Studded or Not?

[capt512]

Good Evening/Morning Everyone,

I am getting ready to purchase a set of 235/70/16 & 255/70/16 General Altimax Artic for my MM on steelies for winter. I live in KC, MO and our winters go from horrible to nothing at all...who knows which we will get this year... I have a fairly short commute to work, about 15 minutes, a quarter of which is highway. However when I get to work (and coming into my neighborhood) I have some hills to deal with (a large steep curving hill at work). I may not be able to get up the hill period...forcing me to park who knows where and walk a few miles, but am hoping for the best. I can avoid highway if needed, but prefer it.

So anyways I am trying to figure out whether to get the rears (or all of them?) studded or just leave everything as is no studs. Thoughts?

[Sully008]

I think it would depend on whether or not your local laws allow for studded tires in the city. We're not allowed studs in the city and we get everything from Colorado Lows which dumps huge amounts of snow to -40ºC temps and ice slick roads.

I'll let you know, though. I have Pirelli Scorpion winter tires on my Marauder, and winter tires on my CV (both non-studded) and I haven't had problems.


Good Evening/Morning Everyone,

I am getting ready to purchase a set of 235/70/16 & 255/70/16 General Altimax Artic for my MM on steelies for winter. I live in KC, MO and our winters go from horrible to nothing at all...who knows which we will get this year... I have a fairly short commute to work, about 15 minutes, a quarter of which is highway. However when I get to work (and coming into my neighborhood) I have some hills to deal with (a large steep curving hill at work). I may not be able to get up the hill period...forcing me to park who knows where and walk a few miles, but am hoping for the best. I can avoid highway if needed, but prefer it.

So anyways I am trying to figure out whether to get the rears (or all of them?) studded or just leave everything as is no studs. Thoughts?

[Mr. Man]

Studs work best in icy conditions and won't help much in just snow. If you don't deal with much ice I'd go for snow tires only, all the way round if it's in your budget.

[mossiehorn]

like he said studs are only great on ice, the rest of the time a good set of winters are the answer

[babbage]

I've got Blizzaks (non-studded) and they grip very well.

[jeffrt]

I've got the Generals on mine (no studs), and they work great. Have never even had to add weight in the trunk.

[Bigdogjim]

You need to check with State/Local laws as to how long you use studded snow tires.
I remember yars ago in Pa. they had a range of date that studded tires were allowed.

[capt512]

Good info guys, I checked the laws and I am allowed studs from 11/1-4/1, so that shouldnt be a big problem. I don't know how much ice I will be looking at, however my snow removal blows bad in my area so the roads are usually covered for 5-7 days easily before any sand, snow removal, etc leading them to become very packed. Our forecast its a heavy winter here. I will be getting the generals all around, and have been looking at the 235/70/16 with 255/70/16 setup one of the other members had as it raises the car up a little as well to help with high snow. I only found one site that even has them (tirebuyer.com) anymore (everyone else is backordered til next year) though I know nothing about them. Would studs hurt anything?

[Bigdogjim]

Studs will not "hurt" anything however once on dry pavement I did fish tail a little under hard brake (not in the marauder and years ago) you might get a road noise from the studs?

[capt512]

Hmmm ok. Can't even find the rear 255/70/16 tires in stock anywhere so may have to go another route.

[99SVT]

Try going for a narrower tire, it'll put more pressure on the ground and bite into the snow better.