| 4x4 All Terrain Tire SHOOTOUT |
Slalom Test - Asphalt, Big Bear
Airport
Airport
The straight line slalom on asphalt is crucial test that showcases a tire’s ability to respond to driver
steering inputs and undertake rapid directional changes at the limits of traction. A responsive tire
will transition quickly, precisely and with a high degree of consistency and predictability. A good
tire will enhance the handling characteristics of the vehicle, not take away from the handling
balance. Unless you are a test driver or competitor, the only time you are likely to drive a vehicle
at the limits with rapid steering inputs and directional changes is when attempting to avoid an
accident situation. High grip levels, precise reaction to driver steering inputs and predictability are
all key ingredients going into a good tire. Anything less and a tire becomes much less desirable
for highway driving and not a tire that you want when the chips are down and accident avoidance
maneuvering is your best shot at keeping safe.
Because of the nature of the Land Rover Discovery, not the best handling SUV ever to hit the
highway, we opted for a course with 70 foot spacing between the traffic cones and a start where
maximum speed was not reached until the second or third cone. This varies from the more
traditional 100 foot spacing with a fixed approach speed, usually about 60 MPH for most cars,
trucks and SUVs.
Each tire was given two runs on the slalom. Since the asphalt was “green” – covered with some
dust - we re-ran the first tire again at the end. This was the BFG and the results were nearly
identical to the first run. We used the second pair of runs on the BFG All Terrains for the results,
though we show all four runs in the BFG only video clip. You can see the individual tire runs on the
individual video clips.
The three-tire comparison clips here are very telling about the handling characteristics of each
tire. Comments about the individual tires are on each individual clip. Three of the four BFG runs
were aborted, two due to spins, the third would of ended in a spin without bailing off the course
early. The Toyo had one clean run and one hit pylon. The Hankook RF10s completed both runs
cleanly.
steering inputs and undertake rapid directional changes at the limits of traction. A responsive tire
will transition quickly, precisely and with a high degree of consistency and predictability. A good
tire will enhance the handling characteristics of the vehicle, not take away from the handling
balance. Unless you are a test driver or competitor, the only time you are likely to drive a vehicle
at the limits with rapid steering inputs and directional changes is when attempting to avoid an
accident situation. High grip levels, precise reaction to driver steering inputs and predictability are
all key ingredients going into a good tire. Anything less and a tire becomes much less desirable
for highway driving and not a tire that you want when the chips are down and accident avoidance
maneuvering is your best shot at keeping safe.
Because of the nature of the Land Rover Discovery, not the best handling SUV ever to hit the
highway, we opted for a course with 70 foot spacing between the traffic cones and a start where
maximum speed was not reached until the second or third cone. This varies from the more
traditional 100 foot spacing with a fixed approach speed, usually about 60 MPH for most cars,
trucks and SUVs.
Each tire was given two runs on the slalom. Since the asphalt was “green” – covered with some
dust - we re-ran the first tire again at the end. This was the BFG and the results were nearly
identical to the first run. We used the second pair of runs on the BFG All Terrains for the results,
though we show all four runs in the BFG only video clip. You can see the individual tire runs on the
individual video clips.
The three-tire comparison clips here are very telling about the handling characteristics of each
tire. Comments about the individual tires are on each individual clip. Three of the four BFG runs
were aborted, two due to spins, the third would of ended in a spin without bailing off the course
early. The Toyo had one clean run and one hit pylon. The Hankook RF10s completed both runs
cleanly.
TEST DRIVER EVALUATIONS
Asphalt Slalom Test, Big Bear Airport HANKOOK BFG TOYO
Traction Overall 8 4 6
Directional Stability 8 4 7
Steering Feel 7.5 4.5 7
Steering Input Responsiveness 8 4.5 7
Tire Compliance with Surface 7 5 4.5
Test importance 10 of 10 Average 6.67 5.25 4.92
TEST DRIVER COMMENTS:
Hankook: Excellent in all categories; excellent and predictable response to
driver inputs and weight transfer; quick and precise
BFG: Progressively increasing oversteer on rapid transitions resulting in
terminal oversteer (spin), poor response to steering and throttle inputs;
potential control loss in accident avoidance situations at limits of
adhesion on dry asphalt
Toyo: Very competent tire; no surprises or bad habits; good grip and
responsiveness; very predictable and stable
Asphalt Slalom Test, Big Bear Airport HANKOOK BFG TOYO
Traction Overall 8 4 6
Directional Stability 8 4 7
Steering Feel 7.5 4.5 7
Steering Input Responsiveness 8 4.5 7
Tire Compliance with Surface 7 5 4.5
Test importance 10 of 10 Average 6.67 5.25 4.92
TEST DRIVER COMMENTS:
Hankook: Excellent in all categories; excellent and predictable response to
driver inputs and weight transfer; quick and precise
BFG: Progressively increasing oversteer on rapid transitions resulting in
terminal oversteer (spin), poor response to steering and throttle inputs;
potential control loss in accident avoidance situations at limits of
adhesion on dry asphalt
Toyo: Very competent tire; no surprises or bad habits; good grip and
responsiveness; very predictable and stable
To view the tests on the Slalom of an individual tire, click on the
image of that tire below.
image of that tire below.
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Copyright 2009 Don Alexander
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