Noise level from Goodrich KM2

[haggisbasher]

Afternoon ladies and gents.

Am in tyre choosing mode at the moment, that could be a whole different thread though! :) Search function has been my friend!

Anyway, i was wondering who has the KM 2 tryes on their defender and what the noise level was like on tarmac. I have a set of the old muddies and they are great for traction but a little noisy on the road. Having small kids, i have fitted a full soundproofing kit so the Landy is now much more quiet generally. We do a fair bit of bumpy road stuff living in the country.

As a note, it is a toss up between KM2 in 33x10.5, or Duratrac in possibly 33x12.5 on Game wheels.... or something on the rangie classic 16s i have on now.

MAny thanks for any feedback.......

Chris S

[patclan]

Hi, I went from General Grabbers to KM2's, there was an increase in noise but not a huge amount, and I eventually tuned out to it, when driving up the motorway I hear other muddies drive past over the sound of mine, so I am happy with the noise given the type of tyre.

cheers

[MLD]

I have KM2's. I haven't owned other MT tyres so can't compare. Some on the forum have commented that the KM2's are quieter than other older style MT's. A recent article in Land Rover Owner's Monthly (UK) mag said that the KM2's were designed to comply with the soon to be EU tyre noise regulations of 74 db rolling noise.

cheers, MLD

[PhilipA]

A mate who has some 35s on a Nissan trayback reckons that they get very noisy once they are worn over 50%.

I had the earlier BFG muddies and they were reasonably quiet , the only hassle was the thumpa thumpa thumpa as you came to a stop, and the nibble from the square shoulders.
Regards Philip A

[noogie]

I have a set of 255/85/16s km2s on my deefer and love them.
I don't find them very noisy at all.
For me traction is more important than noise anyhow.

Excellent traction offroad and I've had them on a long road trip and find they are terrific on the black top also.

[Marty110]

I dont have KM2's in the size you're after - mine are 265/75/16. Compared to Cooper STT they are a lot quieter and I have found them good on all road surfaces (and no roads too!). A big bonus for me is no chipping or tearing - my Mickey T ATZ'z were shocking for this and only lasted about 30k.

[Drover]

Currently I am using using MT's MTZ (285x75x16) they are a lot quiter that my MT Claws.

Brilliant tyre, just completed 9,000k's around Cape York and return, not one chip.

Used 1mm of tread off the fronts and 2mm off the rears.

[haggisbasher]

Keep em coming......

Noogie.... are you ever up Kyneton way... would love to have a sticky at the 255s..... I can come down to Gisborne too as it isn't too far. My wife used to work at the public library there....

Ta to all

Chris S

[Dockstrada]

I have some Mickey Thompson MTZ 315/75R 16’s on my other truck and once they are more than 50% worn they will do your head in very noisy ,
great tyres though . I have ATZ 285 75R 16's on the L/Cruiser and they are much quieter .

[Drover]

I have some Mickey Thompson MTZ 315/75R 16’s on my other truck and once they are more than 50% worn they will do your head in .

That will be something to look forward to....

[newhue]

I have a set of 255/85/16s km2s on my deefer and love them.
I don't find them very noisy at all.
For me traction is more important than noise anyhow.

Excellent traction offroad and I've had them on a long road trip and find they are terrific on the black top also.

x2

In agreeing with the above I did notice the BFG are quieter than my old half worn XZL's. But in the ends muds are muds generally; half worn they are pigs to balance and tend to get noisy, just live in hope the BFG's dont.

[steveG]

I had a set of 255/85-16's KM2's that I bought pre-loved. About 50-70% worn.
Ran them for about 15K km's before replacing them with a set of new ones.
The only noticeable thing with the new ones was that they moved around on the tread blocks a bit more on sealed roads (and obviously had more tread depth and traction off-road). I didn't notice any major change in noise level between old and new and if anything the new ones required a few more more balance weights on them.
Very happy with them and I'll have another set if they are still available when these ones are dead.

I had Maxxis Bighorns on my D1, and they were reasonably quiet when new but definitely got louder as they got older.

