Bridgestone D697

Hi Toddy

They are a great tyre, very quiet on the bitumen, do not chip on dirt roads, but for me not a long life tyre.

As we do mainly 100 % dirt roads with my tyre, I never let them get below 50% tread wear and for my situation had me changing them over around the 30k mark, a mileage I would that should have been far greater. I always would only fit LT construction 697, and after my third set, have now gone over to the new Toyo Open Country A/T 11 in LT construction to see how they will wear for my travelling situations. Report on these Toyo's so far have been very promising.

So far they have driven the Oodnadatta Track, some very hard rocky tracks in the Flinders as well as many other outback tracks with now over 8k out of them and they are still like new, no chipping or cuts from the real sharp rocks of the Flinders.
They are as quiet as the 697's on the bitumen and if a can more than 30k with more than 50% tread left, I will be more than happy.

People that clim they get 70, 80 or even more mil metres out of a set a tyres are not real outback drivers, as once any tyre get less than 50% tread, you will be open to all sorts of trouble out in the outback, where as driving on bitumen all the time will not be an issue.


Just my thoughts.




Cheers





Stephen

I have Dueller LT on my 200 series cruiser, tow a 3.4 tonne Van with 340kg on tow ball. Tyres are now at 79,250k's of which more than 20,000 was towing the van. Mostly bitumen roads. They are rotated at each 10,000 service and are wearing evenly. I expect I will get another 10 k's safely. These are the second set of Duellers I have had - had several sets of tyres on previous 200 series including the Duellers. I pay close attention to tyre pressures. They perform well in wet and dry conditions.
Bob

I like them as a highway tyre but reckon they are crap in the dirt. Wont be buying again.

Might stick with my BFG muddies

Had three sets on different vehicles.....found them great in all conditons on all surfaces.

I have the D697 285/70R17's on the Patrol and have done the GRR twice, Mitchell Falls and Bungle Bungles plus a lot of of other unsealed outback roads with no chipping and no punctures. Very quiet on the bitumen. Used D693 and D694 prior to the D697's being released. Gives me a 21mm lift for the price of a set of tyres. They also seem to be reasonably readily available in most places should one be required in an emergency. The load index of 121 is a bit of overkill but results in a tough tyre operated well below its design capability.

Gidday

I had 697s on a Ford Ranger for 55,000km which included the Ann Beadell and Gunbarrel, a Simpson crossing and down the Oodnadatta track and a recent Kimberley trip on the GIbb, up to Mitchell Falls and the Bungles.

Never had a problem. That may be due to good luck or good management with pressures etc adjusted to the conditions.

But I would not have done another remote trip with them, though I would have happily replaced like with like.

The Ranger has been moved on for a later model Prado which came with five brand new Pirelli Scorpion ATRs. Be interesting to see how they go.

Cheers

I'm running the 697's on a Challenger, they've done 35K so far and are about 1/3 worn. Fantastic all round tyre.

I'm on my 3rd set of 265/75/16 AT's.
I find them great on the 80 series for bitumen, sand, dirt roads, off roading, rocky hill climbs and down climbs.
Relatively quiet, great wear and great side wall protection.
Scary terrible in mud.

I have them on my 60 series. I previously had 694's on other cars, then for a change went to bfg's (good), then Mickey Thompson MTR's (never again). I now have 697's. they are quiet, wear well, I find them great on the beach, and for $850 fitted for a set of 4 (31 10.5 15 LT), I find them hard to beat!

Had previous versions on two prado's, have 697's on the '79 series Cruiser and very happy with them. Have been on a number of different long trips on different terrain with no issues. Have tried different tires at different times, and came back to the Bridgestone's because they are reliable. Haven't had one flat or sidewall damage yet. Of course tyre pressures are key.
regards