The rubber that runs between you and the road, whether you drive a turbocharged F250 or a speedy Subaru, is essential to the performance of your car. But selecting the best tires might be challenging.
Do BFG KO2 all-terrain tires include winter, or should you go for winter-specific tires? This article will help answer this question by comparing the BFG KO2 tires to the winter tires available on the market. Continue reading to learn more.
BFG KO2 vs Winter Tires: What is the Difference?
BFG KO2 all-terrain tires and winter tires are both extremely durable. BFG KO2 tires are thick and tough, so they will not puncture when you are rolling over rocks. Winter tires are made specifically to maintain flexibility and traction in subfreezing temperatures.
The best tire between the two is not easy to pick. You will need to consider how each tire performs to select the one that best suits your driving requirements. The advantages and features of BFG KO2 all-terrain and winter tires will be compared in the next section of this article, along with a side-by-side comparison, to help you decide which is better.
BFG KO2 Tires: All You Need to Know
BFG KO2 tires are all-terrain tires. All-terrain tires combine the drivability of a road tire with the design features of off-road tires.
These tears feature an open tread design. This means they have tread groves that form an interlocking puzzle-piece pattern rather than a vertical pattern. With this type of tread, the tire can conform to various shaped objects while maintaining traction.
When rolling over the rocks and boulders of the mountains, the wide grooves of these tires also prevent many things from becoming trapped within the tread.
All-terrain tires’ sidewalls are incredibly durable. These walls are frequently strengthened, not only to protect against rock punctures but also to increase the carrying capacity of the tires. Under the weight of an off-road vehicle that is fully loaded, a tire with frail sidewalls might buckle and blow out.
These tires are designed to travel on any surface, as their name implies. Road, mud, gravel, slush, and yes, snow are all included in this. These tires are capable of handling some snow, but not as well as winter tires.
Running all-terrain tires such as the BFG KO2 all year round has some drawbacks, including rapid tread degradation on standard roads. Since the tread is wide and runs at an unusual angle to the road, these are also noisier to drive on pavement. For someone who doesn’t do a lot of highways driving but enjoys weekend mountain exploration, the BFG KO2 all-terrain tires are fantastic.
Winter Tires: All You Need to Know
Winter tires are also known as snow tires. As their name implies, the tires are designed specifically to offer traction in the snow. They achieve this by utilizing a design tailored to the subzero temperatures.
Winter tires are constructed using a softer rubber compound than regular tires. Regular tires become stiff and incapable of flexing into the ground when they freeze at a particular temperature. Even in freezing conditions, the softness of a winter tire enables it to flatten and grip the road.
Snow tires are not ideal for driving on warm roads due to the soft rubber.
The second important factor affecting winter tires’ traction is their tread pattern. The tread pattern contains grooves that are deeper than those found in a conventional tire, but they are not as wide as those of an all-terrain tire. The tread’s particular form helps to clear the snow and slush.
In contrast to the rounded slope of a standard tire, the shoulders of a snow tire are at an angle. Due to this and the high siping, the tire can create grip where none previously existed by biting into the slush and snow.
A winter tire’s tread pattern forces water out from under the tire, reducing the possibility of hydroplaning and enhancing lateral traction.
Some snow tires additionally have dimples that are designed to hold the stud installation. Studdable tire holes are filled with hard rubber or metal accessories called studs, which stick out of the tire for a short distance. These studs penetrate difficult barriers like compacted snow and ice like tiny ice picks in order to adhere to the slick surfaces.
The main drawback of winter tires is that they can not be used on warm roads due to their soft rubber compound. Consider trying to bounce a half-inflated basketball, and you can see how a soft rubber will lead to a less responsive ride in warm weather.
BFG KO2 vs. Winter Tires: Side by Side Comparison
| Features | BFG KO2 Tires | Winter Tires |
| Price for a SUV or small truck tire | $800 | $1200 |
| Best suited for | Places that experience snow less than 10 times every winter | Region that experience temperature fall below 40⁰F for most part of the winter |
| Wide tread | Yes | Yes |
| Performance on ice | Okay | Excellent when studded |
| Performance in snow | Good | Excellent |
| Performance in warm weather | Excellent | Poor |
| Noise level on paved surfaces | High | Medium |
BFG KO2 Tire Rating
| Features | Rating |
| Dry | 4.5 |
| Wet | 3.5 |
| Off-road | 4.5 |
| Comfort | 4.0 |
| Noise level | 4.7 |
| Treadwear | 4.1 |
Winter Tire Rating
| Winter Tire | Dry | Wet | Snow | Comfort | Noise | Treadwear |
| Firestone Winterforce | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Continental WinterContact SI | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Continental Viking Contact 7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
BFG KO2 vs. Winter Tires: Which One is Better?
There are times and places for each tire we looked at in this article. BFG KO2 all-terrain tires are more adaptable and perform well in a broader range of situations than winter tires, which are specialized tires that excel in a narrow range of settings.
There is no question that winter tires are preferable for you if you reside somewhere with harsh, icy winters, at least throughout the winter. Most other tires can’t match the grip that these tires offer. You can almost have an unbeatable grip if you had the option of studding those tires.
BFG KO2, like all other all-terrain tires, is ideal for you if you don’t live somewhere with excruciatingly harsh winters and prefer to explore the mountains rather than travel the highways. They provide superior grip on the rocks on the way down and enough snow traction to get you through the white layer at the mountain’s top.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Long Do BFG KO2 Tires Last?
The BFG KO2 tires have a lifespan ranging from 40,000miles to 50,000 miles.
Can You Use Snow Tires in the Summer?
It is not advisable to use your snow tires in the summer. This is mainly because the tires have soft rubber unsuitable for use during the warm seasons.
Can You Use BFG KO2 Tires in the Snow?
BFG KO2 tires are all-terrain tires that can be utilized in the snow. However, these tires will not perform better compared to winter tires.
Are BFG KO2 Good on sand?
Yes. These tires perform excellently on the sand, and you will never experience issues getting stuck.
Do You Really Need Winter Tires?
No. But if you live in areas with harsh, icy winters, it is a good idea to get a set of winter tires for your car.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between BFG KO2 tires and winter tires. Consider the area you live in and your driving requirements before you can purchase either of them.