Kenda’s story started with bicycle tires in 1962. Though, Kenda’s breaking point was in 2014. When they established American Technical Center in Ohio, they weren’t poor quality Taiwan company anymore…
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Kenda’s all-terrain tires have decent quality due to their dirty cheap prices. They are good at wet and snow. Yet, their tread life isn’t that great. I recommend you to try Kenda Klever AT2 and Klever RT if you wanna give this brand a try.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Kenda Tires?
Depending on location, the answer changes. Kenda made a joint venture agreement with Cooper in 2004. Since then, Kenda and Cooper making tires together for the USA market. Yet, this agreement is only valid in the North America continent.
Where are Kenda Tires Made?
Kenda Tires are made in Asia. It seems a bit disappointing at first but no worries fellows. Due to their joint venture agreement with Cooper, the design and quality control phases are running by Cooper in North America.
Made by Asians but approved by Americans!
How Good are Kenda Tires?
To be honest, expecting premium brand performances from Kenda is nothing but dreaming. Yet, among its main competitors(Atturo, Hercules, etc.), Kenda stays strong.
Kenda’s tires mainly last long. Well, they aren’t smooth as Pirelli or Goodyear. Yet, they are known for their decent wet and winter performances. Lastly, you better use them only in mild operations. Extreme conditions aren’t their expertise.
Their performance is totally acceptable due to their low price level.
Where to Buy Kenda Tires?
I don’t recommend buying them in local shops. Kenda has very responsive customer service. They’re willing to help you in any circumstances. You might get trouble contacting customer service via local shops.
Kenda Tires has an agreement with SimpleTire and PriorityTire. These well-known online dealers help you out in any claim you have.
I recommend you to shop online for cheaper brands. That will keep you on the safe side.
Kenda Light Truck Tires
Kenda Klever AT Review
Kenda Klever AT is the first all-terrain tire in Kenda’s line-up. This tire provides consistent traction on and off the road. This cheap brand tire promises more durability than most well-known brands.
In summary, Klever AT is a bit noisy and offers rough ride. Yet, it has decent performance on snow and wet. You can confidently use it in mild off-road.
Tread Life
Satisfying tread life is what budget-friendly tires must hold. Well, Klever AT will meet your expectations in that case.
Kenda used double steel belt construction that improves tread life significantly. Double steel belt construction increases tire uniformity. As a result, irregular wear doesn’t become an issue and you get a long-lasting rubber.
Worth reminding, Klever AT doesn’t have a treadwear warranty. Though, you might get between 40,000-60,000 miles.
Durability
Klever AT has a 3-ply sidewall that improves its durability significantly. Moreover, sidewall protectors increase its puncture resistance.
Road Noise and Comfort
Due to achieving increased tread life, Kenda uses stiff rubber. Hence, that decreases noise reduction and comfort.
Klever AT has a broader shoulder design. So, that aggravates airflow inside the grooves and increases road noise.
This tire makes some road noise on highways and it doesn’t offers smooth ride as premium brand tires.
Wet Performance
Wet grip is Kenda’s priority. Due to achieve that they use circumferential grooves in almost every product. Well, I don’t like siping very much. This tire can’t work under heavy rain.
Klever AT2 is a decent wet tire unless you aren’t faced with a heavy shower frequently.
Winter Performance
This tire isn’t snow-rated. I don’t recommend you to use them in deep snow. Yet, in light snow, they perform as well as wet surfaces. They will meet all of your expectations in light snow.
Don’t use them in icy conditions!
Off-Road Performance
These tires are built to perform off the road. Well, they have decent traction. They are good at the loose ground grip. Yet, mud driving and rock crawling aren’t their expertise.
Kenda Klever AT2
In summary, Kenda Klever AT2 is a trustworthy tire that can perform smoothly in wet, and dry conditions. It has huge winter capability and has three-peak snowflake marking. Most importantly, it is dirt cheap for its capability.
I’ve made Kenda Klever AT2’s review before. You can click here to check it out!
Kenda Klever RT
Kenda Klever RT is Kenda’s rugged-terrain tire. Rugged-terrain tires are placed between mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. They have better off-road capability than all-terrains. Yet, some of them can fail on highways.
In summary, Kenda Klever RT is a quiet and durable tire. It performs perfectly on severe surfaces but mud. It’s durable and has acceptable on-road manners. The only weak point is uncertain tread life.
