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Post by marius on May 24, 2011 20:15:02 GMT 2
Hi all I had an opertunity to test the Nankangs in more rough conditions today at the Buffelsvlei Game Park just outside Potchefstroom with some fairly steep rocky up and down and some real slippery stuff in the wetland/vlei area. The owners wasn't present when we arrived and one of the helping hands on the Park made a quick phone call to enable us to get into the Park. The owner asked me if we had a 4x4 as we would need it on the slippery stuff. I asked him if he knew the small Russian 4x4. His immediate response was: "Oh Yes - that car can go anywhere!" ;D Marius
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 24, 2011 20:25:21 GMT 2
;D ;D ;D ;D
I get that response a lot also. . . . from those in the know. ;D
Ari
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 24, 2011 20:27:42 GMT 2
So how were the tyres?? ??
Are you coming on the 4 of june, no excuses now!!!!!
Ari
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Post by marius on May 24, 2011 20:53:07 GMT 2
The Nankangs behaved very nicely - nice and steady over the rocky bits - esp the downhill bit.
There were some long stretches slippery stuff (water/muddy-clay like stuff/grass) but with the diff lock on it was a breeze. There was no need to deflate but I lost some tyre pressure on the back right which might be a slow puncture.
I will have it checked tomorrow.
Oh and I forgot - the car got a bit hot on the long uphill stretch in low range but I think it is time for me to get some new anti-freeze in the system. After we've spend some time at the lookout point the temp was fine for the rest of the journey. Marius
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Post by marius on May 24, 2011 21:07:39 GMT 2
Sorry Ari I forgot another thing - I would love to come but I can't make any promises Marius
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Post by jaco1978 on May 24, 2011 21:14:54 GMT 2
;D ;D ;D ;D I get that response a lot also. . . . from those in the know. ;D Ari I had two Russians from Vladivostok with me today. Whilst I harnessed them up I asked them if they knew THE Lada Niva. In unison their face lit up and answered: "Off COURSE, YES!" I tried to have some small chatter, but their English was a bit broken. They were crazy. Good guys. Coming across as the kinda guys that would add some snorkels to the exhaust and air filter and take their Niva for a drive in the local lake just for the heck of it. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by jaco1978 on May 24, 2011 21:16:22 GMT 2
Marius,
The performance of the tires sounds fantastic!
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Post by marius on May 24, 2011 21:41:30 GMT 2
Hi Jaco I would like to think that their performance would be similar/equal to any other AT type tyre and I think they are doing pretty well considering the price we are paying for them Marius
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Post by Charles on May 24, 2011 21:48:46 GMT 2
Marius that is great.
You have to come. Your previous excuse was smooth tyres. Now that is gone!
Charles
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Post by marius on May 24, 2011 22:00:22 GMT 2
Hi Charles ;D It was definitely not an excuse - IT WAS FOR REAL! Now I do have some good thread but I can not commit myself 100% to anything as I have other responsibilities and things can change overnight. I had my Easter Weekend all planned for a family thing down your way in Jeffreys but I had to cancel the very day my brother and mother was going to pick me up. Not because I did not want to go - but things changed overnight Marius
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Post by marius on May 25, 2011 15:26:11 GMT 2
The replacement tube I got from my one and only puncture with the Russian tyres was too big and got damaged on the inside ribs. The ribs are a bit more aggressive than the original Russian tyres, but the original tubes should be fine.
Marius
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vincentc
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 1,130
Registered: Mar 16, 2011 17:59:16 GMT 2
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Post by vincentc on May 25, 2011 19:08:43 GMT 2
Hi Marius
I have got to move away from thbe 215's to the 'kangs. My wife refuses to drive the Niva as the steering is flippin heavy. Thankfully I have muscles :-y
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Post by marius on May 25, 2011 19:58:08 GMT 2
Hi Vincent
I can only imagine what those 215's would be like - no wonder she is complaining! ;D
Marius
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vincentc
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Posts: 1,130
Registered: Mar 16, 2011 17:59:16 GMT 2
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Post by vincentc on May 26, 2011 9:02:26 GMT 2
Hi Marius Do you find the kangs track straight when driving through standing water on the highway?
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Post by marius on May 26, 2011 9:28:24 GMT 2
Hi Vincent
I think Darryn would be able to comment on that. Some heavy thunderstorms were predicted when I took the car for a test drive but nothing happened as far as the predicted thunderstorms. Darryn did get some on the way back.
I did get to test the tyres in some fairly deep water pools and I was pleasantly surprised on how effectively the water was channeled away from the car. This tells me it should be pretty good in any wet conditions.
Marius
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