Archives des On the road - Blackcircles.ca Blog

Toyo Observe GSi-6: for performance and much more

By Marc Bouchard|2020-11-26T14:41:37-05:00November 26th, 2020|On the road|

When Toyo launched his Observe GSi-6 tire, it was emphatically stated that it was a performance tire. A tire that was clearly intended for the sports cars that enthusiasts drive even in winter. No skimping on grip then. Sometimes chance or stubbornness can make things right. So we decided to put these new Toyo Observe GSi-6 tires to the test throughout the winter. But because we like to do things differently, our performance car will actually be... a Mazda5! You [...]

This winter, we’re having fun with Michelin tires

By Marc Bouchard|2020-11-01T12:35:24-05:00October 21st, 2020|On the road|

Last year, I had the opportunity to test the Michelin X-Ice Snow tires in the most extreme conditions, under the storm and the violent snowfalls (read all the details here...). This year, I will be more reasonable. Or not... Because I decided to equip my gleaming family car, a Mazda3 already a few years old, with these same tires, whose performance impressed me on my first test drive. The X-Ice snow had indeed offered the best performance compared to the [...]

Review: Michelin X Ice Snow

By Marc Bouchard|2020-10-14T16:15:22-04:00October 14th, 2020|On the road|

Are you in the middle of winter tire shopping and not sure what to think? There are many possibilities, and the choice will vary depending on your vehicle and its use. However, we know that certain brands are a must. The Toyo, for example, is one of the best winter tire brands year after year, This is also the case for Michelin X Ice tires, but this year, Michelin is innovating. The new generation of Michelin X Ice Snow winter [...]

On the road to the cottage with Bridgestone Ecopia

By Marc Bouchard|2020-09-17T17:10:34-04:00September 15th, 2020|On the road|

The best way to put a vehicle and its tires to the test is certainly to take the whole family to a slightly remote cottage. It is often a long drive on roads that can be uneven and poorly maintained. It is also important to make sure you leave with enough luggage, filled with clothing and food for the duration of the vacation. This is the ultimate test of your car's cargo volume! In our case, we also had to [...]

Kumho vs. Hankook: the winter tire duel

By blackcircles Canada|2020-09-08T15:17:39-04:00August 28th, 2020|On the road|

Kumho and Hankook: two brands with a lot in common. Both manufacturers are South Korean, and can be classified as major international manufacturers, without being among the leaders alongside industry giants such as Bridgestone, Goodyear, or Continental. They are more recent players in the industry (founding of Kumho in 1960, and Hankook in 1941), compared to some who are more than a hundred years old, such as Michelin, which is more than 131 years old (!). However, it is [...]

Polestar 1: once upon a time…

By Marc Bouchard|2020-08-21T12:15:36-04:00August 21st, 2020|On the road|

Polestar is a name that performance enthusiasts are familiar with because it's long been associated with Volvo. But the new version of Polestar is a brand new company, created in collaboration with Geely, whose mission is to launch fully or partially electrified motorized luxury cars. And the first step in this brand new page of automotive history is the Polestar 1. Don't look for the brand's dealers. Don't even try to pass this model on the road. Its total number [...]

Road Trip in a Hyundai Santa Fe – part 2

By Marc Bouchard|2020-08-16T07:06:00-04:00August 13th, 2020|On the road|

After crossing Bas Saint-Laurent and the Baie-des-Chaleurs region with the Kumho Crugen Premium KL33 (if you haven't yet read the beginning of my adventure... (read it here), we're finally ready to discover the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula and, of course, come back home. From the grandiose landscapes of the Gaspé Peninsula and its mythical Percé Rock to the historic charm of Old Quebec, let's travel together the last few kilometres of my trip on the 132. The Peninsula Of [...]

Gaspesie, here we come with our Kuhmo tires – part 1

By Marc Bouchard|2020-08-07T10:01:56-04:00July 31st, 2020|On the road|

This summer being not very conducive to holidays abroad, the conditions are perfect to finally discover our part of the country. In my case, it was the sea air, local products and the picturesque (and historical!) landscapes of Eastern Quebec that delighted me for a week. In a Hyundai Santa Fe borrowed for the occasion and equipped with Kumho Crugen Premium KL33, the 2000 km trip is already quite comfortable. Add to that good company and loud music (hopefully to [...]

Rumble strips: how it saves lives.. and let you have fun!

By Marc Bouchard|2020-05-26T12:28:51-04:00May 26th, 2020|On the road|

Admittedly, we've all been a little distracted during a long ride on the highway. Although the situation is far from ideal, it is sometimes hard to resist our urge to watch the accident in the opposite lane or sing our favourite song at the top of our lungs. Usually this causes few problems, but perhaps you've already been distracted enough to deviate slightly from your path directly on the rumble strip. Hearing that unique vibrating sound, it's impossible to stay [...]

How to drive under the rain

By Marc Bouchard|2020-04-06T13:44:58-04:00April 6th, 2020|On the road|

Spring is my favourite season: the return of warm weather and leaves in the trees makes you want to go for a drive in your car, doesn’t it? Too often, however, I forget to check the weather forecast on my phone before I leave, let’s call it spontaneity! So, even if at first the journey took place under a blazing sun, I often had to return home under the rain, sometimes leading to more than unpleasant experiences. To avoid situations [...]