I picked up a set of BFG KM2's for my X about 3 months ago. Size 33x12.50x15. Normally I don't bother but I have been so impressed with these tires that I felt I really had to do a review.
PRO's:
Absolutely the best on-road comfort and handling of ANY tire I have ever put on my X including all-terrains. Unbelievably smooth ride, relatively quiet, handle pretty well and have yet to experience any lift (hydroplaning) when hitting large water puddles or heavy downpours.
Offroad... wow... that about sums it up. Just wow. With two big wheeling trips on them and both being in opposite trail conditions (mostly dry and extremely wet and muddy), they have performed well beyond my expectations. In mud, they perform just as well as my Cooper STT's did. They clean out very well and they really dig in. On the rocks, you can almost feel the big lugs grabbing traction like claws. Obstacles that I've had to hit with a little speed to bump up and over, with the KM2's I am able to just give it a gentle consistent throttle and let the gearing and tires do the work. They have almost taken the fun out of some of the more challenging obstacles I used to hit and bang on and have to make multiple attempts to get through. On my last trip, I was walking through obstacles that locked rigs (one even locked front and rear) were really struggling with. I am open at both-ends.
CON's:
The one and only strike against the KM2 is they do have a weaker sidewall. Especially compared to my STT's. Only a 2-ply steel belt versus others with 3-ply or 10-ply. I've read a few reports of cut sidewalls but aside from that, as unbiased as I can possibly be, I really can't give any other bad marks against this tire (too early to tell tread life).
When the KM2's first came out, I was very unimpressed. They didn't even make my top 3 for consideration. I came across a great deal on a set at a time when I really need new tires so I jumped on it. As I look back, my first impressions of the tires came from seeing them perform on jeeps (one being a rubicon). What I didn't consider was how much lighter a jeep is than an xterra. I think the difference in weight is what benefits this tire the best. It really puts the tread to the ground and forces it to grab. The jeeps I saw seemed almost to float in mud.
If you are wanting an aggressive M/T with good road manners for your xterra (or 4runner or other similar weight SUV), I would go with the KM2's without hesitation. If you have a jeep, maybe not so much although running them at a much lower psi may offset the weight difference.
My score: 9 out of 10
Only reason they do not get a full 10 out of 10 is the weaker sidewall design. That is it. Really just a fantastic tire.
PRO's:
Absolutely the best on-road comfort and handling of ANY tire I have ever put on my X including all-terrains. Unbelievably smooth ride, relatively quiet, handle pretty well and have yet to experience any lift (hydroplaning) when hitting large water puddles or heavy downpours.
Offroad... wow... that about sums it up. Just wow. With two big wheeling trips on them and both being in opposite trail conditions (mostly dry and extremely wet and muddy), they have performed well beyond my expectations. In mud, they perform just as well as my Cooper STT's did. They clean out very well and they really dig in. On the rocks, you can almost feel the big lugs grabbing traction like claws. Obstacles that I've had to hit with a little speed to bump up and over, with the KM2's I am able to just give it a gentle consistent throttle and let the gearing and tires do the work. They have almost taken the fun out of some of the more challenging obstacles I used to hit and bang on and have to make multiple attempts to get through. On my last trip, I was walking through obstacles that locked rigs (one even locked front and rear) were really struggling with. I am open at both-ends.
CON's:
The one and only strike against the KM2 is they do have a weaker sidewall. Especially compared to my STT's. Only a 2-ply steel belt versus others with 3-ply or 10-ply. I've read a few reports of cut sidewalls but aside from that, as unbiased as I can possibly be, I really can't give any other bad marks against this tire (too early to tell tread life).
When the KM2's first came out, I was very unimpressed. They didn't even make my top 3 for consideration. I came across a great deal on a set at a time when I really need new tires so I jumped on it. As I look back, my first impressions of the tires came from seeing them perform on jeeps (one being a rubicon). What I didn't consider was how much lighter a jeep is than an xterra. I think the difference in weight is what benefits this tire the best. It really puts the tread to the ground and forces it to grab. The jeeps I saw seemed almost to float in mud.
If you are wanting an aggressive M/T with good road manners for your xterra (or 4runner or other similar weight SUV), I would go with the KM2's without hesitation. If you have a jeep, maybe not so much although running them at a much lower psi may offset the weight difference.
My score: 9 out of 10
Only reason they do not get a full 10 out of 10 is the weaker sidewall design. That is it. Really just a fantastic tire.