I've had my General Altimax RT 43's for a month and about 2,500 miles. My first impressions were that they were softer, spongier than my previous Hercules Tour. 4.0 plus tires...which the lower density layer between the belts and treat certainly nicely soaking up some road imperfections. The Hercules were a quieter tire....In particular with the windows rolled down when travelling on new asphalt as low speeds I can hear the rapid fire light fluttering noise of the tread on the Altimax RT43's.....and noise for me is really only moderate above that.
These tires are 5 pounds lighter per tire than my prior Hercules and as a result I feel that the tires are easier on the suspension with less unsprung weight working against it. In some regards the RT43's feel more agile than the Hercules, but with 1 ply sidewall on the Generals vs. 2 ply for the Hercules, the sidewall feels softer on turns/curves to me.
Without question the Hercules had a firmer ride and felt more grippy and I felt more confident at a higher speed on interstate ramp curves than with the RT 43's....on dry pavement.
I've driven the RT43's on wet pavement at high interstate speeds and have yet to feel a hydroplane....I have felt slippage on acceleration a couple of times.....something I never felt with the Hercules....though the Hercules did briefly hydroplane just a few times during their 46K mile life I drove them.
The biggest issue I'd had with the RT43's so far is that they seem to lose air....I've probably added 16 psi to each wheel since I've purchased them in just a month. I have about 2 weeks to decide if I can live with that as part of Generals 45 day return program.
These tires are 5 pounds lighter per tire than my prior Hercules and as a result I feel that the tires are easier on the suspension with less unsprung weight working against it. In some regards the RT43's feel more agile than the Hercules, but with 1 ply sidewall on the Generals vs. 2 ply for the Hercules, the sidewall feels softer on turns/curves to me.
Without question the Hercules had a firmer ride and felt more grippy and I felt more confident at a higher speed on interstate ramp curves than with the RT 43's....on dry pavement.
I've driven the RT43's on wet pavement at high interstate speeds and have yet to feel a hydroplane....I have felt slippage on acceleration a couple of times.....something I never felt with the Hercules....though the Hercules did briefly hydroplane just a few times during their 46K mile life I drove them.
The biggest issue I'd had with the RT43's so far is that they seem to lose air....I've probably added 16 psi to each wheel since I've purchased them in just a month. I have about 2 weeks to decide if I can live with that as part of Generals 45 day return program.
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