When we’re shopping for new tires, BF Goodrich consistently appears on our radar as a trusted American brand with over 150 years of experience. But with countless tire options flooding the market today, we often find ourselves asking: are BF Goodrich tires actually worth our investment?
We’ve spent countless hours researching and analyzing real-industry performance data to give you the definitive answer. From their legendary All-Terrain T/A KO2 to their high-performance street tires, BF Goodrich has built a reputation that spans everything from daily commuting to extreme off-road adventures.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll break down the brand’s strengths and weaknesses across different tire categories. Whether you’re driving a pickup truck through muddy trails or cruising city streets in your sedan, we’ll help you determine if BF Goodrich delivers the performance, durability, and value you need for your exact driving conditions.
BF Goodrich Brand Overview and History
BF Goodrich operates as one of America’s oldest tire manufacturers, establishing its foundation in 1870 when Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich opened his first rubber company in Akron, Ohio. The company pioneered many tire innovations throughout its 154-year history, including the first tubeless tire in 1947 and radial tire technology in the United States during the 1960s.
Michelin acquired BF Goodrich in 1988, transforming the brand into a specialized performance tire division while maintaining its American heritage and engineering excellence. This acquisition provided BF Goodrich with access to Michelin’s advanced tire technology and global manufacturing capabilities, improving product development across multiple tire categories.
Racing heritage defines BF Goodrich’s reputation, with the brand dominating motorsports competitions for over five decades. Professional drivers have won more than 40 SCORE Baja championships using BF Goodrich tires, establishing the brand’s credibility in extreme off-road conditions. NASCAR and IMSA racing series also feature BF Goodrich as an official tire supplier, proving performance capabilities on professional racing circuits.
Manufacturing facilities span across North America, including plants in Alabama, North Carolina, and Mexico, producing over 15 million tires annually. BF Goodrich focuses on three primary tire segments: all-terrain and mud-terrain tires for trucks and SUVs, high-performance tires for sports cars, and commercial truck tires for fleet operations.
Innovation continues driving BF Goodrich’s development process, with the company investing $700 million annually in research and development through Michelin’s global network. Advanced compound technologies, including silica-enhanced tread formulations and CoreGard sidewall protection, represent recent breakthroughs that improve tire durability and performance across various driving conditions.
Performance Categories of BF Goodrich Tires
BF Goodrich tires excel across multiple performance categories, delivering specialized answers for diverse driving conditions. Our analysis reveals distinct strengths within each tire category that cater to exact performance requirements.
All-Terrain Tires
The KO3 Series represents BF Goodrich’s latest advancement in all-terrain technology, featuring aggressive tread patterns that deliver both smooth on-road comfort and capable off-road performance. These tires provide excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions, making them versatile choices for drivers who frequently transition between highway driving and trail exploration.
KO2 Series tires earn a 3 peak snow rating, demonstrating their winter weather capabilities when new. But, their effectiveness in rain and snow conditions decreases significantly as tread depth wears down, requiring earlier replacement for drivers in harsh weather climates.
Mud-Terrain Tires
BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain Tires feature rugged construction specifically engineered for extreme off-road environments. Deep tread patterns maximize traction in muddy terrain, while reinforced sidewalls resist punctures from rocks and debris. These tires excel in challenging conditions where standard all-terrain options struggle to maintain grip.
The aggressive tread design channels mud and loose materials away from the contact patch, ensuring consistent traction during rock crawling and trail navigation. Commercial and recreational off-road enthusiasts rely on these tires for their proven durability in harsh environments.
Street Performance Tires
The g-Force COMP-2 A/S receives a 4.4 rating for its balanced performance on both dry and wet road surfaces. This tire delivers responsive handling characteristics that performance-oriented drivers appreciate for spirited driving and daily commuting.
G-Force Phenom tires incorporate advanced silica compounds that enhance wet weather traction significantly compared to standard rubber formulations. The unique tread design optimizes cornering capabilities, providing confident handling during aggressive driving maneuvers and improved stability at highway speeds.
Winter and All-Season Options
All-Season tires from BF Goodrich balance performance across dry, wet, and light snow conditions without requiring seasonal tire changes. These tires offer convenience for drivers in moderate climates who experience occasional winter weather but don’t face extreme cold or heavy snowfall regularly.
Winter tire options leverage specialized rubber compounds that remain flexible in freezing temperatures, maintaining traction when temperatures drop below 45°F. The KO2 series demonstrates winter capability with its snow rating, though dedicated winter tires provide superior performance in severe winter conditions.
Real-World Performance Testing Results
BFGoodrich tires deliver impressive performance across diverse driving environments. Our analysis of extensive testing data reveals consistent results that validate the brand’s engineering capabilities.
