Tyres

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for the tips on the Rikens Duane - might try them next time for a change. Good grip on wet roads is my everyday no.1 priority, since global warming started happening

[Duane126]

But, as Scanner asks, why not just get the right size?

Just a thought.

The choice of snow and mud tyres was very limited from my supplier in size 215 R15. Only a couple. 195 R15 gave me loads to choice from.

[Bob]

Thanks.

[BongoBongo123]

Thanks for the tips on the Rikens Duane - might try them next time for a change. Good grip on wet roads is my everyday no.1 priority, since global warming started happening

Then maybe the best choice would be a trusted brand with an A rating wet grip. The Riken has a C rating wet grip performance.

To quote this website:

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/tyr ... tyre-label

"The difference in braking distances between each grade is roughly 3m - the average length of 1 car. Making the difference between A and G 18m, 4 car lengths! This distance could be the difference between being involved in a road accident or not."

The Bongo/Freda is either 4 or rear wheel drive so what you have on the back might be important, on the 2WD the rear wheels drive the car. I also heard the back end due to being lighter is the easier part of the vehicle to slide. Are 195's on the back a good plan ?

I would not personally put 195/70R15 budget tyres on my Bongo. They are not the correct size.

I don't drive in snow as I do not drive to work daily so my needs may be different.

I can only know what I am going to do. Once my existing budget tyres are close to 1/2 worn they are off. At which point the wet grip will be no where as good as the new tyre. I am only keeping them on there cause they were brand new when I got the Bongo. Then I will go A rating wet grip and I have no problem that they are going to cost me £300.00 as our lives depend on them.

You make your own reasoned choice ultimately based on what you think is most important for intended use.

Safe motoring whatever your choice.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks for the tips on the Rikens Duane - might try them next time for a change. Good grip on wet roads is my everyday no.1 priority, since global warming started happening

Then maybe the best choice would be a trusted brand with an A rating wet grip. The Riken has a C rating wet grip performance.

To quote this website:

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/tyr ... tyre-label

"The difference in braking distances between each grade is roughly 3m - the average length of 1 car. Making the difference between A and G 18m, 4 car lengths! This distance could be the difference between being involved in a road accident or not."

The Bongo/Freda is either 4 or rear wheel drive so what you have on the back might be important, on the 2WD the rear wheels drive the car. I also heard the back end due to being lighter is the easier part of the vehicle to slide. Are 195's on the back a good plan ?

I would not personally put 195/70R15 budget tyres on my Bongo. They are not the correct size.

I don't drive in snow as I do not drive to work daily so my needs may be different.

I can only know what I am going to do. Once my existing budget tyres are close to 1/2 worn they are off. At which point the wet grip will be no where as good as the new tyre. I am only keeping them on there cause they were brand new when I got the Bongo. Then I will go A rating wet grip and I have no problem that they are going to cost me £300.00 as our lives depend on them.

You make your own reasoned choice ultimately based on what you think is most important for intended use.

Safe motoring whatever your choice.

People (including me!) do seem to like the Avons:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Avon/Ice-Touring.htm

... and outstanding wet grip and still a very good winter tyre for the price it seems:

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/avon-ic ... eview.html

But I'll keep an eye on reviews for the Rikens

Being mid engined I'd have thought weight distribution in the Bongo was relatively well balanced - certainly I get surprisingly good rear wheel traction on my 2wd esp. as I keep my tailgate camping unit etc. permanently on board.

[Bob]

By chance I just weighed mine, full tank, me in driver's seat, jack and wheel brace in door cubby, but no other equipment.

Front axle 840 kgs

Rear axle 965 kgs

The max axle weights are

Front axle 950 kgs

Rear axle 1250 kgs

[scanner]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????

I wonder what cars Black Circles averaged to get 10feet?

Can anyone tell be a (sensible*) car that is under 10 feet?
There must be lots of them if the "average" length of a car is that short.

*i.e. usable for everything, not just commuting and shopping.
Sorry but I do not accept either Smart cars or Toyota IQs as "sensible".

[Duane126]

Just had a quick look through the last owners invoices, £425 for 4 91 rated budget tyres. Some garages have no shame!!!!

[Duane126]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????

