AVON TIRES

[enroute1]

Ok.  After way too much research, I decided to go with this Avon set up.
A few reasons set me in this direction.  First, I ran Avons on my VTX 1800 with great success.  The handling was much improved.  They seem a bit more rounded than most other tires which allows them to fall/lean into the corners with ease. Also hold a line very well.  When researching the Michelin Road 4's which seems to be the replacement tire of choice, I was turned off by all the great wet water sipeing tech these tires have.
I would say that these are probably the best tires for riding in the rain which I try very hard to avoid and if I am caught in the rain I will usually find a hot cup of coffee and wait it out or proceed along very slowly. So this is not a big selling point for me. Also I have seen this front tire begin to cup after some miles and 38 psi.
believed due to the siping tech.  That and the fact I do not like the idea of putting on a "trial tire" on a performance oriented machine.

I called Michelin to find out what the difference between the pilot 4 and the Pilot 4 Trail was and they basically said one is for street and one is for trail/ street.  Well that was not what I was looking for.  The description tells you that much!

So when researching Avon I came upon the newer rear storm 3D XM (Xtra Milage)
Sport touring tire, with a 15K mileage warren-tee! and a limited road hazard warren-tee for less money than the Michies, I pulled the tiger on the Avons. Also in part due to the fact that I want this Bike to handle as well as possible as  per its intended deigned.

I installed the front tire after removing the oem Duncrap truck tire and installed the Avon Cobra 120/70ZR/19. (Denis Kirk, $130.00 delivered) Am holding back on the rear cause I have some trend to wear out on the oem first. Did somebody say burnout?

Anyway this combo meets and exceeds load and speeds ratings of the others.
And just installed the front.  I feel like I just bought a new Bike! I can't believe the difference in the handling, control and line holding this tire has over oem.
Had I known, I would have swapped it out day one of ownership.
By the way I also called Dunlop and told them how poor this tire preformed and they did not seemed surprised at all to here that...

My oem front is thrashed at 4K miles I ran 38 psi for 2K miles and 40psi for the 2nd 2K miles...One up riding 190 lbs. ck it out.



AVON Front profile mounted on Bike.

[pago cruiser]

Good looking bike, and the tire looks great! 

I too have just about 4000 miles on the stock front tire; might be able to eek another few hundred out of it, but I'm about 1/32" above the wear bars.  WTH?      I used to whine about only 10,000 from a front.   

But... seriously?  At $2.75/gallon and 40 mpg that's about $0.07/mile for gasoline.
At about $200 for a duplicate 4000 mile replacement tire, that's about $0.05/mile.  We are paying almost as much for this tire as gasoline  .

Just put new tires on our Jeep Liberty.  $600 with a 50,000 mile service life.  I got right at 55,000 with at least 5000-10,000 more tread left on the stock Goodyears, but after a couple sidewall nails in the span of a few months I just replaced them all.  To save you the math, that is slightly over $0.01 per mile.  For a vehicle that weighs 3000 lbs.   

I guess the 120/70-19 is about the only alternative, in the various manufacturer's lines.  But it sure seems ...odd... to be replacing the stock tire with one 3/8" (about 7.5%) less width. 

[Robert]

In looking at the tires from Avon I have a question for you, why didn't you get the OEM size of  130/60/19 rather than the 120/70/19, they make the tire in both sizes in the Avon Cobra and not the 3d-xm series.

 The OEM size has the OEM specs for the tire, including the higher load range and the 120/70 does not. It still has a lower load range just like the Michelin in the same size.  The Cobra series is meant for cruisers and tourers and not really a sporty tire either coupled with the lower load range I would question the tire.

The 3d-xm  series does have the upgrades such as tire longevity and handling but that would still put 2 different style tires on the bike and not really a tire for handling on the front. Also the 3D-XM is not a GT tire and although that probably doesn't matter much its another reason to pick the Michelin.   

Some information, on the Michelin's being a trail or road tire means it would have to be constructed a bit tougher like the GT tires since they would have to have the extra strength to handle the occasional adverse road conditions and occasional rock that could harm the tire. Michelin also puts the siping on not only for rain but for stopping also. Which its claim is 20 percent better stopping over some other tires.

