BajaNomad - BFG KO2 now in production

BFG KO2 now in production

Ken Cooke - 4-22-2014 at 08:04 PM

They should be in stores in June/July '14. Here are some specs:

20% tougher sidewalls

Twice the treadlife on gravel

10% more mud traction

19% improved traction in snow

Those are on LT265/75R17

link: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f15/secret-new-bfg-ko2s-19010...

BooJumMan - 4-23-2014 at 07:54 AM

Hoping they didn't do the same thing they did with the KM2's and not true to size.

My 315/75/R16 KM2 was a good 1/2" shorter then my 315/75/R16 KO's! Running at the prices BFG set, I was not very happy.

Cant wait to see these though. They look similar to an old MTR on the sidewall. Duratrac looking too.

David K - 4-23-2014 at 08:03 AM

What Ken photographed was probably a project tire or race only tire (note 'Baja Champion' on the sidewall) and not likely a DOT approved tire. See the vehicle and it looks to be a racing buggy or truggy.

It would be nice if they did improve the sidewalls... I have seen far too many sidewall failures on BFG All Terrain TAs. I have run BFGs on all three of my Tacomas and found them all to be far less than ideal for tread life or puncture resistance (Rugged Trail TAs). In my opinion, Cooper, Toyo and Hankook make better tires that BFG, for the price.

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by David K]

Udo - 4-23-2014 at 09:39 AM

I agree 100% with DK.

On edit:
I forgot to mention that I just purchased a set of Hankook tire for my Prius, and they have been the quietest tire I have ever installed on the car.

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by Udo]

Tomas Tierra - 4-23-2014 at 10:04 AM

If your running rugged trails or driving a Prius, your not on the same page as Mr. Cook..

Looking forward to seeing these tires! I will be holding off on a needed set until June July!
Thanks for the update!!

TT

Tomas Tierra - 4-23-2014 at 10:06 AM

Oops miss spelled.. Mr. Cooke..

Edit: all KO's say "Baja Champion" on the sidewall

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by Tomas Tierra]

msteve1014 - 4-23-2014 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
If your running rugged trails or driving a Prius, your not on the same page as Mr. Cook..

Looking forward to seeing these tires! I will be holding off on a needed set until June July!
Thanks for the update!!

TT

You got that right. My F-350 had rugged trails on it when I bought it.
They would have been better suited to a Prius.

MMc - 4-23-2014 at 11:27 AM

Please note these are not TA's, they are KO's a very different tire. It will be very interesting to see how the new one's hold up. I put a new set of KO's on 2 months ago,so the jury will be in by the time I will have to replace them.

blackwolfmt - 4-23-2014 at 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc
Please note these are not TA's, they are KO's a very different tire. It will be very interesting to see how the new one's hold up. I put a new set of KO's on 2 months ago,so the jury will be in by the time I will have to replace them.

I just put a set of ko's on and they say TA KO on the sidewall??

MMc - 4-23-2014 at 12:14 PM

They make a number of T/A tires, the tire that comes stock on Toyota's are not K/Os. My guess is Toyota is using the BFG name but not putting K/O on because of price and most people don't need that much tire. Goodyear make a bunch of Wrangler tires, some are good some are less so, same as BFG.
There are some here that are all about defending their brand of stuff, Ford vs Chevy/GM vs Dodge vs Toyota, same with tires. Me, I buy the top of the line and misuse the crap out of it. Most of my tire problems are because the operator not the tire.

Ken, Didn't you get a deal on some K/Os? How are they holding up?

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by MMc]

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by MMc]

David K - 4-23-2014 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc
They make a number of T/A tires, the tire that comes stock on Toyota's are not K/Os. My guess is Toyota is using the BFG name but not putting K/O on because of price and most people don't need that much tire. Goodyear make a bunch of Wrangler tires, some are good some are less so, same as BFG.
There are some here that are all about defending their brand of stuff, Ford vs Chevy/GM vs Dodge vs Toyota, same with tires. Me, I buy the top of the line and misuse the crap out of it. Most of my tire problems are because the operator not the tire.

