195/80R15 on a Jimny (photos)

Hi.

I have found various threads on this great forum regarding tyre sizes.

Currently, I am using the stock Dueler tyres on the stock 5-spoke 15" alloys for summer and a set of Michelin 4x4 Alpin snow tyres that are absolutely essential for winter driving (particularly in the mountains). In the snow, they provide at least four times the traction the Dueler summer tyres would give and really save you having to fit snow chains

Over here (foot of the Jura and Alps) they usually recommend fitting slightly larger and narrower tyres for snow. The 195R15 that used to be the standard size for the Samurai (up to the mid-eighties) was the size that was recommended over the factory 205/70R15.

I noticed a few comments regarding tyre size choice and in particular, whether the 195/80R15 size would provide enough clearance (between tyre and wheel arches, etc.) So I decided to illustrate the case with a few photos.

I have personally experienced no issues at all. In fact, the extra 1/2" of ground clearance, and smoother ride have made a great improvement. I am now considering replacing the OEM tyres with a new set of Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S in 195R15 (195/80R15).

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195/80/R15 are a size that suits the Jimny very well.

More ground clearance than stock tyres, but without the power loss a lot of people report with 215/75/R15's. Will be shortly getting a set of Kumho KL71's for the lil' guy, which seems to be a mid-price MT offering. It may be nice to use this thread as a reference for the various 195/80 tyres out there if other folks wanna input?

Hi MountJimny and Venter
I wish the the Geolanders were available in the UK. I have never understood the logic behind fitting wide fat tyres to a lightweight car like the Jimny.

I have a set of 195 80 15 Kumho MT on 7" wide steel Modulars and use them whenever I venture off road. The 195's with the MT tread work well and are almost bearable on the road. Road noise is lowish and it is only the added weight which must contribute to the reduced MPG, that stops me from using them all the time. Like you I run the standard Duellers most of the year as I find these to be better than other tyres I have used.

What I really would like is some of the 175 or 185 16" Geolanders as used on the Jimnys in Japan. I'm off to Tokyo next week and trying to figure out how I can get a set back to the UK.

I too notice the improved ride with the 195 80 x 15's, would be nice to find some AT's in this size.

Are there any other 195 80's suitable for the Jimny out there? Only aware of the Marshalls and Kumho MT's in the UK. Any others?



Cheers all.

Paul
Hertford

Hi all,
I agree with the comments of 195/80/15, I am using said tyre (maltessa kobra's) and find the ride better but a bit noisy but bearable. Have been struggling with what tyre pressures to run though, presently 23 front 26 rear, does anyone else have any input??

Mart

Hi pgatensuk, Venter, DocMartin,

Thanks very much for your comments.

pgatensuk: You can get hold of the Geolandars A/T-S in 195/80R15 in the UK here if you are interested:

www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?detai...yre_for=OFF&dsco=110

They cost about £78.50 and can be shipped anywhere in mainland UK (except the Scottish highlands). The company that owns this online store is based in Germany I believe, but they have very popular stores all over Europe (the one in France is well known).

I also noticed that the product catalogue on the Yokohama web sites do not always carry the same products or sizes depending on countries. But the Geolandars are definitely available (and popular) on the continent.

www2.yokohama-online.com/fr/tyre-product...ions.php?tyreID=1093

DocMartin: I think this link may be helpful for the standard tyre pressures for 195/80R15:
www.rhinoman.org/SuzukiStuff/info/tech/sj410_tech.html

WHEEL
Tyre size - F&R 195R15
Tyre Pressure - Font 20 psi
Tyre Pressure - rear 20/26 psi

But bear in mind that the SJ410 with 850kg kerb mass, was lighter than the Jimny. I would stick roughly to the same pressures used for the 205/70R15. I also feel that - unless you are going to be carrying 4 people or a heavy load at the back - the tyre pressure at the rear should not be increased as the rear of the Jimny is very light. Experience will tell what pressure suits what tyre and conditions best. (Some tyres have much more rigid sidewalls or shoulders than others and generally require less pressure.)

I have 195 80 15 cooper discoverer AT's on the rear of mine and a mismatch on the front, not ideal i know but its how it came. the coopers seem good tho.