Tweeksis and the cheap Kenda Challenger tire - an exclusive Puc report.

[cowpuc]

A couple weeks ago, before the 3 of us headed out to tour the Adirondack Mountains and watch the unveiling, I spooned a brand new Kenda Challenger tire on Tweeksis's backside and ran just under 2300 miles on that trip.. I had paid 45 bucks for the tire from a local vendor and posted pics of it here in the water hole.. Someone noticed that posting and asked that I do a report of that tire as time went on.. This is in response to that request:

 

The tire has a 4 ply nylon carcuss - sounds weak.. It does claim 77h for load rating - totally sufficient if correct.. Someone read and passed on to me that supposively the Challengers are not suppose to be used on heavy touring machines - a concern for sure..

Thus far I have learned that even with a decent balance - the tires need to be warm (hot is even better) to experience a good smooth ride at speeds above 90. Hot, the tire seems to be just fine at higher speeds - I am still of the opinion (take that with a grain of salt - always remember who's opinion your considering) that this is so because of the heavier than usual tread and nylon side walls..

The tire LOVES to sing - not real loud like a have worn Dunlop E2 when ya toss it into a corner but definitely a sweet little tone of a song. This too I have come to equate with its more agressive tread design..

That same tread design gives it some outstanding charactoristics in hard rains and wet roads. We happened across some really really hard rains in NY and Canada that afforded me some experience with this.. I felt the front end surf and Tip had her feet forced off the pegs by a wave of water while going hiway speeds - the Challenger maintained steady contact with the pavement and never gave in to the waters force to wash out.. It did an excellent job.

The last few days here in Michigan have seen temps hovering around 90. We have logged several hundred miles here locally with the bike fully packed. We have also logged a couple hundred without the added load of our camping gear onboard.. Either way, the cheap little tire seems to be holding its own..

I have no regrets in spending the 45 dollars for the Kenda Challenger and would be very happy to replace it with another one when time comes.

The tire is AMAZING in the twisties - it has a glue like feel to it = nothing like the experience I had with the Michilin Commander 2 a while back. Because of that tire hard rubber that was designed to last a longggg time but lacked in the hooked up feel we all love in the corners - this Challenger sticks like glue - even loaded and 2 up. All of the tires mold nubs on the sides of the tread are long gone as proof of its stickiness.

Also due to its width and aggressive tread design - the Challenger does a MARVELOUS job in off roading. It hooks up in the dirt much better than the tires seen today with less tread and more flat rubber surface designed to wear longer.. We had a recent high speed gravel road adventure where the gravel abruptly turned to wash board sand - the tire hooked up real well and responded to throttle the way one would hope even thru the wash board area..

At this time, we are making plans for a western trip - back out across the desert regions that the 3 of us love to ride.. Unfortunately for Tweeksis's new back tire - the roads between here and there will not get to hear the song of the Challenger as I probably will not leave here with it on the bike. I plan to remove the wheel off Tweeks (Tweeksis's sister) and place a brand new tire on it to start out our summer tour toward a visitation with my Girls in California and, as normal routine, replace that one once we get out at my daughters in Sacramento - experience has taught me that having to swap out tires on the road and trusting local shops between here and yon not to rip one off is not a good plan (this 45 dollar Challenger would be worth at least 185 dollars to them). I do have plans at this time to do Sturgis with a close friend this year - a bucketlist thing for him and a routine trip for me. The Challenger will get lots more testing during that trip and will probably be ready for replacement after that trip = if my calculations and experience with motorcycle tires hold true.

I plan to fulfill my promise to keep you informed of the Challengers capibilities to its end of life at that time..

Puc

[RedRider]

Cowpuc,

 

I have run Kendas on my little BMW and have been very pleased with their performance. Good tire for very few dollars.

 

Look forward to updates on how long they will last on Tweeksis.

 

RR

 

EDIT: I have been running Shinkos on the BMW. Kendas have been on my KLR. Both are doing their job well.

Edited June 16, 2017 by RedRider

[RandyR]

Good to know. I've heard mixed reviews about the Kendas before.

[WildBill1]

I see your chicken strip pretty well matches mine. I guess age has something to do with that width and of course riding two up more in later years.

[BlueSky]

I'm most concerned with grip in a tire. That's what keeps me from road rash. I can deal with tires wearing out quickly better than I can deal with road rash and broken bones. If an inexpensive tire has grip, I'll like it. I bought a used Yamaha Virago 750 years ago and it had Cheng Shin tires on it. I won't buy those because they did not grip and I had a broken ankle to prove it.

[cowpuc]

I see your chicken strip pretty well matches mine. I guess age has something to do with that width and of course riding two up more in later years.

 

Bill, I read what you wrote here,, went back and looked at the pics of the new tire I had just spooned on Tweeksis to try and figure out what you were referring to,,, reread what you had wrote to Tippy to see if she could figure it out,, then - after running "chicken strip" thru my worn out - beat up ol geezer brain a few hundred more times I ACTUALLY think I figured it out!!!

I went out earlier and produced a video referencing what I think you are referring to as a "chicken strip" = wayyyyyyy cool!! Keep your eye out here in the water hole cause I am almost finished with a short story video explaining it all - check it out and let me know if I got it!!!!

 

If I did :cool10:,, Hot Dogs for everyone and double for you brother!! If I didn't,, ,,, Hot Dogs for everyone and double for you still

 

bout another 3 minutes on the You Tube upload!!

 

PS = please keep in mind that those pics you are viewing here are of a tire that has not been ridden on yet - if I am correct, this "hint" may be important!!

[Kretz]

I have Kenda's on my Kawasaki Vulcan 900LT. Very pleased with them grip & wear (but must admit that I don't do a lot of mileage). They were recommended by my local repair shop & he's a pretty straight up guy.

[WildBill1]

My mistake I thought you did your review after the unveiling event not before.

[cowpuc]

My mistake I thought you did your review after the unveiling event not before.

 

You made NO mistake,,,, well,, maybe a small one = trying to put together any form of logical sequence of events in following my twisted up ways

This report was done way after the unveiling.. The pictures I posted in the report were pictures taken BEFORE the unveiling on the day I mounted the tire:banana::banana:

 

Your fine brother = its me that is making it all difficult to understand = certainly not the first time THAT has happened