Bf Goodrich KO vs KO2
The original All-Terrain T/A KO and its successor, the All-Terrain T/A KO2, have become icons in this legacy. But which one deserves a spot on your vehicle?
This comparison, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty—warranty details, pricing, performance metrics, and more—to help you decide.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior craving off-road thrills or a daily driver seeking a dependable ride, this breakdown has you covered.
Bfg KO vs KO2
This table sums up the key differences, making it easy to see why the KO2 often edges out the KO for today’s drivers.
| Feature | BF Goodrich KO | BF Goodrich KO2 |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage Warranty | Standard warranty—covers tread life or 6 years, no mileage guarantee. | 50,000-mile limited warranty, built for long-haul confidence. |
| Price | Cheaper if found, great for budget hunters, but stock’s drying up. | Higher cost, reflects modern tech, a bigger investment upfront. |
| Tire Type | All-terrain, perfect for trucks and SUVs mixing pavement and trails. | All-terrain, same truck-and-SUV versatility with upgraded features. |
| Rim Range | Covers various sizes, fits older rigs, but availability’s spotty now. | Spans sizes like LT265/70R17, fits most modern setups easily. |
| Tread Pattern | Aggressive with extra void, solid for mud and snow on older designs. | Serrated shoulders and interlocking tread, top-tier grip for tough stuff. |
| Off-Road | Good traction, but pinch flats and chunking can hit on rough terrain. | Excels in mud, snow, and rocks, tougher with CoreGard tech. |
| On-Road | Noisy and bumpy, a throwback feel best for off-road focus. | Quieter, smoother ride, balances highway comfort with trail grit. |
| Expert Opinion | Respected classic, but pros note sidewall flaws in tough conditions. | Experts rave—durable, grippy, fixes KO’s weak spots, the modern pick. |
| Our Observation | Ideal for deals on older rigs, if you can find it and don’t mind noise. | Best for most—reliable, versatile, worth it for modern trucks and trails. |
Mileage Warranty
Tire warranties are like a handshake from the manufacturer—proof they stand behind their product. The KO2 offers a robust 50,000-mile limited warranty, a clear signal of its intended lifespan.
This mileage pledge, detailed on BF Goodrich’s official site, caters to high-mileage drivers who need assurance their tires won’t wear out prematurely.
By contrast, the original KO falls under a standard warranty: coverage for defects in materials or workmanship until the tread wears out or six years pass, whichever comes first. No specific mileage is promised, leaving its longevity less defined.
This disparity reflects their eras. The KO, an older design, lacks the modern precision of the KO2’s warranty. For someone racking up miles on varied terrain, the KO2’s guarantee could tip the scales. But if you’re a light driver or snag a KO at a bargain, its standard coverage might suffice.
Value vs Investment
Tires aren’t cheap, and your wallet will feel the difference between these two. The KO2, as the newer model, commands a higher price tag. Its advanced features—like CoreGard technology for sidewall strength—justify the cost for many, but it’s undeniably a bigger investment.
Exact prices fluctuate based on size and retailer, yet comparisons consistently peg the KO2 as pricier than its predecessor.
The KO, if you can find it, often comes cheaper. As an older model, it’s less common in 2025, potentially showing up in clearance bins or second-hand markets.
This affordability appeals to budget-conscious buyers, though availability poses a challenge. Your choice here hinges on whether you prioritize upfront savings or long-term value—a classic dilemma.
Tire Type
Both the KO and KO2 proudly wear the all-terrain label, built to bridge the gap between pavement and wilderness. Designed for light trucks and SUVs, they promise versatility: capable of hauling you through gravel one day and gliding over asphalt the next.
On this front, there’s no divide—they’re cut from the same cloth. The distinction lies not in their category but in how they execute that all-terrain mission, which we’ll explore further.
Rim Range
Compatibility matters, and both tires deliver a range of sizes to suit various vehicles. The KO2, being in active production, boasts well-documented options—like the LT265/70R17 found at retailers like BJ’s Tire Center—ensuring it fits modern trucks and SUVs.
The KO, while once available in similar configurations, is trickier to pin down today. Its age means fewer current listings, but historical data suggests it matched the needs of its time.
For most buyers in 2025, the KO2’s broader, more accessible size range makes it the practical pick. Still, if you stumble across a KO that fits your rims, it’s not out of the running—availability is the real hurdle.
Tread Pattern
A tire’s tread is its fingerprint, dictating how it grips the ground. The KO sports an aggressive pattern with 40% more void on its outer lugs than earlier designs, a feature MotorTrend praised for displacing water, snow, and mud. It’s a battle-tested layout that served off-roaders well in its heyday.
But the KO2 takes it further. With a serrated shoulder design and interlocking tread elements, it’s engineered for superior traction, especially when aired down for tough conditions.
This evolution shines in practical terms. The KO2’s tread bites harder into loose surfaces, offering confidence in mud or rock crawling. The KO holds its own but lacks the finesse of its successor. If tread design were a duel, the KO2 would draw first—and likely win.
Off-Road Performance
For off-road enthusiasts, this is the heart of the matter. The KO earned its stripes with solid performance across dirt, gravel, and snow.
Yet, reviews—like those from MotorTrend—note drawbacks: pinch flats and tread chunking in abrasive settings. It’s a capable tire, but not flawless.
Enter the KO2, armed with CoreGard technology for tougher sidewalls and enhanced tread for better grip. Long-term tests, such as OutdoorX4’s review, laud its prowess in mud, snow, and rocky terrain.
It’s not just an upgrade—it’s a leap. If your adventures demand relentless off-road ability, the KO2 pulls ahead, leaving the KO as a respectable but dated contender.
On-Road Performance
Not every mile is off the grid, so on-road behavior matters too. The KO, with its aggressive tread, tends to hum loudly on highways and feels less refined.
Comfort takes a backseat to capability—a trade-off many accepted in its prime. The KO2, however, dials down the noise and smooths out the ride. Its refined design balances all-terrain grit with highway manners, making it a dual-threat tire.
For daily drivers, this shift is a game-changer. The KO2 delivers a quieter, more composed experience without sacrificing its off-road roots. The KO, while functional, feels like a relic on pavement—a reminder of its era’s priorities.
Expert Opinion
Experts weigh in with near-unanimous praise for the KO2. MotorTrend’s review highlights its durability and traction, calling out the KO’s vulnerabilities like sidewall punctures.
OutdoorX4 echoes this, noting the KO2’s reliability over thousands of miles. The KO, while respected for pioneering all-terrain performance, is often framed as a stepping stone—effective but outpaced by modern demands.
This consensus isn’t just hype. The KO2’s advancements address real-world flaws, earning it a nod from pros who’ve tested both. If experts had to pick, the KO2 would roll off the lot every time.
Our Observation
So, where does this leave you? The BF Goodrich KO2 emerges as the stronger contender in 2025. Its 50,000-mile warranty offers peace of mind, its tread and technology excel on and off-road, and its availability seals the deal.
It’s the tire for drivers who want the best of both worlds—rugged capability with a civilized edge. Yes, it costs more, but the investment pays off in performance and longevity.
The KO, though, isn’t without merit. If you find it at a steep discount and don’t mind its quirks—like noise or potential wear issues—it could serve light off-roaders or budget buyers well.
Its scarcity, however, limits its appeal. For most, the KO2 is the smarter bet, blending modern engineering with BF Goodrich’s storied grit.
