Date:         Thu, 6 Apr 2000 16:13:45 -0700
Reply-To:     BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
Subject:      BFG AT/KO tires (Was: RE: More on Michelin tires: Agilis vs. MX)
Comments: To: Steve Sullivan <Steve@NORTHWESTWATCH.ORG>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Not sure if you're into an aggressive off-road looking tire, but I just
installed a set of BFG All-Terrain KO tires on my Syncro.  $89.85 per tire
in the 27 x 8.50 - 14 size (You must have 6" alloys to mount them).

My initial impression is that they are a big improvement over the previous
"Jupiter" 185C/75-14 tires I had, both in terms of appearance and handling.
Mush plusher ride over big hits like speed bumps and uneven pavement, and a
more stable cornering feel at low speeds.  Highway ride is quite good, with
some squirminess at over 65 mph (indicated), which may just be due to their
newness.  Contrary to one of my concerns, the larger 27" tire does not
affect the acceleration from a standing start to a great degree.  It is
noticeable, but really not a problem (and I am used to cars that pull like
tractors from standing starts).

I'll be forwarding a detailed description of my impressions to Coyote for
his upcoming section on tires and wheels for vanagon.com if you want more
details.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Steve Sullivan
> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 3:09 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: More on Michelin tires: Agilis vs. MX
>
>
> Ok, more tech info direct from Michelin (800-847-3435).
>
>
> For regular vanagons, the MX Reinforced will work.
>
> For campers, the MX will not (despite what Sears assures me).
> You must use
> the Agilis to avoid some nasty sounding kind of sidewall
> blowout over time.
>
> Before buying tires, check the door plaque for the
> requirements of your van.
> Look for the inflation rates, max. weight requirements, and
> what the Load
> Range is. The Michelin MX Reinforced carries a max psi of 40,
> which is fine
> for the passenger vanagons, but not high enough for the extra
> weight of the
> campers. Michelin's pressure specs for campers (at least for
> my '84) is
> 39psi in the front, 48psi rear. The Agilis tire (which is also a 6-ply
> reinforced tire) runs a max pressure of 54psi., has a maximum
> weight rating
> of 1875lb, and is an LRC, or "Load Rating C" tire, which is
> what campers
> need.
>
> Our vans are quite unique in having such a narrow tire carry
> so much weight.
> Thus the need for the reinforced tire. Because of the engine
> weight in the
> rear, it has an even higher requirement for inflation than
> most vehicles.
> The camper weight just adds more weight to the equation. The
> result: tire
> costs around $100 per tire. Ouch. Still, anyone know of
> anything cheaper,
> please contact me.
>
> BTW: Both the MX and the Agilis are rated Mud and Snow. The
> Agilis 61 is the
> one recommended for Vanagons.
>
> Steve
>

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