Not that I was sleeping while driving the Valk but WOW>>>>

[Flat6Valk]

I took a two day cruise from the Columbus Ohio area to Southern Indiana area and the Casinos in that area.  Beautiful two days and I finished with more money than I started with.  On the return trip I spent time in the Cincinnati area especially the Ohio River boating harbors where I spent a great deal of preteen and teen days and weeks with the family.

Then IT happened......while driving the Valk home on the back roads near Wilmington at normal 55-60 mph on a nice sweeping down curve and listening to the sound of the modified Valkyrie Exhaust my rear tire gave out.  Way out.  Side wall let loose.  What a ride.  That was a new experience for me.  I have ridden bikes for almost 40 years and even raced some back in the day.  Never had a flat. 

Im thinking I was Very lucky.  I didnt brake.  I didnt use the throttle.  Just coasted to a stop but that damn rear end just kept fishtailing side to side.  I don't know, maybe the racing experience in the past took over and I was able to keep balance.  Whew.

I know many of you are wondering.......what tire.  Avon venoms.  Miles.  12K or thereabouts.  I had a plan to change tires during the  winter anyway.  Im not blaming the tire.  It was 4 yrs old anyway.  I did make a new rule tho.  Three years and out at the maximun for bike tires.  No questions asked.  No chances taken.

Oh and thank you too AAA.  That upgraded membership saved the day. 84 mile tow.  No extra charge.

[Ice]

WOW! glad to hear your OK. that could have easily gone the other way too. Just gald it was the rear tire not the front, I do not think you would have been as lucky, and your probably right your racing experience probably did kick back in, some old habbits are good not to break.

Yuri

[Chrome]

Hey Flat You may want to rethink that 3 year and out. My Avon Cobra after 2 years and less than 12,000 miles. Avon did warranty it but went with E3 instead.
Adrian

[JOCK3]

im glad that your luck held out,after i had a tire delaminate whilst i was towing a 1.5 ton boat i vowed to change tires at 4 years regardless of how worn they are, as for avons,ive just fitted a new set to my valk so heres hoping

[x]

You gents have me seriously wondering.  I really like my Cobra on the rear... best running and best handling tire ever.  And now, this pic???
And a blowout?  Yikes!!  I hope Avon sees that picture.

[f6rider]

While on a dinner ride at the last Rune Ralley I was a few bikes back from a 2000 Interstate one of our members was ridding 2 up with his wife. And Ka Bam!! sounds like the same situation.
I was right behind him after the folks in front of me got out of the way. And that bike fish tailed from highway speeds and didnt stop until it stopped. They were Avons as well.
The rider did a excellent job maintaining control in a pack of bikes and with his wife on the back..

We got it on a trailer for him and took him to dinner were a couple of Big Margies were in order.lol

We renamed him Blow out Bob!!!

[fudgie]

Sounds like you won the 'blow out' patch.    Glad it ended well. Now get a CT. 

[NCGhostrider]

Looks very similar to my Avon I took off.  Fortunately, mine hadn't blown yet...  Glad you are safe!

The most scared I ever was,  back 20+ years ago,  I was on my old Honda 550 four, the chain was bad, I just didn't realize how bad... it came off at 60mph, locked the rear wheel.   I rode her to a stop, on two wheels, with a flat spot on the rear tire when I was done.   I think I had to change pants afterward!!  I will never forget that, and I learned a lot about maintenance that evening!

[Flat6Valk]

I need to clarify my new rule on changing tires on the Valk.  I meant to say 3 yrs or 10,000 miles deserves (and will) a change of rubber, which ever comes first.  I dont ride nearly as much as I would like due to heart condition, however after that experience I think my heart is better than I thought!  Of course good preventative tire maintenance is a must which I did do.  I am not discouraged by the tire brand.  Who knows, I could have run over something during my ride that weakened the side wall and with the 12,000 miles plus 4 yrs of service it just gave out. 

thanks for all the responses.  I know tire issues is at that forefront of many riders minds, more so for me now.  Now lets see......while I have that wheel off lets see what else I can do.........

Have a great day everyone!!!!!!!

[Ramjet]

I have to ask, has anyone had similar problems with Metzler or Dunlop?  Or, do they have better QC?

[Mongo]

Just wondering what kinda of Psi do you run. Great job on keeping the bike upright

[czuch]

Glad youre OK. Thats a cardiac check if there ever was one.
I had a rear go on a '71 750 Honda way back in the fall of '78, sonny.
I-40 just inside the Cal border. A truck driver gave me a ride to the first rest area where I met some folks from the home town who were having lunch. Coming back from moving their kid to college in Falgstaff. You meet the nicest people with an empty trailer.