I'm buying some starter tires for my Bearhawk, since I need something other than cheap casters under the gear as I climb my well-fed ass in and out of the fuselage while getting my seat/controls/rudder pedal geometry right. In the future the aircraft will probably live on 31's since my airport is grass right up to my hangar door, but for now my wallet is aching from the wheels and tailwheel I just bought, not to mention I'm still saving for a powerplant. But I digress...

Gonna buy some 8.50x6 and I found the standard Goodyear 8.50x6 on the Desser site for $280, but right next to it they offer a shaved "Superhawk" 8.50x6 for $295, which is apparently made by Specialty (formerly McCreary?)

I know we have tons of tire topics, and honestly they all blend together. I searched for "Superhawk" with only a single mention, and the guy who asked didn't really get his question answered. I think it's time for a tire guide in the Knowledge Base.

Anyway, what's the consensus? Worth the price for having no ribs? If it's a Specialty 8.50x6, is it the same diameter as the Goodyear 8.50x6? If I recall there was some variance among overall diameter even though they're rated at the same nominal section width of 8.5. Is this higher price for an inferior tire?

Short answer: Yes.

The MacReary 8.50 tire is smaller diameter than the Goodyear.

If your ultimate goal is to use Bushwheels, buy the cheapest, small tires around....consider used ones.

By the time you're ready to fly, you can start making tire choices. Meantime, keep it cheap.

MTV

mtv wrote:Short answer: Yes.

The MacReary 8.50 tire is smaller diameter than the Goodyear.

If your ultimate goal is to use Bushwheels, buy the cheapest, small tires around....consider used ones.

By the time you're ready to fly, you can start making tire choices. Meantime, keep it cheap.

MTV

As bad as I want bushwheels, the aircraft won't fly without engine, fabric, avionics, etc. Realistically these 8.50's will have to last a few years and I will take them into some rough places. Is the shaving worthwhile to avoid picking up rocks and flinging them into the tail?

I'm not completely sure what your GW is, but I put a set of the new Dresser 8.50x6 smooth tires on my Murphy and have been extremely pleased with them.
http://www.desser.com/store/products/85 ... NDRA-.html

load rating of 1600lbs/tire. With the tubes they were just under $500. I have about 50 landings on them now with half of those on pavement (including 1/2 mile taxi on pavement) with no noticeable wear. At about 12psi they are perfect for me

Zzz wrote:

mtv wrote:Short answer: Yes.

The MacReary 8.50 tire is smaller diameter than the Goodyear.

If your ultimate goal is to use Bushwheels, buy the cheapest, small tires around....consider used ones.

By the time you're ready to fly, you can start making tire choices. Meantime, keep it cheap.

MTV

As bad as I want bushwheels, the aircraft won't fly without engine, fabric, avionics, etc. Realistically these 8.50's will have to last a few years and I will take them into some rough places. Is the shaving worthwhile to avoid picking up rocks and flinging them into the tail?

In that case I'd probably opt for the Goodyear blimp tires. They'll outlast any MacRearys by a bunch, they're bigger in diameter than these and wider. And they're smooth.

The new DESSER (not Dresser) tire might be a good solution as well, but no field experience.

MTV

I read on here a while back that 8.50s are required for most wheel skis. While Oregon isn't a winter wonderland to the degree that MN or AK are, we do have some snowy playgrounds and I need, err, want to ski

Bearhawk 4-place design max gross is 2500 lbs. Is the Desser "tundra" tire 1600 lb rating per tire? What's the margin of safety on that?

Zzz wrote:I read on here a while back that 8.50s are required for most wheel skis. While Oregon isn't a winter wonderland to the degree that MN or AK are, we do have some snowy playgrounds and I need, err, want to ski

Bearhawk 4-place design max gross is 2500 lbs. Is the Desser "tundra" tire 1600 lb rating per tire? What's the margin of safety on that?

That weight is per tire and there are safety factors in speed and weight ratings already accounted for. The new desser tundra would be my first pick. I'm actualy thinking about replacing my brand new good year 8.50s with them because they are 4lbs lighter per tire!

Zzz wrote:I read on here a while back that 8.50s are required for most wheel skis. While Oregon isn't a winter wonderland to the degree that MN or AK are, we do have some snowy playgrounds and I need, err, want to ski

Bearhawk 4-place design max gross is 2500 lbs. Is the Desser "tundra" tire 1600 lb rating per tire? What's the margin of safety on that?

You may want to double check on the wheel ski situation. My federal hydraulic wheel skis will only fit on my 180 with 7.00x6s or smaller. Wont fit on with 8.50s.

A1Skinner wrote:

Zzz wrote:I read on here a while back that 8.50s are required for most wheel skis. While Oregon isn't a winter wonderland to the degree that MN or AK are, we do have some snowy playgrounds and I need, err, want to ski

Bearhawk 4-place design max gross is 2500 lbs. Is the Desser "tundra" tire 1600 lb rating per tire? What's the margin of safety on that?

You may want to double check on the wheel ski situation. My federal hydraulic wheel skis will only fit on my 180 with 7.00x6s or smaller. Wont fit on with 8.50s.

That's correct. Most wheel skis will only accept up to 8.00 x 6.00 tires. Some have been modified to accept larger......my AWB 2500s had extended rigger arms to accept 8.50s. Problem there is the tires protrude down below the skis.....and create a LOT of drag.

Rosti Fernandez skis are one of the few I know of specifically designed to run 8.50s.....bring$$$.

