WARNING: Vanco Continental Tyres

[Channa]

My thoughts are this , irrespective of the vehicle, how posh or poor the only contact between the vehicle and the road is the tyre. On that basis alone, It seems madness to skimp.

Years go when I worked for Citroen we had a presentation from Michelin very interesting. I think it is fair to say that premium brands we pay for, however they do invest a lot of energy in product design.

From what I can see, the market is a shifting sand, Early 80's I had a Suzuki motorcycle with Bridgestones. They were awful bordering on lethal in the wet, changed them for Avons what a difference. The irony is today Bridgestones are highly regarded and on the sportier stuff have replaced the iconic Pirelli Phantoms.

On Fiats we used Pirelli brilliant in the dry, Michelins far better in the wet, Firestones and Geat were a waste of time. Dunlops weren't good at anything but weren't by the same token bad either.

Pay your money take the choice.

I spent a brief time driving for DHL and on the sprinters we used vancos, DHL specced them on replacements so I suspect someone had done their homework.

And what you have to remember is on a 3.5 tonne van we were running pretty close to the 3.5 tonne gvw....I never had issue with them although I didn't think they were inspiring in snow.

Yes I would fit them to my camper

Channa

 

[Stanski]

Tyre tread depth

Another thought about tyres for comment

Now I reckon there are a few (quite a lot I reckon) of us who might remember when the minimum tyre tread limit came into force in the UK. 1.6mm markers on tyres to help the driver recognise when the tyre is worn to the limit. Prior to this I think I am right in saying the tyre had to show signs of the tread across all the width.

When I was introduced to HGV and PSV vehicles I was surprised to find the legal limit was 1mm and also tyres could be cut to deepen the tread once worn.

SUGGESTION
Tyre disposal is a problem so here is an idea: Why not get tyre manufacturers to design a thicker tyre so they last longer for us MH owners.

Could it ever happen!

 

[Byronic]

Specific type of tyre that allowed 'Regrooving'. Extra thick tread.

 

[Channa]

Another thought about tyres for comment

Now I reckon there are a few (quite a lot I reckon) of us who might remember when the minimum tyre tread limit came into force in the UK. 1.6mm markers on tyres to help the driver recognise when the tyre is worn to the limit. Prior to this I think I am right in saying the tyre had to show signs of the tread across all the width.

When I was introduced to HGV and PSV vehicles I was surprised to find the legal limit was 1mm and also tyres could be cut to deepen the tread once worn.

SUGGESTION
Tyre disposal is a problem so here is an idea: Why not get tyre manufacturers to design a thicker tyre so they last longer for us MH owners.

Could it ever happen!

1mm on a motorcycle which seems daft considering you really do need decent tyres.

I have no evidence, but I suspect the manufacturers re cost of raw materials and design technology search for optimum compounds for performance

Certainly one of the demos from the Michelin man, He used a cross section of a tyre and as load applied to the side walls the foot print increased. He then did the same with a cheap non descript and the centre of the tread lifted ( imagine a lazy .W) The point of course demonstrating how side walls took load. and whilst tyres are round and black it seems they are not all the same.

Re tyre disposal a few years ago I worked with Brandricks in Birmingham very briefly who were one of the countrys largest in tyre disposal. A lot were used for childrens playground surfaces a filler in the construction industry some were recycled within plastics in car bumpers for example.

Channa

 

[Stanski]

Driver behaviour - europe

On our travels around Europe I have so far found the behaviour of car drivers in the eastern countries including Greece and Italy especially to be much like a wacky racing style where they have to be first to the traffic lights.

I quite agree with the sentiment that french drivers are more sedate in their habits especially on A roads, but I find them not so polite in or around busy cities as they are much like in UK always in a rush.

In Scandinavia because of the terrain the average speed is much slower (about 40- 50 mph) and you are always looking for larger vehicles coming around the corner or mountain so proceed with caution.

In Ireland there is a nice casual and polite manner from many, but you have to be guarded against some who have the posh car and want to show you they can "do it".

In the UK mayhem reigns around most cities and large towns especially at rush hour, partially I believe as we are becoming an overcrowded country.

In France and I suspect Spain (never been - will be there in 2 weeks) there is more space and freedom.

 

[Channa]

They are standard fit on some Fords Hankook tyres.

A very good friend of mine a recently retired tyre fitter, Swore by Hankook value for money. His wife is a trading standards officer so never any monkey business in what he retailed.

Hankook possibly value for money are a good bet due to their lack at the moment of general strength in marketing the brand

Channa

 

[Channa]

I am well aware of that , but we are talking ROAD LEGAL which requires a 1mm tread minimum..,,, The old phantoms re compound were very soft 3000 miles on the back and goosed. Less if you were a rider we shall label as having a spirited riding style

Channa

 

[trevskoda]

They are standard fit on some Fords Hankook tyres.

A very good friend of mine a recently retired tyre fitter, Swore by Hankook value for money. His wife is a trading standards officer so never any monkey business in what he retailed.

Hankook possibly value for money are a good bet due to their lack at the moment of general strength in marketing the brand

Channa

Hankook tyres are made by one of the top makers but in far of lands.

 

[sparrks]

Hankook tyres are made by one of the top makers but in far of lands.

E for fuel efficiency and C for wet grip, not very good just average

 

[ricc]

ive had hancock 4x4 tyres in the past, not noticably any worse than anything else

actually got a matching set of bridgestones on at the moment... 3 of them part used from a tyre dealer on fleabay


tranny needed 2 tyres for mot in autumn, just had the 2 cheapest m&s that next door tyre fitter had in stock


my driving style doesnt need premium tyres

 

[Deleted member 52918]

I am well aware of that , but we are talking ROAD LEGAL which requires a 1mm tread minimum..,,, The old phantoms re compound were very soft 3000 miles on the back and goosed. Less if you were a rider we shall label as having a spirited riding style

Channa

Just a word of caution gained by personal experience.
Due to a lack of funds, I fitted an old but unused Pirelli Phantom on my CBX 750F's front wheel.
I was told at the time that there could be a problem, if the tyre got to hot while riding on a hot day.

He said that the tyre could heat up more under the surface than is safe & cause an effect much like if you placed an inner tube on the outside of a greased tyre, so making the tyre move sideways across the inner tube in a bend & back causing it to feel like a tank slapper was happening or you suddenly found yourself on knoblies.

Well after some spirited riding around Exmoor/Dartmoor in temps of near 30 deg., that's exactly what happened.

Not ridden much since. I have a 650 dually out back of my garage which is waiting, & if I didn't have my Wife, I'd be back on it tomorrow.:scooter::fun:

Phill