As we approached a section on Black Bear Pass in Colorado known as The Steps, the views leading down toward Telluride were stunning and, at the same time, harrowing. I had concerns. Not only had a light drizzle lingered throughout much of the day, causing the mix of granite and loose rock to become slick, the A-TRAC system – Active Traction Control – in our 100 Series Land Cruiser wasn’t functioning properly. All of this culminated into a journey that depended on nothing but 4-low, a bit of skill and a relatively new set of 275/70/18 BFG KO2 tires. This was going to be interesting.
BFG’s announcement of their redesigned all-terrain, dubbed the KO2, was big news in the fall of 2014. Select members of the media, including myself, had the opportunity to test this updated tire for several days in Baja through a mix of varied terrain that included sand, silt, rock, rain, and mud — virtually every terrain one could encounter minus snow. By the end of our three-day adventure, I was convinced the KO2, with its durable CoreGuard™ sidewall rubber and a myriad of additional enhancements to the tire’s siping and footprint, would set a new standard for all-terrain tires. Now, as I prepared to descend The Steps, I recalled how well the tire had done through torrential downpours and slick, muddy conditions back in Texas and in Baja, and I felt confident we’d be safely down to Telluride before long. Sure enough, the loose, slick rock was nary a challenge for the KO2 and, over the following year, this tire has convinced me it’s the benchmark by which all other all-terrain tires will be judged.
The original KO differs in a variety of ways from the KO2, including traction, puncture resistance, and longevity. The tire is qualitatively different than its predecessor, and my journeys from the Chihuahuan Desert to the piney woods to the Rocky Mountains and everywhere in between, with many of those miles off road, have proven the tires’ defined enhancements and characteristics. KO2’s stone ejectors and mud-phobic bars, which do a phenomenal job of maximizing the tires’ traction when driving through loose rock and thick mud, supplement the KO2’s specially formulated tread rubber which not only grabs the terrain but lasts longer than its predecessor. In my case, this set is now over 50,000-miles old with regular tire pressure checks and rotations along the way. I expect these tires have at least another 25,000 to 30,000 miles left on them before they’re retired. That’s impressive in itself given what I expect is the significant curb weight of our 100 Series Land Cruiser when fully loaded and pulling our teardrop camper trailer. You also can’t deny the visual appeal of the KO2, as its thicker shoulder rubber gives the tire enhanced function in grabbing rock and looks the part of a true off-road tire.
My verdict, after 50,000 miles of the KO2, is that it’s an exceptional tire at an exceptional price. I have no problem recommending it to anyone looking for an all-terrain tire that's perfectly equipped to tackle virtually any road condition and, with over 60 different size options, you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right size for your next adventure.