Advice Welcomed. BFG KM2 or AT

[Babs]

Hi Guys,

I have read on here that the BFG KM2 are a pretty quiet tyre for a muddy, would you say they are on par with the AT's?

I had BFG AT's on the lux and got 4 years out of them about 86,000 klm and they were a great tyre, I have had them on previous vehicles as well. But most of the driving were on the old series BFG Muddies, but that is some time ago.

When I recently went to the Cooper STT muddies on the Hilux after the BFG AT's I found them really noisy, and in 30,000 klm have had to have them balanced about three times, they seem to not keep their balance especially after I let the pressure down. Any thoughts.

What I would like is some good feedback as to wether I should go the BFG KM2 or the BFG AT's, I am definitely sticking with BFG I know other tyres are good and maybe cheaper but they have performed so well for me over the years. But the KM2 is a new tyre I have no experience with. Will there be a big difference on road with the KM2 as apposed to the AT's, noise, balancing etc?

I must admit the KM2 really look great, but I am going for the practical choice.

I find the defender from my test drive noisy as it is, so I did not want to add more fuel to the fire, then again the AT's are not super quiet anyway, but I know they handle great on road, KM2 a big ???????????

So if you have KM2's I would love to hear from you and If you have had the BFG AT prior to the KM2's I would definitely love to hear from you, and all experiences from everyone is welcomed. :twobeers:

Regards,

Babs.

[lowbox]

I have put a set of KM2s on my new 110. I have previously had the old style BFG MTs and BFG ATs. They are pretty quiet but there wouldn't be much in it between them. The KM2s are surprisingly good on the road - quiet, good braking manners etc.

I think the decision is really how much mud work you do. The ATs are better on sand, and having less void they should also last longer on the road. But in the mud, the KM2s are definitely better.

[chook73]

I find that I need to rotate, balance and align any mud tyre every 10,000km at the most to get any sort of decent life out of them.

As for mud or at, the km2 are noisier than the at but slightly quieter than the old BFg mt


Sent from my iPhone using Thumbs

[newhue]

Chances are you will go down a sound insulating road as many of us have when you get the Defender. You may also upgrade the stereo as many of us do.

With tyres I have had both but the AT's were on a Rodeo, so it had more insulation to start with. In a Defender the KM2 do get a bit of a hum up so I think you may be adding some fuel to the fire, but not a lot. However with insulation, radio, and air con on it's fine. I have asked the wife if she thinks its noisy and she says no. We can easily have a conversation on the highway. However a very different story with the windows down.

For me I'm staying with Km2, they perform effortlessly in all situations I have used then in, sand, rock, dirt road touring, wet roads. Deep mud I cant comet on. However I do know that greasy sticky mud that fills the tread, nothing is great, but AT's become useless very quickly regardless of pressure.

In the end both tyres will give you value for money. It depends on how often you venture off road or your intended use. I think a mud is more of an all rounder than an All Terrain is though.

[rick130]

As Chook does, I have to rotate my MT's pretty frequently to get some decent life out of them, mainly to reduce the scalloping of the inner blocks.

As for noise, it's a Deefer, you can barely hear the tyres over all the other noise and I run Maxxis 762's which howl when worn :D (Ok, ok, your TDci is a bucket load quieter than my Tdi, but you get my drift ;) )

[noogie]

Love my km2's.
Awesome off road and very good on road.
255/85/16's are just great on a deefer.

Having said this, I saw the new Micky T AT and they look the bees knees.
they have a very open pattern, that borders on an AT.

Might be worth a look see.
But love da KM2's

:)

[flagg]

I had cooper st's on previously, and the BMG KM2s I have now were quieter.. Now that they are a few years old and 60% they see, the same. That said, this is not based on science, just my ears.

[jools]

Have found that the AT's...mine were Continental Conti Cross Contact...were good on the bitumen and sand but clogged up too easily in the slightest mud. AT's also picked up lots of stones which were hurled into the guards as speed increased. Have recently put on the KM2's and find road noise and handling on bitumen is almost the same as the AT's. On dirt and rocks the traction and grip is simply awesome compared to AT's. Can feel the front tyres pulling all the time and hardly hear any stones hitting the guards now.
Was going to get Maxxis MT762 Big Horns but when I compared sidewalls thickness and even price (BFG had a discount offer of $35 per tyre) the KM2's won out. Also considered going to 255 but they are not as available out bush as the 235, After several thousand kms of rough tracks am confident KM2's was the right choice and great upgrade from AT's.

