I had originally planned on getting some Hankook AH37 tires, but when Parkhouse Tire in Santa Ana CA checked all the AH37s they inherited from GCR Tire after they took over some of GCR's Southern California branches, they found that all their AH37s were six years old! (What damnfool idiot keeps a warehouse-full of unsold tires for six years?!) Parkhouse found me instead some Yokohama 104ZR tires for about the same price as the Hankooks, and that's what they put on my bus today. They're all DOT-coded 0219, so that's new enough for me. They're even made in the USA! For just over $3000 out the door I'm very happy with them. Initial impressions after the few miles back on the freeway is that they are smooth, quiet and track well, not that my previous Michelin XZEs were deficient in that regard. I've got some Adco OS tire covers on order, then I'll be set for a long time. One funny moment - when the tire dude saw my ancient 11.00 x 20" tire which was my original spare, he barely believed his eyes! I know it was made when large dinosaurs walked the earth, but it was better than nothing as a spare, and the price was right. I now have the best of my old Michelins as the new spare, so no worries there any more.
The Yokohamas seem to be well regarded as an affordable alternative to Michelins, and they'll be more than good enough for me. I think I got a good deal with them, and Parkhouse seems like a very professional company.
John
Give the tires about 5,000 miles to break in then let us know how they are. My Hankooks track better then my Michlin XZE-2's I had on before. Although not quite as smooth riding, but still good. Good Luck,, TomC
Have you finished your bus John? If so, I am back in town for a couple of weeks and would like to see it.
Gary
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on April 23, 2019, 06:59:55 PM
Have you finished your bus John? If so, I am back in town for a couple of weeks and would like to see it.
Gary
Heck no! I've been faffing about making the shower for way too long, but I've really got to pull my finger out and start doing some more real work on it. I'll start the bedroom next, then the two closets, then the bathroom (the loo's already in place and ready for crappage), then the kitchen. In other words, it doesn't look much different now than the last time you saw it! But it's got new tires - whoopee.
It's in Costa Mesa if you want to see it. PM me if you're interested.
John
That's good news, John!
I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on 8 new Sumitomos for the Gillig (already have 2 year-olds on the front). I obtained 4 modern Budds, so far, for the HPO, and it will temporarily get the Gillig's aged Michelins during the build.
It's been too long . . . We must talk/visit soon!