The other issue I see is there was an occasional tread separation in the Cobra tires and Avon did not honor the warranty. As much as you pay a premium price for the Michelin's I have never heard of tread separation with them. I even had Avons on my 1500 and liked the tires but I did have one instance of separation personally. So as much as I hate the cost of the Michelin's I love their reliability and top tire reputation.

Great looking I love the color  and the reflective tape on the rims. Was thinking about doing that also and you just gave me a glimpse of how they look, thanks  Hope the tires work out well for you keep posting so we know. There have been others that have used the Avons and have written up a post here if you search you should be able to find them.

 Their advertising for their warranty is misleading.

[PAVALKER]

I've got that Avon Cobra 120 on my front as the bike came with it last year, and a new rear car tire as of this riding season.  The Cobra was on the bike when I got it, and it's got close to 4k miles on it and is showing hardly any wear.  I do like the handling of the tire as well. 

[enroute1]

Robert, the Avon 130/60/19 being offered is a Bias Ply tire.
The 120/70/19 is a Radial tire.
The load range difference between the two is 16 lbs.
The Radial tire has a higher speed rating of 168mph vs 130mph of the bias ply .
it has been my experience that a radial tires handles better. 
The Valkyrie oem are speced radials.
The 3d xm is not the exact match but is a radial of the same basic design and same manufacture.  So I guess I am betting that it will be a sweet match up.
I did put 100 miles of the front today and lets just say, you would have me kicking and screaming if anyone wanted to take that Avon away.  Can't speak to the handling of the Mich trail adventure tire. I suspect a heavier trail carcass may or may not affect handing.  The Michin man was no help.

Today while riding I could not get over how nicely the Bike effortlessly, almost intuitively, flowed into the turns. I can only imagine that with the 3d xm with the emphasis on sport, on the rear, things will only get better. (Load  805 pounds, Speed also 168mph) The front Dunlop always felt heavy and awkward even when new and much worse as seen in the pic.

As for the tire separation. i believe that was a bad run a while back in the Cobra Venom line which they have now dropped.
As for the pricing....I don't care. Not part of my discussion.  I just want the best handling tire I can get for the Valkyrie. As for the warren tee.  Tire warrentees are always hard to collect on, although I have. I just consider Avons warrentees to be a possible bonus.

[Robert]

I did put 100 miles of the front today and lets just say, you would have me kicking and screaming if anyone wanted to take that Avon away.

 

Thanks for the answer and report. I hope they work well, I liked them on my 1500 and it would be nice it to have another tire to go to. 

[Robert]

Was doing some research on tires and Kind of wondered if these might work well on our bikes. I couldnt tell what brand but maybe someone will know by the tread pattern   

[enroute1]

I don't see any tires in that pic!

[Jess from VA]

Yeah, I'm diggin' that bodacious rain groove.

(Yeah, I know.  Simple pleasures for simple minds.)

[RDKLL]

I just got tires for the KTM last Oct. It takes standard sport bike sizes and I selected the Michelin Road 4 GT and I am loving them, but my longtime  experience with Avon, I would have tried a set of these instead...

[kcole683]

I just put new Avon tires on mine this week. I got the Spirit ST which is the replacement for the Storm 3D.
Went with the 120/70R19 front since the 130/60-19isn't readily available in a radial. and put a 200/55R17 on the rear.
 This size rear should just about fix the factory speedometer odometer error. This tire also  has a 132 pound higher load rating than the factory tire. The 120 front is 16 pounds lower rated than the factory tire. The Spirit ST is also Z rated for 149 MPH plus. Not that it's an issue on the Valkyrie.
 The rear tire fits fine. No clearance issues. I'm not too concerned that it's mounted on a 1/2" narrower rim than recommended. I know some people will disagree.

So far I like the tires. I've only put about 150 miles on them. The 120/70 on the front seems to help the bike react more quickly to bar input. Feels more nimble. Time will tell how they handle and wear.

[PAVALKER]

I just put new Avon tires on......

