Avon Cobra vs. Venom

[CCruiser]

Quick story.  When I first bought my Valk it needed tires.  I picked Venom, bought them on line and took them to bike shop for installation.  I have been happy.

Recently it was time for a rear replacement.  I went back to bike shop only this time I asked for them to go ahead and get the tire for me and install it.

I picked up the bike and the next day, as part of a normal preride, I inflated the tire to what I feel comfortable with.

I rode about 500 miles over the next day and the ride felt different.  I felt at first it could have been from the tire being new, but then when I got back I thought it should have been OK by then.  On studying now I see that it is a Cobra, where the last was a Venom.  I didn't know there were two, my fault and should have been more careful to begin with.

So what do you think.  Is the ride difference my imagination and should I go back and make them switch it to Venom?

[Chillerman]

They don't make the Venoms anymore. The Cobra is the replacement model. I've never had Venoms but I do have Cobras on the front and back right now. So far so good after about 1000 miles.

[hubcapsc]

A lot of us have had both, including me. I run them around 40 or 42 lbs... I like them... good new tires
ought to feel different from old worn tires, but you'd think they wouldn't feel worse... ?



-Mike

[Sigrún]

I rode about 500 miles over the next day and the ride felt different.  I felt at first it could have been from the tire being new, but then when I got back I thought it should have been OK by then.  On studying now I see that it is a Cobra, where the last was a Venom.  I didn't know there were two, my fault and should have been more careful to begin with.

So  ;)what do you think.  Is the ride difference my imagination and should I go back and make them switch it to Venom?

CCruiser, what exactly do you mean by "different" ? The reason I'm asking is that every time I've slapped a new tire or tires under Sigrún Valkyrie, I've gotten surprised how sensitive the bike feels, banking into the turn with hardly more than a thought. That's of course because I'd gotten my derriére accustomed to the old squared tires that had to be wrestled around the corner.

Were the Cobras in your opinion more twitchy, somewhat slippery, something.... else?

I'm curious about this since I'm thinking about experimenting Avons next time 'round to see if I could rid me from ME 880 cupping.

Cheers!

Orvo

[Brad]

New tires will feel "floaty" for lack of a better word.  You can actually feel the tread squirm and it is more noticeable if your old tire was worn way down.  Most folks get used to it after a day or two.  The less tread you have the less tread squirm you have.

[donaldcc]

  i have new avons with about 2K miles on front and 1K on back.  replaced e-3s that were pretty worn down (flat spot in center) and noticed a change after putting each tire on.  like above post, better in turns and handling.  

[Moonshot_1]

Avon still has the Venom line. It has, however, discontinued certain sizes for the heavy crusier market (Valk) and replaced those sizes with the Cobra line.
So that's why you will still see listings for Avon Venom tires. Just can't get them for the Valk.
(I'm aware of this cause I had to replace my Venom front tire last summer had to go with the Cobra)
Find the Cobra to handle very well and have had great results with tires from Avon in the past.

[CCruiser]

Floaty was a good way to describe the ride difference.  Stiffer and bouncy.  I don't notice much difference in the corners.  I guess no problem with keeping the Venom on the front and Cobra on the back for now.  The Cobra sidewall says it is a radial and lists more plies on the side wall and tread than the Venom.

[csj]

My last tire change was in sept. 2009. I went darkside
and put a me880 up front. Mechanic who installed them
took it for a test run. He reported that the bike was
terrible squirrelly, told me to be careful.

He was right squirrelly, but I could handle it. Others told me
that both tires had 'release agent' on them,
and there's also the 'nibs' those little rubber hairs.
That stuff took a week of riding to wear off.

Then the bike rode MUCH better.

[paps350]

Replaced my rear Avon Venom last summer with a Cobra and noticed a much better ride with the Cobra but was probably due to the Venom was worn out. I ran 41 Lbs in the Venom and in the Cobra.

[Earl in Pensacola]

In all honesty--I used Venoms for 7 or 8 years (until I couldn't get them any more) and now have Cobras on both the front and rear.  The only bike handling difference I noticed I attributed to the new tire vs old "flat treaded" rear.  I will say that the Cobras look like they will be delivering the same good milage.  The Venoms always delivered 18 to 20K on the rear and 28 to 30K on the fronts.  So far, my rear Cobra and 17.5K and looks to be good for at least another 2 or 3K.  The front Cobra has about 8K and still looks real good.  I'm pretty sure that it will come thru at the 28K mark.  I've always believed that the following three things have contributed to that milage.
1. I run 38/42 stone cold PSI frt/rear.
2. PROPER front and rear wheel installation.
3. "Hard"  stops and starts only when necessary.

Just another two cents

[donaldcc]

3. "Hard"  stops and starts only when necessary.

Just another two cents

Sometimes i think "necessary" is whenever i start the "beast" or whenever it is running.    I think about tread wear sometimes as i take off with WOT and tell myself that this is what i ride for and can afford a little extra rubber off the tire for the joy i get with holding on to the handlebars as the Valkyrie does what it is made for.