Best winter tires ever? And a question for our Finnish friends.

[ptrthgr8]

Hi, all.

I'm pretty stoked since I recently took delivery of a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 studless winter tires. The S4 has always done well in the snow and ice (which here in North Dakota isn't exactly insignificant) and the Michelin Alpin PA3s I had for the last two winters did well for me... but I've always wanted a set of Hakkapeliittas since they're known for being some of the best winter tires ever made. So, I can't say I'm ever eager for winter to begin since I commute for work 4 days each week (160 miles round trip each day), but I am eager to see how well these tires handle whatever North Dakota can throw at them.

Now the question for our Finnish friends. I understand that Nokian named these tires after the famed Finnish light cavalry of the 30 Years War (1618-1648). Makes sense - those cavalrymen were tough as nails and could handle terrible winters without a problem. The tires should do so as well. Sisu and all that, eh! But is "Hakkapeliitta" derived from "hakkaa päälle?" And does that translate into "hack them all down?" My understanding is that the Hakkapelittaa would let loose the hakkaa päälle! battlecry as they began their charge.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Omskakas]

^That's about the same thing we learn in school history. Although translation can be bit tricky for a phrase that is 400 years old I'd say it would be closer "Whack 'em!". If you wanted to translate the phrase in modern English. Anyway it's about charging (päälle) and hitting the enemy with sharp or blunt objects (hakkaa).

Edit: It could also mean "Hit them on the head" or "Let's start whacking".

[ptrthgr8]

Very neat info. Thanks for the clarification!

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[CaptainQuintero]

Let's start whacking!!

[StingMeadery]

As a NZ Kiwi, I'd love to see a Finn doing the Haka at the locals, as it might really get you a whack, haha

[leftimatic]

Tires that hack people down?!!! Whoo baby where do I get some of those they would compliment my smoke screen, and auto ejectors so perfectly. Having a Gatling Gun installed before first snowfall....I hope.

[ptrthgr8]

Don't you dare turn my tire thread into a gun thread! LOL

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[MIKA27]

Don't you dare turn my tire thread into a gun thread! LOL

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

And here I thought you were a Pirelli man....

[Drguano]

I am a Pirelli man. I run P Zeros on my MINI here in Minnesota. Try and whack me!

[ptrthgr8]

And here I thought you were a Pirelli man....

Ha!

The S4 came with a set of Pirelli summer performance tires and they were damned good... while they lasted. They didn't explode the way those left rears did last season in F1, but its fair to say that degradation was a major issue. They didn't even last two full summers. Never tried their winter tires, but I doubt I'll ever buy another set of Pirellis anyhow based upon my experience with that original set.

Cheers,

Greg

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[MIKA27]

I am a Pirelli man. I run P Zeros on my MINI here in Minnesota. Try and whack me!

WinterMINI.jpg

WOW - That MINI would be fun to drive on ice!

[Rye]

I loved how sticky the Nokians I had on my truck were, but they only lasted 1 (canadian) winter, so I'll never go back, at least in that application. I hope you get more than 8-9 months out of yours

[Drguano]

WOW - That MINI would be fun to drive on ice!

It is! My wife just bought a Coutryman S with AWD with Conti All Seasons and I look forward to comparing it with my '02 S.

[Omskakas]

As a NZ Kiwi, I'd love to see a Finn doing the Haka at the locals, as it might really get you a whack, haha

If there still were hakkapeliittas around, I'd say "please put your spear away".

Wiki:

" The Hakkapeliitta were well-trained Finnish light cavalrymen who excelled in sudden and savage attacks, raiding and reconnaissance. The greatest advantage of the fast and lightly armored Hakkapeliitta cavalry was its charge. They typically had a sword, a helmet, and leather armor or a breastplate of steel. They would attack at a full gallop, fire the first pistol at twenty paces and the second at five paces, and then draw the sword. The horse itself was used like another weapon, as it was used to trample enemy infantry."

[ptrthgr8]

If there still were hakkapeliittas around, I'd say "please put your spear away".

Wiki:

" The Hakkapeliitta were well-trained Finnish light cavalrymen who excelled in sudden and savage attacks, raiding and reconnaissance. The greatest advantage of the fast and lightly armored Hakkapeliitta cavalry was its charge. They typically had a sword, a helmet, and leather armor or a breastplate of steel. They would attack at a full gallop, fire the first pistol at twenty paces and the second at five paces, and then draw the sword. The horse itself was used like another weapon, as it was used to trample enemy infantry."

Yeppers. What he said.

