Tires

[Jersey mike]

I didn't want to hijack the post by OG Richard so I thought I'd inquire about the Avon Cobras.

I currently have the Metzler ME880 front and rear, I've been running Metzlers for as long as I can remember. I love the way they feel and know their capabilities on my bike.

It seems though there are many fans of the Avon Cobra. I've looked at their tires on the web and read some on them and it seems as though the Metzlers and Avons are neck and neck for our bikes.

Since switching isn't easy and once they are on the bike you're kinda stuck with them until either you really like them or you hate them and have to wait until they wear out enough to replace them again, so for me, what would be the best argument to make a switch away from the tire I know well and am comfortable with to a tire that I've never tried and is a complete unknown?

I'm probably going to need tires in the spring,so doing some research now is where I'm at.

All thoughts,comments,suggestions,recommendations are welcome and appreciated.


Mike

[Jess from VA]

The Avons are probably the single most popular tire here.  Venoms, then Cobras.  They must be good tires if so many run them.

I too ran multiple sets of the ME880s on two Valks and other bikes, and love them.  They are my favorite tire.  But they probably have the shortest lifespan of any tire available (8K front and rear for me, not pushing for every available mile... I got sideways on worn ones a couple times, so I stopped that foolishness).  This led me to car tires in the back.  I experimented with a rear Avon bias 130 up front reversed (blegh), and the Michelin Commander II steel belt 140/65 (great tire, as good as the ME880 handling wise except for the smaller carcass, but only 7200 miles), and am back on an ME880 front.  If I didn't run car tires, I'd try the 180 bias Michelin Commander II in back (only a quarter inch shorter than stock size).

I am going to try a Cobra front next time to see if I can get more than 8K.  

I avoided Avons for a long time because of so many reports of defective tires from the factory (and people having to fight with dealers to get them replaced), but that seems to have stopped now.  

[sandy]

After one set of Metzlers, I switched to venoms. Then to Cobras when they came out. Best handling tire for a Valk. I run 42F and 46R and maintain that pressure. Compressor in the garage. I get over 20K on the Front and my last rear got 26,970 miles. Usually about 15K on the rear. The key for any tire is maintain the pressure.

[salty1]

I too like Mets and Cobras both, but I like the mileage I get out of the Cobras best. I just replaced a set with 19K on them. As mentioned by Sandy, watch your tire pressures.

[Bighead]

I run Cobras and happier with them than any other tire I have run. That being said I don't know how anyone gets this kind of mileage out of an MC and yes I check my pressure religiously. Must be riding on cotton

[0leman]

 

That being said I don't know how anyone gets this kind of mileage out of an MC and yes I check my pressure religiously. Must be riding on cotton

I recently visited with Bike Shop guy.  He was saying that the local folks are complaining about the fast wear of their tires around here.  Most guys, mostly HD's, are only getting 9k out of their tires no matter what brand they use.  I have noticed that I am only getting between 10-12K.  AND yes I do keep the pressure where it should be (run 404f's at 36 psi).   I think it's the road surfaces we have.   The road folks do a lot of chip coating the roads.  Helps to seal the surface and give better traction in the winter.  BUT is sure hard on tires. 

[gordonv]

So longevity of MC tires may not have anything to do with riding style (except burn outs  ), but which area you live in? Might be something interesting to figure out the stats for.

Maybe one reason why my front tire, which I thought should have lasted another 5K miles, only lasted the 3K to Inzane and back. Some high speed riding and hot weather through 5 states.

[Hoser]

These are the best rear tires I ever used on my Valk, American Elite, Dunlop. Old one was replaced at 20 thousand miles. Hoser

[mustang071965]

run cobras on the front of my IS. the first came with the bike. i put 26,000 on it before i had to replace it. still had another year left in it. but picked up a nail. the one i have on there now is the same accept i went to the v rated one. been there for 2 years now and over 12,000 miles now. still looking good. me and dad just came off a 5400 mile trip to Cal and back.  got the tire at motorcycletiremaniac.com. payed about $165 for it last year. and it delivered to my house in 2 days.