run away! run away! another tyre question

[JamesH]

I am researching tyres at the moment for my Tdi 110 Defender, god help me the more I study up the foggier it all gets.

I have Michelin 7.5R16s at the moment but I am not sure I want to spend the $300+ per tyre. I know I know you get what you pay for and tyres are important but ....

Anyway Bridgestone 604Vs in my size are on special at $169. I am also checking out Dunlop Road Grippers F series.

Firestone VT2000 is also a slim possibility but I suspect they might be unsuitable for my Kimberley holidays.

Does anybody want to warn me off any of these?

[harry]

8) i'll save you one worry
michelin xpc's are no longer available gone poof
and the last one went out of bris last thursday
bf goodrich all terrain was the next best thing and they drive well did 400 k on them yesty on road. looking forward to offroad.

[JamesH]

A mate has 235/85r16 michelins on his Defender and I swear they are bigger than my XPCs which use the old 7.5R16 measurement. I also know they don't fit on his bonnet mount. This and my odometer/speedo reading 6% to high makes me tthink something is up here

I want to keep two Michelins as spares so I am worried about replacing them with the same size tyre if not brand.

[seqfisho]

Hi James,

235/85's will be ever so slightly different, if you want a tough tyre like the Michys have a look at Wrangler TGs in 7.50R16, not the best hi speed tyre but great in the real tough stuff.

http://www.beaurepaires.com.au/content.asp...duct_ID=1274218 (http://www.beaurepaires.com.au/content.asp?Document_ID=61&Product_ID=1274218)

[JamesH]

Thanks for that, Seg.

They look like a great tyre. How noisy are they? While I would rather have a tyre that can get me through some rough shaley roads up north and pay the price with a bit of road noise - perhaps this going too far. I am not overly anal about road noise and high speed (it's a Defender afterall) but if they handle like a bar of soap under brakes on wet bitumen and drown out my radio that will detract from my travelling as much as changing tyres and repairing punctures.

The ATs look more like it for my driving needs but don't come in 7.5R16.

Still I'll definitly consider them they certainly look the goods for rough gravel.

[Tusker]

Haven't been up there, but the Kimberleys, or the Gibb River Road in particular is reputedly pretty hard on tyres...

I wouldn't go the cheap end of the market if you want a reliable tyre.

I'd say switch to 235/85/16s. Available just about anywhere, and I think the highest load rating of any radial. And near as damnit the same diameter as a 7.50R16.

Regards
Max P

[Phoenix]

235/85 is the same diamater as a 750R16, but wider.

Road gripper F isn't worth the effort, and the 604V, which is similar to the BFG AT, is supposed to be a good AT tyre.

[incisor]

Originally posted by harry
bf goodrich all terrain was the next best thing and they drive well did 400 k on them yesty on road. looking forward to offroad.

dont the AT's have some major problems compared to the muds?

i know the at's get more miles, but they have other issues with the bead and sidewall i thought i heard?

[abaddonxi]

$169 sounds like the right price.

Cheers
Simon

[harry]

8) inc 235/70x16 goodrich at's just under 1000 fitted and wheel align thrown in. trip to redcliffe and back no probs. although i was carring about 300 kg and full fuel so hard cornering was not my scene on just fitted tyres. and i still have to sort out pressures , they had 38 all round which ain't wot the book says

[CraigE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I'd say switch to 235/85/16s.[/b][/quote]
These are pretty much the standard size for the later model Defenders with mags and are suitable. The road noise is not a huge trade off. I would consider Cooper STT's of BFG MT's. A cheaper alternative might be Hankooks. I dont know about ease of availability though. My Coopers had to be ordered in from the distributor and took a week to get here in the west. This size is apparently not one that the smaller tyre stores in the country always keep in stock. May pay to check or get 2 spares.

