Thread: 18" D697 noise

Originally Posted by LRD414

I run 265/60/R18 and still have one D697 as the spare.
I haven't had the KO2s long enough for a complete/full comparison (~8k km) across all my usage types (city/highway/4WD track/outback roads/beach)

The KO2s are noisier from new until the D697s get fairly worn and then they make a similar noise too.
It's a typical harmonic type hum at 50-60 kph especially on coasting.
I don't find it annoying or intrusive from either tyre but it is there.

Both tyres have excellent manners on bitumen, both highway driving and city driving. I haven't experienced any tram-tracking.

Offroad. I haven't had the KO2s on for outback touring yet but am hopeful we will get a trip in this year.
This will be a very interesting comparison I think because the D697s really excelled for touring, although I didn't get the same life as others report.

However, I have done a few 4WD'ing trips and used the KO2s on a range of track terrains from scrabbly to rocky to sandy and a little bit of mud.
The KO2s traction in all these situations has been very impressive and I think better than the D697s although I'd say that's still a bit subjective at this stage.
They have handled some pretty sharp rocky sections with barely a mark, which the D697s did as well.

There was a $150/tyre cost difference when I was looking so that is something else that comes in to play.

While I was happy with the 697s the only way to really compare is to do it yourself and I didn't want to die wondering.
If the KO2s handle outback touring like the D697s then they will probably get the overall win due to offering better traction in scrabbly situations.

Cheers,
Scott

Hi Scott any update on how your tyres are going??

On my RRS (18" wheels) I have had General Grabber AT (not AT2) on for 68,000km and have worn really well - main tread is Ok and good for another 10,000km but the inner !" are bald. They are not a LT and handled mud really well but in harder terrain the sidewalls are clearly taking a bit of the load - no punctures but lots of rock scrape marks. I run them at 20 offroad and have not had to go lower. So have been OK offroad and Ok onroad but have an annoying hum louder than the roof rack. So I am looking for something new.

The car is now 10 years old, so not as nice as it once was and I am happy to be a bit more adventurous offroad. So now looking at LT265/60 R 18 ATs so the BFG ATs and the Bridgestone D697s are on the list. I have been quoted $320 for the D697s and $440 for the BFGs so a bit of difference in price.

The salesman said the BFGs are a bit noisy but was not sure of the D697. My old Freelander had 16" BFG AT KOs on it and they were a bit noisy but were a good tyre. Like most people I do spend most of my time on the bitumen so a quiet (or as quiet as possible) is important. The salesman also tried to get me onto the Dick Cepek offroad range but I dont know them and am not prepared to be the guinea pig and try something I am not sure of.

So how have your tyres lasted and how do you now think the BFGs compare to the old D697s - particularly taking into account the nearly $500 difference in price - noting you do get a free Swag when you buy 4 BFGs. (but I dont want a swag)

If anyone else has had a good run in an other LT 18"AT please let me know.

Cheers

Garry

I have had a set of KO2''s on my D4 since new ( done 42,000km ) and as previously discussed with Scott on another thread, yes they do have a drone between 45 - 60 km/h - especially on the over run. They emit the same amount of noise when they were brand new to now ( 42,000 km ).

Anyway a few weeks ago I quizzed the technical rep at the BF Goodridge stand at the Melbourne 4WD describing the noise in detail, and told him exactly the same noise had been emitted from the same tyres ( KO2 ) fitted to other D4 owners on this forum. The rep said that yes this can happen on certain model vehicles and the way the wheel / suspension geometry is designed, and the same tyres would not necessarily make the same noise on other vehicles. The rep basically said that changing the wheel alignment or altering the tyre pressure would not eliminate the noise, as the noise comes from movement of air with in tyre , and not contact of rubber with the road surface.

I am not sure if this explanation is true or BS, but must admit the annoying noise doesn't sound like scrubbing with the road surface.

Apart form this annoying drone 60 -45 km/h I am very happy with the tyres - on and off road. On the bitumen I run front and rear at 40 PSI cold.