Ken, Didn't you get a deal on some K/Os? How are they holding up?

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by MMc]

[Edited on 4-23-2014 by MMc]

The tires Toyota buys from BFGs for the Off Road TRD Tacoma is the Rugged Trail TA. Not the All Terrain TA or TA/ KO which is the most popular Baja tire.

Tomas Tierra - 4-23-2014 at 06:39 PM

So.. Bashing BFG, but not running their most popular Baja tire??

chippy - 4-23-2014 at 07:12 PM

Some people can´t afford BFGs.

MMc - 4-23-2014 at 07:30 PM

"Me, I buy the top of the line and misuse the crap out of it." I plan and save for my toys. I do with out so, I can do and purchase what I most value. Just the trade offs in life.

liknbaja127 - 4-23-2014 at 07:37 PM

BFG had those tires at the off road show in oct. Looks like a great tire. We have BFG TA on all of our trucks, and car's, And have lot's of Baja Miles!
With very little problems. I need those on my Bronco!

Ken Cooke - 4-23-2014 at 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MMc

Ken, Didn't you get a deal on some K/Os? How are they holding up?

I did get a deal - a $500 on all 5 kind of deal. :yes:

The north Summit Road chipped these tires badly. Traveling up the long series of grades with a locked rear differential cut chunks of tread out of my tires.

Last week, I took the front pair to be balanced using a Hunter Road Force machine. The driver's front tire is kind of egg-shaped. Not perfectly round, but it gets the job done.

As for my next set of tires - I'd very much like to run the Falken Wildpeak Mud-Terrain tires in 2015. Those look like tires that will tame Baja!

[Edited on 4-24-2014 by Ken Cooke]

BFG KM2s - my new Baja adventure tires

Ken Cooke - 5-23-2014 at 03:13 PM

I just switched to the KM2 on my Jeep. I will report back regarding their performance in Baja California. :bounce:

Ateo - 5-23-2014 at 03:17 PM

I'm like 1 week away from needing new tires. Gonna have to buy now, especially if I'm going the Baja 500.

Ken Cooke - 5-23-2014 at 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ateo
I'm like 1 week away from needing new tires. Gonna have to buy now, especially if I'm going the Baja 500.

I considered the General AT2, but with only 2 ply sidewalls, I decided on the KM2s. What are you planning to go with?

Ateo - 5-23-2014 at 03:31 PM

I think I'm going BFG AT KO...........they're just my favorites...........even with their shortcomings.

Ken Cooke - 5-23-2014 at 04:07 PM

You can't wait just a few more months for the rollout of the KO2s? The 20% improvement in gravel road durability should make a difference in maintaining your investment. But, if you're down in the 5/32nds zone, I understand you wanting to change your tires out immediately.

Rollout

John M - 5-24-2014 at 07:37 AM

I was at America's Tire yesterday (5/23) to have a nail puncture repaired and rotation/balance and the fellow said he thought maybe two months for the KO2 release. He said he had no reliable source for that, except his experience with BFG.

John M

TMW - 5-24-2014 at 12:19 PM

I'll wait a few months just to get a new set of the KO2s. I need a LT265/75R16 for my Toy.

BFGoodrich KR2 A/T

Ken Cooke - 6-20-2014 at 04:40 PM

chuckie - 6-20-2014 at 05:08 PM

Well, they are pretty...

David K - 6-21-2014 at 09:08 AM

LOL, looks like the Grabber from General Tire gave them an idea to sell tires!?

Ateo - 7-6-2014 at 05:10 PM

Anyone seen any in the stores? I'm gonna go shopping Friday.