So far I like the tires. I've only put about 150 miles on them. The 120/70 on the front seems to help the bike react more quickly to bar input. Feels more nimble. Time will tell how they handle and wear.

Dat's what I'm talking about.  And even with a CT...it's better than that 130 was.  My Speedo is spot on with my GPS with my tires.

[kcole683]

What size car tire did you fit? PAVALKER

[PAVALKER]

What size car tire did you fit? PAVALKER

https://www.amazon.com/Achilles-ATR-K-ECONOMIST-All-Season-Radial/dp/B00OYM5VKY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525143534&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=economist+175%2F55R17

[Robert]

Just changed my tires out so bought another set to have in stock just in case

Tires made 6 of 17

[PAVALKER]

Just changed my tires out so bought another set to have in stock just in case

Tires made 6 of 17

Did you change out the Dunlops or another set of those Michelins?   What tires and mileage did you get from the set just changed out?

[Robert]

I have been running the Michelin's since about 3k miles and have 30k now. The mileage varies anywhere from 8 to 10k on the rear on the front roughly 12k. I am not that easy on my tires and do alot of stop and go since I ride everyday and have never allowed the tires to get all the way down to the center being flat or no tread either. I change pretty much on the wear bar indicators starting to get there.

On the GT tires if I remember correctly the tires have not only a radial plies which goes from bead to bead but an extra belt that crosses the radial belt at an angle in the tread area. This is almost like a bias ply tire and adds extra rigidity to the tire and provides for quicker handling under loads. That is the reason I choose the GT tire. The regular Pilot tires although the same load range for the rear do not have this additional ply.

There is so little information available about actual tire construction that its hard to find anything to compare to but as much as I know no other tire is constructed in this way. This is only the GT model of the tire also. More to me is better to me with motorcycle tires and that applies to the construction and carcass of the tires. With more reinforcement you have a much better chance of getting where you are going safely if you have a stronger tire. Even if you loose pressure or hit an object or even a big rock or road debris the stronger tire should win.  

This is also the reason I personally wouldn't worry about putting a bias ply tire on the front if there was no other choice. Bias ply tires are not as smooth or as sure footed as radials but that doesn't mean its terrible either. Radials are supposedly more flexible and not as quick to respond as bias ply. So if you have front or rear bias and radial mismatch it was supposed to be a safety issue.

While the BMW is not quite as heavy as our valks the fact that BMW endorsed this tire and probably had a say so in its construction made me feel all the more confident in making the choice to use these tires. I dont know of any other tire in the size available for our bikes that have a comparable weight and use factor and a factory endorsement from a manufacture of such reputation as Michelin. 

I dont want problems with tires considering that it is hopefully the only thing to contact the road

[RDKLL]

Just changed my tires out so bought another set to have in stock just in case

I just put a set of the Pilot Road 4 GT's on My Super Duke GT...wanted the Road 5's, but the Road 5 GT will not be out until 2019

[Robert]

Just changed my tires out so bought another set to have in stock just in case

I just put a set of the Pilot Road 4 GT's on My Super Duke GT...wanted the Road 5's, but the Road 5 GT will not be out until 2019

I am also looking forward to the GT5 with its more rubber in the center and grooves on the side look like they will offer longer life and better grip. 

For grins I may just break down and buy the 5 regardless of the GT since I have never tried it.  I just got a nail in the back of a brand new GT4 and if it annoys me to much I may just try the 5 since I do have a GT4 waiting in the wings. Not that expensive just to try and switch if I dont like it.

[pago cruiser]

Did anybody have anything... odd... with your Pilot Road 4 Trail tire?  Like a sticker with bar code in the bead area?

Seems a pretty stupid place to put a lot number sticker, apparently vulcanized into the rubber.

[PAVALKER]

Did anybody have anything... odd... with your Pilot Road 4 Trail tire?  Like a sticker with bar code in the bead area?

Seems a pretty stupid place to put a lot number sticker, apparently vulcanized into the rubber.

I have that on my rear CT as well.  And I agree that it seems to be a stupid place to put it.

[AdrianR]

Was doing some research on tires and Kind of wondered if these might work well on our bikes. I couldnt tell what brand but maybe someone will know by the tread pattern   

BOINGGGGGGG!!!