Steve

[Slunnie]

I had a set of 255/85-16's KM2's that I bought pre-loved. About 50-70% worn.
Ran them for about 15K km's before replacing them with a set of new ones.
The only noticeable thing with the new ones was that they moved around on the tread blocks a bit more on sealed roads (and obviously had more tread depth and traction off-road). I didn't notice any major change in noise level between old and new and if anything the new ones required a few more more balance weights on them.
Very happy with them and I'll have another set if they are still available when these ones are dead.

I had Maxxis Bighorns on my D1, and they were reasonably quiet when new but definitely got louder as they got older.

Steve
Steve, did you keep them rotated? Just wondering if that is the difference between the tyres that get noisy as they age and those that dont.

[steveG]

Steve, did you keep them rotated? Just wondering if that is the difference between the tyres that get noisy as they age and those that dont.

Yes, I bought the 5 Bighorns at the same time and rotated them every 5000km's.

I don't think the used set of KM2's that I bought had been rotated as 2 of them had noticeable wear on one side, and generally more wear than the other two.

Steve

[noogie]

Keep em coming......

Noogie.... are you ever up Kyneton way... would love to have a sticky at the 255s..... I can come down to Gisborne too as it isn't too far. My wife used to work at the public library there....

Ta to all

Chris S

No I don't get up to Kyneton mate.
I'm heading out for a final reccy trip in Blackwood next weekend 13th October if you'd like to join us. Or just drop around my place anytime.

Call me on mobile 0411234522

cheers
Mick
:)

[haggisbasher]

Mick..

might have to have a buzz down to Gissy sometime then. Would love to come out on Saturday but alas we have to go into the big smoke to see some friends. MAybe next time!

Thanks

Chris S....

[rick130]

Steve, did you keep them rotated? Just wondering if that is the difference between the tyres that get noisy as they age and those that dont.


Yes, I bought the 5 Bighorns at the same time and rotated them every 5000km's.

[snip]
Steve

Yep, 762's howl when worn and I've rotated them reasonably well.
I'm about to fit a new set to the Deefer. (I was hoping 764's may have turned up, but not yet available in 255/85's)

[haggisbasher]

Just a quick update on the tyre dilema. I have landed on a good price for some 33x12.5 r 15 Goodyear Duratracs. Local tyre co came up witht he goods for me. MAnaged to also score a used (but good) STmaxx 285/75r16 for a spare at a brilliant price so have 5 decent rubber hoops soon.

Thanks for all the replies and hope to see you all on the road soon. WIll also let you know how they go!

CHris S

PS...yeah yeah... will do before and after pics... and will be selling the BFG muddies 32x11.5 r 15 so please PM if you want them:)

[Loubrey]

Chris,

You mixing 15" and 16" wheels?:eek:

A very small difference in rolling diameter will be VERY bad for your drive train. That being the main reason for recommendations to change both tyres on the same axle at the same time...

Quick check with a tape measure round the outside of the tyre and you shouldn't be out by more than around 15mm on any of the 5 (already a bit much.)

That said, if the rolling diameter turns out to be close I suppose there not too much wrong with it...

Cheers,

Lou

[tuffrangie]

Chris,

You mixing 15" and 16" wheels?:eek:

A very small difference in rolling diameter will be VERY bad for your drive train. That being the main reason for recommendations to change both tyres on the same axle at the same time...

Quick check with a tape measure round the outside of the tyre and you shouldn't be out by more than around 15mm on any of the 5 (already a bit much.)

That said, if the rolling diameter turns out to be close I suppose there not too much wrong with it...

Cheers,

Lou

On an open diff, a small variation mechanically shouldn't hurt, just like doing a single spinning burnout the whole trip. AWhen I was younger and more silly, after staking a tyre I once had to drive (albeit slowly) to the servo with a 31 as a spare and 36in swampers on the other 3. It drove fantastically! :angel:

Whether it confuses the traction control or not though could be an issue....too bigger variation should definately continuously trigger it, which would be hell on te car.

Rob

[VladTepes]

I dont have KM2's in the size you're after - mine are 265/75/16. Compared to Cooper STT they are a lot quieter and I have found them good on all road surfaces (and no roads too!). A big bonus for me is no chipping or tearing - my Mickey T ATZ'z were shocking for this and only lasted about 30k.