David K - 7-6-2014 at 07:17 PM

Funny, but in all my sidewall failure observations, I see no advantage to BFGs '3 ply' sidewall... On the other hand, in all the 'cheaper' 2 ply sidewall tires I have run, NONE have had a sidewall failure... nor the Cooper Discoverer STT 3 ply sidewall tires I once ran.

Last week, but the driver said it wasn't the tire's fault for his hitting that rock:

Amo Pescar's camper with brand new BFG All Terrain TA's while I was passenger, also had a similar, but smaller failure. Maybe it's me and not the 3 ply sidewalls???

:lol:

Anyway, don't let the sidewall having one extra ply lull you into thinking it is automatically a better tire...

:light:

TMW - 7-6-2014 at 07:47 PM

Well I was waiting for them but since no one knows when they will arrive I decided to take advantage of the Pro Comp sale and had 4 new Pro Comp Xtreme ATs installed. They claim to be 50,000 mile tires with a somewhat rugged tread, more so than the BFG. The mag ad said tri ply sidewalls but on the tire it says two ply poly. The on line specs say two ply poly sidewall with two ply rubber cover. I figure just ad BS. But at about $50 per tire cheaper than a BFG TA KO I figured to give em a try. The on line user reports are somewhat mixed. Some say they are hard to keep balanced which seem odd in that once balanced why would they get un-balanced unless you are throwing the weights or losing chunks of tread. Others say they had seperation on the sidewall. But many say they were great. Oh well.

David K - 7-6-2014 at 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
Well I was waiting for them but since no one knows when they will arrive I decided to take advantage of the Pro Comp sale and had 4 new Pro Comp Xtreme ATs installed. They claim to be 50,000 mile tires with a somewhat rugged tread, more so than the BFG. The mag ad said tri ply sidewalls but on the tire it says two ply poly. The on line specs say two ply poly sidewall with two ply rubber cover. I figure just ad BS. But at about $50 per tire cheaper than a BFG TA KO I figured to give em a try. The on line user reports are somewhat mixed. Some say they are hard to keep balanced which seem odd in that once balanced why would they get un-balanced unless you are throwing the weights or losing chunks of tread. Others say they had seperation on the sidewall. But many say they were great. Oh well.

Thanks TW... keep up the reporting on tires.

I currently am running The Dakota AT tires from Pep Boys (made by Cooper), and have 12,000 totally trouble free miles on them, so far. New Tire Photo:

I joined the SoCal Tacoma gang last night for a night desert run at Ocotillo Wells (8 pm to 4 am) and the tires were great in sand and mud (Fish Creek/ Split Mountain was underwater)!

[Edited on 7-7-2014 by David K]

Tomas Tierra - 7-7-2014 at 08:31 AM

DK,

Load that truck up with more than a tent and cooler, like a camper.. Then run it up on the SCarlos Mesa and out through progresso with those coopers on there... Then report back...

T-dubya..... Hate to say it, shoulda spent the dough on the bfg's....

Of all the Baja running I've done over the last twenty years, with bfg's on, (after massive failure with other products in the years prior) DK is the ONLY person I've heard trash them...

Holding tight for the new KO's! 8 sets, 1 nail puncture, 20 years... Sold

Ateo - 7-7-2014 at 08:49 AM

65K + miles on my BFG All Terrain TA's. No major issues. I think I had to plug a tire a while back, but I beat these tires to death. Time to get new ones.

Phil C - 7-7-2014 at 10:12 AM

DK, I'm curious, the photo of the sidewall puncture, was the tire deflated when this happened, or were you running fully inflated? I'm on my third set of BFGs and have had no problems. I always worry that while running deflated,18 to 20 lbs. that the sidewall is more likely to be damaged, although I've never had a problem.

DanO - 7-7-2014 at 10:25 AM

I've been running BFG All Terrain TA's, mostly on Ford F-150s, for over 20 years without a single sidewall failure, and only one tread puncture that couldn't be repaired. I guess people's mileage must vary.

Ateo - 7-7-2014 at 10:47 AM

Big O Tires says the new tires are out but had none in stock. That's what the one in Poway just told me.

