Help pick my new tyres, please?

paffoh

paffoh

Forum Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
269
Location
Canberra, A.C.T
Hey guys,

Need some well worn members to help decide what tyres I should purchase to improve my Subaru Forester MY03 handling offroad. AFter reading many threads on this site and many I am no closer to finding a set than I was before I started my limited research...

Couple of things to note:

Need AT's I guess ( 50% offroad, 50% tar )
Stock rims, shocks, struts all suspension
Have no spare set of 16" rims

I am getting a rear bar on my car for clearance, possible exhaust tip ( Unless this wont sit closer / prettier to the bar ) but am NOT getting the tyre carrier ( With a saving of over $900 ) so I guess I still need the spare to fit into the spare well. I am running 60's at the moment but having trouble locating decent AT's under the 70's mark.

Some choices are ( Limited to Canberra / Goulburn Dealers I guess ):

Yoko Geolander AT / S - 215/65R/16
https://www.tyresandmore.com.au/tyres/tyre.aspx?tyreid=204

Grabber AT 2 - 215/65R/16
https://www.camskill.co.uk/products..._Road_Tyres_4x4_-R16_-_215/65/16,_215/65_R_16

I will go and talk to my Goodyear autocare specialist tommorow about Coopers and other choices, but I want your valuable opinions too.

You can have the satisfaction on having the last word, before SWMBO...

PS - Should I even be worrying about new, more AT tyres with a stock suspension assembly or should I be looking at new springs first? ( Rear bar will have higher towing point ).

Sorry for the n00b posts lol
 
The grabber AT2 215/65R16 won't fit in the spare wheel well without some modification - I'm getting my 5th AT2 next week and will have to visit my mate the panel beater to slightly enlarge the well.

I have them on a set of steelies and put them on for trips - I'm very pleased with their performance and on road they don't seem to be significantly noisier (perhaps a bit).

Cheers

Brian
 
Thanks mate,

Goodyear was not very helpfull, nice guy but didnt really think he wanted my business ( Talking to him about options and Coopers ). Went and spoke to an Offroad center about Subaru options and they were slightly stumped, although they are looking into larger springs which should add some clearance. DOnt want anything too crazy just some AT option.
 
Apparently the larger tyres (larger than stock) are technically illegal. I'm not sure how the insurance company would react if you had a decent accident in tyres that were not "engineer certified".

I need new tyres, but I'm going to have to go for the some stock sized AT/S or something similar.

-H
 
Nephrurus said:
I need new tyres, but I'm going to have to go for the some stock sized AT/S or something similar.
Click to expand...

This is the issue I am facing, are there any stock AT's in 60 size???

EDIT : Found only one type so far at 215/60/16, Geolander AT / S

People around town are starting to think I am crazy...
 
Ok maybe I should bite the bullet with the Geolanders, they still Geosquealers?

Anyone had valuable experiences with these tyres?

On another note, with some new springs that will add about 20mm - 25mm should I even bother with larger tyres? ( Will additional clearance be enough to feel secure? )
 
The Grabbers are getting a good reputation - and as many here already know I don't like Yoko AT anymore after having lost 6 of 11 to sidewall damage (the remaining 5 sit on my stock wheels in the garage as I "converted" to 15" wheels and BFG AT 21575R15).

My Yoko AT 21565R16 did fit in the wheel well when deflated to 15 psi.
 
Kevin said:
The Grabbers are getting a good reputation - and as many here already know I don't like Yoko AT anymore after having lost 6 of 11 to sidewall damage
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with Kevin. I have lost 2 or 3 Yoko AT+II's due to sidewall damage also.
When it comes to replacing mine (within the next 3-4 months) I will most probably go with the Grabbers.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
I drove on a set for no more then two days, and lost one to sidewall damage.
Another one I have, has pretty bad sidewall damage, but the tyre fella said still ok to drive on.
 
Thanks for everyones input...

SO I cant say I am going to buy the Geo AT/s anymore, but thats why I posted this thread... Still trying to source other 215/60/16 AT with a H rating, guess trying to stay within the law would be in my best interests...

Do any exist?

Its a pity Subaxtreme no longer do the bonus stuff they used to...
 
Last edited:
The AT/S tyres have a longer tread life, appear more rigid and are a firmer ride than the AT +II's apparently. Were the members with failing tyres using the +II's or the AT/S models?

Ill go have a word to 'Tyres and more' tommorow...
 
mr turbo said:
I would have to agree with Kevin. I have lost 2 or 3 Yoko AT+II's due to sidewall damage also.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am currently using the Yoko AT+II's & they are the ones that had the sidewall damage.
Hope this helps.
You'll have to let us know how you go after you have a chat with them.

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
I'm running geos and they really do squeal...thought mine were low on air or something..I like the grabbers too!!!
 
$238 dollars a tyre ( Not sure of wheel balance inclusion ) from Tyres and more, $240 and some type of ordering fee from Bob Jane. The guy from Tyres and more Fyshwick was quite helpfull, he mentioned the AT/S are a revamped version of the +II and the later had horrific issues ( Most of which you guys have mentioned ). They felt soft to me compared to some of the side walls on roadies I felt.

He fits and reccomends 17" rims with the Yoko Advantage for road Foresters ( Which increases height obviously ) and stays within legal parameters. He didnt believe what tyres I told him were getting around on some forrys with 60 series profiles.

Springs are being done next Saturday, depending on Subxtreme and how bad they want my money/business I may just bite the bullet and get a set of the AT/S. If I get 4 fitted will my same size spare Geolander be ok to get me home if I have a puncture?
 
Hi Paffoh, I've just been through all of what you say and ended up with the Geo's GO12 which are the AT/S that you looked at. They have in fact, much improved side wall strength and they don't squeal. There may be a little more road noise than the highway tyres but if you want extra grip in the mud and sand (don't we all) then thats the price. Just turn up the stereo and the noise goes away.

They are a good choice if you want to stick to both the legal size limit and avoid the associated problems with your speedo and odo from bigger diameter thus larger rolling circumferance.
I've had mine only a couple of months and only been in the state forest once, but they have been great so far.
 
Ian,
Thanks for your information...

Will probably go down this path very shortly, few weeks or something.

Did you get the spare done or do you think my original geosqueler 900 ( Brand new spare ) will get me home if I suffer a puncture? Reason I ask is I probably have about 30-40% left on my P6 set and the 900 is brand new so would have to ditch it all.

Pity 16" steel rims dont grow on trees....
 
paffoh said:
Did you get the spare done or do you think my original geosqueler 900 ( Brand new spare ) will get me home if I suffer a puncture? Reason I ask is I probably have about 30-40% left on my P6 set and the 900 is brand new so would have to ditch it all.
Click to expand...

You could always ask the tyre dealer if they are prepared to trade in the Geo 900 (as it's still brand new) & get the 5th tyre (spare) a little cheaper.
That's what I did when I had my tyres replaced, (they gave me $100 for mine) :lol:
That way you would have a spare that is the same as the rest.
Just a thought & it doesn't hurt to ask. :shrug:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
paffoh said:
Ian,
Thanks for your information...

Will probably go down this path very shortly, few weeks or something.

Did you get the spare done or do you think my original geosqueler 900 ( Brand new spare ) will get me home if I suffer a puncture? Reason I ask is I probably have about 30-40% left on my P6 set and the 900 is brand new so would have to ditch it all.

Pity 16" steel rims dont grow on trees....
Click to expand...
I just kept the original 900 on the spare, I think it will get you(and me) out of trouble. I also keep a pressure pack puncture repairer and a small compressor in the car when I go off road, and the snatch strap, of course.
 
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