Thank you Yokohama
Thank you Yokohama
Just put 185/60/13 AVS-I on my '89 VW Cabriolet, after trying the Yokos on my 92Q last summer. A little story: driving the VW a few days ago on a bright sunny 80 degree afternoon. 60 mph down a country 2 lane highway, straight and flat. 50 yards from an intersection with a local road, an oncoming car is slowing and signaling a left turn. If my estimate of 50 yards is correct, then my 88 ft/sec = 1.7 seconds to the intersection. The oncoming car starts to cross the centerline in front of me ! No time to brake or think much, I pull the little VW to the left to miss this fool in a Taurus. As soon as I'm over the yellow line, this guy notices me and panic stops mostly blocking the side of the road I'm now heading for. Now I'm maybe 30 yards, 1 second away, the shoulder on the left is unpaved, and I'm seeing quite a slide when I hit the soft shoulder at 60 at less than a straight angle of attack. I didn't really think of that at the time, but my instinct said go back right, use the great grip of the Yokos on dry pavement, and pass this fool on the right side of the road. Sudden correction back to the right, felt the tires roll under and the car understeer but hold traction. Pulled around that road hazard with maybe 10-15 yards to spare, still at 60. I hope he **** his pants and went home & swore never to drive the highways again. The moral: grippy tires saved me, my passenger, my car, and some old fool in a Taurus who's damn lucky I wasn't coming down the road in a f--king SUV ! I wonder if the Q would have responded as quickly to the sudden change of direction in the same situation. I made the decision to go to really light 13" alloys and the AVS-I in a small size to maximize quick response, because I like how it feels. I took off 195/55/14 RE-71 Bridgestones, which were quite sticky & stiff, but heavier than the 13" combo. Big wheels look cool to a point, but quick response (driver and car) is what counts for fun & safety ! The VW has stock sway bars, half-worn Bilsteins, and aftermarket stress bars (upper & lower front on this car), and a fresh alignment. I think alignment is key to maximum traction, along with proper (to the high side) inflation. Whew ! Thank you Yokohama, I will never compromise on tires !
