I've been researching for months.
I've owned at least 3 sets of BFG ATs over the last 25 yrs or so, and I don't remember any dissatisfaction with them, I actually just got bored and wanted a different tire. I'm a quirky dude, yes.
Goodyear DuraTracs are pretty popular, but there is too much chatter about sidewall issues, both in magazines and Internet forums, and since Eastern Washington is sharp shale, I crossed them off my list.
Yokohama Geolanders were also at the top of my list. They seem to be great or very good at everything. Every single guy I have known that had finally worn out his Geolanders replaced them with another set of Geolanders. Not a single one went to a different tire.
Pirelli Scorpian ATRs ended up in my top two due to the following reasons:
My Pirelli trials tires outperforming knobbies on my enduro bikes. It looks like a street tire, and simply grips like mad off road.
And In a 9 tire Aussie Dirt Action off road AT test, it won the dirt slalom, and the hill climb/decent tests, and placed high in the mud run, even.
I also owned a set on my F150 job site truck and was blown away by how awesome they were in the snow on steep hills.
The Pirelli grips instead of digs. It really does amaze me.
It also placed 2nd in the puncture test.
Honestly, it would have been a perfect tire for my useage, but I simply wanted a more aggressive looking tire.
The STmaxx actually won the puncture test, has great reviews on consumers Reports and was 2nd overall on the Aussie test by half a point.
I absolutely love the philosophy and the look of the tread pattern.
Fwiw, Here's the results of the Aussie AT tyre test:
