New Rubber

svxter · #1 02-18-2002, 05:59 PM

Well, after waiting, and waiting, and waiting, for the Yoko AVS dbs, I had to make an emergency tire purchase this weekend. The old Cooper Vipers had no fangs at all. In fact, one was beginning to separate, which was a strong motivation to get new rubber on the road.

Since the Yokos seem to be on permanent backorder, since the first week of January, I bought some relatively cheap Indonesia manufactured tires. They're branded Champiro, and the tread pattern looks a lot like the Yokos. They're V-rated, so not quite the same as the dbs. They seem fairly quiet, although they did sing pretty loudly crossing a concrete bridge today. They seem to hold the road well. Haven't had a chance to try them in the wet or snow, and have no idea how they'll hold up. But for $89. each, if they do hold up, they might be a find. Anyone else ever used, or even heard of these? My tire guy just happened to have a set in Cleo's size - in fact they were the only things he had in her size.

Of course, this means the Yokos will now show up. Maybe I'll keep them in case these don't turn out to be so hot.

Ron Mummert · #2 02-18-2002, 08:34 PM

Bill, from whom had you placed an order for the Yokos? I had planned to kiss my Dunlop 5000s g'bye this spring. Why the hold up on the dbs? Any explanation? Ron.

#3 02-18-2002, 09:28 PM

Hmm.. I was thinking of getting the db's this summer as well.. perhaps I should order early? Tirerack claims to have them in stock, but computers lie...

Beav · #4 02-18-2002, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
Bill, from whom had you placed an order for the Yokos? I had planned to kiss my Dunlop 5000s g'bye this spring. Why the hold up on the dbs? Any explanation? Ron.

I just put a set of SP 5000s on mine Ron, how are yours holding out? I like mine so far, but it's hard to find a tire so bad that they don't seem great at first. So many tires these days turn to crap before they're half-worn.

Beav

Ron Mummert · #5 02-18-2002, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beav

I just put a set of SP 5000s on mine Ron, how are yours holding out? I like mine so far, but it's hard to find a tire so bad that they don't seem great at first. So many tires these days turn to crap before they're half-worn.

Beav

Actually, I have no argument with the Dunlops. They came with the car which I bought in January a year ago, & were good, but not new. I've put 20K on 'em & figure they're good for another 5-7K. I have no idea if they're loud, quiet etc. They're certainly not obnoxious. I'm just following the heresay on the site that seems to agree that the Yoko db is the Quiet King. Maybe Larryiii can shed more light on the subject, since he also just bought the Dunlop 5000s.
Ron.

svxter · #6 02-19-2002, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
Bill, from whom had you placed an order for the Yokos? I had planned to kiss my Dunlop 5000s g'bye this spring. Why the hold up on the dbs? Any explanation? Ron.

Ron, I had ordered from a local independent service center, who generally can beat everyone else's prices. I wound up talking to the area Yoko distributor in Knoxville, who didn't really offer an explanation as to why that particular tire was on backorder for so long. But if you want them, you might have your dealer determine if there is an availability issue for your area.

I might note that my dealer has always been able to get any tire I've wanted within a week. Plus he called the distributor a couple of times for me, so I know it wasn't a holdup on his part.

LarryIII · #7 02-19-2002, 07:44 PM

My Dunlops are about 6 mos, old. I notice that they take a set overnite but that works itself out within the first 2 miles every morn. Other than that they grip really great. They ride a bit harder than my old Toyos. I also think that they are a bit noisy but not as noisy as my old Toyos,
I had the same problems trying to get the Yoko AVS dbs. Every place I called in Del, southeast Pa. & south Jersey said they were back ordered. I needed tires. I was runing on the doughnut and couldn't wait.
Yoko needs to get their act together.

Larry iii

Beav · #8 02-19-2002, 09:10 PM

I've noticed my 5000s spotting too, but as you stated they warm up quickly.

Maybe it's just my luck, but my experience with Yokos hasn't been all that good. That's why I was hesitant to buy them. I can't remember a set that I've had or put on a friend's car that went the distance without turning into a noisy lumpmaster radial. I'm hoping the Dunlops will do well.

Beav

svxter · #9 02-20-2002, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beav
I've noticed my 5000s spotting too, but as you stated they warm up quickly.

Maybe it's just my luck, but my experience with Yokos hasn't been all that good. That's why I was hesitant to buy them. I can't remember a set that I've had or put on a friend's car that went the distance without turning into a noisy lumpmaster radial. I'm hoping the Dunlops will do well.

Beav

The AVS dbs are supposed to be their latest and greatest technology. Maybe some of the people here who have been running them can provide some feedback on how much mileage they have on them, problems, etc.

As luck would have it, the dbs I ordered have showed up. So the question now becomes - do I run the cheapies to see how they hold up, or do I put on the dbs and put the cheapies on the shelf, or do I sell one set?

svxcess · #10 02-20-2002, 03:05 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by svxter
The AVS dbs are supposed to be their latest and greatest technology. Maybe some of the people here who have been running them can provide some feedback on how much mileage they have on them, problems, etc.

I've had the dbs on my car for almost 30,000 miles. They have been extremely quiet and trouble-free during this time. Hold well in the rain and never let me down in what Maryland snow we've had.

The performance tire company I use says the dbs are a softer compound and should be rotated at a shorter interval than normal.

Anyway, I'm having another set of db's put on new stock rims next week. The tires I currently have will probably see almost 40,000 miles, but I always replace high-performance tires at 30K, no matter what the tread looks like.

1994SubaruSVX · #11 02-20-2002, 03:56 PM

admit they are noisy. i wanted to put potenzas on the car though to bring it back to its roots. if i had my choice and the money to do it i would put the pole positions on. my next set of tires may be falkens. i have been reading lots of good stuff about their durability and performance. not a big yoko fan at all. for me they are just overpriced.

#12 02-20-2002, 06:00 PM

don't know about yokos on the svx. i ran pirelli p6000 super touring, v rated, on my jag. switched to the yokos mostly due to price a year ago. they' re ok in dry weather, but on wet roads they do not grip like the pirellis.

svxcess · #13 02-22-2002, 08:53 AM

Of course the original Bridgestone RE-95 is still available, but you have to look hard. They run about $210 each.

The original owner of my car got 86,000 miles out of them, replacing them with RE-940s because they were a lot cheaper. She knew she was going to sell it and didn't need that good a tire.

immortal_suby · #14 02-22-2002, 04:15 PM

I ran the avs dbs for a while until I had a cracked rim and upgraded to 17's with avs sports. the sports grip better in dry weather and are louder than the db's but the dbs are way better in rain. I would have put dbs on instead of sports but they do not make them in 225/45/17. Both tires took a set overnight but it went away in the first mile or 2 of driving. Both tires wear out faster than normal. I would rather run the dbs just for the wet weather driving confidence although the limit on dry pavement of the sports is fast enough to put a crease in your leather seat. This may be apples to oranges with the different rim size.