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Date:         Fri, 11 Feb 2000 08:03:11 -0700
Reply-To:     "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Subject:      Re: new tires for 82 w/stock 14"s
Comments: To: Jason Gorfine <jgorfine@VT.EDU>

Jason,

I am replying off list because the majority of list folks have heard from me before on this subject, and I believe most of the list folks are more interested in the way the tire looks or perhaps its off road capabilities.

In '84, when I bought my Vanagon, both light truck (LT) and Michelin XZX reinforced sidewall tires were being used. Mine came with the truck tires.

I had a couple of bad skidding experiences with my original tires. So when it came to tire replacement time I tried a different brand: Bridgestone LT's. They were worse handling and noisy, so I took them back. I then tried Michelin XZX reinforced tires and all my skidding problems went away. As a bonus, I got a better ride. Those tires lasted until last year.

Since Michelin didn't make the XZX tire any longer, I spent a lot of time researching what tire currently available would most closely match the Vanagon specification for a reinforced tire. In other words, be most like the Michelin XZX reinforced tires. What I found was Continental Contact (C21). The size is 185R14R, where the R stands for reinforced. You can read about the tire at http://www.continentaltire.com/cccm2124.cfm.

I am very satisfied with my choice. I suggest that you might like them as well.

Tire Rack sells these tires for $45. I bought mine through a local Discount Tire store. They had to order them from Continental and the price was about $55 per tire which compares favorably with tire rack after you add shipping. Many shops including Sears will order Continental tires, but I chose Discount because they started with a fair price and I didn't have to haggle about low price guarantees. By that I mean that Sears quoted at $80 but said they would beat any local price.

Whatever tire you decide to buy, be sure to check it load rating against the sticker in the door jamb to be sure that it's safe.

Thanks,

Mike Phoenix '84 GL '58 Isetta '60 Vespa

---------- From: Jason Gorfine[SMTP:jgorfine@VT.EDU] Reply To: Jason Gorfine Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 5:09 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: new tires for 82 w/stock 14"s

what's the best tire to put on my stock 14" wheels? i know there's been a lot of discussion, but that's left me a bit confused, what with the different wheel sizes and all. i'd check the archives, but i'm on my lunch break and i don't think i'd have enough time. thanks again jason


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