photo credit Bower Media

After blasting through 350 desert miles in Baja Mexico we can definitively say that the new BFGoodrich T/A KO2 is BFGoodrich’s toughest all-terrain tire to date.

In early September BFGoodrich invited a few of us to join them in Baja Mexico to test the new BFG T/A KO2. Waiting there for us, were Ford F150 Raptors from Miller Motorsports Park and Baja Challenge Buggies from Wide Open Excursions.

We grabbed our helmets, found our assigned vehicles, and met our co-drivers. I was paired up with Mike Junior Johnson, President of Evolution Performance Racing School. We loaded up and hit the trail.

We spent two days blasting through the fast Baja deserts, drifting through the hill country, and clawing up rugged, rocky terrain at higher elevations. We had sunny skies one moment, overcast another, and in a flash we were caught in a torrential downpour. Not only were we able to test the KO2 in different terrain, but we were also able to see how it performed under dry, wet, and plain nasty weather conditions. All of which, the New BFG T/A KO2 conquered with flying colors.

When it was all said and done and the dust, mud, gravel, and rocks were cleaned off, everyone was wearing a smile and we all wished we could turn around and do it again.

Here are a few pictures from our experience: BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 Experience - Slideshow



Click here for: BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2 Sizes, Specs, and Pricing

• BFGoodrich Tires All-Terrain T/A KO2 Video Overview

TECHNOLOGY


TREADLIFE
Longer treadlife on and off-road to extend your adventure.

• Tread Rubber: Specifically formulated rubber optimally blended to reduce chip and tear for superior gravel road endurance.
• Advanced Footprint: Results in more evenly distributed stress, for longer more uniform wear.
• Interlocking Tread: Provide increased tread block stability, for more even wear over the long haul.
• Stone Ejectors: Rejects stone retention and provides extra tread cleanout protection against stone drilling.

TRACTION
Aggressive all-terrain traction. Exceeds rubber manufacturer association (RMA) severe snow traction requirements.

• Side Biter Lugs: Protruding sidewall rubber blocks that provide increased mud, snow and rock traction, especially in aired-down driving situations.
• Mud-Phobic Bars: Raised bars in the shoulder tread area that helps to release compacted mud for enhanced traction in muddy and soft soil conditions.
• Serrated Shoulder: Staggered shoulder blocks that provide greater maneuverability in soft soil and deep snow conditions.
• Locking 3-D Sipes: 3-D active sipe technology, that provides more biting edges for significantly increased snow traction.

SIDEWALLS
20% tougher sidewalls featuring race-proven COREGARD™ technology to take on the toughest road hazards with confidence.

• Tougher Rubber: Split and bruise resistant sidewall rubber, derived from BFGoodrich's race proven Baja T/A®KR2 tire.
  
• Thicker, Extended Shoulder: Increased rubber thickness, extending down the sidewall to protect more of the critical sidewall failure zone.
  
• Advanced Deflection: Computer predicted object path design deflects protruding objects from snagging and splitting the sidewall.

*content taken from www.bfgoodrichtires.com

 

How would you say they compare to the duratracs with regard to snow and ice (ie north east winter weather , rain, sugar sand, and wooded trails? Not interested in rocks at all.

I currently have 285/70r17 duratracs but looking to move up to 35s.

The duratracs and KO2 are pretty much the same size but the KO2s are 8lbs heaver and their tread is 3/32nds less as well.

 

It's tough to compare the KO2 against the DuraTrac at this point since the KO2 is fresh on the market. The KO2 has all the makings to be a solid winter performer due to the improved rubber compound, side biter lugs, serrated shoulder design, and 3-D locking sipes. We should see some real world feedback soon.

 

When will the 34x10.50r17 be available?

 

The 34x10.50R-17 KO2 is part of the phase 2 wave of sizes which is scheduled for March 2015.

PHASE 2 SIZES
37X12.50R17 LT 124R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRD RWL
LT225/75R16 115/112S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT235/85R16 120/116S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT265/65R18 122/119R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT275/65R20 126/123S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RB
LT275/70R18 125/122R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT285/70R17 121/118R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT305/70R16 124/121R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT325/65R18 127/124R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW
LT285/65R20 127/124S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RB
34X10.50R17 LT 120R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRD RWL
35X12.50R17 LT 121R TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RWL
LT265/70R17 112/109S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRC RW
LT265/70R17 121/118S TL ALL-TERRAIN T/A KO2 LRE RW

 

How about a 35x12.5 15?

 

As of right now there are no 15" options for the KO2.

 

Any idea where pricing will be for the 35x12.5R17

 

Dang it I just bought KOs yesterday from discount and I asked about the KO2 s and he said they had no idea when they could get them! I needed tires for my spousal units F150 FX4 so I pulled the trigger on the KOs. I always do business with discount, but I'm a little disappointed I couldn't at least get an ETA on the kO2s.
275/65/18

 

I wouldn't feel to badly. I've got K0's on my F150. I've got 36k miles on them and they are measuring at barely any wear. They are such a great tire. If BFG improved upon them, my hat is off. I think the sun will crack the sidewall before there's any appreciable wear on the them. They are a great match for the truck.