what is the most comfortable tyre?

[GeeCee]

If there's a better thread where this should be posted let me know: however, this one looks to be appropriate.

For 215/60 R16 on standard rims, what is the most comfortable tyre available in Australia.
Not necessarily quietest - the one which gives best ride quality, producing the least bump-thump, as I call it.

 

[Ratbag]

^ I don't pretend to know, but my Michelin XM2s handle well on the bitumen and dirt and are superbly comfortable. Also relatively cheap, even though that's not why I bought them.

 

[duncanm]

one run at a low pressure.

 

[lefty]

 

[ateday]

An on the run job eh?

 

[havachat]

If you are looking at off road all rounder I wouldn't go past the Yokohama ATS. Quiet on road, good grip in all conditions. If you go up a size to 215-65-16 you will get an even softer ride than that with the 60 series in standard road tyres.

 

[GeeCee]

Yeah, I was looking to go that way 'til I found that the spare wheel well won't take an oversize tyre. I come from an era when tyres were cross ply and about 85% profile. Those brought up on radials can't hope to know how comfortable those were. And yes, I fully realise they did NOT hold the road anywhere near as well as a radial.

Lefty - thanks for that and I've been referred to as a haemorrhoid on more than one occasion.:rotfl:
Ratbag - interesting, as I'd spotted a UK report on those Michelins. May be the way to go.

Duncan - now why on earth hadn't I thought of that!

 

[Scooby2]

GeeCee. Scooby2 is currently shod with Bridgestone Ecopia. Cost, ride, handling, reliability and road noise are all very important to me. Can't fault them on the road and the very long distances currently travelled.. However... Do Not... Venture down the paddock after heavy rain and expect a happy outcome!

Best regards,

 

[Robbks]

I ran a set of Silverstone NS700 on my previous 2006 Liberty
215/55/17
it was riding on lowered TunedBy STi Pink springs and Bilstein struts, but then lifted 1" with strut top spacers.
It say almost as high as a standard outback
but it was extremely comfortable, handled very well and they were a great tyre for wet roads and gripped nicely on gravel.

It was a much better ride than the sloppy soft suspension in the Forester I have now.

I'd previously been running the factory 18" rims with very stiff Hankook V12 Sport tyres and they were a very stiff tyre, but the exact same suspension and the Silverstones was a completely different feel.

I'm now running BFG all-terrains on the SH forester back on 16" rims and they are much less of a comfort tyre than the NS700, regardless of the rim or sidewall.

tyre tech has come such a long way that diameter or aspect is far from the determining factory in handling and comfort, construction and belting are the big players here

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=907MreXZEvo"]Silverstone Kruizer NS700 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Ratbag]

one run at a low pressure.

Gidday Duncan

I run the 215/60 16" tyres on Roo2 at 35 psi all round. It's still smoother riding than SWMBO's SH running 225/55 17" at much the same tyre pressure.

Have to agree with S2 about the Bridgestones. I had the previous version of these on my Impreza, and they were very impressive in both wet and dry on road.

If you get in bad mud, no tread pattern available for our cars will save you, as we discovered at Bunyip.

 

[duncanm]

Gidday Duncan

I run the 215/60 16" tyres on Roo2 at 35 psi all round.

yes - but if you ran them at 30psi - you'd get even more comfort.

 

[Ratbag]

But then Roo2 handles poorly, even around town, and the tyres wear badly from being under-inflated .

It is plenty comfortable at 35 psi ... .

 

[Robbks]

yes - but if you ran them at 30psi - you'd get even more comfort.

Sounds like the salesmen when I worked in the Toyota dealership.

When prepping the Demo cars for a test drive, Tyre pressure was set depending on the demographic of the driver.
40PSI for the young-uns, 25 psi for the pensioners.
Same Corolla

 

[duncanm]

so you're confirming it works, then.

 

[Scooby2]

Course it works duncanm.... But whether or not for comforts sake you would lessen the life of your tyres running at a pressure less than you should is something to be considered.

Best regards

 

[Ratbag]

Tyre placard states 29/41 psi F:R with full load or towing a trailer.
So I reckon that 35 psi all round is a fair compromise all round ... :iconwink:.

 

[duncanm]

Course it works duncanm.... But whether or not for comforts sake you would lessen the life of your tyres running at a pressure less than you should is something to be considered.

Best regards

well - no, of course you wouldn't run them below recommendations.

My point, maybe a little subtle, was you should probably look for a tyre you can run at the lowest possible pressure on road. That, as well as construction (# and arrangement of plys) and profile (higher the better) will dictate comfort levels.

 

[Scooby2]

My point was to agree with you duncanm, and depending whether you have one person in the car or 5 or fully loaded or towing you adjust your tyre pressure to suit your load. I did not mean to negate or disagree... As Ratbag posted the variance of tyre pressures it clearly shows variance. If my vehicle has a heavy load, I inflate the tyres and live with the ride of the vehicle to travel safer. My body just has to get over it.

What I love about this forum is knowledge, information, experience AND pooling of ideas. Your individual choice ... Whatever it is and for whatever reason is I think ultimately better from asking, being answered and making the best decision for you.

Best regards

 

[Tweaksta]

^ I don't pretend to know, but my Michelin XM2s handle well on the bitumen and dirt and are superbly comfortable. Also relatively cheap, even though that's not why I bought them.

I second that!

The XM1s I had previously, and the XM2s I'm on now have survived some of the harshest, nastiest terrain - yet are superb on bitumen.

I run them at 33 psi on bitumen which is still firm enough on corners but also absorbs bumps. If carrying a load I have gone up to about 37 psi. Off road I've had them down to 20 psi to get out of some soft sandy situations but generally run them mid to high 20s on gibber or corrugations when fully laden with camping gear and water.

They have always been very comfortable - you may need to fiddle to find your ideal pressure.

 

[GeeCee]

Am very grateful for the input here, gentlemen - and thank you all for the advice as a result of your experience.
BTW - anyone want 4 half-worn Cooper CS4's...?