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Re: Tire age is critical Posted by Snowmobile [Email] (#686) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Snowmobile) on Thu, 9 Oct 2014 09:21:38 In Reply to: Tire age is critical, Dale, Thu, 9 Oct 2014 07:48:28 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I think you are mixed up on the Nokian models. The R2 is the one with the grit in the tread. R is the predecessor. RSi is a very old obsolete model (that does not contain grit, and is older than the R). The R is relatively recent and looks similar to R2 but does not contain the grit (R2 is the first from Nokian to do this). Their naming conventions get awfully confusing at times. One thing I really like about Nokian tires is their excellent tread depth markings. It's really clear what depth you are at. Anyway, their current models are Hakka 7/8 (studdable, no grit), Hakka R2 (no studs, grit), WR A3/D3 "all weather", W+ and "All Weather" are some new ones I think to be newer versions of WR?
So far, I have had best luck with narrow numbered hakkas. The R's even in a relatively narrow size for the 9-5 (205) just don't grip as well, though the cars are different also. The 205 R's weren't any better than 215 Michelin Primacy Alpins and possibly worse. You may be right that having a wide ice tire is better on ice than a narrow ice tire. Not sure. I don't think you want to "snowshoe" on snow though... I find the 9-5 more skittish on a snow covered highway with the wide tires. c900 gets tighter to the pavement and offers way more control and can do everything faster and safer (in spite of way less technology, eg no ABS or TCS or anything), even with much older/worn out tires. But this may not just be tire width, many other aspects of vehicle dynamics probably come into play also c900 vs 9-5. I am looking forward to either putting R2's or 8's on our 9-5, but the R's still have a lot of life left in them.
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