Avon cobra side wall buldge, Note, Avon Customer service.

[BigM]

Riding my valk. Have a Avon Cobra frt tire w/ 3/4 tread left .Noticed while riding the frt felt heavy in the turns. Pulled over and a bulge as a broken belt appeared on the side wall. Limped home and took pics of it.  (Heres the kicker) Talked to Avon, Mark warranty mgr. He said that I have to take bk. to where i bought the tire. Well, it was on the bike when I bought it. I told him that it being a Avon tire they should make it up anyway. He said they dont have tires there or could, (wtf).  That the tires come from overseas. To me to take it to my local dealer and show them. So i did, they said of course that if they didnt sell it that they are not responsible. As i thought. And that they would run the tire. WOW. So, I called Avon mark bk. He said send him some pics. i did. He said dont run that tire. But, still since no receipt on tire just have to go to other dealers and see if they will make it up,  B.S..  So no more Avons. I did like them in the past but POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE killed that.  What ya think???

[old2soon]

Trust me when I say I KNOW bout that no receipt thingy. THAT be the knife in the heart. Til I located-finally-the receipt for the tires on my cage from wally wurld they were less than interested in ANY warranty stuff. Mayhaps the prior owner has the tire receipt you need? Is that an option? Would you be able to track that tire with or if it has a serial number? I KNOW motorsickle tires ain't cheap. The bulge does indicate a compromise of the structural integrity of the tire. DO NOT ride it. Good luck on your quest. RIDE SAFE.

[Gryphon Rider]

Few companies warranty their products to second-hand owners.  I wouldn't hold it against them.

Per http://www.avonmoto.com/warranty/standard-warranty/:

Avon Motorcycle Tyres Standard Limited Warranty

Every first quality tire bearing our name and serial number and not branded “NA”, or “DA” for BLEM tires, and not used for racing, is warranted to be free of defects in workmanship and material during the life of the original tread design. Original tread life is completed when the tire is worn to 2 remaining 32nds (1.5mm). Avon Motorcycle Tyres recommend tires should be used within 5 years of the manufacturing date on the tire. Tire should then be removed after a total of 7 years from the manufacturing date. Tires beyond this date will not be warranteed. If, upon presentation of a tire, our examination shows a tire is eligible for adjustment credit under the terms of the warranty, we will make a reasonable allowance on the purchase of a new tire based on the current “Suggested Retail Price”. Any such allowance will be based on the tread wear remaining as set forth in the adjustment policy available from the company. This warranty is made for the exclusive benefit of the original owner actually using these products, is not assignable, and no claim will be recognized unless submitted on our standard claim form duly filled out and signed by the owner, dealer, or distributor. This warranty does not in any way extend to any consequential damages or losses. There is no other warranty, or liability, expressed or implied, applicable to these products. No representative has the authority to make any representation, promise, or agreement except as stated herein. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply.
 This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

[BigM]

 This warranty is made for the exclusive benefit of the original owner actually using these products, is not assignable, and no claim will be
i guess the orig. owner part knocks that in the head. That sucks as the tire defaulted at 1/4 wear. Good thing i stopped when i did was on the slab when felt the hard turning. It has the avon name so that should be enough. Oh well went with a Dunlop 404 on the frt. Never liked Dunlop but its doing good. Wont put anymore avons on any of mine.

[MarkT]

I've been running Bridgestone Batlax BT45 rear tires on the front of my Valks and wing for some time.  Get good wear and never a problem so far.  I used to run Cobras but the BT45's have more tread and wear longer.  No delams or complaints yet.  But I'd guess nearly all the tire makers have similar warranty policies as Avon. I've made no claims so no experience on that.

[FarmerRick]

Pretty tough to warranty something like that. Could have been caused by a large pothole or curb... Likely didn't happen all by itself but by a damaging impact of some sort.  Hard to tell...  At least you caught it before you had an accident.

A tire is a lot cheaper than a stay in the hospital and fixing a wrecked bike!!

[Jess from VA]

It was the number of delaminations and other build defects that made me always buy Metzler over Avon back when there were Venoms.  I've not read of such high numbers with the newer Cobras, but still avoiding Avons.

[Roidfingers]

I've been running Bridgestone Batlax BT45 rear tires on the front of my Valks and wing for some time.  Get good wear and never a problem so far.  I used to run Cobras but the BT45's have more tread and wear longer.  No delams or complaints yet.  But I'd guess nearly all the tire makers have similar warranty policies as Avon. I've made no claims so no experience on that.

MarkT, what size you running that battlexe on front. I have the 130 I think.

[MarkT]

I've been running Bridgestone Batlax BT45 rear tires on the front of my Valks and wing for some time.  Get good wear and never a problem so far.  I used to run Cobras but the BT45's have more tread and wear longer.  No delams or complaints yet.  But I'd guess nearly all the tire makers have similar warranty policies as Avon. I've made no claims so no experience on that.

MarkT, what size you running that battlexe on front. I have the 130 I think.

Yeah it's 130/90.

[sandy]

I've had numerous venoms and cobras. Never a problem. It could be that pressures caused the internal overheating and belt failure. Keep cobras at 42F and 46R and they'll last a long time and handle great.

[Firefighter]

I have always used Avon except for the rear (darkside) and one time I tried a Metzler, which was out of round and so I went back to Avon. Keep about 40 psi in the tire and barring any punctures it will probably last till wore out.

[Jruby38]

Dillon Reloading equipment is warranted for life no mater who bought it.

[Houdini]

Dillon Reloading equipment is warranted for life no mater who bought it.

Who cares, unless they make a front tire that fits a Valk?

[BigM]

Finally got a reply from Avon warranty rep. Says take the tire to a dealer. Then have them call him. I did to local honda dealer. The dealer dont sell Avon because of so many problems. But can get one as a favor for my business. So avon rep tells them to sell me one and then send the tire to a distributor. Have them look at it and poss. get half on new one. o.k. well. The cost to send to the dist is 30. I have to pay.Dealer wants me to  pay 265. for a tiire, taxes and mount and bal. Then the dist. may pay half the price if agree. O.k. if pay half is 132. then tax, then 30. est. 175.      Guess what i can buy a new one on line for 165. total. So no favors from this B.S.

[Keitho]

Avon has has Valkyrie sized tire troubles for years, they just won't admit it!
Once you experience sudden premature tire failure at highway speeds, you get a different perspective of Avon tires.
I haven't bought Avon tires since, out of respect for my kids!
https://youtu.be/cxk1nZuLVuQ
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,44766.0.html

[Grumpy]

Takes calling the right person at Avon, I have had one out of round and one separation, both times sent pictures and all the asked was to take a razor knife and cut the serial out and mail it to them with a copy of the receipt.  they replaced both tires at no cost.  I still run them on the front.