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Update on the Black Diamond ATV tires...

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:45 pm
by Czechsix
As is seen in my signature, I'm running these tires continuously on both street and dirt.

We had a Unimog and other euro vehicle treffen in Calico, California this last weekend and I brought the Haflinger.

Over a period of three days, I ran approximately 20 miles on tarmac, and a bit over 30 miles on dirt, ranging from smooth gravel roads, to deep sand washes, to rocky washes. Also included were hard rock ledges and drop offs, steep hill climbs starting in very loose gravels and ending in hard rock ledges, downhills that were off camber, and on and on.

I'm happy to say that the tires did spectacularly well, with the only issue being the expected rougher ride due to the lugs. On road for extended periods at about 35 mph, off road from crawl gear speeds to third gear.

Inflation was 20 psi, load was a full fuel tank, full gas can and spare, another thirty pounds of tools, fluids, emergency spares, plus driver/passenger and a cooler of drinks plus a full pelican case carrying a drone and ancillary equipment.

Most of the obstacles were done in 4x4, rear locker engaged. Many of them could have been done fairly easily with no rear locker, but it was much easier on the truck with it engaged. On the steep hills with top ledges I'd engage the front locker also.

Excellent traction, minimal side bead roll, no punctures in rough and sharp stone areas, only other issue is the re-gearing due to tire height. Going uphill on tarmac often required shifting down to 3rd gear, but that's a very reasonable compromise to get the other benefits.

Big thumbs up from me!

Re: Update on the Black Diamond ATV tires...

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:24 am
by heinkeljb
Shame there wasn't another Haflinger doing the same trip at the same time so you could have had a direct comparison. They sound like they could be a good alternative for American users who are having trouble finding DOT approved tyres.

Any more pictures?

John

Re: Update on the Black Diamond ATV tires...

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 12:44 am
by Czechsix
Yep, I was hoping that Jim L., at least would be there. I owe him an exhaust manifold too, but alas, he wasn't there. It would have been a great thing to have had a comparison.

I'll dig up some more pics, but I'll upload to another pic site and do a link to them, it'll be faster that way. I should have some more up this evening.

I really would have liked to have had some more aerial footage, but the drone had a prop mishap which ended any chance to use it. At least I managed to get a few minutes, albeit in the campground. I'll post it up once I add to it and edit the footage, but the raw version is already on youtube if anyone's bored enough.

Re: Update on the Black Diamond ATV tires...

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2017 4:37 am
by Czechsix
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