Detailed review –> https://tireterrain.com/kenda-klever-r-t-tire-review/
Tread Life
Tread life is an issue for most rugged-terrain tires. Manufacturers use soft compounds due to increase traction on severe surfaces. So, tread life decreases as expected.
Even though it has a soft compound, this tire has the best tread life in Kenda’s light-truck tire line-up. Due to the tread design, it wears evenly. So, if you follow your rotation time closely, you can get a tread life of a regular all-terrain tire.
Durability
This one also has a 3-ply sidewall. However, its sidewalls are thicker than Kenda Klever AT2. Therefore, it’s a bit more durable than its little brother.
Due to durability, this tire is underrated. It has one of the strongest structures in the market.
If you’re looking for something sturdy, it’s your tire.
Road Noise and Comfort
Due to the narrow gaps between center blocks, this tire isn’t noisy for this aggressive design. Yet, blocky shoulders always make some noise. It’s not the best but let’s say average.
Comfort isn’t an issue due to its soft compound and close block pattern design. It’s better than AT and AT2 in that case.
Wet Performance
Wet grip is where Kenda focused on most. Well, this rule obtains for Klever RT also.
Well-placed sipes and softer compound increases its wet grip significantly.
Winter Performance
Another tip, most Kenda tires are a great choice for winter conditions. They sacrifice tread life due to increase grip ability.
Due to its deeper tread and aggressive sidewall design, this tire can perform on light and deep snow very well. Moreover, you can place studs on it to increase ice traction.
Off-Road Performance
Off-road is where it’s shining. Its durability and grip ability are huge. On the other hand, mud and sand aren’t Klever RT’s expertise. Its compound isn’t soft enough to not dig mud and sand.
Kenda Klever MT
Kenda Klever MT is the mud-terrain tire in Kend’s line-up. It’s built to perform on loose grounds. So, on-road isn’t their priority.
In summary, Kenda Klever MT is a comfortable maximum traction tire. Yet, it’s a bit noisy. If you’re looking for a long-lasting tire, it’s not your tire. It has prior wet and snow performance. Moreover, you can count it on severe surfaces.
Tread Life
Expecting good tread life from mud-terrain tires is utopian. These tires are focused on only traction. Hence, tread life is not their priority.
Luckily, Klever MT’s tread design helps it to last more. Due to well-aligned tread blocks, it isn’t wearing unevenly. Yet, this one has the worst tread life on this list.
Durability
Durability isn’t an issue for mud-terrain tires. So, its construction is tough. Moreover, it has special rubber that procures cut and chipping resistance.
You can confidently use this tire in and severe operation.
Noise Reduction and Comfort
I have to admit that this tire is noisy due to wide gaps between the lugs. Well, it’s a mud-terrain tire. Road noise is totally acceptable.
On the other hand, comfort isn’t a problem due to its soft compound.
Wet Performance
Soft compound always works better on wet. This one additionally has full-depth sipes that keep it consistent on wet during its wear life.
It’s trustworthy option.
Winter Performance
Mud-terrain tires are decent options for snow traction due to their self-cleaning ability. This one additionally has stone ejectors that will throw the compact snow out. You can confidently use it in severe winter conditions.
Off-Road Performance
Klever MT is a perfect option for loose grounds. Yet, sand driving isn’t their priority. You can confidently use it on other surfaces.
Price
The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.
Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.
Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,
SimpleTire
- Free shipping
- Delivered in 2 days
- Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
- Mobile installation option
- 7 million customers since 2021
- 4.7/5 points on Google rate
- Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match
Kenda Product Line: https://simpletire.com/brands/kenda-tires
Amazon
- Fast and free shipping (mostly in a day)
- Get your tires shipped to a selected service center or get them installed at home or work (how does it work?)
- Installation on Mavis Discount Tire (15$ per tire)
- Installing new stem valves supplied by pro
- Balancing your tires
- Road/safety test
- Since Amazon provides wholesale and affordable prices, they don’t offer a road hazard warranty
Kenda Product Line: https://www.amazon.com/stores/KENDA/
PriorityTire
- Local installer and mobile installer options
- Huge product range(you may find any tire you want)
- 4.8 overall satisfaction rate
- Always have a good deal to find
- 90 days money-back guarantee
- Free FedEx shipping
Kenda Product Line: https://www.prioritytire.com/by-brand/kenda-tires/
While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.
Conclusion
I hope this article was helpful. I’ve tried to keep it short as I can. The other 3 options aren’t worth your money. so, I keep them out of this article.
If you have any further questions, please leave them below. Have a safe ride!