[303gunner]

Are MRF tyres available in WA? Only a few distributors here in NSW have them, but they're in stock in the warehouse. They're certainly cheaper and have a Michelin XML look about them. See http://www.mrf-exports.com/product_details...sp?c=22&s=&p=94 (http://www.mrf-exports.com/product_details.asp?c=22&s=&p=94)

[Steinzy]

I've just put a set of Cooper STT's on my Range Rover @ $309 per tyre. The standard tyres were a 255/60/R16 and the new tyres are 265/75/R16's and I am very happy with them. These are a Mud Terrain tyre but are still very quiet. If you didn't want to spend that much the cooper ST look like a great all terrain tyre and they are pretty well priced @ $249 per tyre - they come with an 80,000 km guarentee.

check them out at
www.coopertyres.com.au

Hope this helps :wink:

[hiline]

now these would suit the kubota style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif


http://www.mrf-exports.com/images/product/Shakti-R-bg.jpg

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<span style="color:blue">are they road legal....?



i have seen a tojo running round with a set of very similar tyres on......

apparently they were off a tractor....</span>

[rick130]

FWIW, my step father, who is based in the Alice runs a heavily laden (well over 3 tonne) 130 CC with 235/85 BFG AT's. He's very happy with them so far, coping very well with all the typical roads and lots of off-road found in the region. They were using the original Michelin 7.50/16 XZL's, and were ripping lugs off them.
I suggested he ask his tyre bloke there about the BFG's as I was having a great run with my MT's. They were his tyre blokes suggestion anyway. They have been fitting lots of them and have been having great success (at that time, about ten months or so ago)

Yes, there is a difference in diameter between a 7.50/16 and a 235/85/16. Depending on the brand/model of tyre, it generally works out to around 1" in diameter. When I bought my 130, it had XZL's on one end, and 235/85/16 Bridgestone MT's on the other. Side by side there was an inch difference in diameter.
The transfer case fluid was black.....

P.S. I forgot to mention that 235/85/16 is pretty much the dominant size outside of the city. It's used on almost every LC, 'lux and Patrol ute, and every tyre service carries stocks as it's the universal size. I hardly ever see a 7.50/16 any more.

[sclarke]

Originally posted by hiline
now these would suit the kubota style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif


http://www.mrf-exports.com/images/product/Shakti-R-bg.jpg

And Yes they come in 16"
i priced a set of 8.5 16's and were about $120 each......

Road legal????
yes on the Tractor they were made for. Perfect for a "Private" block of land or any policed National Park...... :roll: :roll: :roll:

Back to the Tyre question.....

if your only doing road use and some light offroad then the BFG AT 235/85/16 would be a good choice.
I ran them on my Disco and Troopy Cruiser and Loved them.

[seqfisho]

Originally posted by hiline
now these would suit the kubota style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif


http://www.mrf-exports.com/images/product/Shakti-R-bg.jpg


Ray Ray Ray :roll: a farmer you will never be style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif





I can hear the CV's popping now 8O 8O 8O style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Steinzy]

Well you will just have to throw a set of Maxi-Drive lockers front and back. They replace the Axels & CV's with a much stronger item :twisted:

[rick130]

Originally posted by seqfisho+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seqfisho)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-hiline
now these would suit the kubota style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif


http://www.mrf-exports.com/images/product/Shakti-R-bg.jpg


Ray Ray Ray :roll: a farmer you will never be style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif





I can hear the CV's popping now 8O 8O 8O style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/b][/quote]

He he he. Those things work well on the back of my Fiat 550 tractor, although they are a tad large for the Landy without some serious 'guard cutting. (12.4/11-32. ie, 32 rim, 11 inches wide, tyre is 12.4 inches wide) The fronts are 7.00/16's ribbed :oops:

I did a runner a few months back driving it 21km from the place we're currently living in (on the edge of a 6000 acre place) to a friends small property. Nothing beats the obnoxious farting sound of an un-muffled (only a spark arrestor) 3.1 litre Fiat direct injected diesel at top revs. :roll:
The tyres tend to walk around a bit at top speed.
BTW, top speed, high range, 4th is approximately 23km/h. :wink:

Actually, has anyone seen pics of the 'Forest Rover' ?
There was a thread running on OL for sometime. Series II, big ag tyres with portal axles. Bloody cool. 8)

[JamesH]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. The idea of changing to 235/85R16 is clearly a good one if the range of models and numbers sold is a factor but as I am running 6 wheels it raises the price a lot. This is especially true in the year I have to get the timing belt done.

I do believe that if i run the new tyre size my speedo will become more accurate though, which in turn will depress me as my consumption "goes up" to 11l/100km

[Phoenix]

For the forest rover have a look back through the newsletters, I did an article on them a while back :wink:

[CraigE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>I've just put a set of Cooper STT's on my Range Rover @ $309 per tyre.[/b][/quote]
I got mine 80/16 for $1100 the set. That is why I bought them. Was quoted $1300 as the cheapest quote for BFG MTs.
Quite happy with them so far.