Tomas Tierra - 7-7-2014 at 01:32 PM

Calling my local tire guy! And big O.... Will report back, ready to pull the trigger...

Tomas Tierra - 7-7-2014 at 01:40 PM

Big brand just told me fall 2014..

$860 on the truck for the old one 275/16

David K - 7-7-2014 at 05:37 PM

Guys... I have had new BFGs on all three of my Tacomas, but they were Rugged Trail TAs... all of them gave less than ideal life, small rock flats in the tread are common, and the Tacoma World forum members call them 'Rugged Fails'. That would be trash talking.

I am reporting on the All Terrain TA, which most of you love like an old chair, and I am only reporting what I saw being in the trucks (heavy Ford trucks) that were running them... I was NOT driving.

Amo's were not deflated, and I don't know what Ron was running his at... but not obviously much below normal pressure if he deflated at all.

Ron saw the rock and accepted blame for driving into it. Amo did not see any rock and it was a sandy road we were on with his failure.

I also see MANY All Terrain TAs with sidewall rips on the sides of Baja roads. It could be just that the All Terrain is the most popular tire and that is why more of them are littering the deserts of Baja?

Baja Angel ran them on her Jeep CJ-5 for many years and loved hers... like all of you.

GREAT!!

But, if I was a news reporter, I would just be reporting on what would seem like a frequent issue with this one brand. No trash talk just reporting facts. The three plys in BFGs do not make this tire failure proof.

Now shop and decide for yourself... not just the one most popular brand.

By-the-way, Cameron Steele runs Yokohama as does Doug (BajaNomad). My favorite all terrain tires so far are the Hankook Dynapro ATM, followed by Toyo Open Country AT and Cooper Discoverer ATR. The Cooper/Definity Dakota AT has been fine, but I want to see how long it lasts for me.

Ateo - 7-7-2014 at 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
Big brand just told me fall 2014..

$860 on the truck for the old one 275/16

Yep, I don''t think they're out yet and was probably given bad info this morning.

dtbushpilot - 7-7-2014 at 07:51 PM

Been running Toyo AT's on my Dodge diesel and Toyota FJ cruiser for years, never had a flat for any reason. I don't do a lot of airing down in rocky terrain unless absolutely necessary which isn't often. I've run the BFG's with good results but tread wear isn't good on the heavy Dodge.....but then again neither is the Toyo.

Guess it's all a matter of preference and luck....

Ken Cooke - 7-7-2014 at 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
They should be in stores in June/July '14. Here are some specs:

20% tougher sidewalls

Twice the treadlife on gravel

10% more mud traction

19% improved traction in snow

Those are on LT265/75R17

link: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f15/secret-new-bfg-ko2s-19010...

With improved sidewalls and greater resistance to gravel and slightly improved mud traction, this tire should be better than the current KO in terms of durability off-road.

David K - 7-7-2014 at 11:31 PM

It should be... it is time for an upgrade. The Toyo did the same last year with their popular Open Country AT.

chuckie - 7-8-2014 at 06:30 AM

I wonder how they arrive at those percentage figures? How in the world would one determine "19% better traction in snow" for instance? Wouldn't it depend on what kind of snow, what base under the snow, what type vehicle and compared to what? Seems awfully arguable to me. Sidewall strength and the like is probably measurable...

willardguy - 7-8-2014 at 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
I wonder how they arrive at those percentage figures? How in the world would one determine "19% better traction in snow" for instance? Wouldn't it depend on what kind of snow, what base under the snow, what type vehicle and compared to what? Seems awfully arguable to me. Sidewall strength and the like is probably measurable...

on LT tires there's a snowflake logo on the sidewall thats supposed to tell you that the tires been traction tested on packed snow, but yeah, got to be alot of variables. but a good rough guideline?

blackwolfmt - 8-16-2014 at 11:25 AM

BUMP BUMP!! What ever happened to these KO 2's anyone know??

