Any opinion on BFG KO2?

[Dirt Trek]

Any opinion on the bfg ko2s??

[scalman]

Well they look cool and they as hardcore for AT tire as it can go. They heavy too. But you can go half bar with them no prob.

[Kevin]

@Dirt Trek BFG ko2 are excellent but expensive (down here at least). General Grabber, Yoko Geolander, Bridgestone D697 all have good reputations. See this section for discussion on tires: https://offroadsubarus.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19

[MiddleAgeSubie]

Originally Posted by Dirt Trek

Yeah don't want to go too low on those street tires I have, pretty cheap, don't even trust them with air in them lol
Any opinion on the bfg ko2s??

Well, I'd say no to KO2s in any non-H6 or non-turbo Subaru. I had them on my H6 5 EAT Outback and even though performance was not an issue, the tires were too harsh on pavement for daily use. They were an excellent trip tire though.

The only reason to get the KO2 would be the 3-ply sidewall in LT-D. But there are many issues with running them on a light vehicle. I could run them on my 4R if I feel I need to go back to 3-ply sidewalls but I really hope that won't be necessary because they really are meant for full size pickups (and E load for super duty).

An excellent tire for a Subaru is Continental Terrain Contact AT, which was my last DD tire on the Outback. It was like a very good street tire on road while providing excellent grip on dirt. It is NOT for rocks, but realistically how many rocks will the XV see? It COULD be an issue if running trails that have lots of sharp, small rocks, like many around here in Central AZ.

Stronger P-metric ATs include Wildpeak AT3W, which is what I run on the 4R, General ATX, and Goodyear Ultraterrain, all of which get you the SNOW rating so important in California. They give you plenty of strength but the KO2 in LTD and LTE (NOT LTC) is the only AT with 3ply sidewall.


The advantage of having the KO2 is not worrying about punctures and thus the spare tire issue.


DO NOT air down P-metric tires without a good reason like sand. Elsewhere just stick to the door placard pressures when running P-metric ATs. I have been ok at 28 psi also. I violated my own rule last weekend promptly tearing a sidewall bead to shoulder: I had to abort the trip.

CONVERSELY, if you get LT-D KO2s you will HAVE to air down even for the mildest dirt road-the ride is otherwise absolutely unbearable.

On 4x4 trails, the KO2 were quite worthless with the limitations of Subaru AWD until aired down to 20. At 28, it was just spinning and spinning and spinning.

Finally, RUN AWAY from Geolander ATS. The last of these are still being offered as new tires. Awful tires on road. The replacement, Geolander GO15 is much improved, but still seems to have some of the two problems of the old model: poor grip in corners and poor braking performance.


EDIT: also, if CVT will be a concern, stay with stock size tires. Subaru can easily deny any warranty claim if you are ever on record with oversize tires. That's my understanding anyway.

[Dirt Trek]

I actually bought the car from a Nissan dealer, and they are using a Ford warranty.... cause, you know... Ford lol. I expressed my concern about mods voiding the warranty or agitating a current problem (front end makes a click pop noise sometimes when turning the wheels hard left or right at slow speeds and they don't know what's causing it) they said if a lift breaks it then they'll be able to tell what's wrong and they'll fix it and they won't deny my warranty for having larger tires.... still, didn't get it in writing so incase they want to go back on their word I'll wait to have repair money on hand before lifting or adding tires.

[MiddleAgeSubie]

Yeah I have no idea about that.



Just saying that SoA is very sensitive when it comes to tires and transmission issues.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by MiddleAgeSubie

Well, I'd say no to KO2s in any non-H6 or non-turbo Subaru. I had them on my H6 5 EAT Outback and even though performance was not an issue, the tires were too harsh on pavement for daily use.

Your experience with BFG KO2 is very different to mine with KO1. They've been great both on and off-road until a bit worn then become a little slippery in the wet.

[scalman]

How they harsh? I got nothing but pleasant drive with about 2.1 bar no more
On corners even if they softer they holds pretty good.
I drove with one wheel 1.8 bar for some time and didint even noticed nothing until i checked. Here they cost same as general grabbers so was no brainer to choose. But yes 1 tire can cost almost as middle normal 4x tires. They where too much for me to buy in cash so i payed in parts for 1 year for them still its best thing that i did to car yet.
Any tire you need to air down offroad if its harder and for long distance. For my couple hrs local forest fun im not even airing down. Someone said its bad on snow and yet im going into 40cm snow oacked and wet and im going trough it without problem. If stuck forward i can allways back up with them.
Sand they just goes, proven to famous australia overlanders who use them. Mud not as good as muds but bites very well . again air them down to even 0.6 bar and you will go over anything

[Subaru Man]

[Finally, RUN AWAY from Geolander ATS. The last of these are still being offered as new tires. Awful tires on road. The replacement, Geolander GO15 is much improved, but still seems to have some of the two problems of the old model: poor grip in corners and poor braking performance.]


I am not sure about the previous Geolandars but I have had no issues re the GO15 at all. I have probably done 25,000km with them. I am only comparing them to stock (which never got good reviews) but they seem to be fine re grip and braking and certainly good enough for me to most likely get them again. They seemed to be similar to stock re noise and grip in the wet.

[Dirt Trek]

So my stock street tires need to go bye bye. Balding and cracking due to offroad use. Can't afford my ko2s, so what would be a good, reliable, affordable, temporary AT tire that will fit on my stock wheels (17"s if I remember correctly). Rubbing isn't really a concern, as long is it only rubs and doesn't try to grab the car when turning.