And, didn't you just say $$$ is an issue and will preclude you from buying Bushwheels? Priced wheel skis lately? Bushwheels are cheaper and more practical in your part of the world, IMHO.

I'd go with a good practical tire initially,,then if and when you get skis, figure out how to deal with that.....maybe a second set of smaller tires? A bit of hassle when changing over, but it IS (or will be) an airplane, after all..

MTV

Zane,

I have a set of the 850 Superhawks (ribbed, not the shaved version) on my 180 and they are just fine. I ran Airhawks o my Kitfox and for that plane they were fine but I have heard about variance in tire size so I called Desser prior to ordering the Superhawks. The tech I talked to told me that there perferred 850-6 tire was the Superhawk and that it is an apples to oranges comparison between the lower quality Airhawks and the Superhawk tires.

I thought it was interesting they talked me out of the more expensive Goodyears as that was my other option... who knows, maybe they have more markup in the Superhawk tires? Anyway, I have about 60 hours on mine all over Utah, Idaho and Montana and they wear good and roll just as good as the Goodyears I have flown. I have not measured the OD and run them at 16 psi per the Kenmore STC.

I have the Good Year 8.50's on my Bearhawk. I only have around 60 hours on them so far. I am based at a paved airport and they still look like new. I don't think the ribs kick up to much stuff because so far I haven't noticed any nicks in my stab or on my prop.

Darinh wrote:I thought it was interesting they talked me out of the more expensive Goodyears as that was my other option... who knows, maybe they have more markup in the Superhawk tires? Anyway, I have about 60 hours on mine all over Utah, Idaho and Montana and they wear good and roll just as good as the Goodyears I have flown. I have not measured the OD and run them at 16 psi per the Kenmore STC.

If I'm not mistaken, Desser OWNS the old MacReary tire line. Hence their advice perhaps?

I guarantee that the Goodyear tires are larger in diameter, AND they will outlast the "Superhawk" tires substantially.

In some instances, you do get what you pay for.

MTV

Bhawk wrote:I have the Good Year 8.50's on my Bearhawk. I only have around 60 hours on them so far. I am based at a paved airport and they still look like new. I don't think the ribs kick up to much stuff because so far I haven't noticed any nicks in my stab or on my prop.

Generally the ribs pick up rocks on unimproved surfaces and pitch them backward toward the tail.

Conclusion: I dunno. Maybe I'll pick up the cheapest, smallest __x6 tires I can find, as this thing won't be flying for a while and I just need some shop rollers than can support my weight and transport the fuselage.

Zane, I got some 8.50 air hawks that are wore out you can have if u want. I flew em till the tread rubbed off so they are almost "shaved" I guess

Skalywag wrote:Zane, I got some 8.50 air hawks that are wore out you can have if u want. I flew em till the tread rubbed off so they are almost "shaved" I guess

Now, there's a solution that's hard to pass up....

MTV

I took what I think is MTV's advice and bought the Goodyear 8.50. I kinda want the blimp tires but I'll wait for an STC and go with the tried and true.

Brad

Friend of mine claims that there are a lot of commercial operations that run 850's, and they pull them well in advance of failure, and you can use their castoffs for a couple hundred hours without issue. That's how he got his. I didn't get mine that way so can't verify. If you are looking for a temporary solution, anything that is airworthy and free is what I would get while you decide how to spend your money. Skis are cool, but I don't know if I would go for a tire solution to facilitate skis in place of better backcountry tires.

Of course, I have also been told that most of the lower 48 backcountry landing areas are a little more hard packed than we're used to up here, so maybe you have the right priorities sorted out already. Probably just depends on what you want to do most.

Troy Hamon wrote:Friend of mine claims that there are a lot of commercial operations that run 850's, and they pull them well in advance of failure, and you can use their castoffs for a couple hundred hours without issue. That's how he got his. I didn't get mine that way so can't verify. If you are looking for a temporary solution, anything that is airworthy and free is what I would get while you decide how to spend your money. Skis are cool, but I don't know if I would go for a tire solution to facilitate skis in place of better backcountry tires.

Of course, I have also been told that most of the lower 48 backcountry landing areas are a little more hard packed than we're used to up here, so maybe you have the right priorities sorted out already. Probably just depends on what you want to do most.

I knew a mechanic once who never bought tires for his own plane. Takeoffs from customers airplanes held up for a while, the only down side being frequent tire changes.

MTV

mtv wrote:Short answer: Yes.

The MacReary 8.50 tire is smaller diameter than the Goodyear.

If your ultimate goal is to use Bushwheels, buy the cheapest, small tires around....consider used ones.

By the time you're ready to fly, you can start making tire choices. Meantime, keep it cheap.

MTV

Honestly, what he said.


BUT... If you need a cost effective solution in the medium-term, I say the GYs are a great middle-ground. I am NOT looking back fondly towards the 8's I bought when in your exact situation.... I wish I didn't waste money on tires (and brakes) which I knew I would out-grow. It happened fast, the Bear is easy to fly well.
About $800 seems to be the going rate for a used set in great condition, with tubes. Stacks up pretty well compared to new 8.50s + tubes. They will last you some years until you build up to surfaces which truly NEED tires like the ABW 31's.

Battson wrote:BUT... If you need a cost effective solution in the medium-term, I say the GYs are a great middle-ground. I am NOT looking back fondly towards the 8's I bought when in your exact situation.... I wish I didn't waste money on tires (and brakes) which I knew I would out-grow.

26's are the new 8.50's