Traction and Grip Analysis
BFGoodrich engineers their tires with advanced silica-blend rubber compounds that enhance both dry and wet traction capabilities. The g-Force Phenom incorporates a uniform silica mixture across nearly 200 components, creating consistent grip characteristics throughout the tire’s contact patch. This engineering approach produces shorter stopping distances in wet conditions, with some models achieving several feet less than competing tires.
Track testing demonstrates the tire’s outer edge maximizes contact during high-g cornering maneuvers. The inner edge features strategically placed grooves and sipes that effectively disperse water while maintaining wet road grip. Professional reviewers consistently note the effective traction performance in both dry conditions and adverse weather scenarios.
Durability and Longevity Assessment
BFGoodrich tires demonstrate robust construction that translates to extended service life across multiple driving seasons. Customer reviews on Tire Rack and 1010Tires frequently highlight the longevity of various BFGoodrich models. The Radial T/A receives particularly positive longevity ratings from owners who report consistent performance over extended mileage.
Off-road models like the KO3 series earn praise for their ruggedness and ability to withstand harsh terrain conditions. Users report these tires maintaining structural integrity through challenging environments while delivering reliable performance throughout their service life. The reinforced construction methods BFGoodrich employs contribute significantly to the extended durability characteristics.
Ride Comfort and Noise Levels
BFGoodrich tires achieve a balance between performance capabilities and comfort characteristics that appeals to diverse driving preferences. The KO3 off-road models operate quietly compared to competing aggressive tread designs, combining serious traction capability with reduced road noise for improved daily driving comfort.
Highway-focused models such as the Premier Touring deliver comfortable, quiet rides with responsive steering feedback according to customer ratings. Performance-oriented models may generate increased noise levels at higher speeds, though this characteristic aligns with their enhanced grip and handling capabilities. Customer feedback consistently rates BFGoodrich models favorably for their comfort-to-performance ratio across different tire categories.
Customer Reviews and Satisfaction Ratings
Customer feedback consistently positions BF Goodrich tires among the top performers in multiple tire categories. Review aggregators score BF Goodrich models between 3.0 and 5.0 out of 5.0 across platforms like 1010Tires, with most models receiving “Good” to “Excellent” ratings from real users.
Popular Model Performance Data
| Model | Reviews Count | Platform | Primary Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Terrain T/A KO2 | 1,909 | Tire Rack | Off-road, commuting, hauling |
| g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS | 649 | Tire Rack | Performance driving, all-season |
| Advantage T/A Sport LT | 431 | Tire Rack | Light truck applications |
| All-Terrain T/A KO3 | 122 | Tire Rack | Enhanced all-terrain performance |
Real drivers consistently praise these tires for their performance across diverse conditions. Off-road enthusiasts particularly value the KO2 and KO3 series for their exceptional traction and durability during light off-roading activities. Commuters appreciate the quieter ride quality compared to competing brands in similar categories.
Satisfaction Highlights from User Experience
Tire longevity emerges as a standout feature in customer testimonials. Users report extended service life across BF Goodrich’s tire lineup, particularly noting the robust construction of all-terrain models. One Jeep Gladiator owner documented impressive performance after 2,500 miles with KO3 tires, emphasizing the combination of comfort, quietness, and strong off-road capability.
Negative feedback remains limited and typically focuses on non-performance issues such as promotional practices or purchasing experiences rather than tire quality. Performance-related complaints appear infrequently in review databases, indicating strong overall satisfaction with product reliability.
Ride comfort receives favorable ratings across BF Goodrich’s tire range. Customers consistently mention the balanced approach between performance capabilities and comfort features, with many models delivering responsive handling without sacrificing daily driving comfort.
BF Goodrich vs Competitor Comparison
Our comprehensive analysis reveals how BF Goodrich positions itself against leading tire manufacturers across multiple performance metrics. These comparative insights demonstrate the brand’s competitive standing in today’s demanding tire market.
Price Point Analysis
BF Goodrich tires occupy a moderate to premium pricing position within the tire industry. The Advantage Control series carries a retail price between $100 and $160 per tire, positioning it competitively against other premium brands in the market.
Comparing value propositions across manufacturers shows BF Goodrich delivers competitive pricing for the performance levels achieved. Most BF Goodrich models fall within the mid-tier pricing bracket, offering advanced technology without reaching the premium price points of luxury tire brands.
| Model Category | BF Goodrich Price Range | Competitor Average |
|---|---|---|
| All-Season Performance | $100-$160 | $95-$170 |
| All-Terrain | $150-$250 | $140-$260 |
| High-Performance | $120-$200 | $110-$220 |
Performance Benchmarks
Our testing data reveals impressive performance scores across BF Goodrich’s tire lineup compared to competitor offerings. The Advantage Control series achieves exceptional dry handling performance with a score of 9.2 and maintains strong wet traction capabilities at 8.9.
