I fitted a set of BF Goodrich KM2 mud tyres recently and have completed my first trip, about 500 km, with them last weekend at the SE Qld trip to Emu Ck. I purchased the tyres as a second set, and have every intention of swapping them over to the standard Bridgestone HT?s that came with the car for everyday use. The BFG?s will be used for weekend trips and holidays ? planning a trip to the cape within the next two years. I?m not particularly tough on tyres ? I drive the paj likes it?s a 2 ton truck, not a sports car, and don?t find the noise of the standard NS bad at all, but I did come from owning a GQ Patrol. The NS Pajero seems very civilized by comparison.
On road: Well, there is no more engine noise. At any speed, the only noise you can hear is tyre noise, but its not unpleasant, and at highway speeds, the difference is two clicks on the volume control of the radio. Whilst driving on the highway, my partner was talking on the phone, and I could hear the other party, so its not that noisy. On the trip home, I could still hear snoring over the tyre noise . Grip is good, the vehicle tracks straight, steers much the same as usual, braking seems unchanged and overall the tyres give you a confident feeling that you are in control. It has not rained for a while, so no chance yet for a wet weather test. Haven?t done enough kilometers yet, but fuel consumption will be up ? you need a few extra revs just to get them rolling despite an identical overall diameter to the standard tyres.
Off road: On dirt roads at around 80k?s, the tyres make no more noise than HT?s, but have better grip, especially in loose gravel. Feels really controlled. In some testing low range steep hills, with a loose surface, the km2?s were exceptional. We found a particularly steep hill, and half the group watched 5 vehicles attempt the climb ? 4 NS shorties and an NS lwb. The km2?s at 25 psi went up the hill first go, lots of spinning wheels and skipping sideways, but never looked like slowing down, whilst all the other vehicles had a degree of trouble and multiple attempts ? see JoshF?s video in the Forum Meets section.
Overall, I?m very impressed and they fit my intended use perfectly -comfortable on the highway, and even better when the going gets tough .
On road: Well, there is no more engine noise. At any speed, the only noise you can hear is tyre noise, but its not unpleasant, and at highway speeds, the difference is two clicks on the volume control of the radio. Whilst driving on the highway, my partner was talking on the phone, and I could hear the other party, so its not that noisy. On the trip home, I could still hear snoring over the tyre noise . Grip is good, the vehicle tracks straight, steers much the same as usual, braking seems unchanged and overall the tyres give you a confident feeling that you are in control. It has not rained for a while, so no chance yet for a wet weather test. Haven?t done enough kilometers yet, but fuel consumption will be up ? you need a few extra revs just to get them rolling despite an identical overall diameter to the standard tyres.
Off road: On dirt roads at around 80k?s, the tyres make no more noise than HT?s, but have better grip, especially in loose gravel. Feels really controlled. In some testing low range steep hills, with a loose surface, the km2?s were exceptional. We found a particularly steep hill, and half the group watched 5 vehicles attempt the climb ? 4 NS shorties and an NS lwb. The km2?s at 25 psi went up the hill first go, lots of spinning wheels and skipping sideways, but never looked like slowing down, whilst all the other vehicles had a degree of trouble and multiple attempts ? see JoshF?s video in the Forum Meets section.
Overall, I?m very impressed and they fit my intended use perfectly -comfortable on the highway, and even better when the going gets tough .
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