I agree. Oddly enough, I have done more mild stuff and lots of pavement since I put them on. In the two trips of more serious rockcrawl type action they did very well. On some road trips with significant pavement involved they also feel very good. I think it's the soft rubber that makes them nice on the pavement. The down side to that soft rubber is that the rears are showing some wear already but I am in "always locked" condition in the rear so that probably contributes to it.
I have heard the same about the sidewalls too, but have had no trouble in the limited severe use I've exposed them to. I imagine that is always the case for a radial vs bias ply though. Personally I'll take the radial road manners any day. They are loud at highway speed. :smilies27