Date:         Tue, 15 Mar 2005 20:28:57 -0800
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
Subject:      Re: BFG All Terrain AT-KO tire spec
In-Reply-To:  <d2bd5fe62ed031195d2eb1e10870cba4@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

After running Yoko Y370 load range D tires for 8 years, I found the 14" BFGs were
noticeably softer in the sidewall, creating less stability at speed, and in crosswinds.
However, I agree they are an excellent tire for rough road applications, seem to do
quite well on the highway, and are surprisingly quiet. They also seem to have a
rubber compound less resistance to cuts and tears than the Y370s - I drive a lot of
rough roads with fresh blast rock spoil on the surface, and the Y370s look like they
were attacked with a hatchet after one summer; the BFGs look like new still.

I've only had them for a year, but have no problems recommending them for
someone wanting a more aggressive tread. But if you do mostly paved roads, the
Y370, Agilis or LTX are probably better choices. I found the BFGs are 50 psi (max)
were roughly equal to the Y370s are 42-44 psi in terms of apparent stiffness while
driving on the highway.

I have the BFGs on the rear @50 psi, and Y370s on the front at 44-48psi, and this
seems to work best. I do still feel the tail wag more than when I had Y370s all
around.

On 15 Mar 2005 at 16:35, Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM> wrote:

> You know, its funny, until Derek pointed out to me I didn't realize the
> 14" version of this tire was "technically" of insufficient load rating
> (95, instead of 97). Like him, however, I have no qualms recommending
> it on Vanagons. This is one good tire. I used to have it on my Syncro
> Westy (the 14" one that is). I now use the 215/75R15 version (which has
> a sufficient load rating.) And can't recommend this tire enough.
> Excellent in snow. Good on highway and off road use. About the only
> place it begins to have any alternatives to choose from is in muddy
> terrain, but that's what winches are for right?
>
> For you 2 wheel folks, it's still a good tire choice as far as I'm
> concerned.
>
> On Mar 15, 2005, at 4:04 PM, Pensioner wrote:
>
> > http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/assets/pdf/all_terrain_ta_kd.pdf
> >
> > for both 14 and 15 inch rims.
>

Shawn Wright
http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
'85 Jetta TD (retired)
'85 Jetta D
'88 Westy 2.1L
'82 Diesel Westy