Date:         Mon, 10 Aug 1998 12:24:00 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      tires chosen
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

After much consideration, I finally chose the Yokohama Superdigger-V (SD05)
195/75 14. It seemed to be the only decent tire available in Western Canada
right now. I am doing a fair bit of off road travel with my Syncro,
therefore I was looking for a coarser tread with good highway qualities. I
am especially keen on deep groves on the sides of the thread because this
generates more grip in softer ground. The deep outside edges may have a
disadvantage on highways since they generate a little less stability when
cornering and they tend to wear a bit ragged too which in turn may generate
more noise. I was also looking for a strong sidewall for stability.

At present I can only give a first impression on dry roads. Compared to the
Michelin LTX there is slightly more noise and as expected slightly less
cornering stability on dry pavement. However, it does not squeal as much as
the Michelin when you are driving to the limit. (I have slight oversteer
which will hopefully be corrected with a much needed wheel alignment next
week). The tire was listed as an 8ply but it turns out to be only 6ply. The
reinforced portion around the rim seems to be about a finger width (1.3cm or
1/2inch) smaller on the Yokohama than on the Michelin. However the belt
under the tread seems to be slightly stiffer on the Yokohama. The rubber
thickness of the sidewall seems to be the same.  

I will keep everyone posted about its performance as I can experiment in
more demanding conditions.

Björn

Epilogue: After I bought the tire the local Sears phoned back and told me
that their Michelin Tire (XC LT4, a LTX equivalent) had arrived. Two days
earlier they had told me it would take about 8 weeks.