HF307 Duros SUCK! (let me explain...)

[firemate]

So after the previous owner had let the same set of factory tires (except one) stay on there for 14,000kms, I decided it was time to let these nearly bald tires go.


IMG_2695 by FireMate, on Flickr

I enjoy offroading, and had tried do so in the Ural, and actually had a great time with the trails nearby! Even my dog enjoyed them. HOWEVER, a decision had to be made... what do I go with?

After looking at the costs and comparring people's opinions, I went looking for the Duros. Luckily, while in Ottawa on a business trip, I came across a place that had them and didn't even know it... they had three that weren't in their system. Perfect! Was able to get them for $65, and waited until I came home last weekend to install them.

First thing's first, lifted the brake caliper off the front and set it on a book, resting on the sidecar's ammo box

IMG_2699 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2700 by FireMate, on Flickr

With the tire off, it was now time to use tire spoons to get the tires off of the wheels:


IMG_2701 by FireMate, on Flickr

Although I don't have a photo of it, the sidecar spare tire mount is a PERFECT place to use as a workbench.

Here's the new HD tube versus the old one:


IMG_2702 by FireMate, on Flickr

The rim was looking a little rusty in spots, so I scrubbed it clean, did a coat of rust paint, re-tapped it, etc


IMG_2703 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2704 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2715 by FireMate, on Flickr


Next I had to get the other tires off the back wheels. The previous owner used red threadlocker on the castle nut for both sides, and some kind of seal (JB WELD?) on the dust covers... it was a mess. Still though, time to pop off the tires


IMG_2713 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2714 by FireMate, on Flickr

Here's the new tires... top tip: Get a sharp knife, and simply slice through the plastic wrapping in the centre all around the rim. Makes it much quicker to take off.


IMG_2716 by FireMate, on Flickr

My WWID wheel balancer:

IMG_2717 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2718 by FireMate, on Flickr

Just kidding!
I used DynaBeads for balancing this time around.


Anyways, I get to the sidecar wheel, and find something horrid... a lonely 6-ply Duro 308. That in and of itself isn't a big deal, but the JB Weld that was used as a beadlocker of some type was.

The tire wouldn't come off. When my hands and the tirespoons gave out, I used pieces of wood attached to a car jack to try and pop it off, and it wouldn't budge.

I had no choice.


IMG_2720 by FireMate, on Flickr


IMG_2719 by FireMate, on Flickr


It was the only way to get that thing off...


ok, so I've had the Duro 307's on for a week now, and here's my critique.

I hate them, for the following reasons:

- On the trails I tried out before, it would take me an hour to get through them because of the mud and sand. This week the same trails took me 18 minutes. The fantastic traction meant that things weren't much of a challenge as before.

- The winch I have mounted on the front is a waste of money, as I've had a hard time getting stuck, no matter how hard I pushed. I blame that waste of money on the new tires.

- My old wheels and tires would cause many vibrations, but these new tires and DynaBeads have been so smooth, that I don't have an excuse to go out to the garage to "tighten things down" as much as I used to.

- Ride quality has improved so much, that I don't feel bumps in the road like I used to. If an earthquake were to happen, I'd be less aware than others around me. That's a safety issue imho.


Sigh. It's too bad. I really wanted these tires to be good.


Guess I'll have to settle for "excellent".


(-:

PS- She likes it too:
IMG_2612 by FireMate, on Flickr

 

[skip]

How do you like the ural? I keep toying with the idea of picking one up.....

 

[silverbullet132]

How do you like the ural? I keep toying with the idea of picking one up.....

+1
Was interested in the 2WD versions, for year round, all conditions riding.

 

[firemate]

I love my Ural for a million different reasons. Taking another friend out offroading tomorrow, after another Tank day at the Oshawa tank museum. If anyone, ANYONE wants to see, try, or research the Urals, I am more than willing to have anyone drop by for a quick look and drive around the block, questions answered, and even a chance to play with my Tesla Coil (in my livingroom): [video=youtube_share;mcmrChEYoCg]http://youtu.be/mcmrChEYoCg?hd=1[/video]

 

[firemate]

_DSC6151 by FireMate, on Flickr


_DSC6150 by FireMate, on Flickr

When the water flows OVER the windshield and soaks the passenger, you know it's a good time (-;


_DSC6149 by FireMate, on Flickr


_DSC6148 by FireMate, on Flickr


_DSC6147 by FireMate, on Flickr



Ok, so with this in mind, I need to update my DynaBeads comment for those curious.

When I went offroading with my Jeeps, and my Ural, after getting mud and dirt lodge in the wheels, most would fly off once I got on to the main roads. That said, little bits would still stick on, and your wheel balance would be affected. You'd feel the vibration that comes from it, because now you've basically got weight in areas you're not supposed to on the wheel.
Normally when I'd get home, a quick blast of water on the wheels of either vehicle and you'd be set, but on your ride home, you'd have to contend with nasty vibrations sometimes.

Before yesterday's trip, I did add more dynabeads to my tires since it's an easy enough of a thing to do, and headed out. Smooth ride to the location, which was great. What I did notice was that on the way back home, it was suprisingly smooth still, and I'm seriously wondering if that's because of the nature of the dynabeads and how they balance. I wonder if while driving they would technically pool into other areas of the wheel, compensating for the weight being in the wrong spots because of mud. If so, then that just gave the beads one more plus-point on my list!