This is the best image I could find... and it doesn't really detail the multiple pistols:

Certainly enough to get the gist of what these guys were about. I don't think a line of spear-wielding natives would fare too well against 100 of these cavalrymen charging in a diamond formation. But it's not really an apples/apples comparison anyhow.

~ Greg ~

[...]

Bought the Nokian WRG2 tires a few years back, they were good for the first winter but had hardened too much over time to be of any service for the following winter. Oh well, live and learn

[ptrthgr8]

I loved how sticky the Nokians I had on my truck were, but they only lasted 1 (canadian) winter, so I'll never go back, at least in that application. I hope you get more than 8-9 months out of yours

Which type of Nokians did you have? They sell a lot of different flavors. And how were they used?

One of the first things I noticed about these Hakkapeliitta R2s was the compound's overall softness. They were delivered on a warm day (mid-80s F) and sat in the garage all day until I got home that evening, so I'm sure they were a little softer than they'll be in February, but it was still a little surprising. I wrote to Nokian to ask if I should expect abnormal tire wear/degradation since most of our winters here consist of lots of snow getting dumped in a short period of time, followed by lots of wind that helps create lots of ice, and then the main roads are usually cleared up in a few days at most. The majority of our winters tend to be dry, but stupidly cold - I think we had a week last winter where the temp never got above -20F (and -50F isn't uncommon at all, just not for long stretches). Most of my 160 miles commute to work and back each day is on the interstate, which tends to get cleared up pretty quickly. The tech dude wrote back pretty quickly and said that they recommend not using their tires until the temps get below 40-45F; he said these R2s are specifically formulated for longer life and better performance in the colder temp ranges, while driving in warmer weather will make them wear much faster. So, he made it sound like it was less a matter of driving on clear roads and more about the temps while doing so.

The R2s are fairly new (just came out last year), so I guess I'll find out just how good they are. I'd be a little disappointed if they only lasted for one or two winters, but if they save my ass at least once I suppose it's money well spent.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Rye]

I had Hakkenpalitas (235-75R16) on a 2wd 1/2 ton pickup used mainly on hwy commuting.

Winter here is a ton on snow, ice, gravel and dry pavement. They lasted me about 40k Kms before the soft stuff was gone. They made very good rain tires after that tho!

[ptrthgr8]

I had Hakkenpalitas (235-75R16) on a 2wd 1/2 ton pickup used mainly on hwy commuting.

Winter here is a ton on snow, ice, gravel and dry pavement. They lasted me about 40k Kms before the soft stuff was gone. They made very good rain tires after that tho!

Hmm... slightly different vehicle application, but similar driving. I guess we'll see how these work out on the Audi S4. I'll report back in March.

[WilkINStheWEST]

I've been running the Nokian Rotiiva AT (275/55R20) on my 4x4 F-150, in the same conditions as Rye, since December 2012. They are Nokian's All-Weather which are Snow and Mud rated (little mountain and snowflake on them), but are designed to be run all year long. They have lasted a good 40k km so far, and I have about 60% life left on them, according to the wear indicators. I'm not sure how they make these magical tires, but they have been really good in the winter and have lasted really well.

[TM-US]

Because the Rs are a studless winter tire, I would not run them until the temps are consistently cold. Otherwise, you'll overheat the compound and they will wear quickly and you will lose snow and ice performance. With the WR line, they are technically an all-season, so you can run them and n warmer weather. I think they're too squishy for summer driving, though. I've run NRW, WR and WR G2 over the years, but have been using Michlins recently because Nokians have become very expensive.

[Louich]

I had Hakkenpalitas (235-75R16) on a 2wd 1/2 ton pickup used mainly on hwy commuting.

Winter here is a ton on snow, ice, gravel and dry pavement. They lasted me about 40k Kms before the soft stuff was gone. They made very good rain tires after that tho!

Holy crap Rye ! That the equivalent of 2-3 winters. Ni wonder you busted them in a winter time.

For my part I got some Yoko Ice guard for the winter that I loved a lot and handled very nicely on ice. That being said I'd go all for some Hakka anytime as my friend has some on his snowbaru and lets just say we had lots of fun last winter.

[Duxnutz]

WOW - That MINI would be fun to drive on ice!

My missus drove her Cooper S with Pirrelli all-seasons through pretty much anything and everything a Wisconsin winter could throw at her. Must say, minis are quite good lil cars. I owned a jeep so it was a bit of change getting in the mini in the snow sometimes.

[zathan]

I've had studded haka 7 on my GR STI and did about 10k km on them including multiple lapping days and they had plenty of thread left on them when I sold the car. I guess tyre pressure is a factor. They are worth every penny.