[weeds]

i have had BFG AT's, MT's and KM2...........they all got me from point A to point B

my rig is a tourer, bugger if i can pick the difference between MT's and KM2's on or offroad, they all go round and round and hold there air

i am about to purchase another two KM2's to relace the two worn MT's

[Babs]

I think a mud is more of an all rounder than an All Terrain is though.

I took that advise. It won me over. KM2's it is.

[Babs]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I ordered the BFG KM2's today, so I will be driving from Dealer to tyre shop tomorrow.

I wanted to keep the standard tyre height, which is the first time ever for me, as the laws have tightened up a bit, but also everything seems just right on the Deefer's as they are. So throwing out speedo and gearing (especially as I will be towing) is not an option for me right now, not to say that wont ever change in the future. But I think the 32" will do the job fine.

What I did not get feedback on before I went ahead and ordered the tyres :oops2: is I ordered 265/75/16, they are same diameter but slightly wider than the 235's. Is anyone running this size, will they pose a problem, have I reduced my turning circle and if so by how much, is it worth worrying about.

I know that they would be an approved tyre size but, I did not research the 265's. Hope it was a good choice. :BigThumb:

[DeeJay]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I ordered the BFG KM2's today, so I will be driving from Dealer to tyre shop tomorrow.

I wanted to keep the standard tyre height, which is the first time ever for me, as the laws have tightened up a bit, but also everything seems just right on the Deefer's as they are. So throwing out speedo and gearing (especially as I will be towing) is not an option for me right now, not to say that wont ever change in the future. But I think the 32" will do the job fine.

What I did not get feedback on before I went ahead and ordered the tyres :oops2: is I ordered 265/75/16, they are same diameter but slightly wider than the 235's. Is anyone running this size, will they pose a problem, have I reduced my turning circle and if so by how much, is it worth worrying about.

I know that they would be an approved tyre size but, I did not research the 265's. Hope it was a good choice. :BigThumb:

We spent 2 hours winching up a nasty section out at Warburton a couple of weeks ago, and when regrouping at the top a landcruiser with KM2's - 265x75x85's drove up the same track !! Admittedly he absolutely caned the cruiser & was lucky not to have blown a CV or something, but I was impressed - & they were half worn!.

[newhue]

235/85/16 is the standard 32, many go for the 265/75/16 which is also 32 as you know.
I'd pick the 235 if they have them in stock. but there is basically nothing in it, I don't think the 265's rub so no loss in turn circle.

[Babs]

235/85/16 is the standard 32, many go for the 265/75/16 which is also 32 as you know.
I'd pick the 235 if they have them in stock. but there is basically nothing in it, I don't think the 265's rub so no loss in turn circle.

Jason,

Thanks for your input, just your thoughts why the 235 over the 265. I know you said nothing in it just curious as to your preference, there could be something in it I overlooked. Cheers.

Babs.

[weeds]

Jason,

Thanks for your input, just your thoughts why the 235 over the 265. I know you said nothing in it just curious as to your preference, there could be something in it I overlooked. Cheers.

Babs.

235 are standard......

[newhue]

Jason,

Thanks for your input, just your thoughts why the 235 over the 265. I know you said nothing in it just curious as to your preference, there could be something in it I overlooked. Cheers.

Babs.

To me in the 4x4 would its not about width. More so bagging length and side biters. A 265 is a bit wider which adds more rolling resistance, and maybe hub wear type stuff. I might be full of BS, but like I said there is nothing in it really. I run 255 now which when placed next to the original 7.50x 16 (31") are about 1 inch wider off the car side by side. So I gained some height for not a great deal more width. It's more persolal preference than earth shattering science.

[haggisbasher]

Out of interest, on the BFG website in the UK they have the noise for the KM2 at 76db and the AT at 77db. It is part of EU legislation to list the noise.
Duratrac were between 73 and 76db.

THink i might be going the KM2 road myself.... now the dilema is 33x10.5x15 or 255/85 x16!

Ahh well

Chris S

Hey Noogie.... it that off to swing down still available?

[newhue]

Out of interest, on the BFG website in the UK they have the noise for the KM2 at 76db and the AT at 77db. It is part of EU legislation to list the noise.
Duratrac were between 73 and 76db.

THink i might be going the KM2 road myself.... now the dilema is 33x10.5x15 or 255/85 x16!

