General Tyre / Tire Discussion

Thanks Davidov and Nachaluva for the comments. I already have Yokohama Geolander ATS on my 2002 Subi and are looking to preserve them. I have done around 60,000 km on them they still have plenty of tread. I want to put them on a second set of rims and put an every day road tyre on for daily commuting to the rail station etc.
Hence I am looking at Maxxis or maybe the Toyo or something else for that sort of driving.
What I don't want to do is put a tyre on that only does say 30-40,000 km and I end up spending more money replacing it again than if I keep running the ATS for off road and every day use.
On the 2004 I still have the Yoko G900 and will be getting a second set of ATS on spare rims for that. I got caught out this winter as my daughter was working up at the snow and she took my ATS on the 2004 and I ended up with her G900 which limited me for off road driving over winter.
 
The toyo's look like a harder compound then the maxxis and should wear longer. A softer tyres generally gives better performance at the cost of faster wear. My main problem with the maxxis tyres was from about 50% tred they were just terrible on wet road, fine on the freeway just the 80-100km roads around the bush where I live. I thought they were just a cheap car yard special as they were on mine from the dealer. Maybe on a 2wd but I'd recommend against them on an awd (just my opinion). Never used the toyo tyres tho, there's a couple of lt tyres in 205 70 15

Only good thing about the maxxis I found was they had very little road noise
 
Re variation in grip over a tyre's life, I read somewhere on the web (so it must be true) that some manufacturers are doing a soft compound on the surface to immediately impress the buyer, and a harder one underneath to impress with tyre life.

OTOH you can 'cook' a tyre by running it too hot. The grip then is not the best. Purple tints are the indicator.

I've just gone to AT/Ss for the winter here and can't fault them. Good grip wet or dry and esp in the snow. In 5 years of snow driving I've never had to fit chains to the Foz though on one occasion I should've.
 
Still looking at options for an everyday tyre.
Has anyone had any experience with the Kumho KH18 215/60/16 ? Subaru at Docklands in Melbourne are flogging these with a price match discount.
 
Seems odd the Subaru Docklands would supply a tyre if they are not that good. Finding a good everyday tyre seems more difficult than I thought. I will check out some prices for the Toyo. Anyone got a view on Pirelli P6 or P7 ?
 
Tyres in general

RB, interesting to read your comment on Pirelli tyres.
I am using Pirelli Scorpion STR 215X65X16`s and they are wearing reasonably well, about 65000kms for the first set. Approaching the same on the second. The best part is, so far not a puncture.
Many reasons I know.
 
You are doing very well, Ate.

That's about all that one can reasonably expect from a set of tyres these days.

I suspect that my next tyres will be 215/65 16" Bridgestone Dueler D697. My insurer is OK with them, and they will be mentioned on the policy.

One of my Michelins has already been the subject of a little dust up with the Michelin Rep, who made a sensible business decision to give me a new tyre for about $25-30.

I suspect that I will be lucky to get 50,000 Kms from the Michelins.
 
RB,
Bugger, I was contemplating Michelin Latitude Cross for my next set.
Might try either B/stones or Yokohama. Would like a slightly more off road tread than the STR`s. Pirelli make an ATR but not in 65 profile and too many hassles in going up again to 70 profile.
 
^ This is the one, Ate.

https://www.bridgestonetyres.com.au/dueler-at-d697

Looks very good, and bloody tough.

It's basically a LT construction. Not sure what the "C" suffix stands for, but I will ask Shane next time I'm passing Bridgies up on Bay Road. I think it might mean "Car"; i.e. not LT ... .

In any event, look at the load rating: 106. The Michelins are about 94 or thereabouts. It's only rated "S" for speed - i.e. up to 180 Kmh. No way will I ever be going that fast, and an "S" rated tyre is acceptable for our cars, IIRC.
 
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C stands for commercial, as far as WA bob Jane is concerned anyway
 
^ I think it might mean "Car" as distinct from "Light Truck" construction.

Whatever it means, I think it is a lot heavier duty construction than anything offered by other companies for our cars.

Someone over your way has these, Twink, and is extremely happy with them, IIRC.
 
Yeah I've had them on my Subaru, I have Bridgestone 697's on my Jackaroo and run Bridgestone RE92 Run Flats on my impreza, I honestly have never seen a Bridgestone go wrong in nearly three years Tyre fitting!
 
G'day again Twink

I had Bridgestone GR90 on my Impreza last time around. Extremely happy with them in all conditions.

Bridgies offered all but nothing in 215/60 16" when I needed tyres, and no one offered 215/65 16" at all. A couple of months after I bought the Michelins, Yokohama came out with a 215/65 16", but they were a fearsome price, even more than the $250 a corner they wanted for the 215/60 16" A/Ts. I am all for safety where tyres are concerned, but I don't want to have to get a bank loan for each of them, and I do expect them to last a long time.

Now everyone is making 215/65 16"s ... :shrug:

Like MAS, I don't want to be constantly paying out huge amounts for tyres!
 
That's why I get Bridgestones, they've got all the sizes I can dream of (didn't ALWAYS, but they do now!) they're affordable (getting a discount may help ;-) ) they're reliable and most importantly, they're safe! I've literally never heard of a lug flying off (I have with much more expensive tyres!) never heard of sidewalk damage from reasonable things, a stake is always gonna ruin your day, no matter what you do!
 
Gidday V

New thread for tyre discussion?

You are quite right, mate. Thanks :).

I'm discussing with Kevin what we should do WRT tyre/rim general discussions, because they always tend to get 'messy'.

There is no such thing as a universal solution for all versions and models. What suits your car or an SF isn't going to be very relevant to someone with an SG, SH or SJ Forester, and vice versa. I think that this lack of commonality is a major factor in derailing threads.

When Kevin gets back to me with his thoughts, I will remove the errant posts from here to where ever we come up with ... :iconwink:
 
Speaking of tires, my heart is infuriated with the AT-S even though my brain understands that the tires likely have nothing to do with my issues :)

Beyond that, tire sizes and choices on current Subarus do drive me crazy and if I am at some point pushed towards a dedicated off-roader, it would be for two reasons: 1/all sorts of things concerning tires and 2/ approach angle (esp on the OB, but also on the current Foz). I shall add that we would still have a Subaru at home and that here in the desert I need my awesome AWD exactly 1-3 days a year...unless I leave the pavement, that is!
 
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