[Steinzy]

Hey Craige,

I know that this is a land rover forum but I have to ask - how does the Duccatti 900SS go :twisted:

[Steinzy]

Helps if I can spell Ducati right!

[LandyAndy]

Hi James
Go the 235/85's.
Buy 4 newies and 2 secondhands for spares,there are plenty in the Quokka each week.Its possible you could even pick up "new" deliveryKM 235/85 tyres in the Quokka/Ebay/Tyre dealers.Many people change the tyres over on new vehicles and sell the originals pretty cheaply.
Andrew

[CraigE]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Hey Craige,

I know that this is a land rover forum but I have to ask - how does the Duccatti 900SS go
_________________
Cheers,

Anthony
[/b][/quote]
Anthony,
The Duke goes great. I love it and have wanted one for ages. Finally picked this one up last Christmas. The roar of the V twin is great and it has real character. People stop to look and drool and when they hear the v twin have to look. It amazes me still the looks it gets after all it is only a SS not a 996 or so. Having said that it is a beautiful bike and I have to say does attract the opposite sex (not that it is of any use to me). I have had women come up and talk to me just because of the bike, lots of males and kids too. It is not the most powerful bike on the planet but it keeps me happy and will easily do double the speed limit. A friend of mine has a Suzuki Hayabusa that he has spent $50K on and people still come to my $8500 Duke over the Busa. Do I kke it, you bet ya. Later when and if I can afford one I want an ST4. The Duke is like owning a Rover, people will stop and talk to you about it. A few months ago a young lady ran out and pulled me up in the middle of the street to ask me to go to an Italian bike gathering with her and her MV Augusta with the promise of lots of sex, drugs and rock n roll. Geez what an offer, then I remembered that I am happily married. My kids love the Duke. Now if I could just get a Mike Hailwood replica, mmmm. Previously I have had a GSX 1100 and while the Suzuki is a nice bike to ride and fast it does not have the character of an Italian bike. Mine is the last of the twin carb models (98), the injected ones go heaps better. The thing that amazes me is the SS models second hand are cheap.
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

[Steinzy]

Yeah i've been thinking of getting a 900SS second hand in either red or yellow. Now I've just got to convince the misses that I need one so she will let me spend the money. :cry:

Do they have any probs that I should look for when looking at secondhad models???

[Bushie]

Originally posted by JamesH
Thanks for the advice, everyone. The idea of changing to 235/85R16 is clearly a good one if the range of models and numbers sold is a factor but as I am running 6 wheels it raises the price a lot. This is especially true in the year I have to get the timing belt done.

I do believe that if i run the new tyre size my speedo will become more accurate though, which in turn will depress me as my consumption "goes up" to 11l/100km

One thing to consider I notice from your sig that you have a 96 Defender if its still running 5.5 rims I think you will find the 235s are only recommended for 6" and above. I looked at these for my last set of tyres and a few tyre fitters would not fit them to 5.5s (mind you a few didn't care either).



Bushie

[303gunner]

Originally posted by rick130
Yes, there is a difference in diameter between a 7.50/16 and a 235/85/16. Depending on the brand/model of tyre, it generally works out to around 1" in diameter. Comparing the info on the MRF 7.50-16 (823mm dia) with the BFG M/T (813mm) and A/T (822mm), there doesn't seem to be much difference in the overall diameters. That said, I have sitting in the shed two ex-Army 7.50-16 Bar treads made by Goodyear Australia and they are about 1" different in diameter with the same amount of remaining tread!?!

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Originally posted by 303gunner
That said, I have sitting in the shed two ex-Army 7.50-16 Bar treads made by Goodyear Australia and they are about 1" different in diameter with the same amount of remaining tread!?!

<span style="color:blue">

are they both inflated to the same pressure on the same size rims....?</span>

[rick130]

there can be quite a discrepency in circumference of two identical tyres out of the same mould !

Dunlop had the contract to supply Formula Ford Australia with tyres in '94-'95, and the Dunlop blokes used to run the stagger tape around them and match them up in pairs for fitting (and write the numbers on them) as there were huge differences in diameter.
Avon, who had the contract prior to, and after, were much better in this regard (and a massively better tyre into the bargain, but that's another story)