[goldstar903]

Adrian, that's the first time I have known you for a loss of words! 

[enroute1]

Received the Rear Avon Storm 3D XM.  This is what it looks like in the 180.
Beefy looking and non inflated, slightly wider than the Dunflop hummer.

Got 5K on the oem and real close to the wear bars. 
Won't be long till I mount the 3D XM.....

[AdrianR]

Received the Rear Avon Storm 3D XM.  This is what it looks like in the 180.
Beefy looking and non inflated, slightly wider than the Dunflop hummer.

Got 5K on the oem and real close to the wear bars. 
Won't be long till I mount the 3D XM.....

It's a great tire. I have one on my Warrior. I just got a new Michelin Road 5 for the Valkyrie.  It's imo a better tire, but it also costs more.

[enroute1]

Ok, mounted the Avon rear 3D XM today and took it for a ride.
All I can say is that the it is heavenly.
It leans into the corners soooo nice, gradual and smooth through the lean.
Never did I feel the need to correct or lean more or less to get though the turns.
Almost completely intuitive as if it was going into the turns by itself an I was the observer, no exaggeration! Running 40 psi front and 42 psi rear.

Also noticed that it rode in a straight line (like on a rail) way better than my squared off mini car like tire that the Dunlop became.
With the 3 inch risers, the custom Corbin seat, windshield and now these Avon's, this bike is like riding on a cloud. Maybe too comfy.....

[st2sam]

Ok, mounted the Avon rear 3D XM today and took it for a ride.
All I can say is that the it is heavenly.
It leans into the corners soooo nice, gradual and smooth through the lean.
Never did I feel the need to correct or lean more or less to get though the turns.
Almost completely intuitive as if it was going into the turns by itself an I was the observer, no exaggeration! Running 40 psi front and 42 psi rear.
Also noticed that it rode in a straight line (like on a rail) way better than my squared off mini car like tire that the Dunlop became.
With the 3 inch risers, the custom Corbin seat, windshield and now these Avon's, this bike is like riding on a cloud. Maybe too comfy.....

Thanks for the update.
I've been running nothing but Michelin for the last 25,000mi..
Need'in a new set shortly, I'll give the Avon's a try. (and save $70.00 on the pair)

[enroute1]

Be sure to let us know how they compare!

[st2sam]

Be sure to let us know how they compare!

 
Put  two Avon Spirit ST's on yesterday, got out for a ride today and scrubbed them in.
Got a super deal, Rebates! Saved $123.00 over the PR 4's.
IMO worth a try.

https://www.ridersdomain.com/motorcycle-tires/avon-street-bike-tires?rim=19&rim=17

Dry on scrubb-in ride yesterday, grab and feel as good as the PR4's.
Wet roads we'll have to wait see.

[hubcapsc]

The Avon Storm 3D X-M is a high mileage sport touring tire with typical fitment for models such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, the Kawasaki GTR1400, and the Suzuki GSX1400.

Hayabusa: 563 lbs

GTR1400: 679 lbs

GSX1400: 503 lbs

Goldwing Valkyrie: 750 lbs

I wore out a couple of "good" tires that weren't rated for such a heavy
bike in 2,000 miles. That's why we get pr4 GT and Angel GT SPEC A
when we get Michelins or Pirellis...

-Mike

[st2sam]

The Avon Storm 3D X-M is a high mileage sport touring tire with typical fitment for models such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, the Kawasaki GTR1400, and the Suzuki GSX1400.

Hayabusa: 563 lbs

GTR1400: 679 lbs

GSX1400: 503 lbs

Goldwing Valkyrie: 750 lbs

I wore out a couple of "good" tires that weren't rated for such a heavy
bike in 2,000 miles. That's why we get pr4 GT and Angel GT SPEC A
when we get Michelins or Pirellis...

-Mike

Thanks for your 2-cents Mike, but in almost 30,000mi. now riding on Mich. PR4's, NOT ONE PROBLEM. I have yet to put a GT spec. tire on my Valk. You want to run the GT's, no problem, knock your socks off.