Yep I had 235/85 (and then 255/85) BFG MT's on my Defender.

I found them quite OK noise wise (though its a very subjective thing, nearly impossible to compare vehicle to vehicle)

My thoughts on these tyres is that they are excellent both off and on road.

And notably (unlike many others) they don't appear to get noisier as they wear. Also get plenty of kms out of them.

I'd have no hesitation at all at buying those in future.

[Loubrey]

I dont have KM2's in the size you're after - mine are 265/75/16. Compared to Cooper STT they are a lot quieter and I have found them good on all road surfaces (and no roads too!). A big bonus for me is no chipping or tearing - my Mickey T ATZ'z were shocking for this and only lasted about 30k.

I also have the BFG 265/75/16 KM2's on spare wheels for touring and playing, but I put the OEM alloys with the General Grabbers back for daily and sand use and to be honest there is quite a difference in sound level. That said, the KM2's are not noisy and as previously posted actually make the EU tyre noise tolerances.

(PS compared to the previous BFG M+S muddies the KM2's are whisper quiet!)

Cheers,

Lou

[ant_schomacker]

I'm running a set of 235/85 km2s and so far in 20000 km no issues whatsoever. Personally I think they're a brilliant tyre with virtually no road noise as yet (2.4 puma) and only minor chipping on the edges of the tread block. Not too bad in my opinion given the roads out here!!!

Ant

[haggisbasher]

I did know about the difference. My current spare is a 235/85 which would have a smaller rolling diameter compared to the new 33s. Hence when i spoke to the tyre shop they offered me a good second hand 285/75 (i think) r16 which would give a rolling dia od 33.

All good i think.

Cheers anyhow!

Chris

[Defendozer]

Just a quick update on the tyre dilema. I have landed on a good price for some 33x12.5 r 15 Goodyear Duratracs. Local tyre co came up witht he goods for me. MAnaged to also score a used (but good) STmaxx 285/75r16 for a spare at a brilliant price so have 5 decent rubber hoops soon.

Thanks for all the replies and hope to see you all on the road soon. WIll also let you know how they go!

CHris S

PS...yeah yeah... will do before and after pics... and will be selling the BFG muddies 32x11.5 r 15 so please PM if you want them:)Sorry for hijacking but is anyone running Cooper STmaxx on their Defender? If so what sort of Km's can you expect out of them?

Cheers Remo

[butundede]

I have been running st max for 20000 km so far no problems and are wearing well. I live on a very twisty bit of road that chews tyres, I should see 65000 to 70000 out of them at their current rate of wear. Cheers Bob.

[haggisbasher]

Defendozer,

STmaxx were on my list. I had a good experience with Cooper tyres so if they float your boat go for it!

Pics to follow of the Goodyears, by hec they are quiet tho. As quiet as the old Road venturers and they were a HT.:o

CHris S

[haggisbasher]

HAve finally managed to get them uploaded to my gallery. The first 3 are the new, the last 3 are the old. Hope it works

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/haggisbasher-albums-tyres.html


It is always a gamble getting new tyres as the are a big outlay, but so far these are worth every penny. The have great road manners and hopefully are good in the rough stuff.

Cheers

Chris

[Loubrey]

Loving those wheels! If you don't mind::D

1. Steel?
2. Brand?
3. Supplier?

Cheers,

Lou

[101RRS]

Those wheels look like the Series 3 Game wheels.

[haggisbasher]

Gary...

they are Game wheels... from a S3. Unusual fitment as they are 15" not the usual 16". I was going to swap them for others but they are so strong with each spoke being welded to the rim. Next thing might be to paint them black......

Keep you eyes peel Lou as they do pop up every now and then. Someone in Qld had 4 for sale for $200......

Cheers

Chris

[101RRS]

I would be selling them to a Game owner and putting something else on.

[Loubrey]

Possibly a silly question, but what is a Series 3 Game...?

Don't claim to be a Series 3 aficionado in the least, but I can't say I've ever heard the name.

A limited edition, or just a certain year window?

Cheers,

Lou

[101RRS]

Possibly a silly question, but what is a Series 3 Game...?