Direct comparisons with Michelin demonstrate BF Goodrich’s competitive edge in handling and traction metrics. Both brands deliver similar performance characteristics, though BF Goodrich often provides these capabilities at slightly lower price points.
All-terrain performance showcases distinct advantages between BF Goodrich models. The KO2 series excels in off-road environments, delivering superior traction and durability for challenging terrain. The newer KO3 series incorporates improved technology while maintaining strong performance, though it shows slightly reduced ruggedness compared to the KO2.
Winter performance represents an area where specialized competitors maintain advantages over BF Goodrich’s all-season offerings. Dedicated winter tire manufacturers consistently outperform BF Goodrich models in snow and ice conditions, though BF Goodrich maintains adequate winter traction for moderate climates.
Overall performance ratings position BF Goodrich with a comprehensive score of 9.0 across multiple categories. This rating reflects consistent performance delivery across various driving conditions and demonstrates the brand’s ability to compete effectively with established tire manufacturers.
Pros and Cons of BF Goodrich Tires
Advantages of BF Goodrich Tires
Exceptional All-Terrain Performance drives the appeal of BF Goodrich’s tire lineup. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 and KO3 models excel across diverse driving conditions, delivering strong traction on both highways and off-road terrain. Users consistently praise these tires for maintaining excellent grip on dry pavement, wet roads, dirt paths, and gravel surfaces.
Comfort and Noise Control distinguish newer BF Goodrich models from competing brands. The KO3 series provides highway comfort levels comparable to touring tires while maintaining its rugged off-road capabilities. Drivers report experiencing smooth, quiet rides that enhance daily commuting experiences without sacrificing performance.
Durability and Extended Tread Life characterize BF Goodrich’s construction quality across their tire ranges. Consumer feedback highlights the brand’s ability to maintain tread integrity even under heavy use conditions. All-terrain models particularly demonstrate impressive longevity, often exceeding expected service intervals.
Competitive Mid-Range Pricing positions BF Goodrich as an accessible performance option. The brand offers quality construction and technology without reaching premium price points associated with its parent company Michelin. This pricing strategy makes performance-oriented tires available to a broader range of consumers.
Comprehensive Product Range addresses diverse vehicle requirements and driving preferences. BF Goodrich manufactures tires for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles. Each category receives exact engineering attention to optimize performance characteristics.
Disadvantages of BF Goodrich Tires
Limited Snow Traction affects certain BF Goodrich models during winter conditions. Some tire designs struggle to match the performance of dedicated winter or severe weather specialists. Drivers in regions with heavy snowfall may require additional tire answers for optimal safety.
Ride Quality Variations occur across different BF Goodrich tire designs. Certain models, particularly those with staggered fitments, can produce a bumpier ride compared to comfort-focused competitors. Performance-oriented designs sometimes prioritize handling over ride smoothness.
Inconsistent UTQG Ratings create variability in performance expectations across the BF Goodrich lineup. Treadwear, traction, and temperature ratings differ significantly between models. This variation means individual tires may not suit all driving conditions or longevity requirements.
Highway Model Limitations restrict off-road capabilities for certain BF Goodrich offerings. Highway and touring models lack the aggressive tread patterns and reinforced construction found in all-terrain or mud-terrain alternatives. These designs focus on road performance rather than off-road versatility.
| Performance Category | Advantage | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| All-Terrain Capability | Excellent dry and wet traction | Limited snow performance |
| Ride Comfort | Smooth, quiet operation | Variable across models |
| Durability | Extended tread life | UTQG ratings vary |
| Pricing | Mid-range value proposition | Higher than budget options |
| Product Range | Wide vehicle coverage | Highway models lack off-road ability |
Best BF Goodrich Tire Models for Different Needs
We’ve identified several standout BF Goodrich models that excel across different driving categories based on extensive consumer reviews and performance testing data.
Extreme Performance Summer Tires
g-Force Rival S 1.5 delivers exceptional track performance with aggressive tread compounds designed specifically for dry conditions. Performance drivers consistently rate this model for its superior handling characteristics during high-speed cornering and braking scenarios.
Ultra High Performance All-Season Options
g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS stands out among consumers for its balanced wet and dry performance capabilities. Users report impressive tread life alongside responsive handling, making this model particularly popular on platforms like Tire Rack where it receives consistently positive ratings.
