Metzler or Avon

[daTank]

I'm trying to figure out which to buy for my 98 Standard.  Also, what sizes.  Any help would be great!!

[Canuck]

I'm in the market for a new rear too.  I think it's going to be an Avon Cobra, for no scientific reason.  The E3 only lasted 7k and it's badly cupped - still has some good tread in the center though.  Always check air pressure, but a couple of hard rides down in TN, WVA and regular rides in N KY eat em up.  Just can't pull the trigger on a CT - yet. 
Local shop has them for $185.

Maybe I'll keep the E3 on for my February Florida trip.  Not like I'm going to find any curves down there.

[Farther]

If you have narrowed it down to the Avon or Metzler, get on their factory sites and they spec. out the right size for the Valkyrie and have all the corresponding manufacturing spec's too.
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/fitment/metzeler/selectSearchTyresForm.do?mySelectActived=confirm&myEntryPoint=%2Ffitment%2Fmetzeler%2FhomeMotoFull&brandVehicle=4968&modelVehicle=109788&versionVehicle=217568&consent=Y

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/cobra

[donaldcc]

I'm trying to figure out which to buy for my 98 Standard.  Also, what sizes.  Any help would be great!!

  made me go out in garage for a good look.  I have been trying to ride a lot to get rest of use out of Avons that i like a lot.    want to change fluids, brake pads, add galfer brake lines (just got from santa)and service rear but have been waiting for tire change.  hope to get it done pretty quickly since good riding weather here now.

  Avon Cobras, front 150/80HR 17, with 15,000 mi.  pic today, still some good tread.



rear 180/70HR 16 with 12,500 mi.  just hit wear bar so will probably get a set from jake wilson. seemed to be best price last i looked and fast service (about 3 days last time).  had rebate coupon at last purchase.  anyone know of one?

[SANDMAN5]

I'm a Metz fan. They don't last as long as most others but they grip
great in all kinds of weather. I trust my front Metz in the rain more
than I trusted my E3 on a dry road. I tried an Avon....it was OK but
I went back to Metz. Darkside rear, btw.

[scarylarry]

I needed a front...looked @dnnis kirk catalogue.for months..went /e3...pressures they say to run seemed pretty high ...but thats the way to go...and I did baby the new front a lot this year...maybe too much to give a solid rev...give me any tire thats good on tar snakes and I'll pay more for em or buy more of em

[R J]

I'm a Metz fan. They don't last as long as most others but they grip
great in all kinds of weather. I trust my front Metz in the rain more
than I trusted my E3 on a dry road. I tried an Avon....it was OK but
I went back to Metz. Darkside rear, btw.

10-04 what bashful says.  Metz front, DS rear.

Metz on front has a larger tread pattern on the road in my opinion.

Yeah I know, my opinion ism't worth a tinkers damn here.

[fudgie]

Mc tires I say Metz. CT on rear now so only Metz front.

[daTank]

Did some more research.... I pretty sure that I'm gonna go with the Avon Cobras....150/80/17 for the front.....its got a 180/70/16 on the back, now......anyone have bigger??...besides DS....

[fudgie]

Did some more research.... I pretty sure that I'm gonna go with the Avon Cobras....150/80/17 for the front.....its got a 180/70/16 on the back, now......anyone have bigger??...besides DS....

Metz has a 200 mm. Love'd them.

[salty1]

I've used e3's, Metz, and Avons on various bikes. Think the Metz and Avons are the better choice. In my part of the world, Avons are the preferred choice for Valks.    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[Gear Jammer]

Did some more research.... I pretty sure that I'm gonna go with the Avon Cobras....150/80/17 for the front.....its got a 180/70/16 on the back, now......anyone have bigger??...besides DS....

Avon Cobra comes in a 200mm width. 

[tmfp]

You might like to have a look at this thread to help you decide, especially if you assume that 200 tires are 20mm wider than 180's, which they aren't.
Also, according to the rattlebars link, the 200 Metzeler starts life with only 6.5 mm tread depth, opposed to the 180 with 9mm. With the pinched profile on a 5" rim, that would probably give a 200 half the life of a 180.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,36351.msg339154.html#msg339154

FWIW, I have Bridgestone Exedra's front and rear on both my 97's, they're OK, a reasonable compromise between grip and life imo.