A yellow Series 3 from around 1977/78

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-iii/105063-land-rover-siii-game-register-information.html

[haggisbasher]

Gary... was wondering why you would sell them on?... Quite like them myself on my Duck..... i do have a set of original Rangie steel wheels too...

would be a game owner to buy them i suspect.... lol!

Chris

[101RRS]

That pattern is fairly rare now and was fitted to the majority of Games new. 35 years after the Game was sold new many have lost their original wheels and 35 years later many owners are wanting to restore their vehicles and would want to have the correct wheels on their vehicle.

Realistically any old wheel that suits your needs can go on your vehicle and look just as good. If you sold them I would only sell to a Game owner who did not have the original wheels and is looking to bring his/her vehicle back to original.

However - they are your wheels and you have every right to do with them what you want.

Cheers

Garry

[ProjectDirector]

Afternoon ladies and gents.

Am in tyre choosing mode at the moment, that could be a whole different thread though! :) Search function has been my friend!

Anyway, i was wondering who has the KM 2 tryes on their defender and what the noise level was like on tarmac. I have a set of the old muddies and they are great for traction but a little noisy on the road. Having small kids, i have fitted a full soundproofing kit so the Landy is now much more quiet generally. We do a fair bit of bumpy road stuff living in the country.

As a note, it is a toss up between KM2 in 33x10.5, or Duratrac in possibly 33x12.5 on Game wheels.... or something on the rangie classic 16s i have on now.

MAny thanks for any feedback.......

Chris S

Sorry not having anything to do with tyres I noticed you sound proofed your defender. I have kids too and when I get delivery of my new defender I love to reduce the noise too.
Can you give us an idea how you did that?
Cheers

[rick130]

Gary...

they are Game wheels... from a S3. Unusual fitment as they are 15" not the usual 16". I was going to swap them for others but they are so strong with each spoke being welded to the rim. Next thing might be to paint them black......

Keep you eyes peel Lou as they do pop up every now and then. Someone in Qld had 4 for sale for $200......

Cheers

Chris


I would be selling them to a Game owner and putting something else on.


Possibly a silly question, but what is a Series 3 Game...?

Don't claim to be a Series 3 aficionado in the least, but I can't say I've ever heard the name.

A limited edition, or just a certain year window?

Cheers,

Lou

The wheels are genuine Sunraysia Wheels, made by the long gone Wheels International in Sydney.
They were Australia's first ten spoke wide rims, made from 3/8" plate centres and the spokes are welded directly to the ROH spun rims.

They are 15" diameter as that is the only size wide tyres came in at the time, 31/10.5-16 being the most common size.

I used to drool over the photos of them in Off Road Australia as I was only a kid in primary school at the time and kept pestering Dad to buy some to put on his Jeep.

I have a set in Jeep stud pattern, they were on my very first car, a Jeep CJ-6.
They are very heavy and very strong and look :cool:

[haggisbasher]

Interesting to find out more about the wheels.... i just thought they felt like a good strong rim.

Project Director.... the sound proofing is great. It was one of the Noise Killer ones and was easy to install once i tore out the carpet someone had glued in previously. Now make the trip to town much more pleasureable and i can chat to the kids without screaming. You are more than welcome to come for a spin one day if you like.

Cheers

Chris

Landrover Soundproofing and 4x4 Soundproofing products and solutions (http://www.noisekiller.co.uk/landrover_soundproofing_products.asp)

[ProjectDirector]

Interesting to find out more about the wheels.... i just thought they felt like a good strong rim.

Project Director.... the sound proofing is great. It was one of the Noise Killer ones and was easy to install once i tore out the carpet someone had glued in previously. Now make the trip to town much more pleasureable and i can chat to the kids without screaming. You are more than welcome to come for a spin one day if you like.

Cheers

Chris

Landrover Soundproofing and 4x4 Soundproofing products and solutions (http://www.noisekiller.co.uk/landrover_soundproofing_products.asp)

That's great to hear. I am still waiting for my new 110 to arrive but after doing several test drives I came to the conclusion that soundproofing will be ideal. I

I am located in Melbourne, not sure where you are located but I appreciate your offer for a spin.

Cheers