Pirelli Scorpion 265/70R16 for Cape York trip

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 13:48

Member - Richard B (NSW)

I am considering putting on new Scorpions onto a new Mazda BT50 for a trip up to the Cape later this year and am wondering if I will be too lightly shod for the trip. I have not been up that way before and the reports I have seen indicate that Scorpions are an excellent tyre, but, 'will they be suitable' for such a trip . I am not into extreme 4X4 driving but there will be a fair bit of dirt that we will travel - on trip last year to King Ash bay we were well served by Toyo but expectations of 80%sealed and 20% dirt requirements after the trip leads me towards Pirelli..... as a second choice we would also think of Mickey Thompson MTZ or ATZ......
Which way to go????
arbe
Lifetime Member: My Profile  Send Message
Classifieds: Portabote wanted
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Back to Forum
Thread Watch Alert Moderator FAQ
ThreadID: 92293 Replies: 5
Views: 1097 FollowUps: 3
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
AnswerID: 479434   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 15:23

eighty matey replied:

Hi,

I haven't used these tyres myself but if you Google Pirelli Scorpion 265/70R16 review you will get something to read.

From what I read they would do the job.

To do the The Cape in a new BT50 it's best to have a new set of tyres (as you will) and keep an eye on the tyre pressures for the different roads and tracks you'll be travelling on.

The main road up the middle is just a big dirt highway with corrugations, dips and the like.
The Old Telegraph Track is rougher and smaller but there's nothing really heavy duty, as far as tyres are concerned. Most of the water crossings have good bases and most of the exits aren't too bad. Even Gunshot has a couple of alternatives. Nolans Brook is usually the deepest and needs to be treated with caution.

Up the top there's beach and sand track driving to be done.

From what I have read, the ATRs would be suitable for all those terrains.

Hope this helps a bit,

Steve
... and he sees the vision splendid, of the sunlit plains extended,
and at night the wond'rous glory of the everlasting stars ... Banjo Paterson
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 1 of 5
AnswerID: 479448   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 17:34

Gronk replied:

They will be a good choice....although I run BFG A/T's.....just make sure they are LT construction and all will be good ..
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 754973   Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2012 at 05:02

Member - Bucky posted:

Good call Gronk
I run BFG AT in a LT construction.
On my second set, and will go again.
Trust me when I say we do all the rough tracks in Oz, only one puncture.

But outback driving is about managing tyre pressures.
On the OTT to Cape York, last year I dropped pressures down to 15psi and never had an Issue
Brilliant tyre !


Always consult the Minister for War & Finance
Thumbs UpThanks 0
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 479460   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 04, 2012 at 18:59

killer replied:

Hi I travelled up to the cape last year in a pajero I put a new set of scorpion LT on and had no trouble at all. 3 other vehicles in the party which had BFG on all had punctures
I may have been lucky ?? We did the OTT cape, Verillian point and Portland road eddys landing so a good variety of road surfaces and condition


killer
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 3 of 5
FollowupID: 754978   Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2012 at 09:33

Priscilla G posted:

Off the original question a bit ,but are the Scorpions quiet on all road surfaces.Have a Pajero & looking for quiet tyres.
Thumbs UpThanks 0
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 755029   Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2012 at 20:38

killer posted:

I had desert duellers on before the scorpions LT and they were much noisier. The scorpion don't seem to have a chunky thread but up on the OTL and on the dirt tracks around the Cape to did everything I asked of them and more
Thumbs UpThanks 0
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 479497   Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2012 at 05:50

Sigmund replied:

I read a US tyre comparo a couple of years ago and the Scorpion beat the rest.
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 4 of 5
SPONSOR MESSAGE Become a Sponsor
ExplorOz
This could be an advert for your business!
Sponsorship of this page is available now – and for much less than you might think. Find out how you can reach Australia's largest online audience in the 4WD/RV/Camping industry.
www.exploroz.com/Advertising/Default.aspx
AnswerID: 479498   Submitted: Monday, Mar 05, 2012 at 06:20

Member - Richard B (NSW) replied:

Thanks for the replies, it re-affirms my feeling that they will be quite adequate for the trip and also for many more. I have read some reviews of them and they are all pretty glowing, amazing that they are not more popular.......probably something to do with the bigger marketing budgets that the likes of Cooper BGF and the likes possibly have. They have expectations of something in the region of 80k which will more than satisfy me.
Something I will have to check is that they are LT for that added sidewall protection...I see that they are rated at 112 which is better than the original tyres on the BT50.
Now to continue with the planning for the trip..........bring it on!!
Cheers.
arbe
Lifetime Member: My Profile  Send Message
Classifieds: Portabote wanted
Thumbs UpThanks 0
Reply 5 of 5

Go to top RELATED SHOP ITEMS (12)