I wonder what cars Black Circles averaged to get 10feet?

Can anyone tell be a (sensible*) car that is under 10 feet?
There must be lots of them if the "average" length of a car is that short.

*i.e. usable for everything, not just commuting and shopping.
Sorry but I do not accept either Smart cars or Toyota IQs as "sensible".

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/tyr ... re-testing

What's the reference tyre??

[scanner]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????

I wonder what cars Black Circles averaged to get 10feet?

Can anyone tell be a (sensible*) car that is under 10 feet?
There must be lots of them if the "average" length of a car is that short.

*i.e. usable for everything, not just commuting and shopping.
Sorry but I do not accept either Smart cars or Toyota IQs as "sensible".

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/tyr ... re-testing

What's the reference tyre??

???????????????

Where is there anything in that which says which sub-10 ft cars were used to get the average?

[alant54]

I never scrimp on tyres as they are your only contact with the road....each contact the size of a footprint.....

A necessary expense but worth it....

As your location is the Northwest I would suggest that you have a word with Wheelquick of Wigan who are Bongo specialists and highly recommended by local Bongo owners...

They will give you honest and impartial advise on the best tyres for your vehicle.

Alaan

[Duane126]

I'm thinking that Until you get the tyres and have a good drive on them, you can't tell if they are going to be any good for the purpose intended. I was interested in the performance of my tyres so when I was out today in the rain I gave them a good test. Around the corners the van would have tipped over before it lost grip and when I stamped on the brake pedal it stopped that quick I thought my liver was going to pop out. Plus I helped my dad pull some hedges out that the twin wheeled transit flat bed could not do in the wet mud. The Freda snatched them all out first time. So as a test today would give my tyres a good rating... I'm very happy with them. As for going with a trusted brand tyre, Riken are made by Michelin.

[mikeonb4c]

I'm thinking that Until you get the tyres and have a good drive on them, you can't tell if they are going to be any good for the purpose intended. I was interested in the performance of my tyres so when I was out today in the rain I gave them a good test. Around the corners the van would have tipped over before it lost grip and when I stamped on the brake pedal it stopped that quick I thought my liver was going to pop out. Plus I helped my dad pull some hedges out that the twin wheeled transit flat bed could not do in the wet mud. The Freda snatched them all out first time. So as a test today would give my tyres a good rating... I'm very happy with them. As for going with a trusted brand tyre, Riken are made by Michelin.

Excellent - go with your gut feeling I say. I'm sure these tyres will serve you very well whatever the theoretical pros and cons.

[BongoBongo123]

I am sure everyone has different usage of their Bongo. But for typical driving/camping/festivals days out most of this is arguably done between April and end of November. The greatest issue is wet stopping I would have thought for the average user. I'll go with premium brand A rating wet tyres.

If you live more northerly and get snow then of course that makes a lot of sense to go for winter tyres, and of course if your rely on the Bongo to ride snowy and icy roads then that is critical.

The feeling of having the best tyres money can pay for is important to me. Good tyres improve handling and a sense of being able to rely on them makes driving feel that bit safer.

You cannot control much when you drive putting yourself at the mercy of others driving. Your own style of driving and your tyres/brakes are some of the few safety related things you can control.

[Duane126]

I am sure everyone has different usage of their Bongo. But for typical driving/camping/festivals days out most of this is arguably done between April and end of November. The greatest issue is wet stopping I would have thought for the average user. I'll go with premium brand A rating wet tyres.

If you live more northerly and get snow then of course that makes a lot of sense to go for winter tyres, and of course if your rely on the Bongo to ride snowy and icy roads then that is critical.

The feeling of having the best tyres money can pay for is important to me. Good tyres improve handling and a sense of being able to rely on them makes driving feel that bit safer.

You cannot control much when you drive putting yourself at the mercy of others driving. Your own style of driving and your tyres/brakes are some of the few safety related things you can control.

The cost of the tyres was one of the last thing I looked at. The price doesn't bother me because I get them at trade. It's just the choice of mud tyres that will pull me up the beach summer or winter in size 215 R15 are very limited. If I was using the van day to day I would go for a Continental Contivancontact if they have are size!!!! I put them on the transits because the side walls can take a lot of kerbing.