Michelin Arctic Alpins

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I just put a set of Arctic Alpins on my 87 5kcstq. Had them about 4 days 
now. They have a note on the sidewall warning of 44 psi max inflation 
pressure. I started at 40 and worked down to 30, where the harshness 
dropped off a little bit.  The ones I am using give a bit of a harsh-ride, IMO.

Could be I bought the wrong size.  Mine are 205-65-15 QR.    The ones I was 
using were 205-60-15 HR.   These tires are wearing off their mold 
filaments....the little hair-like rubber threads that cover the tread area 
by the thousands.  I think the mold-things made the turn-in a little slow 
for a few days. But, they are quiet and they handle OK on dry roads at all 
the legal speeds so far, and display no unusual vibrations. Haven't gotten 
on to wet roads or ice or snow yet.

Summary: The ones I got give a ride on the very firm side of the equation, 
bordering on harsh when I go over dividing strips or hit saucer-sized 
defects in the road surface. I'm experimenting with lower tire pressures. 
Guessing that cold temperatures will not improve the harshness I notice. 
Willing to compromise on all that stuff to get what was advertised as 
excellent control on ice.  Ice is my big problem all winter, along with wet 
slush and light snow. More later as the winter evolves.

Doyt Echelberger
87 5kcstq

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
At 11:44 AM 11/6/00 -0800, you wrote:
>Has anybody had any experience with Michelin Arctic Alpins? I can get them 
>for about $100 CDN/each and was wondering if it would be worth it
>TIA
>
>Nik Brkich
>1986 Audi 5KTQ
>1990 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 (For Sale)
>Vancouver BC Canada
>
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