Ridge Grappler vs. KO2 vs. KM2: Pick The Best Tire For Your Vehicle

Which all-terrain tire is the best among the Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2, or BFG KM2? For lovers of a smooth driving session in any condition, this might be a tough choice. 

The three models have unique features and capabilities. Nevertheless, they are best suited for different applications based on their various features. 

In this article, we will compare the Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2, and BFG KM2. This comparison will show their features and introduce the winner of each comparison. 

Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. BFG KO2 vs. BFG KM2: Comparison Table

The Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2, and BFG KM2 have nearly the same qualities. However, they are different in performance, which means a model can be more suitable for a particular category than others. 

Below is a side-by-side comparison of these all-terrain tires:

 Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2 and BFG KM2 comparison table
A comparison between Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2 and BFG KM2 based on various criteria

Specifications:

Ridge GrapplerBFG KO2BFG KM2
Available Rim Sizes16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’
Weight39.4 - 96.1 lbs32.1 - 72.6 lbs35.5 - 92 lbs
Snow RatingNoThree-peak Mountain Snowflake ratingThree-peak Mountain Snowflake rating
WarrantyLimited50,000 milesLimited

Before diving into the detailed comparison below, let’s take a look at what other users comment on Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2, and BFG KM2:


  • My KO2’s have never let me down. I live in the mountains and drive in all types of weather, including lots of highway for work. I’m leveled and don’t have any rubbing issues with the 285/65/20. Hope this helps. 23,000 miles. (Pyleketerson – https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/nitto-ridge-grappler-vs-bfg-ko2.14204/)
  • I recently replaced 37″ KO2’s with 37″ Ridge Grapplers. I had some tire damage and had to replace tires, ended up getting a great deal on the RGs. They are clearly larger than the 37″ KO2’s, which are only about 35.5″ in diameter. The RGs are something like an inch bigger in diameter, and heavier. The Jeep is noticeably slower with the RGs on, we have 4.88 gears and with the KO2’s it was pretty good but with the RGs I am wishing for 5.13 gears. If I had it to do over again I would probably stay with the KO2s. Also, the KO2s work better on wet pavement and ride better. The RGs do work better off road, though. (GuzziMoto – https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/bfg-ko2-or-nitto-ridge-grappler.2410365/)
  • I had KO2’s on my Raptor and KM2’s on my current jeep. For daily Driving the KO2’s are obviously way nicer. I went on one Raptor run with them at Rausch Creek and walked away pretty impressed at how the handled. I got them right when they came out so I hadn’t heard any feedback on them yet. I did some very high speed runs and they only had minor chunking (pretty good for AT on a high speed run on rocky terrain). Traction was decent and we did have some mud on this run. However, when it comes down to it they are not as nice as the KM2’s offroad. For the driving you are talking about I would be happy with them.” (Wrangler60 – https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/bfgoodrich-ko2-or-km2.1710338/)
  • I have had both and they are just different tools for different jobs. The KO2 will last much longer, got 55k miles out of mine and be much quieter easy going street tire. At the loss of off road ability. The KM2 will not go as many miles, mine are about gone at 31k now. I might get 35k out of them. They will not wear as even or be as quiet. Especially when they get over 25k miles, they will be noisy over 60mph. You will have more performance off road though.” (BSheppard – https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/bfgoodrich-ko2-or-km2.1710338/)

Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. BFG KO2 vs. BFG KM2: Detailed Analysis

Nitto Ridge Grappler
Nitto Ridge Grappler

Best For Off-road

BFG KO2
BFG KO2

Best For On-road/Snow

BFG KM2
BFG KM2

Also Great

Off-road Performance

The Winner: Nitto Ridge Grappler

The Nitto Ridge Grappler is the best tire for off-road driving among the three models. Thanks to the staggered shoulder lugs, stone ejectors, and step block edges, its off-road performance is excellent. Also, its rugged, hybrid, and aggressive pattern further improves its off-road use.

nitto ridge off-road
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is the best tire for off-road driving among the three models
Credit: Rc Jeep

After the Nitto Ridge Grappler, you should consider the BFG KM2 for your off-road driving. The open tread voids of this tire improve its off-road traction and capacity. 

km2 off-road
The open tread voids of the KM2 tire improve its off-road traction and capacity – Credit: usurp

The BFG KO2 is the average option in terms of off-road performance. Although its 3D track sides, upper shoulder sidewall armor, and serrated shoulder design also make it ideal for off-road driving, it cannot beat the other tires in this category.

bfg ko2 off-road
Although its 3D track sides, upper shoulder sidewall armor, and serrated shoulder design also make it ideal for off-road driving, it cannot beat the other tires in this category
Credit: Shiftonthefly1

On-road Performance

The winner: BFG KO2

The BFG KO2 ranks highest in the on-road performance test, making it the best model on this list. It has a tight dread block which improves its handling, traction, and steering response. Also, it provides quiet performance.

bfg ko2 on-road
BFG KO2 tire has a tight dread block which improves its handling, traction, and steering response on-road. Also, it provides quiet performance – Credit: trusty

Following closely is the Nitto Ridge Grappler. This might be a little surprising, seeing that the model has superb off-road performance. However, it also has good on-road attributes because it is a hybrid of the A/T and M/T families. 

nitto ridge on-road
Nitto Ridge Grappler also has good on-road attributes because it is a hybrid of the A/T and M/T families – Credit: Ted K

The BFG KM2 has a lesser on-road performance due to its aggressive build. It has big voids in threading, which reduces its contact area. Consequently, it is harder to achieve good on-road traction.

km2 on-road
The BFG KM2 has a lesser on-road performance due to its aggressive build – Credit: computeruser6

Snow & Ice Performance

The Winner: BFG KO2

Effective use of the three terrain tires in snow and ice environments depends on their construction and features. The BFG KO2 is an ideal model for snow and ice performance, evident in its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake award.

