Finding just the perfect set of tires can be tough to do, even in the best of circumstances. Looking online can be helpful, but it can also cause you even more issues as there are just so many brands out there. A company we’ll look at today that is bucking the trend by standing out in the tire industry is Black Bear Tires, who we will be reviewing extensively.
Black Bear Tire Background & Company Information
As you could probably guess from the name, Black Bear Tires are not your traditional tire makers. With a name like that, you would expect something rugged at the very least. We think they certainly check that box, if we were doing the judging anyway. That is because these tires are made for speed and rugged nature due to the fact that they are made for rallying.
Rally is a form of racing in which competitors go over long stretches of harsh terrain, of which can be varied in nature. Many associated rallying with desert climates, and while this is definitely true in many cases, it can also lead drivers and teams to other kinds of territory. That is why they have decided to call themselves ‘Black Bear.’
Black bears adapt and are incredibly strong, existing all over the North American continent in various climates. Like them, these tires are designed in the United States and give you a few potential choices to go with as you pick the type of excursion you’re ready to go on.
They mainly appeal to the American and European markets, but they have been expanding into places like Australia, so you can tell they are eager to grow and prosper.
Black Bear Tire Cost and Pricing
Black Bear Tires stand out greatly from a long line of other tires in this and other areas for a number of reasons. One of those is that they are built using a lot of new technology and research. Because of that, as well as the necessary strength and adaptability, as mentioned before, that is required, you’re going to need something that is a bit more expensive to make.
More expense to make something means that the price is going to go up. That’s just the way that it is. These tires are not going to be super cheap, so if you were looking for something that will hardly set you back, you may want to look elsewhere.
With that said, they are a smaller company, and in order for them to compete, they have to be competitive with some of the ‘big boys.’ As such, we think most people will find a whole lot to like about this brand’s pricing. They won’t be dirt cheap, but they also are not likely to be setting you back tremendously, either.
Black Bear Tire Warranties
Warranties are not the simplest thing in the world to understand, and with Black Bear it is something that you will have to ponder. Racing and rallying tires are very tough, no doubt about that, but so, too, are the warranties. Many companies, in fact, do not even offer warranties on these kinds of tires.
That’s because there is just so much that can go wrong that has absolutely nothing to do with the tires. Ever heard of Goodyear warranting tires for NASCAR? No, you sure don’t, and you see plenty of cut tires on the track in that motorsport. With Black Bear, you do have some recourse in the event that your tires don’t turn out as you would have hoped. Their warranty program depends on the specific tire chosen. All of them appear to be good for either 36 or 60 months.
The all terrain offerings are not covered for as long, and that makes sense. Only the all terrains that are under 18’’ in size are covered for a specific period of miles- 50,000- so be aware of that. As is the case with all warranties, it is limited, so you do need to read over the terms carefully to know fully what you are looking at.
Tire Options
As far as options go, there are not a whole lot of those for you to be picking from. Black Bear has just six tires to choose from. The Baja Rally is best suited for the desert, while the All Terrain (I and II) tires are going to be able to do a bit of everything. Unless you just so happen to live in a very muddy environment, or you just like to mud bog with your truck, then the All Terrain is likely the way you will go.
Most people will appreciate the blend of climates that the tires can take you to. Then again, you may have your heart set on a more rugged tire. The ‘Rugged Terrain’ is the way to go if you do, as it will handle them all and last longer than the all terrain tires do.
Black Bear Tire Technologies and Features
As far as tech and features go, you can really tell that they have incorporated them here. Black Bear is not a huge company, so you have to recognize and appreciate that they are working hard on what they offer you. They stand out above others because they do go through R& D and tests.
Both in the ‘lab’ and in real life, as they have been subjected to really hard usage in rallies and races all over the world. It’s not easy to find a brand that does this, so you can really see how they make themselves unique in the world. They aren’t going to be pushing the boundaries like NASA has, but they will be going pretty far enough to get you excited.
Black Bear Tire Durability
Durability, like beauty and price, is often in the eye of the beholder. What you might find to be exceptionally durable may not, in fact, be very durable to the next guy or girl. With tires that are going to be used in a ‘rough’ manner to begin with, this is even more the case. It just depends on how harshly you are using the tires and how much you utilize them.
You could see a set of Black Bears lasting you a few years or a few months, it just depends on what kind of environment you are encountering. We believe that Black Bear, for all we can tell, are going to do a good job for you. The only way to know for sure, though, is to try them out and pit them head to head with others that you have either seen or tried out before yourself. The fact that they offer any warranty at all also is a big plus in their column for sure.
Summary & Final Recommendations
If you are looking for a set of tires that will take you off the road (and on it, too) in the most efficient manner, then you could do a much worse job than going with Black Bear Tires. These tires are not overly expensive, and they are going to last you a while, all the while giving you some of the most fun and ‘extreme’ times you can imagine. Whether it’s in the mud, on the mountain trails, or a mixture of it all, you’ll be hard pressed to look and feel as good as you do with this brand.
Black Bear Tire Models
- Baja Rally
- Predator M/T
- All Terrain
- All Terrain II
- Rugged Terrain
- Mud Terrain