Mexitron - 8-16-2014 at 12:22 PM

Ran about 65K on the BFG All Terrain TAs on the Tacoma, just swapped two out, the other two still going....no issues with sidewalls, etc. KO2s---wonder what the price will be...the TAs ain't cheap.

Ken Cooke - 8-16-2014 at 01:37 PM

In May, I bought a set of 4 KM2s for $866 - 35x12.5r15s.

blackwolfmt - 8-16-2014 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
In May, I bought a set of 4 KM2s for $866 - 35x12.5r15s.

So ken I looked at the BFG website and the km2, they kinda look like a cross between mud ta and all terrain ta ?? so I guess there not called KO2 also I see they are an all season tire I like them now I will need a set of 35" ers

[Edited on 8-16-2014 by blackwolfmt]

[Edited on 8-16-2014 by blackwolfmt]

Tire_Mud_Terrain_KM2_3_Gallery_TH.jpg - 19kB

Tire_Mud_Terrain_KM2_3_Gallery_TH.jpg - 19kB

Ken Cooke - 8-17-2014 at 09:04 PM

The KO2s have not hit the market, yet. I run their noisier cousin the KM2 - Mud-Terrain tire.

BFGoodrich KO2 video - introducing Core-Guard Technology:
http://vimeo.com/99741350

[Edited on 8-18-2014 by Ken Cooke]

gotta month

John M - 8-18-2014 at 04:33 AM

Need to buy new rubber by the end of next month. Hope they hit the market soon! Maybe I can wait until the early October Off Road Expo and get a deal?

blackwolfmt - 8-18-2014 at 07:13 AM

Thanks for the Vid Ken , the KO2's are what I want so hopefully they come out soon :cool:

Ken Cooke - 8-18-2014 at 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwolfmt
Thanks for the Vid Ken , the KO2's are what I want so hopefully they come out soon :cool:

Had they been on the market, I would have bought them instead of the KM2s. These tires are a little to noisy for a soft-topped Jeep.

blackwolfmt - 8-19-2014 at 09:53 AM

So I Emailed BFG and asked for a release date on the KO2's I don't think they even know

Hi,, when are the all terrain KO'2s gonna be available,,thanks

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your interest in BFGoodrich Tires. We are constantly working to update our existing products and bring new products to our customers and that is the case with the All-Terrain tire. When we have conducted the engineering and testing for our new products, you can be sure this will NOT be a secret and you will hear a great deal about the benefits of our new tires. Thank you for your continued interest in our products.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing BFGoodrich.

[Edited on 8-19-2014 by blackwolfmt]

Mexitron - 8-19-2014 at 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke
The KO2s have not hit the market, yet. I run their noisier cousin the KM2 - Mud-Terrain tire.

BFGoodrich KO2 video - introducing Core-Guard Technology:
http://vimeo.com/99741350

[Edited on 8-18-2014 by Ken Cooke]

Looks good...I like how they designed the tire for driving while aired down as well.

David K - 8-19-2014 at 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron

Quote:

Looks good...I like how they designed the tire for driving while aired down as well.

Yes indeed... tougher sidewalls... you see all my nagging on the Internet has finally got them to listen! :lol:

Impressive video, and with that kind of promotion of the known past faults being fixed with this design (tread not cleaning out mud, sidewall fails, poor sand performance), even I could be interested in trying them out.

Tomas Tierra - 8-21-2014 at 07:16 AM

Even you? Well then

David K - 8-21-2014 at 08:40 AM

:biggrin:

I think manufacturers, like Baja businesses, should be rewarded for improving their product. The All Terrain TA went unchanged for many years, resting only on advertisement and customer loyalty. If Toyota didn't improve the Tacoma, I wouldn't talk highly of it... naturally, it is hard to improve near-perfection!

chuckie - 8-21-2014 at 09:56 AM

In the koolaid again..