I figured I'd give the Avons a try.  Enroute1 ask for a compare, I'll give him my thoughts compared to the PR4's. (not the GT's)

 Have you wore out a set of Avon Storm's ?   If so, I'm interested in your opinion.
Then we'll see how my opinion compares to yours?



 

[hubcapsc]

I have yet to put a GT spec. tire on my Valk.

If you tried one, you could compare.

-Mike

[enroute1]

The Avon Storm 3D X-M is a high mileage sport touring tire with typical fitment for models such as the Suzuki Hayabusa, the Kawasaki GTR1400, and the Suzuki GSX1400.

Hayabusa: 563 lbs

GTR1400: 679 lbs

GSX1400: 503 lbs

Goldwing Valkyrie: 750 lbs

I wore out a couple of "good" tires that weren't rated for such a heavy
bike in 2,000 miles. That's why we get pr4 GT and Angel GT SPEC A
when we get Michelins or Pirellis...

-Mike

Checking the Specs...........

Dunlop oem rated 73h  Thats 73=805 lbs and H=130 mph
Pilot Road 4 GT  rated 73W W=168MPH
Avon 3D XM is rated 73W as well

All 805lb Load range

[hubcapsc]

Avon AV80 73w - chords started to show at 1650 miles.

I've had four different kinds of tires on the back, the only one
I wanted to use multiple (3) times was the PR4-GT. I hope y'all
end up getting good mileage.

-Mike

[enroute1]

Avon AV80 73w - chords started to show at 1650 miles.

I've had four different kinds of tires on the back, the only one
I wanted to use multiple (3) times was the PR4-GT. I hope y'all
end up getting good mileage.

-Mike

You can expect less mileage from a Av80 High Performance Sport road tyre but 1650 miles is insane for any tyre on any bike!!

Hoping for a bit better mileage than that on the 3d Storm "touring" tyre.
We shall see...

[hubcapsc]

You can expect less mileage from a Av80 High Performance Sport road tyre but 1650 miles is insane for any tyre on any bike!!

No doubt... I thought the 2200 miles I got on this Dunflop was bad 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=76884.0

-Mike

[ledany]

I bought a new set of Scorpion Trail II yesterday. The front (8,700 mls) was good looking but had bumps here and there ; the rear (13,700 mls) could have done some more mileage but not that much.

It cost me 358 $ (113 front + 175 rear + 35 x 2 heavy bike)

[goldstar903]

You can expect less mileage from a Av80 High Performance Sport road tyre but 1650 miles is insane for any tyre on any bike!!

No doubt... I thought the 2200 miles I got on this Dunflop was bad 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=76884.0

-Mike

Damn, Mike! What kind of road surface do you have? Raw diamond and glass shards, with a few rasps thrown in? I'm thinking about tossing in the towel on my rear tire with 12,000 mi. I've just changed the front. The groups that I ride with like fast curves and rarely do we stray onto a highway. This bike has plenty of ground clearance, although not as much as my ZX-10R. My pegs on the Valk are grinding away, and I have never had the tires slip, except a little in the rain. We ride all year long here in California. The Dunlops weren't really that bad for OEM tires. I just put an Avon, AV71 120/70-19 and it works great with this bike! Changing the rear, Avon, AV80 180/55-17 and don't expect any problems. I got two at Dennis Kirk for $75 each. I sent out an email regarding this at the time I purchased. I think several people took advantage of the price. 

[hubcapsc]

I think several people took advantage of the price.

That's when I got mine. I put an AV71 on the front then too, it
is still fine.

I used to ride back and forth to work on an extremely pleasant
raw diamond and glass shard surfaced network of farm roads,
we'll see how long the PR4 I got this season lasts now that that
is over...



I don't think most anyone else needs to worry about getting the
awful mileage I was(?) getting, but I do think I get to find out how
this tire compares to that tire pretty quickly...

-Mike

[goldstar903]

 "I don't think most anyone else needs to worry about getting the
awful mileage I was(?) getting, but I do think I get to find out how
this tire compares to that tire pretty quickly"...

-Mike

Mike, Please let us know!