The BFG KO2 is an ideal model for snow and ice performance, evident in its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake award – Credit: dexx00420

This tire has 3D track sipes. Therefore, snow gets stuck between the thread, improving cohesive force, traction, and handling. Although it has a high snow and ice performance, the BFG KO2 still pales compared to a solid winter tire. 

Next in line in terms of snow performance is the BFG KM2. However, unlike the BFG KO2, it is not optimal for driving in an icy environment. 

The Nitto Ridge Grappler has the lowest snow or ice performance. Just like KO2, this tire has lateral Z grooves in a zig-zag pattern, providing a biting edge and firm grip when driving on snow. However, it does not provide an impressive result in icy conditions.

nitto ridge on snow
Just like KO2, this tire has lateral Z grooves in a zig-zag pattern, providing a biting edge and firm grip when driving on snow. However, it does not provide an impressive result in icy conditions – Credit: figit

Noise Level

The Winner: BFG KO2 (with least noise)

Noise level is an important aspect you should consider when getting a terrain tire. If you choose a noisy tire, it can ruin people’s driving experience. However, noisiness is more important in on-road driving. In off-road driving, it might not be a significant criterion to consider.

Again, the BFG KO2 tops the list in terms of the noise level, though the difference from the others is not much. In this case, it is worth noting that, unlike the others, it has no technology in reducing noise levels. 

 BFG KO2 with least noise tire
The BFG KO2 tops the list in terms of the noise level, though the difference from the others is not much – Credit: captainwoot

The Nitto Ridge Grappler has a variable tread pattern which reduces its cabin noise. Meanwhile, the BFG KM2 also has an open tread void, which makes it ideal for off-road driving while increasing noise. Notwithstanding, their noise reduction mechanism pales in comparison to the noise reduction observed in BFG KO2. 


Comfort level

The Winner: BFG KO2

Comfort level depends on whether you are using the terrain tires in on-road or off-road driving. Here, we will relate more to on-road driving than off-road driving. 

The BFG KO2 has no sound reduction mechanism. Yet, it provides a quiet performance, smooth and comfortable on-road driving session. However, when used in off-road driving, there is a slight reduction in the comfort level. The slight reduction is due to the BFG KO2 being an A/T series which shows good off-road and on-road attributes. 

bfg ko2 comfort
KO2 provides a quiet performance, smooth and comfortable on-road driving session. However, when used in off-road driving, there is a slight reduction in the comfort level – Credit: Shiftonthefly1

Next comes the Nitto Ridge Grappler, which is a better off-road and on-road driving tire. It has a variable tread block and zig-zag grooves edge blocks for a smoother ride and better steering responsiveness. Finally, its reinforced block foundation eliminates tire wobbling. 

The worst performer in terms of comfort level in on-road driving is the BFG KM2. It has an open tread void which makes it better for off-road driving. Yet, this increases the noise level and reduces comfort level during on-road driving. 


Treadwear Warranty

The Winner: BFG KO2

Warranty is a factor that shows the durability of a terrain tire. Therefore, it is crucial to consider it when selecting one. An extended warranty means you spend less money on replacing tires. 

While the BFG KO2 is the clear winner as it has a warranty of 50,000 miles, the other two have a limited warranty. 


Price

The Winner: BFG KO2

No matter the warranty, at one point, you will have to replace your tire. Buying an expensive tire might provide quality. Although, you have to face the huge cost of replacement. This does not mean you should buy cheap/low-quality tires. Therefore, to choose the right terrain tire, you should find an affordable and quality model. 

The BFG KO2 is the most affordable terrain tire of the three models, with a starting price of $190. Higher up is the BFG KM2. The most expensive option is the Nitto Ridge Grappler, with a price of $213


Our Final Recommendations

Nitto Ridge Grappler
Nitto Ridge Grappler

Best For Off-road

BFG KO2
BFG KO2

Best For On-road/Snow

BFG KM2
BFG KM2

Also Great

Are you an off-road driver or an on-road driver? Your answer is crucial in determining the suitable model for picking the Nitto Ridge Grappler, BFG KO2, or BFG KM2. 

An all-terrain tire must give a better driving experience, comfort, safety, and reliability. The BFG KO2 is the clear winner from the review, winning six of the seven review categories. It is suitable for on-road driving and reliable for off-road driving.

However, if you frequent off-road terrains and are looking for a “true” off-road tire, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is a worthy contender. 

Read more: Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. Goodyear Duratrac: Let’s Find Out The Winner
Read more: How to Reset Tire Pressure Light: A Step-by-Step Guide

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