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DuraTrac vs BFG KM2

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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 09:31 PM
  #1  
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Question DuraTrac vs BFG KM2

So for christmas the Mrs. got me some 4.88 gears (knew I loved her ), but I'm still on 32" BFG MT. I'm looking at some 35's but I have it narrowed down to either

1) Goodyear Duratrac
2) BFGoodrich MT KM2

I'm not concerned with snow performance since I have studded Cooper Discoverers (fan-freaking tastic, never found anything better in the snow).

I realize these are both newish tires so I probably won't find anyone whose had both, but maybe some people have gone on some trails where both tires were present. Any suggestions for which trail tire? (both rocks and mud and a little sand, looking for a jack of all trait's, no particular area).

Thanks!! Happy Jeeping!

Last edited by spylife; Jan 18, 2010 at 12:47 AM.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 09:38 PM
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I know the Duratracs are much better in snow and wet conditions. I think both tires are pretty durable and do equally well on the trail. But I don't think the Duratracs have been out long enough to be able to compare the mileage with the KM2s.
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Old Jan 17, 2010 | 10:30 PM
  #3  
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I think the compound in the Duratracs will outlast the KM2s. The KM2s are not like the BFG KOs that last forever.

The weakness of the KM2s are:
- Lack of square shoulder to cut to through shallow and mud
- A bit more expensive that some
- Relatively weak sidewalls compared to others like Toyo MTs and MTR/Ks
- Slightly narrower footprint for a given width for flotation due to the rounded shoulders
- Limited siping for icy roads

The strengths IMO are:
- Very quiet ride (maybe the best) possibly due to the lack of square shoulders with big uniform block that buzzzz
- Soft ride for an MT due to the relatively soft sidewalls
- Relatively light for an MT so less hit on power and MPG
- Very good road handling characteristics
- Excellent water shedding (no hydroplaning)
- Excellent balance between road handling and traction in all sorts of off road terrain (Jack of All Terrains Including Asphalt and Concrete)
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 12:13 AM
  #4  
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If you do a lot of driving on hard packed snow or ice, the Dura Tracs would be my choice. I dont think the KM2s would do well in snow unless it was deep enough for tread to bite.

KM2's are cheaper around here by $55.00 a tire. Seeing how I dont do much snow driving and the cost of the Dura Tracs being 55 bucks more per tire, I would get the KM2s. I would have a harder decision if the price were closer. Good luck.

Last edited by PoorDad; Jan 18, 2010 at 12:17 AM.
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 01:16 AM
  #5  
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cooper stt's are a great tire too!
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 03:18 AM
  #6  
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This is exactly what I am going through as well. I am more set on DuraTracs since I am a occasional weekend wheeler. I will get the BFG if the buy 3 get 1 free deal is still going on here locally. Prices here are exactly the same for both tires.

Both are great tires and should perform well. I live in the snow belt, so snow performance is important to me as well.
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 06:09 AM
  #7  
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I'm going DuraTrac myself but I want an all around tire. The KM2 is more an off road tire and, to my understanding, isn't as forgiving on road as the DuraTracs are going to be.

The DuraTrac is the only thing I've seen that I would consider a hybrid tire between an All Terrain (BFG AT KO) and a Max Traction (BFG KM2, GY MTR). It looks like it will clear mud fairly decently which has always been a problem for the BFG AT and it looks to have a close enough tread pattern that it won't sing like most MT tires.
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 06:17 AM
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Yesterday, my dad came by with his rubicon on BFG AT. I was marvelling at how aggressive his tires look. I'm probably so used to seeing my crap SRA tires.

Now the duratracs look 10x more aggressive in person.
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 06:21 AM
  #9  
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go with the km2s. you will be happy off road that you went with a mud terrain instead of an all terrain. Ive had my km2's for almost 5k miles now and i love them
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Old Jan 18, 2010 | 06:32 AM
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Default Duratracs

I love my Duratracs. Due to the amount of wet snow/ice we see in Illinois, I was a little cautious to get a MT for DD use. The Duratrac is an AT, but it is the most aggressive AT I've ever seen, looks like an MT. Also, they are snow/ice rated tires. They have almost no road noise, and have proven to be great in the mud also. I think it is the best compromise if you have to choose.
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