Ahh well

Chris S

That's a good find, very interesting. I have had Duratracs as well and was happy with them. They seam to wear quite good and the grip was also good, but I didn't do a great deal of off road on them.
Just to add something to the decision basket, when I was getting them fitted the guy didn't rate them much for the price Duratracs are. He said if you get a stick and push it into the centre of the tread, all the small gaps between the lugs compress and leave a flatfish surface for the tyre to grip with. A KM2, or Maxis big horn for example have large gaps between the centre lugs that will still bite the surface when compressed inward.

Not sure how valid his view is, but I can see where he is coming from.

[Babs]

Well, I can now confirm - The BFG KM2 are Bloody noisy, a hell of a lot noisier than AT's. :mad:

Upside they performed great offroad. :D

[Sleepy]

YOU GET USED TO IT.





sorry





You get used to it.:D

[steveG]

Well, I can now confirm - The BFG KM2 are Bloody noisy, a hell of a lot noisier than AT's. :mad:

Upside they performed great offroad. :D

There's plenty of different AT's so not sure which ones you're comparing against. Some are so road biased I reckon you'd be bogged on the first bit of wet grass you drove on - but I bet they're quiet on the highway :p

Seriously though, if the noise is hassling and you're doing a fair bit of driving on-road during the week it might be worthwhile looking at a second set of tyres in a less aggressive tread.
With a trolley jack it doesn't take long to change them over before you head away for a weekend etc and your KM2's will remain useful offroad for a lot longer.

Or turn up the stereo.....

Steve

[Sleepy]

From my experience the difference between Standard General Grabber AT's and KM2 is negligible in a Defender.

[lowbox]

eh?

[Babs]

YOU GET USED TO IT.

sorry

You get used to it.:D

Yeah, I don't have much choice now :(

[Babs]

There's plenty of different AT's so not sure which ones you're comparing against. Some are so road biased I reckon you'd be bogged on the first bit of wet grass you drove on - but I bet they're quiet on the highway :p

Seriously though, if the noise is hassling and you're doing a fair bit of driving on-road during the week it might be worthwhile looking at a second set of tyres in a less aggressive tread.
With a trolley jack it doesn't take long to change them over before you head away for a weekend etc and your KM2's will remain useful offroad for a lot longer.

Or turn up the stereo.....

Steve

Steve, I thought about changing tyres today as I said goodbye to the Continental ContiCross AT's a forum member bought them off me. But then again around town the noise is not the problem it's the highway noise that's the killer. So if I had to change tyres it would make no difference, unless I was looking to save mud tread by changing tyres.

I was comparing noise to BFG AT

Like someone else said they can't hear the tyres over all the other noise, I'll just look at sound proofing later down the track, I have a Rhino Linings in mind, but that will be another thread.

[Sleepy]

Yeah, I don't have much choice now :(

You sound dissapointed. I reckon a nice new set of lumpy rubber is worth every cent......and every db

I reckon you need a teaspoon of cement and ..........Go and find some mud!

A day later the whine of rubber on bitumen will only remind you of all the fun you had the day before!!

[Iain_B]

I got two sets of tyre for my Defender, one are the KM2s and the other the original Cross-Contacts. KM2 are much noiser than the Cross contacts - especially on some tar roads and the really whine a lot on the concrete roads. Anyone who says they are not must be deaf. :)

I use the KM2 for long distance touring or if we are planning some more serious off road stuff - takes about 1/2 hour to change all 5. The KM2 got chewed up a bit on our last trip - tyre pressure too high in the rear on a section between Leichart Falls and Normanton :( . The Cross Contacts stay on for day to day use.

[Babs]

You sound dissapointed. I reckon a nice new set of lumpy rubber is worth every cent......and every db

I reckon you need a teaspoon of cement and ..........Go and find some mud!

A day later the whine of rubber on bitumen will only remind you of all the fun you had the day before!!

Nah not totally disappointed, but if I had to choose again I think I would go with the AT's. But like you said after having a play with them they kind of make it worth while.

"Teaspoon of cement" Yuk! I just went past Bunnings and bought a couple of cans of "Harden the F Up". They go down better and work faster :)

Anyways they are on there now, and the Conti's are gone.

No winch, the Muddies should make up for that :)

[Sleepy]

I agree Iain, 2 sets are the best option.

But if I had my time over, my city tyres would be road tyres and my mud tyres would be ALAP. ( as lumpy as possible)

The KM2's are pretty good on the bitumen; I only have to turn up the radio slightly more with the muddies on.

In the end if you want quiet - BUY A DISCO!

Babs, Thanks for taking my post in the spirit it was intended ;):D

I always laugh when I hear Defender driver complaining about noisy anything.

