> I had a similar experience with Yokohama tires. They lated 
> less than 20,000 miles and had only average handling 
> characteristics. I've switched to Michelen Agelis'. I have 
> about 15,000 miles on them and lots of tread left. The van's 
> handling characteristics are much improved. But these tires 
> are not cheap. Be prepared to pay for what you get.

The Michelin Agilis is an excellent tire, but as you said it's expensive. At
$75 each, the Hankook RA08's will give you Agilis performance without the
Agilis price. I used them for nearly ten years on my own Westies before
seeking the company out and arranging to carry them because of my own
positive experience with them.  They actually outperformed the Agilis in the
head-to-head comparison in the German press. Like the Agilis (but unlike the
Yoko's and Conti's; the latter of which are erroneously listed as all-season
on tirerack's site), the Hankooks are all-season tires, not just summer
tires. 

There have been many reviews of the Hankooks posted on this list, the Type 2
list, and TheSamba.  All are positive (unlike the Yoko's and Conti's, which
have had both proponents and detractors), so it's not just me saying this.
Check the archives. 

I have a detailed page explaining Vanagon tire requirements in general, as
well as the tires that we carry, at http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp .

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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