[MarkT]

I've had two 200 Cobras (and currently) on the Valk, have worn out several copies of all of the bike tires available for the Valk.  The Cobras are lasting about 12k for me.  Interestingly, putting on a new Cobra 200 to replace a worn one, the new tire feels the same as the old.  Meaning, countersteer feels the same, rather than the worn one needing constant pressure to hold in a curve, while the new one might "fall" into the turn - typical behavior of the 180 series tires I've run before.  Apparently the center of lift of a flat-center worn 200 Cobra is very close to being in the same place as a new one.  Before the Cobras, my fav rear tire was the E3, and before that, the Venom.  I'm running a K491 Dunlop rear on the front.

[donaldcc]

 so markt, i'm about to order some new cobras to replace those currently on bike.  no mods for the 200s on the back??  any handling differences you can tell from the 180s?  what about wear??  

  I like the stock 180s a lot and the way they handle.  worried that the 200s may not feel the same.

[MarkT]

Don't know if mods are needed.  I had already done the fender - nut mod in preparation to try darkside - which I did, and decided it's not for me.  Handling differences?  Not really.  I couldn't think of any.  I suppose theory might say, more countersteer needed due to it being wider, but I'm not astute enough to have noticed it when I installed it. I really like the 200 Cobra tire - the only difference I can think of, is what I pointed out above - when you wear one out, and replace it, the new one feels like the old - no big change in countersteer when you install new skins.  Wear - the same as 180 Cobras, near as I can tell - per my records.

[Ricky-D]

so markt, i'm about to order some new cobras to replace those currently on bike.  no mods for the 200s on the back??  any handling differences you can tell from the 180s?  what about wear??  

  I like the stock 180s a lot and the way they handle.  worried that the 200s may not feel the same.

You might like to have a look at this thread to help you decide, especially if you assume that 200 tires are 20mm wider than 180's, which they aren't.
Also, according to the rattlebars link, the 200 Metzeler starts life with only 6.5 mm tread depth, opposed to the 180 with 9mm. With the pinched profile on a 5" rim, that would probably give a 200 half the life of a 180.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,36351.msg339154.html#msg339154

FWIW, I have Bridgestone Exedra's front and rear on both my 97's, they're OK, a reasonable compromise between grip and life imo.

Sure not what you'd want to hear!

***

[hubcapsc]

I'm trying to figure out which to buy for my 98 Standard.  Also, what sizes.  Any help would be great!!

I've always gotten either Metzlers or Avons, I think they are both good. I
order them from the Direct Line Valkyrie Tire page, all the ones there are
an appropriate size...

http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/byProduct.asp?prd=Tires&str=2&ID=125455673



-Mike

[salty1]

Take a look at Jake Wilson also. Their prices are much less tire for tire. 

[fudgie]

My metz 200 got a lot of life. Got around 15k per tire. More then the oem dunflop. Also had to do the nut cage removal. Simple. Got tired of replacing it every spring so went DS.

[donaldcc]

so markt, i'm about to order some new cobras to replace those currently on bike.  no mods for the 200s on the back??  any handling differences you can tell from the 180s?  what about wear??  

  I like the stock 180s a lot and the way they handle.  worried that the 200s may not feel the same.

You might like to have a look at this thread to help you decide, especially if you assume that 200 tires are 20mm wider than 180's, which they aren't.
Also, according to the rattlebars link, the 200 Metzeler starts life with only 6.5 mm tread depth, opposed to the 180 with 9mm. With the pinched profile on a 5" rim, that would probably give a 200 half the life of a 180.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,36351.msg339154.html#msg339154

FWIW, I have Bridgestone Exedra's front and rear on both my 97's, they're OK, a reasonable compromise between grip and life imo.

Sure not what you'd want to hear!

***

  No, exactly what I wanted to hear.  thanks for info.  I have liked the 180 Avon that now needs replacement, so will get the same.  Have had good mileage and good handling.  Thanks for info guys.