I can't hear shid in the Defender, tyres make bugger all difference.

[Babs]

I got two sets of tyre for my Defender, one are the KM2s and the other the original Cross-Contacts. KM2 are much noiser than the Cross contacts - especially on some tar roads and the really whine a lot on the concrete roads. Anyone who says they are not must be deaf. :) Hear Hear!

I use the KM2 for long distance touring or if we are planning some more serious off road stuff - takes about 1/2 hour to change all 5. The KM2 got chewed up a bit on our last trip - tyre pressure too high in the rear on a section between Leichart Falls and Normanton :( . The Cross Contacts stay on for day to day use. I take my hat off to you, I would not have the patience to swap tyres each time I go away, I have everything down pat ready to go in an instance, changing tyres would hold me up for a last minute decision on taking off for a weekend. Besides the around town driving I cant hear the tyres over the air con, but highway the tyre noise well exceeds the air con and even the kids screaming.

[Babs]

I agree Iain, 2 sets are the best option.

But if I had my time over, my city tyres would be road tyres and my mud tyres would be ALAP. ( as lumpy as possible)

The KM2's are pretty good on the bitumen; I only have to turn up the radio slightly more with the muddies on.

In the end if you want quiet - BUY A DISCO!

Babs, Thanks for taking my post in the spirit it was intended ;):D

I always laugh when I hear Defender driver complaining about noisy anything.

I can't hear shid in the Defender, tyres make bugger all difference.

Sleepy, yeah dont worry about offending me you could pretty much say what you want im old school up bringing uno leather belt & electric jug cord (the old electrical cord wrapped in fabric) he he.

If anyone would take your comments out of context, then they should be on a macrame forum not here:D All good.

I must say the very first test drive I thought Nah no way I cant drive this every day, then I gave it another shot, and now that I have had it a couple of weeks I really love it, I cant think of driving anything else.

Good weather days I usually jump straight on the Harley, I think the battery has gone dead since I bought the Deefer, Loving it. Its Fricken noisy though :D

I think its what you get used to, I definiately had gotten soft after driving the Hilux, I had everything in it, even ordered it with full leather. Little things in the Defender that I thought would be a problem have gone away, they just seem normal now. I have noticed my posture has improved 100% in the seating position of the Deefer, where I used to be slouched before I am now upright, I feel quite Pompous driving around in my Land Rover :p :D

[newhue]

Sorry to hear the tyre aren't what you were hoping for.
I for one talked them up because I really like the KM2 and will most likely be buying them again. But I have done sound deadener work on the car, and replaced the stereo. So I don't find them noisy, but I have a 130 as well. A 110 has a big cabin for noise to reverberate in.
Most people do sound deadener work on their trucks. On one hand the lack of it makes for hosing things out easy, on the other a noisy car.

Lastly I guess tyres are such a hard thing to judge. They cost a lot, take a while to wear out, and either are good, bad or OK. But you don't know until you through your hat into the ring.

[the_preacher1973]

I take my hat off to you, I would not have the patience to swap tyres each time I go away, I have everything down pat ready to go in an instance, changing tyres would hold me up for a last minute decision on taking off for a weekend. Besides the around town driving I cant hear the tyres over the air con, but highway the tyre noise well exceeds the air con and even the kids screaming.

You obviously need to put a few more miles on the transfer box. The bearings in mine means the whole family have given up on conversation at highway speeds. I actually enjoy the "quiet" time.:wasntme:

[flagg]

You obviously need to put a few more miles on the transfer box. The bearings in mine means the whole family have given up on conversation at highway speeds. I actually enjoy the "quiet" time.:wasntme:

Haha yeah. My 110 has an old RRC transfer, its noisy as hell and basically drowns out all but the 4BD1 at any speed.

[Iain_B]

Came across this on the Cooper tyre website - looks like Queensland is falling in with the rest of the states - we can now go up to 50mm increase in diameter - so 255/85 R16 are now legal here in QLD.

Cooper Tires - News (http://www.coopertires.com.au/index.php?page=news&id=52)

[Babs]

After 12,000 klm I'm putting the BFG KM2's up for sale.

They are too noisy for me and the ride is annoying you can feel the nobs as you drive along, it seems to shake the whole vehicle. Its really starting to bother me.

Maybe i'm just too old for muddies:(

I know most of you swear by them, but I don't ever plan on driving in mud.
Rocks, dirt, and sand yes but not mud.

So I will probably be going for an A/T LT, That is another Thread.