BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Review

Looking for a BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 tire review? You’ve come to the right place.

There are few better options for a seriously capable and durable off-road tire than the KO2. It has earned a reputation as the go-to off-road tire for Jeeps, trucks and just about anything.

PROS

• All terrain capability
• Exceptional off-road durability
• Extra strong sidewalls
• True winter performance

CONS

• Louder than many
• Not the most comfortable ride
• Some compromise in wet weather performance on-road
• Shorter tread life compared to competitors

BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Tire Review

When it comes to ride comfort and fuel efficiency on-road, well, the KO2 has it’s drawbacks. But there’s a reason for it. A Porsche GT3 isn’t as comfortable a ride as a Lexus, and that’s expected. The same goes here. To get maximum off-road capability you have to make compromises, and the KO2 is for those who understand getting the most out of an off-road tire means sacrificing some comfort and quietness.

Features

Compared to the original BFG KO tire, the KO2 has four main advantages: better off-road traction, longer treadlife and even tougher sidewalls.

All Terrain Traction

To see the improvements, you need to look no further than the sidewall of the tires. The Upper Sidewall Traction Bars near the tread give extra traction on rocks and in mud, as well as in snow. These are particularly useful when the tires are aired-down. Between each of those sections are what BFG calls “Mud-Phobic Bars” that help throw-off mud or dirt. These two features on the sidewall combine to create a third, which gives the tire better maneuverability in deep mud, dirt or snow.

Speaking of snow, along the sidewall you’ll noticed the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake logo meaning the KO2 meets or exceeds the Rubber Manufacturer Association’s qualifications to be certified as a true winter tire.

Moving to the top of the tire, it features 3-D Sipes (Sipes are the little zig-zags cut into the tire tread to give additional grip) which (along with a tire compound that withstands freezing) give it the grip it needs to received that 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake logo.

On-Road Grip

When it comes to traction on the street, the wide tread pattern delivers solid handling in the dry. When the wet comes it still does an admirable job, however, deeper standing water is more of a challenge. Because of the tread design with fewer circumferential grooves that work to evacuate water, it’s grip in deeper water is less than some many rivals.

Longer Treadlife

Moving to the actual tire tread, the tread is designed for an even distribution of stress so it wears more evenly over time. Unlike conventional passenger car tires, the individual treads overlap in an interlocking design for added stability. In the valleys between the tread are small stone ejectors, which help stones fly off the tires. This is done because having stones trapped in the tread can not only minimize on and off-road traction, but it can wear the tread over time.

Tougher Sidewalls

Tire punctures can ruin any day, especially if you’re off-roading and nowhere near civilization. So if you go off-roading often you’ll want a tire that’s designed to resist punctures.

Many tires offer features or layers on the actual tread to prevent punctures, but seasoned off-roaders will know the real risk is with the sidewalls. They’re mostly unprotected and even just driving next to a sharp rock can cut the tire open. For starters, the KO2 is designed to deflect sharp objects that can brush against the side of the tire. The sidewalls are also thicker and use BFG’s CoreGard Technology, which uses a patented arrangement from the tire manufacturer’s Baja T/A KR2 off-road race tire.

Compared to the previous generation BFG all-terrain tire, the sidewalls are 20 percent thicker.

What Vehicles Will The BFG T/A KO2 Fit On?

• Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche, S10, Suburban, Colorado, Blazer
• Dodge Ram, Durango, Dakota
• Ford Expedition, Escape, Ranger, Bronco, F-150, Excursion, Explorer
• GMC Yukon, Sierra, Canyon
• Honda Element, CR-V
• Hummer H3, H2
• Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Liberty
• Land Rover Discovery
• Lexus GX
• Nissan Titan, Xterra, Frontier
• RAM 1500
• Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Sequoia, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Highlander

BFGodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Price

While retailers can set their own prices and promotions will occasionally be offered, generally speaking the KO2 starts at around $150 per tire for a 15-inch fitment and goes up to almost $500 per tire for a 22-inch size.

BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Warranty

All BFGoodrich tires come with a Standard Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty. This covers defects in workmanship and materials for the entire life of the original usable tread, or for 6 years from the date of tire purchase whichever occurs first. Starting in 2020 the BFG T/A KO2 now comes with a 50,000 mile warranty.

BFG All Terrain T/A KO2 Sizes

15-inch sizes
235/75/R15
30/9.5/R15
215/75/R15
31/10.5/R15
33/12.5/R15
32/11.5/R15
33/10.5/R15
35/12.5/R15

16-inch sizes
245/70/R16
235/85/R16
245/75/R16
265/75/R16
215/65/R16
235/70/R16
225/75/R16
255/70/R16
215/70/R16
225/70/R16
285/75/R16
295/75/R16
305/70/R16
315/75/R16
265/70/R16
275/70/R16

17-inch sizes
245/65/R17
255/70/R17
245/70/R17
235/80/R17
265/70/R17
225/65/R17
245/75/R17
265/65/R17
285/70/R17
275/70/R17
255/65/R17
255/75/R17
285/75/R17
275/65/R17
295/70/R17
315/70/R17
33/12.5/R17
35/12.5/R17
305/65/R17
34/10.5/R17
37/12.5/R17

18-inch sizes
265/60/R18
255/55/R18
285/60/R18
275/65/R18
265/65/R18
255/70/R18
275/70/R18
265/70/R18
285/65/R18
325/65/R18
295/70/R18
305/65/R18
35/12.5/R18
33/12.5/R18
305/70/R18
34/12.5/R18

20-inch sizes
275/55/R20
275/60/R20
265/60/R20
275/65/R20
295/55/R20
285/55/R20
33/12.5/R20
285/65/R20
305/55/R20
295/65/R20
35/12.5/R20
295/60/R20
285/60/R20
325/60/R20
37/12.5/R20

22-inch sizes
33/12.5/R22
35/12.5/R22

Is the BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2 Good in Snow?

In short, you bet! While all all-terrain tires may look like the can plow right through a snowbank, there’s more to it than that. These tires feature the three-peak mountain snowflake logo on their sidewall meaning they have been certified for true winter use by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). Using a combination of siping and a rubber compound that resists freezing not only do these tires let you plow through snow, but they also offer improved grip on clear roads when its below freezing.