Avon Cobra life expectancy

[Baloo]

Hi all,

This spring, the lady was due for a front tire, so I went with a Cobra. The rear was still good to go and I expected to finish the riding season with it, but nope, had to make a move earlier.

Sooo.... I decided I'd give the Cobra a try on the rear too, after all the good I read here about them. I just finished reinstalling my rear wheel late yesterday night. Did not even have the time to road test the new rubber, and today, it's raining around here! 

Did anybody have the time to go through a rear Cobra yet? What kind of milleage did you get out of it? Avon claims that their rubber coumpound provides very good wear resistance, but I'd like to know what you guys came up with as results.

Thanks for your comments!

[Bob E.]

I just finished off an Avon Cobra in 7400 miles.  Apparently, I'm hard on tires though.  My best rear-tire mileage came from an E3 rear for 10,000, then a Venom for 9000, OEM Dunlop for 6000, and a Metz for 5000.  So I'd say it was right about average.  I'm installing a General Altimax car tire next week to replace the Cobra as soon as I get some time to spend in the garage.

[longrider]

Wife (18R) and I  have gone through 2 sets.  70-80 mostly highway with few jackrabbit starts will get you 10,000 + on the rear 13-14 on the front.  I've been happy with them and will be installing another  set later this fall.

warren

[petevenne]

From Dunlop and Avon site today.. I’ve been running to much  air… They should know..Right???


Honda | Model: GL 1500 C / CT / CF / CD (97-03) - Valkyrie / Tourer / Interstate
Front Rim Size: 3.50x17  |  Rear Rim Size: 5.00x16
Recommended Front Tire:
Tire : Elite 3   |  Size : 150/80R17   |  PSI/Loaded : 36   Click for Info



Recommended Rear Tire:
Tire : Elite 3   |  Size : 180/70R16   |  PSI Rear/Loaded : 40   Click for Info




From Avon site
F6C 1500 Valkyrie,Tour,Interstate (1997 - 2003)
Front tyre
Cobra
Pressure front:
2.5bar(36psi)
Front size:
150/80 R17 72H
Rear tyre
Cobra
Pressure rear:
2.5bar(36psi)
Rear size:
180/70 R16 77H

[Novavalker]

I just finished off an Avon Cobra in 7400 miles.  Apparently, I'm hard on tires though.  My best rear-tire mileage came from an E3 rear for 10,000, then a Venom for 9000, OEM Dunlop for 6000, and a Metz for 5000.  So I'd say it was right about average.  I'm installing a General Altimax car tire next week to replace the Cobra as soon as I get some time to spend in the garage.

I replaced my Avon Cobra with a General Tire Alitimax last spring. I now have 12,000 miles on it with no significant wear. 

[sandy]

I've run Venoms for the last 3 sets of tires. I get 24-27K on the fronts and 16-18K on the rears. Pressures are 42F and 46R PSI. The first Cobra is on the front now and it appears be on track for mileage.

[Ricky-D]

From Dunlop and Avon site today.. I’ve been running to much  air… They should know..Right???

I don't understand the general consensus regarding the need for such high pressure in tires.  Trying to get a heavy cruiser to behave like an enduro bike may be some of the reasons.

Tire manufacturers recommendations are the one to abide by. They make the tires! Who would know better than them?

***

[Willow]

I don't understand the general consensus regarding the need for such high pressure in tires.  Trying to get a heavy cruiser to behave like an enduro bike may be some of the reasons.

Tire manufacturers recommendations are the one to abide by. They make the tires! Who would know better than them?

Not wishing to hijack this thread, but since you asked, here's how it normally goes:

Someone runs the tire manufacturer's recommended pressure in his tires.  One day he sees a recommendation to run a different pressure.  He tries it for a set of tires and discovers that he gets significantly increased life on the tires and he likes better how they perform.  Chances are he will continue to run the pressure that works for him despite its conflict with the manufacturer's recommendation.

Another rider might choose to run a tire recommended for use with an automobile, or even install a trigger wheel other than the one developed by and recommended by the bike's manufacturer.

I run a 6 degree wheel in my I/S and burn premium gasoline, always have.  No problems at all!  I don't normally ride at 100mph or above so any top end loss is irrelevant to me.

I really don't understand what's so hard to understand.  

[Chillerman]

I don't understand the general consensus regarding the need for such high pressure in tires.  Trying to get a heavy cruiser to behave like an enduro bike may be some of the reasons.

Tire manufacturers recommendations are the one to abide by. They make the tires! Who would know better than them?

Not wishing to hijack this thread, but since you asked, here's how it normally goes:

Someone runs the tire manufacturer's recommended pressure in his tires.  One day he sees a recommendation to run a different pressure.  He tries it for a set of tires and discovers that he gets significantly increased life on the tires and he likes better how they perform.  Chances are he will continue to run the pressure that works for him despite its conflict with the manufacturer's recommendation.

Another rider might choose to run a tire recommended for use with an automobile, or even install a trigger wheel other than the one developed by and recommended by the bike's manufacturer.

I run a 6 degree wheel in my I/S and burn premium gasoline, always have.  No problems at all!  I don't normally ride at 100mph or above so any top end loss is irrelevant to me.

I really don't understand what's so hard to understand.  

  

[RP#62]

The bike mfg generally recommend a lower pressure because it gives a plusher ride.  The lower pressure however results in more sidewall flex which creates more heat and shortens the life of the tire.  The tire mfg generally recommend a higher pressure because it gives longer life, but it gives a harsher ride.  It all depends on what you want.
-RP

[sandy]

Honda recommends 36 and Avon says a lot higher.

[John U.]

When Honda starts paying for my tires I'll run any pressure they recommend