Just had heated grips and winter tyres fitted on the Forza today. I go from sunny, arid Essex into central London 3 times a week and my commute starts on unlit and often unsalted roads liberally spread with mud and gravel so it ain't always fun but it's gotta be done

Which winter tyres did you go for in the end? Does the Forza take radial or bias-ply tyres, do you know?

Nick

EvilRacer329 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2019 2:56 am Which winter tyres did you go for in the end? Does the Forza take radial or bias-ply tyres, do you know?

Nick

I just asked the guy I have been going to for the past half dozen years for winter tyres. He has fitted "Anlas Winter Grip 2" http://www.anlas-tyres.co.uk/winter-grip-2-sc500/ - £150 inc fitting and storing my other tyres until I need them again. Never heard of them but they feel ok this morning, giving much more confidence on the wet roads this morning when the temp is about 6C.

Let us know how the Anlas tyres go - its interesting that they feel good so far. Someone tried to interest me in Anlas tyres for the Tmax a while back, but I'm a bit wary of strange tyre brands I know nothing about, even if they are cheap! Several bad experiences...

Never been overconvinced about the need for winter tyres personally. They might be a good idea on the scoot, but the hassle of having them put on and taken off, or having spare wheels puts me right off. For the car, standard car tyres seem to have so much grip in bad conditions compared to a scoot that I can't see why on earth I'd want them. Of course, if you hit ice in winter, it doesn't matter what tyres you've got!

In theory it's all about grip in low temperatures, with an additional focus on water evacuation. Rubber compounds for winter tyres are formulated to work well even at sub-zero temperatures, where most all-season tyres will be hard as plastic. I put the winter wheels on the car and didn't notice much of a difference this morning, but we're right at that changeover point. Any colder and the winter tyres will show their value. And if it snows, then I'm laughing while everyone else spins their wheels fruitlessly.

I recall reading some years ago that Michelin designed their Pilot Road 4 tyres to be effective down to 0C, but I'm sure that a dedicated winter tyre would be better still. Anlas are a German brand specialising in older bikes and have only recently begun making tyres for more modern wheel sizes, so I have high hopes!

Nick

EvilRacer329 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2019 8:03 am And if it snows, then I'm laughing while everyone else spins their wheels fruitlessly.

Well, you may be laughing, but you'll still be stuck in the queue of traffic behind them! Same as having a 4WD - yes, you can still go, but the other 2WD drivers (and stuck trucks) have blocked the road!
btw in the snow I always find the antics of BMW and Mercedes drivers in their rear wheel drive cars entertaining - they have No traction whatsoever, and even less idea of how to drive them. No, I don't know either, but just don't drive in the snow!

MrGrumpy wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:15 am

EvilRacer329 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2019 8:03 am And if it snows, then I'm laughing while everyone else spins their wheels fruitlessly.

Well, you may be laughing, but you'll still be stuck in the queue of traffic behind them! Same as having a 4WD - yes, you can still go, but the other 2WD drivers (and stuck trucks) have blocked the road!
btw in the snow I always find the antics of BMW and Mercedes drivers in their rear wheel drive cars entertaining - they have No traction whatsoever, and even less idea of how to drive them. No, I don't know either, but just don't drive in the snow!

4 Wheel drive isn't the answer: 2 wheel drive with the right boots fitted will be better than a 4x4 without winter tyres. All you get with all wheel drive is more traction but you ain't getting even that it if you have the wrong tyres for the conditions.

Disclaimer: I own a Mazda CX7 which is a 4 wheel drive but definitely not intended for off-roading and so I am not an expert on muddy track driving or anything like it!

BTW, I'll report on the Ansals when I've ridden a few times in poor conditions. If you don't hear from me again, you'll know they were s**t...

Fair point on getting stuck behind other drivers - I live in Milton Keynes, so centrifugal force spins all the badly-driven/poorly-equipped cars off the roads, and the rest are all dual carriageways. Everyone sticks to the left lane trying to claw along in the snow while I trundle past with impunity.

But yeah; I wouldn't venture out onto the motorways, all it takes is one proper pile-up and then I'm stuck like everyone else.

Definitely let us know on the Anlas's - especially in this cold, wet weather we're having now - they should be perfect for that!

Nick

StephenC wrote: ↑Thu Nov 14, 2019 10:34 am [
4 Wheel drive isn't the answer: 2 wheel drive with the right boots fitted will be better than a 4x4 without winter tyres. All you get with all wheel drive is more traction but you ain't getting even that it if you have the wrong tyres for the conditions.

OK getting off topic here, but the best car I ever had in the snow was the original Fiat Panda (on standard tyres). I think that because every bit of weight was over the front tyres, traction was never a problem! And it probably didn't have enough power to spin its wheels.....

My 1985 957cc Ford Fiesta with 135 tyres was great in the snow.