Crash Test Dummies

CRASH TEST DUMMIES TYRE DEATH MATCH

OUR IN-HOUSE AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS, WARWICK LESLIE OF ALU-CAB AND NIC SCHWERDTFEGER OF REZLO RACING WEIGH IN ON ALL-TERRAIN TYRES

Photos Nic Schwerdtfeger, Flanker (CC. tyre code)

UNCLE WARRELS Maxxis Razr AT

VS

UNCLE NIC BF Goodrich AT

Uncle Warrels and Uncle Nic, I have just invested in my first proper 4x4 (a sweet Landcruiser 76) and I want some advice on which tyres to go for? It’s going to be used both in the city for regular weekday driving and off-road in the country on weekends and holidays. Is there a tyre that hits that sweetspot? Kevin the Adventurer from Kloof (KAK).

WARRELS: Well KAK, until recently there were only two real options, BFGoodrich (aka BFGs) and Cooper. I have used both, but more of the Cooper. BFGs chip, and Coopers need a lot of TLC, balancing etc.

NIC: I’ve also had both. I had Cooper STT Pro Discoverers. They were like any muds, but louder. My recommendation would be the BFG AT (All Terrain). Always. But hang on. Warrels, you said until recently there were only two options. What’s changed? WARRELS: I recently had a set of the new Maxxis Razr AT fitted to my car. So far they have incredibly low road noise, great grip in the wet, and they look good. It is a good 50/50 option with the manners of a 100% on-road tyre. From my limited experience of the new Maxxis, it appears that they have moved the tech along and left the old stalwarts, BFG and Cooper, in their dust. NIC: Hang on. What sidewall ply is this naaier tyre? Why would I buy this over a new 3-ply sidewall BFG? WARRELS: Because it incorporates new technologies. At the risk of making you sound like an anti-vaxxer, “Do your research Nic,” because Maxxis certainly have. NIC: I’ll have to read a bit before I decapitate Warrels with my rebuttal.

THE SOUND OF A FISH EAGLE INTERSPERSED WITH DIALUP INTERWEBS NOISES AS NIC CONSULTS THE NORTH WIND, GOOGLE AND SOME TOW TRUCK DRIVERS

NIC: Look, the 3-ply sidewall is essential to avoid punctures. In the advert I have seen for Maxxis it shows both a Mud Terrain and an All-Terrain and says the 3-ply sidewall is available in specific sizes. That could mean the Mud Terrain only or the All Terrain only. It will be interesting if they cleared up which one actually has the 3-ply sidewall. As far as I know, on BF 80s, KO 2s and KO 3s - they all come with a 3-ply sidewall, which is why they are better. Another thing to consider is that Maxxis is very new on the 4x4 scene. Yes, they made the Bighorn, but it’s going to take a lot of work to convince guys that are into proper overlanding who want an AT tyre to go away from a brand like

BFG that they know and trust. It’s like trying to convince me to drink something that tastes like Coke, but isn’t Coke. Just give me a Coke. Or here’s a reel that looks a lot like a Shilton, but is not a Shilton.

WARRELS: Like KAK, what I was looking for was for a comfortable tyre, that is pliable onroad and is quiet. I did a fair amount of research. I found that BFG have been left a little bit behind, they’re not really keeping up with the times. Cooper are a maintenance nightmare. As for the Maxxis Bighorns, they were shit, I never really liked them. I did my homework on the Maxxis Razr and so far the on-road manners have been amazing. While Maxxis may be new to 4x4 tyres, they are not new at tyres. They’ve been making mountain bike and motorbike tyres for a hell of a long time and as far as I am concerned the tech in those things is probably more crucial than in a vehicle in terms of weight constraints etc. They definitely know how to put a tyre together. I am always willing to try something new and it’s not like Maxxis is a start-up company like Taylor was. NIC: Still, brand loyalty is why most okes will go BFG. The BFG AT, that’s your Leatherman, your go-to that does everything pretty well. There might be a quieter tyre in terms of on-road noise, and a better one for off-road performance, and there’s probably a more durable tyre out there too, but it’s going to take a lot to convince off-roaders that another tyre beats the BFG overall. I’m talking about the one-track ‘ek wil net fokken BFGs he’ public in South Africa. So, unless the Maxxis gives head or they’re half price, I’m not sold. Yet. I like that there’s a challenger and I’m all for the underdog, but they have to be worth their salt.

WARRELS: You’re right, they’re not entirely track proven yet, and they a fight on their hands convincing brand loyal South Africans to trust them, but some of the major guys in Ozzie are running them and the reports are good. So far I am very impressed. It will be interesting to put a couple of thousand kilometers through them in Namibia and see how they hold up trip-wise, but so far so good. Time will tell.

Do you understand the language of rubber? Check out the tyre code above.