Pacifico - 8-28-2014 at 06:56 PM

November 2014! I'm gonna give them a try if the price is right...

Scottya - 9-1-2014 at 10:04 PM

I will see them in the morning! Going to Baja for ten days with them on Raptors. I'll let you know how they perform.

BooJumMan - 9-2-2014 at 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacifico
November 2014! I'm gonna give them a try if the price is right...

Don't do that to yourself!

They're gonna be expensive I have a funny feeling!

willardguy - 9-2-2014 at 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BooJumMan

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacifico
November 2014! I'm gonna give them a try if the price is right...

Don't do that to yourself!

They're gonna be expensive I have a funny feeling!

pricing and spec's. http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/name/all-terrai...

willardguy - 9-2-2014 at 03:19 PM

you know I get that its a sales video....but the sidewall puncture test with and without this "coregard" stuff is PRETTY IMPRESSIVE! :yes:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/name/all-terrai...

blackwolfmt - 9-2-2014 at 03:37 PM

thanks willardguy for posting the info, I look forward to seeing how they do this next 1000 race that will confirm for me, My tire dealer said he would give me a set of 34's for his cost after the new year, excited to see the feedback on these new KO2's

Pacifico - 9-2-2014 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BooJumMan

Quote:

Originally posted by Pacifico
November 2014! I'm gonna give them a try if the price is right...

Don't do that to yourself!

They're gonna be expensive I have a funny feeling!

Ha! I agree! I'm running the General Grabbers now and they just wear down way to fast. While they are great offroad, the rubber is too soft for the street. I definitely need to go to another tire... Hopefully, I can get a deal through a buddy on the new KO2's! :?:

BooJumMan - 9-3-2014 at 09:00 AM

Thanks for the link Willardguy!

Ok just for instance, I am looking to replace my 315/75R16 tires with some new rubber within a year. The KO's on Tire Rack are about $229/ea, and the KO2's on BFG site are $294/ea ... In reality not that much more I guess. But at that price you can get pretty much any other tire you want!

However these KO2's are looking like a great all-around tire!

[Edited on 9-3-2014 by BooJumMan]

David K - 9-3-2014 at 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwolfmt
thanks willardguy for posting the info, I look forward to seeing how they do this next 1000 race that will confirm for me, My tire dealer said he would give me a set of 34's for his cost after the new year, excited to see the feedback on these new KO2's

Most of the off road racers use 'project' tires that are NOT street legal or made for highway use. They may have the same look as the DOT approved tires (The Grabber from General is a good example), but they are not what you buy for your truck. BFG has been stellar at using Baja race performance to sell a tire that is not for sale to the general public. They all do that, not just BFG...

I wanted the Grabbers but they were not available in my size back when they introduced the DOT approved version of the race tire (with red letters). I am glad I didn't get them, as (like above) I heard only bad things about their wear, sand performance, fuel economy, etc. I suggest reading forums (like Nomad) to hear how the tire is working out for others.

blackwolfmt - 9-3-2014 at 10:37 AM

Hey DK, I was kinda thinkin a few privateer's will be runnin them at least I hope so

David K - 9-3-2014 at 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackwolfmt
Hey DK, I was kinda thinkin a few privateer's will be runnin them at least I hope so

I sure like to see small family race teams like it used to be. Class 11 and those Subaru powered Baja cars are still there for lower budget racing.

TecateRay - 9-3-2014 at 05:54 PM

BFG is doing an "introduction" of new tires this week in Baja. It looks like they will be working out of Horsepower Ranch near Ensenada.

Scottya - 9-7-2014 at 06:57 AM

Horsepower to mike's and back. All tires working great so far after one wave. Two more waves of press. Thy should be writing about it soon.

Scottya - 9-7-2014 at 07:02 AM

Got it

David K - 9-7-2014 at 09:59 AM

Looking forward to it! The new style All Terrain TA sure looks a world stronger in the sidewalls!