BFG's vs CLAWS

[troopa]

Hi All, Just after a comparison between BFG KM Muds and Mickey Thompson Claws in relation to road noise, onroad handling and offroad performance. I have always run BF's but am now being tempted by a set of claws that i know of for sale.
Cheers Leigh.

[dogbreath_48]

I assume youre talking about radial claws?
I had bias claws and they were useless everywhere except for muddy ruts. They were ok on rocks I suppose.

I'm far happier with my bfg km1's - just have to be careful as they're not so tough in the sidewalls as others.

[troopa]

The claws are radials, would you say they would have the same onroad characteristics as the KM1's? reason for that is i only run one set of tyres for everything, and dont want to buy the claws if they're going to be noisy as buggery as i use the car for work, play and touring.
Cheers

[DUDELUX]

The Claws are noisy on road, not as noisy as my Swampers, but they are definately alot noiser than the old BFG muds I used to run.
On road, they seem to handle as good as the BFGs did, off road they seem good too, alot stronger looking in the sidewall dept than the BFGs.

[troopa]

The Claws are noisy on road, not as noisy as my Swampers, but they are definately alot noiser than the old BFG muds I used to run.
On road, they seem to handle as good as the BFGs did, off road they seem good too, alot stronger looking in the sidewall dept than the BFGs.

Thats good info cheers

[Micka]

The Claws are noisy on road, not as noisy as my Swampers, but they are definately alot noiser than the old BFG muds I used to run.
On road, they seem to handle as good as the BFGs did, off road they seem good too, alot stronger looking in the sidewall dept than the BFGs.

Both of them are pissweak in the sidewalls.

The Claws lack lateral grip and IMHO are an over-rated tyre (unless we start talking Comp spec compound).

[MEGATROL]

i agree both have week as hell sidewalls, and like said previously the claws are useless unless in deep mud and ruts, terrible on side angles and average to sh#thouse on road handeling, im not a fan of either tyres but for a good all rounder id go the BFG KM2s for sure

[Struth]

I have ran radial claws for 4 years now.

I find the claws great and very behaved on the road. A slight tendency to understeer but you get used to it quickly.

Offroad I have seen them go anywhere a pede goes.

I have never de beaded one but seen many other tires de beaded on the same trips as me.

Also never torn the sidewall on one but seen other tires tear on the same trips as me.

If you are looking for a good allround mud tire that behaves well on road then they will crap all over the BFGs IMO.

Ignore the comp tire talk unless you are planning on doing comps too

[MEGATROL]

i dont rate pedes either if your looking for a good allround tyre that is cheaper than most other brands theni rekon you cant go past the MAXXIS BIGHORNs atleast they have a 3 ply sidewall rather than 2 ply like the claws and they handle well on road and get good kms out of them aswell but thats my opinion anyway
MEGATROL

[dano80]

Ignore the comp tire talk unless you are planning on doing comps too

I agree.

These are a great tyre, and places I have gone with nothing more than an LSD for traction in the Slop is amazing....considering they aren't really a mud tyre.

For a good comparision, my mate who runs indentical lift and flex, runs same size BFG km's and twin ARB lockers, I run Claws and LSD rear open front. In a sloppy bit of track we picked identical lines and he winched out and I drove it.......first go. Oh and for the doubters out there, he was first to have a go at it!

Only down fall is wear, I get about 15,000 he gets about 40,000.

Horses for courses I guess.

Cheers, Dano.

[BrettInUte]

The Claws are another notch up again in aggressiveness from a typical muddy (eg BFG)

They are far more capable in sloppy stuff. will allow you to drive thru more slush.
But being more aggressive they are noisier on road, and not the best on wet ashphalt.

My brother runs these - and their traction is impressive !


ps - my brother got 80,000 kms out of his last set of 33x12x15 on a GU ute.

horses for courses.

[Yom]

My honest observation is that the Baja Claw Radial has issues with lateral stability both onroad and off but the tread's ability to clear itself with little effort is better than most mud tyres.

I thought they were great on sand though.

[Portal Pat]

I run 315/75x16 radial Claws. I am very impressed with them. Less road noise than I anticipated. Awesome gumbo mud traction. Good in sand and satisfactory on rock. On road they give all a tread pattern this extreme could give and sit quite flat under heavy load. Only downside is tendency to chip on tread edges. I don't run under 16lbs. offroad.

[Wozza244]

Just clocked up the 1st 1200km on my new 285/75/16 BFG KM2's, they are magic.

The grip and handling is more than impressive on every surface i pitted them against, on my GQ ute i ran them at 34psi on the road and 20psi on the tracks.

Throughout the trip i worked them over......
Sharp rocks, found no cuts.
Mud, fantastic cleaning ability and traction.
Wet sandstone track, hardly any loss of traction.
Sand, very good considering the agressive tread design.
Riverstones, excellent.
High speed on dirt, best handling i have ever came across.
Highway, a little noisy, but as expected for a M/T.
Wet highway, well i couldnt have lost traction if i tried.

I had a set of Claws last year and found them good but nowhere near the all round great design and durability of BFG KM2's