The 255/85R16 Tire Official List

[Dazrin]

FYI, it looks like the BFG KM2 is now discontinued in 255/85R16 at least according to reports on IH8Mud. Maybe they have a new KM3 (crosses fingers) coming out and have just discontinued some less common sizes until they get the new ones up and running, but given they just released the KO2, I would expect it is at least a year before that happens, quite probably longer.

If you are set on them and need something in the next year you should check around now for anything that might still be in stock.

 

[Fargo]

Have a link to that info? I'd be surprised of BFG discontinued that size now. If sales were down, I would have expected it to have been discontinued a few years back when the KO2 was introduced. Why go through the trouble and expense to make that size tire only to discontinue it a few years later? I'd like to see more proof before I panic.

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me to see BFG re-label the 255/85/16 as a 34x10.5R16. Since the new BFG KO2 comes in a 34x10.5R17 it would seem reasonable to me they might change the imprint on the sidewall or something. Maybe I am just being over optomistic. I guess we will see.

 

[Beowulf]

I would absolutely love a 34x10.5R16. Maybe it would be a few tenths of an inch bigger.

 

[Dazrin]

Have a link to that info? I'd be surprised of BFG discontinued that size now. If sales were down, I would have expected it to have been discontinued a few years back when the KO2 was introduced. Why go through the trouble and expense to make that size tire only to discontinue it a few years later? I'd like to see more proof before I panic.

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me to see BFG re-label the 255/85/16 as a 34x10.5R16. Since the new BFG KO2 comes in a 34x10.5R17 it would seem reasonable to me they might change the imprint on the sidewall or something. Maybe I am just being over optomistic. I guess we will see.

All I have is the report on Mud (here, which someone also mentions the Toyo M55 in 255/85 being discontinued as well), just thought I would let people over here know to be on their guard. Hopefully it isn't the case. I did look at BFG's website and they have one version of the 255/85 with a "--" MSRP, there is another version with a "$289" MSRP. It is possible that the Discount Tire in question looked up the wrong part number since they are different numbers. :shrug:

The KO2 was just introduced last year, do you mean the KM2? Like I mentioned, my thoughts are that they might be re-tooling for a new iteration and have stopped producing some less common sizes to free up space in a factory to make a new version or a different tire altogether. We can hope at least.

 

[Fargo]

Yeah, I meant the KM2. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like its only been out about 3 years right? It seems short sighted on BFGs part to only build a tire for 3 years then discontinue it. But who knows. Its gets even scarier of Toyo is dropping the size too.

I also checked BFGs website and saw they had 2 different part numbers for that size. So maybe its just being replaced by a new part number. I was encouraged when BFG announced the KO2 in a 34x10.5R17. I was hoping a R16 would follow in both mud and all terrain. Maybe everything is going 17" rims now and I will be forced to by new rims.

 

[REDrum]

FYI, it looks like the BFG KM2 is now discontinued in 255/85R16 at least according to reports on IH8Mud.

Oh crap!!!!!! I need a set of 4 soon. I do not want to have to buy 5 in a new size, in central america that would cost >$2K

 

[Dazrin]

Yeah, I meant the KM2. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like its only been out about 3 years right?

The KM2s were released in mid-2008, so going on 7 years now. I am not sure when this size was released though. (Tirerack review dates match this release date; they start in March 2008.)

The original BFG A/T KO was released approximately 15 years ago (although only 10 according to this, which may be Australia specific, I know I had a set in 2002-3. Tirerack reviews start in March 2002.), either way that puts the KM2s at over 1/2 way to their upgrade time. The BFG T/A KM predecessor to the KM2 was only around for about 5-8 years. My tire history is fuzzy, but I know it wasn't released before 2000.

Maybe everything is going 17" rims now and I will be forced to by new rims.

I think that is the trend and that 16" sizes will begin getting hard to find, especially in less common sizes. The 245, 265, and 285/75 sizes should be around a while, but I wouldn't be surprised to see many sizes relegated to "specialty" status. $$$$ and hard to find.

 

[Jim K in PA]

I also just searched the BFG site and they still show the KM2 in this size. However, Tirerack.com is showing it as a "closeout" item on their site. Hmmmmm.

 

[onemanarmy]

this isn't related to this particular tire size, but even as the 15" wheel is being sent to the days of yesteryear, BFG plans to release a bunch of 15" sizes in the new AT pattern this year. Maybe there is hope.

 

[Rallyroo]

Yeah, I meant the KM2. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems like its only been out about 3 years right? It seems short sighted on BFGs part to only build a tire for 3 years then discontinue it. But who knows. Its gets even scarier of Toyo is dropping the size too.

I've had 255/85R16 KM2's since 2009. And I'm on my 2nd set now. So the KM2's are definitely older than 3 years.

Edit: Caught up with the thread. Looks like Darrin replied that the KM2 was released in 2008.

 

[TechMOGogy]

I also just searched the BFG site and they still show the KM2 in this size. However, Tirerack.com is showing it as a "closeout" item on their site. Hmmmmm.

I called Tirerack and the guy confirmed that they are no longer being made so once their stock is gone - it is gone.
Not a popular size.
Cooper S/T Maxx comes in 25585R16 (not as much void) however - and a couple others out there (TOYO $$$$)

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I called Tirerack and the guy confirmed that they are no longer being made so once their stock is gone - it is gone.
Not a popular size.
Cooper S/T Maxx comes in 25585R16 (not as much void) however - and a couple others out there (TOYO $$$$)

Appears they might be sold out already, I just plugged in an order for a set of 5 and the shipping calculator said they didn't have sufficient supply to estimate shipping.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

The upside though is the new KO2 will come in a 34x10.50 that will help fill the void.

 

[Redline]

The upside though is the new KO2 will come in a 34x10.50 that will help fill the void.

Agreed, I can't help but be excited about that new 34" size, really hope it is a full 34-inches tall.

On topic, there are still some good 255/85s being made, and the announced ******** Cepek Extreme Country will be offered in 255/85R16E (and 235/85R16E).

 

[Zeep]

Agreed, I can't help but be excited about that new 34" size, really hope it is a full 34-inches tall.

On topic, there are still some good 255/85s being made, and the announced ******** Cepek Extreme Country will be offered in 255/85R16E (and 235/85R16E).

That is interesting, except for the E load range rating. Too stiff of a sidewall for a Jeep!