Yokohama Geolander M/T

[Brett H]

I am looking into a set of yokohama geolander M/T's. Has anyone heard anything about this tire. It looks like an imitation of the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw. Let me know.

 

[leebo]

I wouldn't press your luck on that one. The yoko's are NO Claw. The claw's strength not only comes from it's tread but also it's three layers of rubberon the sidewall. These layers help protect the tire from slaming it against the rocks. I run the yoko A/T right now. They are a good tire for the price, but there are better. They ride ok on the road and also perform ok on the trail. HOWEVER....they have a very soft rubber compound and tend to wear very fast. This soft rubber does help get some traction in the same way airing down would help, but one good hit against the rock and it's time for the Hi-Lift. Would I run the yokos again....yes. Would I look for a better tire first....yes.

 

[donkey boy]

Brett H.

Just for the record: the yoko geolander has been around longer than the baja claw, so if there would be a copy, it would be the Mickey Thompson! But as leebo said, the structure of the two tires are quite different, so nobody copied anybody in this case (but both companies had farm tires in their mind when they developed the pattern!)

Make a search, I remember there had been several threads regarding the yokohama.

 

[Maniak]

We have run a few sets of the Yokohama Geolander MT tires (30" and 31") tires. They work much better off-road than the BFG AT KO's (at least for us).. BUT they only lasted about 20-25k miles (we run a rear locker which rips through them).

They are somewhat noisy (once they are wearing down).. and kinda rough when you slow down (you can really feel them at 15mph or so).

If they had a 32" tire I would get a set to use just for off-roading and keep a set of BFG AT Ko's for the road.

We have also run the BFG MT's and I think the Yokohama tires are a much better tire off-road. From what I hear about the baja claws they work even better than the claws.. They aren't a Bogger but they work very well in my opinion.

Here a few pictures of our rig with them on..

Mark

 

[RFR2212]

I'll back donkey boy's claim on the yoko's comming out first. They did...The mickey's are less than a year old i believe, but I wouldn't run that tire. I read in i believe 4wheeler that they were runnin those tires on their flattie and they went through two relativly quickly because they don't have the strongest side walls....jut my 2 cents
Pete

 

[leebo]

I beg to differ. The Claws are one of the strongest sidewalls out there right now. They were made for smashing against the rocks and to keep on going. They've got 3 layers of rubber compaired to the normal 2. On top of that they've got somewhat agressive "teeth" on the side too. This helps grip with the sidewall when aired down to a point. Do a search on "beadlock tires" and you'll see Rick's point of view on these tires.

 

[RFR2212]

Unfortuately I can't find that issue...must be at home(I'm at school) Now leebo, don't get me wrong here...I've got a shop here in chicago that has built at least 5 trucks in all the mags, and they don't suggest them at all and the owner has a truck with a different set of Mickeys...Don't get me wrong here...I trust what Rick says, he's got quite the knowledge of Explorers and aftermarket. But I also heard from one of the top 2 largest truck mags and one of the best shops in Chicago sayin they they aren't the best...I don't know if ya read the article I'm talking about but I am going off what people who know what they're talking about. Right now, it's two to one in favor of another tire. I know in another thread they ask why we talk about things we haven't exprienced but I'm basing my conclusion off factual info that I have read. Now I'm not trying to create and "inter-forum war" but that is my opinion based off the accounts I have heard....Sorry for rambling and I'm pretty sure I wrote things twice...Sorry...Thanks much, Pete.