Yoko or Dueler, or what?
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 20:18
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Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW)
My Yokohama Geolandar AT II's need replacement after 60,000km, though they probably would have lasted a fair bit longer had I not omitted to rotate them... This is for a Suzuki XL7 with its unusual tyre size (235/60/16) so there's not much choice. I've been happy with the Yokos - I do about 80% of my driving on sealed roads, and the rest mainly on outback dirt and gravel tracks, some of them quite muddy after rain, no rocks and beaches only very rarely - they've been particularly good, for AT tyres, through mud which I attribute to their fairly aggressive (again, by AT standards) tread pattern.
I am tempted by the D694 which I have heard a lot of good about, but their tread pattern seems "softer" and I've heard that they're not particularly good in the mud, even for AT tyres. Can any D694 owners shed some lights on this, and perhaps comment more generally on whether they're worth trying out as Yoko replacements?
Both are quite expensive, of course, but there doesn't seem much else around in my size. Unless someone here knows better, of course...
Reply By: rhino25 - Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 22:42
Saturday, Apr 07, 2007 at 22:42
Mungo,
I had Yoko's on the Paj and got about the same milage. I too did some research on these and others including Cooper and Goodyears and made the switch to the 694's (265/70 R16's) and havent looked back. These ones are an improvement on the older Bridgestones. They are grippy on wet sealed roads, and when you look behind, you can see the dry tyre tracks left for some distance even in a downpour. These tyres go
well in the clay as they clean out
well. They are not as noisy or vibrate as first expected. I am very happy with the selection. Good luck with your research. You pay more for the better things in life. In terms of price and performance - I think you are on the money.
rhino
AnswerID:
232203
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 09:44
Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 09:44
I don't wish to convince you otherwise Mungo, although I have changed from D694's to D693's because I preferred the tread pattern better.
But, with your unusual size tyre (235/60/16) have a look at the 604 Desert Dueler tyres from Bridgestone. They can be bought for $168 each and are an excellent tyre.
I have these on my Camper Trailer and Off-Road trailer and would have them on the Jack if they made a Desert Dueler in the right size for it.
Having said that, I have found out that the D694 Dueler is now made in Australia using the same casing as the D693 so it should be a good tyre, apart from the tread pattern, which I believe is designed more to reduce road noise on the black top.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 22:02
Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 22:02
The 604 is not available in that size, I think. But it looks like the 694s have a growing chorus of approval and so I might go for them unless the Yokohamas turn out to be significantly cheaper.
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 23:13
Sunday, Apr 08, 2007 at 23:13
If your happy with the Yokos, stick with them.
No point spittin the dummy in a few mths time cause they are no good but XYZ said they were good. Remembering most people who give an opinion wont have a car the same weight as yours, or drive the same conditions the same way.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW) - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 00:22
Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 00:22
I never spit my dummy, it's still firmly in my mouth after all these years :-)
Happy with the Yokos but not convinced they're the bees' knees in terms of longevity and noise.
FollowupID:
493891
Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Monday, Apr 09, 2007 at 06:14
Monday, Apr 09, 2007 at 06:14
I had a lot of trouble with D694's although I still have them sitting on a set of steel rims. :(
Many punctures a split and a hole in a sidewall and I only got 30K out of them.
I don't think they are robust enough for the weight of the cruiser.
The BFG Muds I replaced them with are doing fine at 35K and only half gone.
AnswerID:
232327