have Avons now and I am VERY curious about the Kenda Kruz.

[ddoggma]

Mine are doing fine for me. They were also well behaved in the rain. Still look new after 4000 miles.

[bmannon]

as of today i have 1k miles on mine, showing no wear. ride perfect, no problems at all. i do not ride in the rain or pull a trailor so i can not comment on that however.

[BigBoyinMS]

I was looking for a new set of tires for the wifes VStar 650 and the Kenda Kruz along with the Kenda Cruiser were both tires that I looked at and researched. But I finally decided on a different tire at about the same cost... The Shinko 230 Tour Master. I basically found as many first hand positive experiences on them as I have on the Kendas. No issues with wet weather driving either. Just another choice. FYI, I got the best price from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com and the shipping was free.

[ddoggma]

My Kenda Kruz rear tire has developed cracks after about 12,000 miles I guess. This time I'm gonna gets Contis or Mich or Avons I think. Unless I get talked into the Shinkos...lol :thumbdown:

[Yammer Dan]

My Kenda Kruz rear tire has developed cracks after about 12,000 miles I guess. This time I'm gonna gets Contis or Mich or Avons I think. Unless I get talked into the Shinkos...lol :thumbdown:

If I ever get 12k out of a rear tire it will be party time!! Or I've sold my bikes....:confused24:

[mrich12000]

Had them on my K75RT BMW, Great tire did over 13,000 miles on them out to the Cabot Trail,northern Ontario,down through the New York Mountains and many Beamer rallies.
Great tires and when the Dun:178:lops are burnt out, On they will go. :thumbsup:

[PB&J]

becaue the Kendra I put on my XS11 was wearing like iron I put one on my 85 venture. With e girl friend on the back the bike ran greaT. But NY Jerry and I headed down the interstate me solo and over 75 mph the bike starts going into an oscilating weave that wouldn't stop until i got it below 70 . It was scaring jerry pretty bad who thought i was going to go down. We pumped it up which made it a little better but still weaving slightly. I get home put the girlfriend on back and i can take it up to 80 no problem???

I think the heavy tread and hard compounds and made for bigger heavier bikes like the bigger harleys and wings. Or better for trailering i don't know. I'm living with it but just keeping it under 80. i've let some air out and had it up over 75 before the weaving started up AGAIN. iTS GETTING BETTER. More experiments are needed.

[MiCarl]

So far been very happy with my Kenda Kruz, 2K on front, 4K on rear. Have ridden two up in rain with no problem, two up with trailer (no rain yet) without a problem. The front does seem to be more inclined to follow "tar snakes" than the ME880 I took off.

Just so we're all clear about the tires: The Kenda Challenger is not an appropriate tire for the Venture.

[ddoggma]

When I got them I was thinking I would be wearing more down the middle of the tire. But, it looks like I'm leaning it over more and harder than I expected. The bike is way more sporty then I had imagined. I meen its no cafe bike. but it does like the twisties and it will go fast in a straight line also. I guess I did get my moneys worth out of em. But they still look new except for the cracking. I would rather they wear out instead of fall apart. The front does show wear and I was hoping to make it thru the season then get two new tires. But this looks too dicie to ride around on... much. Another guy has pix up of his Kenda cracks. Mine our just starting, but look like they are doing the same type of cracking.

[MiCarl]

When I got them I was thinking I would be wearing more down the middle of the tire. But, it looks like I'm leaning it over more and harder than I expected. The bike is way more sporty then I had imagined. I meen its no cafe bike. but it does like the twisties and it will go fast in a straight line also. I guess I did get my moneys worth out of em. But they still look new except for the cracking. I would rather they wear out instead of fall apart. The front does show wear and I was hoping to make it thru the season then get two new tires. But this looks too dicie to ride around on... much. Another guy has pix up of his Kenda cracks. Mine our just starting, but look like they are doing the same type of cracking.

Yeah, I wouldn't ride that one to the mail box and back. Looks like you can expect the tread to separate. Best to replace it real quick.

[ddoggma]

I can get Venoms for $124 + $20.00 to mount em. Or E3s' for $121.00 + the mounting. This is at the local Cycle gear, They are having a sale right now. And it dont look to bad. I'm leaning to the Dunlops.... I can save $20.00 if I do the online buy and have em mount em for $30,00 a piece. But they will do the switch right then and there if I bring the rims into them. Sounds easyer and faster......

[Venturous]

My Kenda Kruz rear tire has developed cracks after about 12,000 miles I guess. This time I'm gonna gets Contis or Mich or Avons I think. Unless I get talked into the Shinkos...lol :thumbdown:

After Metzlers, Avons(rear end weave) and Elite II's, I am loving the Elite III's from Dunlop.
RandyA