K02 tires with zero grip, despite tread remaining.

[gbub]

So two thoughts:

One, I always have heard that OEM tires are not covered by any warranty and they are notorious for wearing out quickly. Too much emphasis on trying to make a car "ride and handle" as good as possible on the test drive without any focus on long term durability and wear.

Second, I've kind of come to the conclusion that MIchelins are overpriced despite having some pretty decent tires. I ran Pilot Super Sports on my Audi for a bit and they were pretty awesome. They also cost more than anything else out on the market at that point and I think only held up for maybe 20 to 25K miles from what I remember (max performance summer tires are always a financial loser though unless you are tracking your car). I considered a set of Pilots for my EV6, but with it on a lease and going back to Kia in December 2026, I figured I'd go with the Falken FK460 which undercut Michelin on pricing per tire by around $150 each. So far it's been a wonderful decision.

It depends on what type of Michelin are used. I ran Michelin LTX M/S tires on my 02 Ranger as my street tires when I was using MT tires off-road. I got 90K miles out of the first set of Michelins and had 80K miles on the second set when I got tired of switching tires back and forth when I went on off-road trips. That is when I went back to running BFG AT tires again all the time.

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[userdude]

I can't imagine living through these with an empty bed 2wd pickup truck lol

Ha ha, guess what I have! A 2010 Chevy 2dr SB pickup with KO2's. They slip and slide on wet asphalt like they're wearing silk slippers. I have a turn into a sharpish curve to get into my neighborhood and I'll slow to like 15mph to take it cuz the back has broken out and I've driven into the other lane after a misting of rain. I regret buying those stupid things, but the tread lasts forever and I've only had them like four years.

 

[crenca]

This is true for the average driver.

This is THE largely unexamined factor in all these tired discussions around here. most of us just assume everyone else drives similarly to us. Then I see that some of you are pushing your stock OEM Goodyears 50k and beyond and I realize many of you don’t drive anything like I do.

I drive around in 4A in the dry almost all the time, and when I don’t, I’m burning those tires out back every other left or right turn into traffic. Y’all must sit for long periods at every turn waiting for a quarter mile gap.

I,ve got almost 20 K on my Goodye and they are no longer fit for purpose for the trail as there’s not enough tread left, and that is with a five tire rotation. They’re probably good for onroad only another 5K maybe a little more but they were not going to last a 30k.

I’m replacing them next week with some Mickey Thompson’s EXP’s, we’ll see how they do.

 

[AZ_Craig]

It depends on what type of Michelin are used. I ran Michelin LTX M/S tires on my 02 Ranger as my street tires when I was using MT tires off-road. I got 90K miles out of the first set of Michelins and had 80K miles on the second set when I got tired of switching tires back and forth when I went on off-road trips. That is when I went back to running BFG AT tires again all the time.

Do not get me wrong, they make some pretty solid tires overall. This is completely theoretical, but I bet you could have found another tire that lasted similar to the LTX for less money.

That was my main point. You "may" get what you pay for with them, but no matter what, you are going to pay...

 

[Summit981]

I knew that the KO2s were so-so in the wet. Coming from performance cars wearing Pirelli, Michelin or Yokohama Advan’s, I know what good adhesion feels like. My Bronco stepped out on me a couple of times in the wet, usually under acceleration from a standstill (e.g. a traffic light) but once while accelerating on a curve to join a highway. In the latter situation, the entire vehicle power slid / shifted towards the outside of the curve. I caught it and it was no big deal but what I learned from then on to modify my driving style while driving on KO2’s in the wet. I still enjoy the tires for what they can do and especially for their lower rolling mass / weight compared to their competitors’ tires.

 

[tourproto]

I’ve only bought KO2s when replacing tires since probably 2001 and currently have them on a 2019 Expedition. I’ve never had an issue on wet roads, maybe I don’t drive aggressive enough. Not saying others experiences are bogus but I’ve just never had an issue. They’ve done well for me in any situation I’ve been in. I might replace my Goodyears with KO2s or KO3s when the time comes.

I also have never had a problem with my K02's in the rain. For me they've been fantastic in the rain. I have a lot more weight on mine than most though maybe that makes the difference.

I have a set of K02s, bought and paid for and in my basement which I'll probably mount this summer. (I've just passed 50K on the OEM Goodyears, plenty of rubber left! On a Badlands 4DR Squatch.)

From the above remarks about wet, can I conclude that the K02s will perform poorly in snow?

Every central New England winter since I bought my 22 has been mere slush, no serious snow, which disappointed me, because the Goodyears are supposed to excel in snow, never got the chance! With my luck, we'll get hit with blizzards starting with Thanksgiving.

But what's he verdict for K02s in snow?

I have nothing but positive things to say about my KO2s on my 4 door Badlands. I live in Portland and see plenty of rain and the KO2s are fine, but I also run in 4A.

As for snow, I have taken my BL into the Bitterroot Mountains in MT for hunting season and have gone up and down some pretty steep slopes covered in snow and the KO2s handled like a champ.

I am not a major offroader or rock climber. I also don't have a lot of experience with offroad tires, but I am very happy with KO2s, in rain or snow.

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