How bad are M/T Tyres on the road?

cool_dube · 29th August 2016, 11:27

Hi folks,

I am planning to change the footwear for my Gypsy and am considering a switch to M/T tires instead of the good old Yokohama Geolander A/Ts. My usage will be a mix of on-road (daily commute to work) and off-road (occasional off-roading). Given this, here are a few queries:

* How bad are M/Ts going to be on-road? I know handling will suffer but then on-road manners for the Gypsy are nothing much to write home about anyways

However, will highway drives (at 80-90 kmph) be a concern? Braking issues?

* How long will these last with this kind of usage? I do not anticipate high running - maybe ~500 km a month.

Thanks in advance...

starter · 29th August 2016, 14:22

What M/T options do you have at 215-75-R15?
Or, do you intend to up-size? (235-75-R15? or something even bigger?)

My 2 cents: Don't go with M/Ts unless you really need it.

Jaggu · 29th August 2016, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

My usage will be a mix of on-road (daily commute to work) and off-road (occasional off-roading).

What kind of offroading? Major off the road expeditions / challenges, or minor trail drives?

Quote:

* How bad are M/Ts going to be on-road? I know handling will suffer but then on-road manners for the Gypsy are nothing much to write home about anyways

However, will highway drives (at 80-90 kmph) be a concern? Braking issues?

Ride will be as good as not having shockies on vehicle. Braking on dry will be ok, but in wet it can get hands full at speeds.

Quote:

* How long will these last with this kind of usage? I do not anticipate high running - maybe ~500 km a month.

On a lighter vehicle like gypsy you should get 80-85% of life compared to normal tyres.

Quote:

Originally Posted by starter

What M/T options do you have at 215-75-R15?
Or, do you intend to up-size? (235-75-R15? or something even bigger?)

Very valid point since on a stock vehicle wider tyres will zap power.

Quote:

My 2 cents: Don't go with M/Ts unless you really need it.

Very worthy advice

dhanushs · 29th August 2016, 17:02

@OP. The real problem with MT tyres are that they create a racket at speeds. Also, wet grip will suffer. With bigger lugs you cannot expect AT like braking.

With ~500kms a month, they should last you their shelf life = ~25000 to 30000 kms.

cool_dube · 29th August 2016, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by starter

What M/T options do you have at 215-75-R15?
Or, do you intend to up-size? (235-75-R15? or something even bigger?)

I do not intend to up-size beyond 215. I thought Yoko Geo M/Ts are available in this size. Is it not so?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

What kind of offroading? Major off the road expeditions / challenges, or minor trail drives?

Minor trail drives for to begin with but stuff like BAOTR is not ruled out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Braking on dry will be ok, but in wet it can get hands full at speeds.

Now that's a concern. This is what I was apprehensive about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhanushs

@OP. The real problem with MT tyres are that they create a racket at speeds. Also, wet grip will suffer. With bigger lugs you cannot expect AT like braking.

I am okay with the noise but braking issues in wet would be a deal breaker I guess.

starter · 29th August 2016, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

I do not intend to up-size beyond 215. I thought Yoko Geo M/Ts are available in this size. Is it not so?

I have not been able to find any in 215s. I could find some options in 235s.
However, maxxis website says that trepadors are available in the size 205-70-R15.
Oh ya, trepadors are uni-directional though..

Cheers,
Deepak

karan561 · 29th August 2016, 21:42

@ cool_dube,

I think you should also look into BF Goodrich as they are available in the size you are looking for, also many Gypsy's i have seen have those tyres. They look really aggressive (almost like an M/T) but are an A/T type.

How bad are M/T Tyres on the road?-128265.jpg

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ex...tml#post785793

^ Check this post of a fellow BHPian

starter · 29th August 2016, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by karan561

I think you should also look into BF Goodrich as they are available in the size you are looking for

Hey Karan,
I had them on my Gypsy too. Here is a click http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attach...-deepu-026.jpg
They have some really strong side-walls but are quite bad in slush.
Yokos still seem like a better choice than BFGs.
Cheers,
Deepak

Jaggu · 30th August 2016, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Minor trail drives for to begin with but stuff like BAOTR is not ruled out.

Stick to AT's they are more than enough, including BAOTR. You will have better ride, road grip and braking. Carry a tow rope for very serious stuff and ask friends to just tug you

Samurai · 30th August 2016, 10:38

Just stick to AT tyres for your kind of usage. Otherwise you are highly compromising on braking, road grip & ride comfort. Most of the offroad terrain can be done using AT, I always had AT tyres on both my Jeeps. I thought about MT many times, and then backed off when common sense prevailed.

cool_dube · 30th August 2016, 12:26

Thanks folks, for all your inputs. Going by the overwhelming consensus, I have decided to stick to Yokohama Geolander A/T's for now.

