TheSamba.com :: View topic - Anyone using Yokohama Geolandar a/t s 215 65 16?

Wed May 18, 2011 2:21 pm

r39o wrote: I was just thinking I should go and pay for my tires in the 215/60-16 size also.

How is it pulling away from stops?

How is it on the freeway and going up hills?

Especially hills in 4th?

Well haven't had them more than a few miles, but no noticeable difference in terms of acceleration and hills than the stock tires...it's still slow, go figure!?

Wed May 18, 2011 7:56 pm

I installed the geolander 215/60/16 on my 16" steel wheels and they ride and handle so much better than the previous 14" no-name passenger car tires that were on my westy. There is a very noticeable difference in town and I have not taken them on the interstate yet or driven them in the cross winds.

They look great on the van.

I didn't notice the van to be slower in town. I cannot comment on uphill highway lag yet. I will report back on that.

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:16 am

Howdy,
Any pics of a syncro with 215/65/16s?

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:22 am

Just a follow up. I have since driven my van several times on the highway and it is a huge night and day difference with these tires. I have zero complaints. They also look pretty sweet.

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:25 am

Yes, mine have been absolutely FANTASTIC! great handling in crosswinds, low noise, smoother ride...

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:26 am

[quote="shizzon"]Yes, mine have been absolutely FANTASTIC! great handling in crosswinds, low noise, smoother ride...
yep, same here with the cross winds.

What are you guys running for pressure?

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:32 am

I think something around 48, can't remember for sure... tires are rated up to like 50something

Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:50 am

shizzon wrote: I think something around 48, can't remember for sure... tires are rated up to like 50something

I think they are rated at 54 and I put in 50 all around. I am not a pressure guru, but seems to be doing great with that pressure.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:34 am

Found this thread after playing with some search words....

I have 225/70R16 Geolanders on my westy and have loved them, I get a little rubbing when I turn a sharp angle on an approch or something fully loaded, I am toying with going down to the 215/70R16 this is a 28'' tire compared to the 28.3'' on the 225, dunno if that much will help maybe?
down side is the load rating is 110lbs lighter

1874lbs on the 225 and 1764lbs on the 215, I somtimes tow with my westy but I am violating a whole new set of samba rules doing that :lol:

PIC of my westy with the 225/70R16's

Mon Sep 05, 2011 12:03 pm

I'm currently running 215/70/16 Geolanders on my Syncro. They ride nice, and seem awesome offroad.

Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:45 am

215 70x15 Yokohama Geolanders on 15 Steelies from OEVEEDUB. I now am running them with Eurovan 15" hubcaps.

Mon Oct 27, 2014 2:48 pm

Resurrecting this thread since I'll be going the 16" route here in the near future. I can't decide between the 215/60/16, 215/65/16 or 215/70/16.
I have an EJ22 powering my Syncro with stock gearing and don't want to oversize the tires to much. On the other hand I would like to reduce my highway RPM's a bit by going with a slightly larger tire.

Anyone have real world experience with these tires and the sizes I listed above with a Subi EJ22 conversion.

Thanks,
Matt

Mon Oct 27, 2014 3:16 pm

I have been running the 215/65/16 for a couple of years now on our 2WD Westy and love them. Quiet, great tread, wearing very well, great handling.

They are a great match with the Peloquin.

I went with this size to split the difference ~ didn't want to lose too much power with our EJ25 Subie transplant, but wanted a bit of lift and a larger size than stock for handling. I'm happy with the results.

The slightly narrower sidewall gives a stiffer handling feel too, which is nice with our GW 2.5" lift springs.

Mon Oct 27, 2014 6:33 pm

Thanks for the feed back tarandusVDub.

Quick question, what are your RPM's at 70 mph?

Thanks,
Matt

Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:53 pm

msewalson wrote: I can't decide between the 215/60/16, 215/65/16 or 215/70/16.

the Geolander ATs tires in those sizes are all SL Passenger tires.
215/60/16 is 26.1" diameter, 3% taller than stock 25.3", so it drops rpm by 3%
215/65/16 is 27" diameter, 7% taller than stock, so it drops rpm by 7%
215/70/16 is 28" diameter, 10% taller than stock, so it drops rpm by 10%

VW NEVER used an SL passenger tire, they did use an XL passenger tire, but none of the Geolanders you listed are XL rated. And, VW went to C rated tires later on.

I recommend you stick to C or D rated tires. For example, the BFG AT Ko in 195x75x14 are 25.5" diameter, and are D rated. I also recommend the Nokian WRC Van. Talk to Van Cafe about them. Larger rims make sense IF you plan to install big brakes, otherwise, no. Again, talk to Van Cafe about which rims their big brakes will fit. Since you have a syncro, it makes sense to use a higher profile tire than 60 or 65%. That means youre more likely to be better off on a 15" than a 16" rim.

since you live at about 5000 ft, youre already experiencing about an 18% power loss. Taller tires are a BAD idea.

I ran a 2.2 subaru powered syncro westy at 5000 ft altitude with 6% oversized tires. I spent a lot more time in 3rd gear, on the freeway, than I would have liked.

The tires were only 1/3 of the problem. Altitude was the primary power penalty, but large tires are not your friend. And lower RPM is a bad idea. Subarus have no problem running at 4000 rpm all day long.

When you drop your rpm, you also drop your horsepower. That will NOT give you better gas mileage either, because you will end up using 3rd gear more often, at higher RPM, thereby giving back any fuel savings.

IF you lived at sea level, and on flat terrain, I would not be sounding the alarm, but in the mountains, and at 5000 ft, tall tires are just a bad idea.

Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:00 am

I'm 215/60/16. Stock suspension, 2wd, and 2.1 motor.

I've been really happy with these tires. I'd like to put them on our suv when it's time for new shoes. Personally I think 65 series looks better but I really didn't want go any larger overall diameter than stock for all reasons mentioned earlier. I think this set up is like +3%. I noticed the differnce climbing hills, but not huge. I think you will be pleased with performance, road noise, and durability.

Wed Nov 05, 2014 7:58 am

215/75/R15. I would like to go up one size larger to reduce rpms on highway.
I still have 2" of clearance to fit in garage this tire is 26.9 tall. 774 revs per mile. They are nice tires.

Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:14 am

Nice ride imtb. Like the wheel tire setup. Are the tires the LT215/75R15. The specs you listed are for the 215/70R15, at least that's what tire rack has them listed as. Never the less nice rig.

Matt

Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:27 am

Opps my bad,

215/70/R15

Wed Nov 05, 2014 8:36 am

I have the 15's. My second set. Very quiet. Very smooth. Great in the wind. Don't
Know exact mileage of first pair but it was way above any other tire i've had including Agilis. best tire i've had on my van in the 15 yrs i've had it. Highly recommend