How come Thornbirds suck so much???
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They look cool and all, but from what I've seen on the trail........ not a lot of traction in the mud, rock or wet road. Other than that....... did I mention they look cool? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
I have a friend who runs them and I have yet to see any time on the trail where he didn;t make an obstacle due to the tires...
I personally would not buy them since for the same $$$ you can have Boggers, but I don't have a problem with them working on the trail <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
I personally would not buy them since for the same $$$ you can have Boggers, but I don't have a problem with them working on the trail <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
Biggest piece of shit tire on the planet. No exceptions.
I had them on my first TJ back in 1996. In the rain, they were WAY too slick. I saw my ass end more than once. In the snow, they were worse than street tires, not worth a shit.
And off road? Fuck. They clogged with dirt and mud instantly and wouldn't clear.
Other than that, they're designed for morons interested in looks over performance.
I had them on my first TJ back in 1996. In the rain, they were WAY too slick. I saw my ass end more than once. In the snow, they were worse than street tires, not worth a shit.
And off road? Fuck. They clogged with dirt and mud instantly and wouldn't clear.
Other than that, they're designed for morons interested in looks over performance.
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I've never owned them but, the only time That I seen them in the mud, they didn't seem to clean well (not at all), But Ive seen them used in the rocks and they seemed to work alright, but the owner said they sucked ass on the hiway (grabed every truck rut and dip in the road.
You know, worse come to worse, you could take a tire groover to them and they would be hard to beat...
Groove out some of the blocks, sipe some of the other ones.... nasty <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Groove out some of the blocks, sipe some of the other ones.... nasty <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
I was thinking a grooving iron would make the Thornbird into a much better tire, too. But what about the rest of it? How's it built compared to "real" Swampers? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
No... I wouldn't run them after watching them. SXs for me.
Paul
No... I wouldn't run them after watching them. SXs for me.
Paul
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I did the same thing years ago because I didn't know better, had'em about 4 months. Just look at them the gap between the tread is small. You had to be very gentle on the brakes in rain. I can't count how many times I went sliding. The only trucks I see with these tires are covered in chrome with 3" body lifts & "bling bling" stickers.
Uhhh.. no, I think it is petty clear I said nothigngof the kind <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">
IMHO - I wuld run them before I ever ran a set of BFG M/T's... weak sidewalls, gum up in the mud - useless <IMG SRC="smilies/puke.gif" border="0">
Truth be told - if someone was giving me a set of tires - 35" Tbirds or BFG M/T's I would take the Tbirds in a heartbeat.
If I needed some tires and I came across a SCREAMIN' deal on a set - I would run them.
If I had to pay new $$$ for them? I covered that up above <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">
To answer the original question. Take a look at the pictures of the thornbirds posted. There isn't much gap between the tread. That means that they'll have a tough time cleaning out and turn to slicks in the mud, much the same way that an AT tire is useless in mud.
The way interco markets them is that the center section is for street driving and the side-biters, which are in further, are for off-road and will never touch pavement. That sounds like a good idea, but the problem is that in the mud, you only have those side-biters pulling you through, which isn't much.
I would say they'd do fairly well on everything else considering they are a swamper (I'm pretty sure they're bias too) and they'll be a heavier grade of tire. I'd take the thornbirds over an AT, but I'd take a MT radial over thornbirds and just watch out for the sidewalls. That's my thoughts, because PA has more mud than it does rocks. In 3 years of wheeling, I've only ever had 1 sidewall get sliced. Unfortunately there was less than 2k miles on the tire and I didn't have road hazard. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
The way interco markets them is that the center section is for street driving and the side-biters, which are in further, are for off-road and will never touch pavement. That sounds like a good idea, but the problem is that in the mud, you only have those side-biters pulling you through, which isn't much.
I would say they'd do fairly well on everything else considering they are a swamper (I'm pretty sure they're bias too) and they'll be a heavier grade of tire. I'd take the thornbirds over an AT, but I'd take a MT radial over thornbirds and just watch out for the sidewalls. That's my thoughts, because PA has more mud than it does rocks. In 3 years of wheeling, I've only ever had 1 sidewall get sliced. Unfortunately there was less than 2k miles on the tire and I didn't have road hazard. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">
I like mine.Maybe next year I'd like to try some sx's or ssr's or the next SUPER something.I haven't had to run mud yet,but in the sierras and desert I love the way the bitters and side walls work and hold up.I'll never own bfg's or Goodyears with all the sidewall gashes I've seen.The price isn't bad,you buy 4.Compared to bfg's when you buy replacements for all the slashed ones .I've got over 20k and 1/2 tread left.They are loud on the hwy thou.I'll just have to wear these out before I buy a REAL tire and KNOW better.
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They ARE an AT tire. They are pretty much the most aggressive all-terrain there is out there. They are NOT a MUDDER! A litte slippery on ice but no probs in the rain. Life expectancy is twice as long as a bogger. They have more rubber then voids. They ARE a bias ply. I bought mine for $136 a piece 5 or so years ago. Dont know an exact mileage. Jeep was garaged for a few years. Depends on how much daily driving you do. If you have the money to fork out for boggers every year. Go for 'em. Otherwise.......birds are fine for DD and the occaisonal rock trip.
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I really hate to do this but I MUST agree with David 100% for everything that he has said in this thread.
As a side note, I've never been able to get anywhere with my Thornbirds. They do look good taking me to the mall though. And they contrast nicely with my chrome bumpers. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">
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[ 08-26-2001: Message edited by: Paul G ]
As a side note, I've never been able to get anywhere with my Thornbirds. They do look good taking me to the mall though. And they contrast nicely with my chrome bumpers. <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">
[ 08-26-2001: Message edited by: Paul G ]
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Because they don't know how to drive... Ooooooooooooohh I'm going straight to hell for that one. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> LMAO
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