BlackHawk tires, previously known as Blacklion Tire Company, is a reputed tire brand and a member of the Sailun Tire Group. The China-based tire manufacturer has expanded its footprint to more than 40 countries worldwide, offering durable and affordable tires across various categories. BlackHawk manufactures tires for light trucks, passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, light trucks, and commercial vehicles. With its innovative engineering processes and commitment to excellence, BlackHawk assures quality through high testing standards. The product lineup of the brand includes different types of tires like all-season, all-terrain, UHP, performance, and commercial.

Designed for buses, regional trucks, freight trucks, dump trucks, and transit vehicles, the BlackHawk BAR26 is a regional highway all-position tire featuring side protection ribs. The BAR26 comes with micro-sipes that enhance traction and performance on dry, wet, and light snow, while its reinforced sidewall protects it from damage to ensure a longer tread life. The self-cleaning tread of this commercial tire removes water and slush to ensure consistent traction, while it also ejects rocks, stones, and unwanted materials to protect the casing. The tough construction of the BlackHawk BAR26 enhances its durability and strength.

So, is it worth going for? Let's try to answer in this BlackHawk BAR26 review.

Features and Benefits

Commercial tires are engineered to maximize performance on all axles of semi-trucks and trailers. Usually, they are used in line haul, regional, urban, delivery, and pickup applications and feature a low rolling resistance-design to boost fuel efficiency. You can retread them to gain the optimum value of your purchase.

Great performance: The BlackHawk BAR26 tire stands out as a premium choice for a wide range of commercial vehicles, delivering optimal performance. Its micro-sipes remain intricately integrated within the tread to enhance traction and performance in different weather conditions. Whether you navigate highways, wet surfaces, or light snow, the BAR26 ensures consistent performance and confident drives on different road conditions. Strong construction and durability: The robust construction of the BlackHawkBAR26 helps it withstand the challenges of commercial use. Thanks to the reinforced sidewalls of the tire and protection ribs, it features an additional protective layer to defend against cuts and abrasions arising from curb damage. This enhances the durability of the tire, prolonging its tread life. It also reduces maintenance costs, making it a cost-effective option for commercial fleet operators. Better traction: The BAR26 prioritizes safety and protection with its self-cleaning tread design that eliminates water, slush, and debris from the tire footprint. This design ejects rocks and stones to protect the casing, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning.

Pros and Cons

While the BAR26 offers several benefits, it has some drawbacks, too. Let’s glance over its pros and cons before we sum up the BlackHawk BAR26 tire review:

PROS:

• Better traction and performance in different weather conditions, thanks to micro-sipes
• Wide range of applications in buses, regional trucks, freight trucks, and transit vehicles
• Strong construction with reinforced sidewalls and sidewall protection ribs
• Self-cleaning treads ensure consistent traction and minimize hydroplaning
• Extended tread life and reduced maintenance requirements

CONS:

• It is not backed by a mileage warranty
• It cannot be used in severe winter weather conditions

SimpleTire’s view on BlackHawk BAR26 tires

To sum up, the BlackHawk BAR26 (starts at around $156) is a good commercial tire to be used on buses and various types of trucks. Featuring a robust construction with strong sidewalls and protection ribs, the BAR26 assures a long lifespan with the option of retreading. Its self-cleaning tread design ensures consistent performance and safety. However, the absence of a mileage warranty remains a drawback for buyers. If you are willing to buy a dependable commercial tire for buses or light trucks, the BlackHawk BAR26 will be a good choice. In terms of SimpleScore, the BlackHawk tire ranks third with an overall score of 7.6 out of 10, followed by the Cosmo One (7.2). The Samson and Atlas tires share the top spot by scoring an eight each. Whether it's traction, durability, or longevity, the ranking order remains the same for BlackHawk BAR26, as it scores 7.5, 7.9, and 7.5, respectively.

The BlackHawk BAR26 competes with the likes of Samson Long Haul GL283A (starts at around $151), Atlas DRVOS (starts at around $156), and Cosmo CT588 Plus (starts at around $118).

Vehicles the BlackHawk BAR26 is a good replacement tire for

The BlackHawk BAR26 will be a good replacement for various commercial vehicles, regional trucks, and buses. Here are some of the heavy vehicles on which these tires can be fitted:

• Academy Bus LLC
• Atlantic Express
• Freightliner
• Greyhound
• International
• Kenworth
• Megabus
• MAN
• Peter Pan bus lines
• RedCoach
• Western Star