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.C= OM]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
>