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Yokohama AA01 - Questionable Grip in the Wet

Vinceng

By Vinceng,
in Tyres and Rims

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Vinceng

Vinceng

Turbocharged

I had got 4 pieces of Yokohama AA01 recently after reading about the positive reviews and the Zeruma and silica compound in the tyres and the angled groove sthat help channel away water in the wet.

 

http://www.yokohama.com.au/ourtyres/tyre.aspx?tyreid=202

 

I must say the Marketers at Yokohama have done a superb job! See website and video above.

 

However, the Philippines made AA01 is a far cry from my previous Thai made Michelin XM1 which lasted me almost 5 years and even took me up to Malacca at speeds of up to 160km/h in moderate rain when I was travelling in a convoy in its last 6 months when the tyres were almost bald.

 

Regretted not changing back to the Michelin XM1 which was superb in every sense.

 

The Yokohama, while excellent in comfort & quietness, and good in dry roads, performs badly in the wet.

 

I am not an agressive driver by nature and take corners at below 50km/h.

 

The recent wet weather highlighted the weakness of the AA01 in the wet on several critical occasions.

 

Once, I was driving down slowly my HDB block's multi storey car park which was wet due to the rain. As I came down the ramp and was about to make a right turn when a car suddenly exited from the car parklot, I stepped hard on my brake and the wheels practically locked and the car skidded at a 45 degree angle. Luckiy it came to a complete halt just next to the wall. I was surprised that the ABS was not activated.

 

Another time, I was on the east bound PIE near the Eunos exit travelling at 70km/h on the centre lane. It was not raining but the road was wet after a downpour. I noticed the van in front of me brake hard sudedenly and I stepped on my brake hard (did not jam brtake) and my ABS was activated, indicating that the tyres did not grip the road well.

 

This never happened to my XM1 tyres before.

 

I was also considering the Bridgestone MY01 Sports Tourer but was put off by poor reviews about its grip in the wet. Unfortunately, the Yokohama AA01 seems to be just as bad in the wet.

 

Typical case of being penny wise, pound foolish. Should have paid a little more for a better tyre for peace of mind. So pls don't make the same mistake as me in trying to save on tyres.

 

 

 

*I am driving a stock Lancer with stock sized tyres.

 

 

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Flykite

Flykite

Clutched

can be due to a few reasons, such as the wax not wear off, or overinflation, or just that the mscp ground is slippery when wet. or even that the optimal tyre temperature is not reached yet. also if i don't remember wrongly ABS is activated above a certain speed, if too slow it is not activated.

 

i myself using tyres that are old and hard and free (only pay for the installation labour), ABS is hardly activated when i drive even in wet conditions, though i must agree that mscp ground (except the slopes) are damn slippery when wet.

 

on a side track, if your tyres are 14", and you intend to throw them away, just give me a call [laugh]

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WTF

WTF

4th Gear

I'm using the same tyres for almost 3 months and have no problems about its grip in wet weather so far, be it on the expressway or MSCP. Maybe 'cos it's still new?

 

But I do feel that they tyre is a bit more bumpy than my old stock B391 even just after a day of pumping it. It's also a bit more noisy after 1 month of use.

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Itsec

Itsec

2nd Gear

looking at the tread.. where's the grove to disperse water?? [;)]

and there's no center block.. how can this tire has good dry grip?? [;)]

 

verdict = give me also dont want... dont suit my driving style... [:p]

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WTF

WTF

4th Gear

How about seeing how things go and wait till the tires scrub in?

During my 1st month after change, I do drive slower than usual and allowing longer braking distance for the tyres to scrub in.

 

I'm satisfy with it so far but that's what one gets for that price.

 

Actually I didn't choose it, the tyre shop just replaced it 'cos my old ones burst and not repairable. I just said that I want the same size/dimension tyres. [lipsrsealed][laugh]

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Good-Carbuyer

Good-Carbuyer

1st Gear
(edited)

I believe that tread pattern more suitable for long straight dry roads without the need for hard brakings only almost slippery like Flaken Sincera (low end tire)

Edited by Good-Carbuyer
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Good-Carbuyer

Good-Carbuyer

1st Gear

During my 1st month after change, I do drive slower than usual and allowing longer braking distance for the tyres to scrub in.

 

I'm satisfy with it so far but that's what one gets for that price.

 

Actually I didn't choose it, the tyre shop just replaced it 'cos my old ones burst and not repairable. I just said that I want the same size/dimension tyres. [lipsrsealed][laugh]

Just to share this: Bridgestone B700 tire took about 3 months/7000km to scrib in (no rubber flashing/fingers visible along the tread). I believe it safer to buy other tyre than get the same tyre that burst (carcass failure?)

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Weewee1976

Weewee1976

3rd Gear

A Drive is the most basic model from Yokohama, or rather, the budget or economical tyre as some would say. It's not the best in Yokohama's range. If you want good grip but at the same time not too noisy, you should try Earth-1.

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Good-Carbuyer

Good-Carbuyer

1st Gear
(edited)

A Drive is the most basic model from Yokohama, or rather, the budget or economical tyre as some would say. It's not the best in Yokohama's range. If you want good grip but at the same time not too noisy, you should try Earth-1.

Can share with us where to buy this tyre?

Many thanks, Vinceng, for sharing with us what you got

Edited by Good-Carbuyer
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Keithchue

Keithchue

5th Gear

nope, spare should be a good tyre as it will not be used often. however, if cost is of a concern, then it will make do. i do however suggest that immediate / urgent attention to the damaged tyre to be fixed.

 

 

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Ghostami

Ghostami

2nd Gear

However, the Philippines made AA01 is a far cry from my previous Thai made Michelin XM1 which lasted me almost 5 years and even took me up to Malacca at speeds of up to 160km/h in moderate rain when I was travelling in a convoy in its last 6 months when the tyres were almost bald.

 

You serious ar my friend, you use tyre up to around 5 years..... Wao.....

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Vinceng

Vinceng

Turbocharged
  • Author

Can share with us where to buy this tyre?

Many thanks, Vinceng, for sharing with us what you got

 

 

I got the tyres from Yap Brothers at Ubi.

 

 

 

 

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Vinceng

Vinceng

Turbocharged
  • Author

The tyres are already 4 months old so it is not an issue with scrub in.

 

My tyre pressure is 230KPa at the front and 220KPa at the rear, so tyre pressure should not be an issue too.

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RelaxLah

RelaxLah

Clutched

You serious ar my friend, you use tyre up to around 5 years..... Wao.....

..its true...I used to have the same XM-1 Michelins..lasted very long and did not loose its grips at all..

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