Shubhendra · 30th August 2016, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Hi folks,

I am planning to change the footwear for my Gypsy and am considering a switch to M/T tires instead of the good old Yokohama Geolander A/Ts.

As everyone has suggested pros and cons of A/Ts, i have a different point of view.
If your driving is limited to 500 kms per month, i am pretty sure you are not going to take it for long drives and would be limited to local runs and OTRs which will again not be high speed runs (where MTs have limitation of noise and grip).
MTs do help in many situations in OTRs and take the vehicle's offroad performance to a notch higher.
You can try Maxxis Trepadors 235/75/15 they are cost effective tyres and good performer on highways. I have used them in 3 vehicles, including few out of state trips and umpteen OTRs. Especially in Gypsy they just work good.

Regards,
SHubhendra

cool_dube · 30th August 2016, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

You can try Maxxis Trepadors 235/75/15 they are cost effective tyres and good performer on highways

Thanks Shubhendra. Are these available in 215 profile? I am not willing to put spacers or upgrade to -ve offset rims yet. Intend to stick to stock rims for now.

Shubhendra · 30th August 2016, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Thanks Shubhendra. Are these available in 215 profile? I am not willing to put spacers or upgrade to -ve offset rims yet. Intend to stick to stock rims for now.

Nope, but you dont need to change stock disks. See below pic of one of my Jeep which has 235/75/15 Trepadors on Gypsy rims.
I luckily got 215/75/15 BFGoodrich MT in 2007 in Allahabad with a vendor, after that never saw MTs available in 215/75/15.

How bad are M/T Tyres on the road?-img_0408.jpg

Regards,
Shubhendra Singh

Samurai · 30th August 2016, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Thanks Shubhendra. Are these available in 215 profile?

Well, if you are getting swayed that way, do look at this comment.

29th August 2016, 11:27	#1
cool_dube Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,701 Thanked: 4,702 Times	How bad are M/T Tyres on the road? Hi folks, I am planning to change the footwear for my Gypsy and am considering a switch to M/T tires instead of the good old Yokohama Geolander A/Ts. My usage will be a mix of on-road (daily commute to work) and off-road (occasional off-roading). Given this, here are a few queries: * How bad are M/Ts going to be on-road? I know handling will suffer but then on-road manners for the Gypsy are nothing much to write home about anyways However, will highway drives (at 80-90 kmph) be a concern? Braking issues? * How long will these last with this kind of usage? I do not anticipate high running - maybe ~500 km a month. Thanks in advance...
	() Thanks

29th August 2016, 14:22	#2
starter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: My city Posts: 1,139 Thanked: 930 Times	Re: How bad are M/T tires on road What M/T options do you have at 215-75-R15? Or, do you intend to up-size? (235-75-R15? or something even bigger?) My 2 cents: Don't go with M/Ts unless you really need it. Last edited by starter : 29th August 2016 at 14:23.
	(2) Thanks

29th August 2016, 17:02	#4
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,433 Thanked: 11,463 Times	Re: How bad are M/T tires on road @OP. The real problem with MT tyres are that they create a racket at speeds. Also, wet grip will suffer. With bigger lugs you cannot expect AT like braking. With ~500kms a month, they should last you their shelf life = ~25000 to 30000 kms. Last edited by dhanushs : 29th August 2016 at 17:17.
	(2) Thanks

29th August 2016, 21:42	#7
karan561 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 5,135 Thanked: 23,014 Times View My Garage	Re: How bad are M/T tires on road @ cool_dube, I think you should also look into BF Goodrich as they are available in the size you are looking for, also many Gypsy's i have seen have those tyres. They look really aggressive (almost like an M/T) but are an A/T type. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ex...tml#post785793 ^ Check this post of a fellow BHPian Last edited by karan561 : 29th August 2016 at 21:45.
	(3) Thanks

30th August 2016, 10:38	#10
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 26,002 Thanked: 49,654 Times View My Garage	Re: How bad are M/T tires on road Just stick to AT tyres for your kind of usage. Otherwise you are highly compromising on braking, road grip & ride comfort. Most of the offroad terrain can be done using AT, I always had AT tyres on both my Jeeps. I thought about MT many times, and then backed off when common sense prevailed.
	(2) Thanks

30th August 2016, 12:26	#11
cool_dube Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,701 Thanked: 4,702 Times	Re: How bad are M/T Tyres on the road? Thanks folks, for all your inputs. Going by the overwhelming consensus, I have decided to stick to Yokohama Geolander A/T's for now.
	(1) Thanks