I see a lot of folks are rocking 185/195 R14s like me.  

 

I have been thinking about going to the 15 or 16 alloy wheels.  Anyone else thinking about it?  Anyone have/see issues with going to the 15 or 16 alloys?  

 

 

Thanks Guys,   

 

 

1984 Westy 
 
> Date: Mon, 10 May 2010 14:28:42 -0400
> From: vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM
> Subject: Re: Tire size questions
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> > I called Bus Depot to see if they have the Hankook RA08 tires
> > in stock. The ones on the website say 185R14. The rep told
> > me they will be getting those tomorrow but they do have the
> > 195R14 in stock. I've perused a few tire websites and am
> > still confused as what those numbers are. I currently have
> > 205 70R 14's and was happy with them (except they are car
> > tires). Is it just that the 195's are a little wider than the
> > 185's? Maybe I want them instead.
> 
> 
> See this page:
> 
> http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
> 
> There you can type in all various tire sizes and compare them. (The "middle
> number" on a 185 or 195 R14 is 82.) In a nutshell, the 195 is about 1/2"
> taller and 1/3" wider than a 185R14. So the difference is small.
> 
> 
> > ... I've heard they're a mess in snow.
> 
> To the contrary, the Hankooks are the best all-season tires I've ever used
> in snow, and I've used most of the name brand ones. (And yes they are rated
> for frigid temps, being an all-season tire.) I highly doubt you will find a
> better all-season tire for winter weather. That said, they are just an
> all-season tire, not a snow tire. No all-season tire can compare to a well
> designed directional snow tire like a Vredestein or Nokian in severe winter
> weather. (On the other hand, many of the name brand alternatives, such as
> the Yokohamas and Continentals, are not even all-season; they are summer
> only and should not be driven in snow at all. So if you don't do need a tire
> that can do double-duty, the Hankook is a good choice )
> 
> 
> > perhaps if you live someplace very wet,
> > a little extra width would be nice for wet roads.
> 
> To the contrary, alll other things being equal a NARROWER tire will handle
> better on wet roads (less tendancy to hydroplane), while a wider tire will
> handle better on dry roads. Of course the difference between an 185R14 and a
> 195R14 is small enough that any difference will be fairly minimal.
> 
> See http://busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp for more on choosing Vanagon
> tires, and also on the Hankooks.
> 
> - Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot, Inc.
> www.busdepot.com
> (215) 234-VWVW
> 
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