KO VS KO2: WHICH BFGOODRICH TIRE IS BETTER?
Have you ever been stuck while choosing the best fit AT tires for your cars? Well, you are not alone. In recent times, picking a suitable tire for your vehicle could be a stressful decision.
After selecting a brand, sometimes choosing between models can be exhausting. Most brands have different tire models that are perfect for cars but do not meet your taste.
In this article, we have two of BFGoodrich’s all-terrain tires, the KO and KO2. We are going to compare them based on some unique features, which are in the table below. These features help you compare both tires while highlighting their weaknesses and strengths.
KO VS KO2: COMPARISON TABLE
KO and KO2 are both of the same brand, BF Goodrich. BF Goodrich is known for the unwavering quality of its tires. Understanding that BF Goodrich produces only the best products allows choosing either of these two a brilliant choice.
When comparing KO2 with other types of all-terrain tires, like Nitto G2 or Toyo AT2, the qualities may be quite different. However, KO2 is the successor to KO; Therefore, they have some similar characteristics.
That’s where our comparison table comes in, a side-by-side comparison of KO and KO2.
|
BFG KO |
BFG KO2 | |
|
Off-road Performance |
Good |
Better |
|
On-road Performance |
Good |
Better |
|
Snow & Ice Performance |
Good |
Better |
|
Noise Level | Nosier | Quieter |
|
Comfort Level |
Good |
Better |
|
Durability |
Good |
Better |
|
Treadwear Warrantys |
N/A |
50,000 miles |
|
Price |
More affordable |
More Expensive |
KO VS KO2: DETAILED ANALYSIS
Off-Road Performance
The winner: BFG KO2
Taking the win for the off-road performance category is the BFG KO2, thanks to its thick upper shoulder sidewall amour accompanied by a reinforced internal structure.
This gives the BFG KO2 all the robustness and rigidity required to conquer even the harshest terrains on earth. As mentioned earlier, the KO2 is an improvement compared to the KO; thus, it has 10% better traction in mud and 20% more resistance to sidewall splitting.
Unlike the KO, the KO2 boasts new sidewall features such as the side bitter lugs, mud-phobic bars, serrated shoulder, triangular stone ejectors and additional shipping.
Putting these new features of the KO2 into consideration, its predecessor KO doesn’t rival it in terms of off-road performance.
On-Road Performance
The winner: BFG KO2
With the tread design of the KO2 superior to that of the KO, it has a 15% longer tread life than the KO. This increases its cornering stability and steering response, thus being the winner for the on-road performance category.
While the KO isn’t bad, the KO2 has twice KO’s tread life on gravel and a whopping 15% more on asphalt, accompanied by a good grip. These features allow for more effective breaking. Being KO’s successor, these advances are to be expected.
Snow & Ice Performance
The winner: BFG KO2
One major weakness of the BFG KO was its snow and ice performance. However, with the BFG KO2, a significant breakthrough was achieved, earning it a severe snow service tire rating/snowflake rating.
While you could drive the KO in snow and ice without too much trouble, the KO2 takes it up a notch with its improved treads. This allows the tire to have 19% more traction in snow than the KO, making it one of the best all-terrain tires out there. Featuring additional sipes, the KO2 outplays the KO and wins the snow and ice performance category.
Noise Level
The winner: BFG KO2
No one expects AT tires to be as quiet as modern Tesla cars. However, they shouldn’t be too noisy that they hinder you from hearing yourself properly. Therefore, when buying AT tires, consider the noise level.
Both of the KO2 and KO are not noiseless; however, they aren’t too noisy, with KO2 being the quieter. Thanks to the computer-optimized tread pattern on the KO2, the noise level is brought to a minimum, thus winning this category.
Comfort Level
The winner: BFG KO2
The comfort level of tires is mainly in their stability. Almost all vehicle owners are on the lookout for very stable tires to increase comfort.
Because of the reduced noise in KO2, there is also an increased comfort level for on-road and off-road use. It also offers excellent handling, which makes it easier and more comfortable for the driver.
The KO2 is firm and precise. It has a better grip and tracks well, thus offering a smoother ride than the KO. Although the KO wouldn’t get you all worked up while driving, as a previous version of the BFG tires, its comfort level doesn’t quite rival its successor.
Durability
The winner: BFG KO2
KO2’s load capacity is 3750 pounds, which makes it a solid choice. It has core guard technology with thick and extended shoulder rubber that makes it reliable and durable. Its rubber is made specially to function under challenging terrains.
With additional features like the serrated shoulder, mud-phobic bars and, stone ejectors, KO2’s durability just gets a boost compared to KO. While the BFG KO isn’t bad as it is fairly durable, it doesn’t quite meet up to the BFG KO2.
Its durability is the ability to withstand the harshest conditions; therefore, the KO2 outplays the KO.
Treadwear Warranty
The winner: BFG KO2
When getting an all-terrain tire, you need a good treadwear warranty. The KO2’s treadwear warranty may be inferior to some of the other all-terrain tires, if comparing KO2 with General ATX or Falken AT3W, for example.
However, it still has a tread warranty of 50,000 miles, which is quite impressive when compared to KO. Thanks to KO2’s Core guard technology, it has more brutal sidewalls, and it is thicker; thus, it will go longer distances without wearing out its tread.
Price
The winner: BFG KO
While the KO2 excels in all aspects of the KO as its successor, it isn’t exactly cheap because of the features it offers. When getting an AT tire, the cost of replacing it should be on your mind as tires are not lifelong items.
The BFG KO wins this category because it is more affordable and still offers standard AT tire features that keep you going in harsh terrains.
However, with all the excellent KO2 offers, we recommend that spending extra budget for it should be completely worthy.
FINAL THOUGHT
After appropriately analyzing the features of these tires, KO2 is the clear winner of this comparison. It has the best off-road and on-road performance, comfort level, a quieter choice, more durable, and its treadwear warranty is a whopping 50,000 miles.
Not to mention its snow and ice performance. Overall, KO2 will serve you more perfectly compared to KO.