Winter Set: On

"Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com" (exage03040) 10/22/2020 at 19:16 • Filed to: tires

4

5

Well no dickering around this year. I’d rather get the beater beast ready for it’s 3mo primary term while it’s still kind of sunny and warm outside to work. I hate bundling up and having freezing hands. The bike I can work on under the deck as shown, the car is on a pad in the elements as I don’t rent the garage .

I didn’t actually choose this package. I went to the tire shop 2 years ago and asked for X-Ice on steelies only to be told virtually everything was back-ordered for a month and the quickest would be these cheapo CECO alloys with General Altimax in a week. I obliged. Factory is a 195/55- R16 on the XRS but my winters are the generic ‘rolla 185/65-R15.

You know what though, it’s not half bad, I’ve been pleased with this budget setup. If you’re looking for a good snow tire these Arctic 12 are very good value. They aren’t a Blizzak, X-Ice or Hakkapeliitta but they’re not that far down in winter performance and cost significantly less than them. I’ve had no problems doing the average +10kph above highway speed limit in the few weeks of snow fall per year here in Vancouver where other drivers are struggling 20kph below speed limit and crashing with their 3 seasons. They mostly deal with rain and temps a few ticks above freezing. I have no complaints, I’d argue they make perfect sense for these more moderate conditions where a premium winter might be a tad overkill but still better much than the all weather when it does snow.

I’m very pro winter tire. I was a cheap kid and drove on 3 seasons in the limited snow around here for years. Even as a half decent driver, I won’t ever do it again. Take stock that this is coming from a rider who is risky enough to scrape knee on the street. Grip matters.

Few Quick Tips:

Check direction r otation of tires when installing. D on’t put them the wrong direction they don’t work as well.

Check tire pressure (mine were super low)

Reset your TPMS (mine is old school and based on ABS sensor deviation)

Drive safe!

___

P5guy now GTIguy > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2020 at 19:43

4

I enjoy seeing other oppos post about mounting their winters on. Once you try them it’s hard to go back. 

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > P5guy now GTIguy 10/22/2020 at 20:12

3

I think anyone that has the make do attitude on 3 season and hasn’t driven on good winter tires needs to. I remember being passed by some 25yo Tracker like nothing on the highway and I was at the very limit of what I felt safe. As soon as I got these in the snow I was that Tracker.

P5guy now GTIguy > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2020 at 20:55

1

Exactly. “ Even the well there’s not much snow and I just slow down people.” There is no substitute. 

arl > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 10/22/2020 at 22:05

1

I have winters for the Mustang, but I’m going to wait until after Thanksgiving to put them on. It rarely snows in the DC area before December, so I think I’m good. 

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > arl 10/22/2020 at 23:09

1

Right on.

I change tires when it’s sunny and the daily high becomes 50F (both in the fall and the spring). I find it nice out to work out in that temperature and it’s near enough where the winters are beneficial in the morning commute temperatures below 45F.

Many drivers put it off until the first forecast of snow (which leads to mad rushing), but for me it’s strictly about road and tire temperatures after what I’ve experienced on the bike .