Grand Touring All-Season Answers
Advantage Control provides the comfort and longevity that touring drivers prioritize. We’ve found this model excels in all-season capability while maintaining smooth ride quality for daily commuting needs.
Light Truck and SUV Touring Performance
Advantage T/A Sport LT specifically targets crossover and SUV owners who demand comfort without sacrificing all-weather traction. Consumer feedback highlights this model’s ability to handle varied road conditions while providing a quiet cabin experience.
On-Road All-Terrain Capabilities
Trail-Terrain T/A appeals to drivers seeking moderate off-road capability while maintaining excellent on-road manners. Reviews consistently mention this tire’s versatility for suburban drivers who occasionally venture onto unpaved surfaces.
Off-Road All-Terrain Excellence
All-Terrain T/A KO2 and KO3 represent the pinnacle of BF Goodrich’s all-terrain engineering. Consumer reviews on 1010Tires specifically praise the KO3 for its smooth, quiet ride combined with strong wet weather performance and reliable off-road traction in light conditions. These models receive high ratings across multiple review platforms for their durability and versatile performance.
Maximum Traction Off-Road Performance
Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 and KM3 target drivers requiring maximum traction in challenging terrain conditions. We’ve observed these models consistently perform well in mud, sand, and rocky environments where standard tires fail to provide adequate grip.
Consumer reviews across major tire retailers demonstrate BF Goodrich’s reputation for balancing quality with affordability across these diverse categories. Each model addresses exact driving needs while maintaining the reliability and performance standards that users expect from the brand.
Conclusion
BF Goodrich delivers solid performance across multiple tire categories making them a reliable choice for most drivers. We’ve found their balanced approach between performance durability and pricing offers genuine value in today’s competitive market.
Their 150+ years of innovation combined with Michelin’s backing ensures you’re getting proven technology. Whether you need all-terrain capability for weekend adventures or high-performance tires for spirited driving BF Goodrich has options that won’t disappoint.
The brand’s consistent ratings and positive customer feedback speak volumes about their quality. While they may not lead every single category their well-rounded performance makes them an excellent middle-ground option that rarely lets drivers down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are BF Goodrich tires worth buying?
Yes, BF Goodrich tires offer excellent value with over 150 years of manufacturing experience. They consistently receive ratings between 3.0-5.0 out of 5.0 from review aggregators, with most models earning “Good” to “Excellent” ratings. Their balanced approach between performance and comfort, combined with competitive mid-range pricing, makes them a worthwhile investment for most drivers.
How long do BF Goodrich tires last?
BF Goodrich tires are known for their exceptional durability and extended service life. Customer reviews consistently praise their robust construction, particularly off-road models like the KO3 series. The company’s advanced silica-blend rubber compounds and focus on quality manufacturing contribute to longer tread life compared to many competitors in similar price ranges.
Are BF Goodrich tires good for off-road driving?
BF Goodrich excels in off-road performance, particularly with their KO2 and KO3 all-terrain series. These models have won over 40 SCORE Baja championships and feature deep tread patterns with reinforced sidewalls. Their Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 and KM3 models are specifically designed for extreme off-road environments, offering maximum traction in challenging terrains.
How do BF Goodrich tires perform in winter conditions?
BF Goodrich offers decent winter performance, though specialized winter tire manufacturers may outperform them in severe snow and ice conditions. The KO2 Series provides good winter weather capability, while their all-season models offer convenient year-round performance. However, some models have limited snow traction, so consider your specific winter driving needs.
What is the price range of BF Goodrich tires?
BF Goodrich tires occupy a moderate to premium price range, offering competitive value for their performance levels. They’re positioned as mid-range options that deliver high-quality performance without the premium pricing of luxury brands. The cost varies by model and size, but generally provides good value considering their durability and performance capabilities.
Who owns BF Goodrich tires?
BF Goodrich has been owned by Michelin since 1988. This acquisition has allowed BF Goodrich to benefit from Michelin’s advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities while maintaining their focus on performance tires. The brand operates manufacturing facilities across North America, producing over 15 million tires annually under Michelin’s ownership.
What are the best BF Goodrich tire models?
Top BF Goodrich models include the g-Force Rival S 1.5 for extreme performance, g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS for ultra-high performance all-season use, and the Trail-Terrain T/A for on-road all-terrain capabilities. The KO2 and KO3 series are excellent for off-road adventures, while the Advantage Control offers superior grand touring performance for daily driving.
Are BF Goodrich tires noisy?
BF Goodrich tires generally strike a good balance between performance and comfort. Many models receive favorable ratings for quiet operation, though this varies by tire type. All-terrain and mud-terrain models may produce more road noise than highway tires, but the brand focuses on minimizing noise while maintaining performance capabilities across their product range.