BF Goodrich conclusion after 10 months and 20,000 kilometers

Shortly after the installation, we shared our experience with the entry on our homepage, unfortunately, the negative comments were not long in coming. One comment in particular stuck in our minds, “How can you mount that tire, it’s life threatening!”

The person alluded to his time to the poorer braking performance on wet roads. There were countless other comments like, “The tire can’t do anything right and is really bad in the winter.”

At this point a short factchecking about the BF Goodrich KO 2

In order to evaluate the tire’s data neutrally, let’s take a look at the EU tire label.

1. 1. The rolling resistance
      
      The KO 2 has its biggest weakness in the rolling resistance category, but this should come as little surprise given the tread pattern.
      But what does the “E” rating actually mean?
      
      The efficiency class describes the higher fuel consumption that a vehicle achieves with this tire. The starting point is always an average consumption of 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers. In class E, this means an additional consumption of 0.66 liters per 100 kilometers compared with the 6.6 liters.

1. 1. The wet grip
      For wet grip, the braking distance of the tire is compared with a standard reference test tire (Article 4 EU Regulation No. 1222/2009).
      The KO2 is rated B here, which corresponds to a braking distance increase of 3 meters.

If we compare the value of the wet grip, which was criticized by many people in advance, with the standard winter tires, which are mounted on the Grand California from the factory, we find a small – or big – surprise. The Conti Van Contact Winter has exactly the same “life-threatening 🫣” wet grip, as the BF Goodrich KO 2, how can you bring something like that on the market?! 😉

All these opinions and comments, mostly from people who do not drive the tire itself, have -in particular- but unsettled me. Should the Goodrich just really be worse in every respect? After 10 months and 20,000 kilometers, we can finally say something about it ourselves. 😌

1. the fuel consumption

The first very persistent rumor against the tire: Fuel consumption is said to increase exorbitantly.

In fact, there is an increase, ranging from half a liter to one liter, depending on the tire pressure. Looking at the profile of the Goodrich, it is hardly surprising that fuel consumption will be slightly higher. But all in all, the exorbitant additional consumption is not that exorbitant.

2. the rolling noise

The Goodrich is louder than the original tires. Especially at high outside temperatures, the tire sounds like it is sticking to the road. Those who are sensitive here might feel disturbed by it. It should be noted at this point that the Crafter does not generally impress with its quiet handling.

3. the driving behavior

That should be the most important thing about a tire. The KO 2 does its job really well, even if not perfectly. There are definitely weaknesses, because who can do everything well? Goodrich strikes the right balance, however.

The KO 2 does best on dry asphalt and gravel roads, especially the latter are clearly its terrain. To go back to the danger to life, which I mentioned at the beginning, yes the tire has a longer braking distance on wet roads, you notice that in everyday life. But we are far from life-threatening here.

Things got especially interesting in January when we made our way across the Baltic to Scandinavia. The roads had it all for us, going over mud, gravel, deep snow and ice. The temperature range extended from +10 to – 25 degrees.

And today I sit here and can write this report, so I survived this trip, with these tires. But is the KO 2 now a really cool winter tire? Almost! On snow-covered roads we had a really safe feeling while driving and for the “normal” winter it is absolutely sufficient what the Goodrich can do. However, Scandinavian winters are not “normal” winters, extreme conditions prevail there, not for nothing car manufacturers test their new vehicles in winter in these areas. As soon as the roads were icy, the sliding began. But in defense, it was similar the year before with the Continental tires, on these roads you end up needing studs and nothing else.

The BF Goodrich KO 2 can be used in my opinion (almost) without restrictions as a winter tire, always apart from the extreme conditions that the Arctic Circle so offers.

4. last but not least, the wear and tear

And what about wear and tear? That’s when we got a real surprise. On the whole driving distance so far not even 0.5mm remained on the road compared to a new Goodrich.

New BF Goodrich

Age BF Goodrich

Conclusion

The BF Goodrich KO 2 is a great tire and we would mount it again and again. Calculates with an additional consumption on average of 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers, but against the additional consumption is the excellent wear. In winter, we recommend lowering the tire pressure by about 0.5 bar. We had the best experience with this setting on snow-covered roads.

One thing everyone should keep in mind, a summer tire in summer is better, a winter tire in winter is better. An AT tire is always a compromise, but with the BF Goodrich KO 2 it’s a damn good one, especially when you’re not on asphalt.