Finally Avon Cobra Chrome Tires

[Chrisj CMA]

After well over 20,000 miles my front tire is close enough to the wear bars I can replace it. Two brand new Cobra Chrome tires goin on next week



The rear is still good for many miles but it's technically the spare. So I cleaned up the main wheel and both will get changed out at once

[Jess from VA]

It never happens for me, but getting two new ties at one time provides a wonderful riding experience.  

If I ever got 20K from a front, I'd have a heart attack.  On the Valk, I've never made 10K. 

[Chrisj CMA]

It never happens for me, but getting two new ties at one time provides a wonderful riding experience.  

If I ever got 20K from a front, I'd have a heart attack.  On the Valk, I've never made 10K. 

This will be the first time on this bike for me. I'm excited

[..]

If I ever got 20K from a front, I'd have a heart attack.  On the Valk, I've never made 10K. 

[Chrisj CMA]

If I ever got 20K from a front, I'd have a heart attack.  On the Valk, I've never made 10K. 

And I would have one if I had to replace tires that often

[h13man]

I'm @ 16,000 on my front Cobra running balance beads. Best I got up to this point was 15,000 on BS Exedras w/o beads. This is usually when I change both but the rear Cobra is done @ 11,000 mi. Just put on the new rear BS night before last. I installed Redeye urethane shock bushings 5 yrs. ago and all were good except one on the RH lower shock. Its smashed and crumbling thus I contacted Rich Byrne and he's replacing the whole set for $5 shipping included. He mentioned that early production they had this issue from time to time. Replaced the rear pads, cleaned the coolant tank, and ordered a 12 oz. bag of beads from O'Reilly's.

FWIW I tried using a 45 degree valve stem on the rear for easier filling but it made it a worse situation by putting the end closer to the wheel thus back to 90 degree one. Would probably work on 1100 Spirit type wheels but a 1100 Sabre might have an issue as they are similar to a Valk's wheel.

[Chrisj CMA]

I truly believe the big difference in mileage is a regional thing. Areas where traction is more critical must have rough roads compared to areas that have straighter flatter roads. If I got less than 20,000 on either the front or the back it would be the first time. Well the D-206 original tires didn't make 10,000 but Dunlop Elite then E-3 Dunlop's and now Avon Cobra and Cobra Chrome have all delivered over 20,000 miles.

[Chrisj CMA]

Stayed up late last night removing both wheels. Got the rear end service knocked out cleaned and greased everything. Wheels and tires loaded in the truck. Leaving to have them mounted in a bit here. It's a rainy day so the test ride will have to wait but nothing better than pampering the fat gurl on a rainy day

[h13man]

Went and scuffed mine in last evening. Now that I'm running balance beads on both ends, this is smoothest she ever rode. Of course new tires always ride better but the front used Cobra and the new rear Exedra really making me feel a little giddy.   This is the 1st. time trying to do my own swap which ended up coming off with my tool of choice, the ever so versatile Saw All. That being said off to my installer to mount it and dispose of the old tire for $23. H rated steel belted radials are no longer going to be attempted to be installed by this ole' curmudgeon.  

[mello dude]

Hi - can you give like a 4000 mark ride reports on the Avon's once you get there?
I think those are my next tire set.....

- a bit of a request... can you add Avon Chrome in your first post title? It helps on the bookmarks.

Thxz 

[Chrisj CMA]

Hi - can you give like a 4000 mark ride reports on the Avon's once you get there?
I think those are my next tire set.....

- a bit of a request... can you add Avon Chrome in your first post title? It helps on the bookmarks.

Thxz 

Ok I'll post a pic today with zero mikes and then at 4,000 and then at 20,000

[Chrisj CMA]

Both tires mounted and balanced for $20 each and now they are ready to roll. I guess the cobra bike just got a little more cobra.

I'll add some pictures for mello dude right here in a minute

[Chrisj CMA]

The rain let up enough to do a shake down ride. Boy Howdy the old girl can dance with her new shoes. And, they are much quieter than the old ones.  It's like power steering. I'll gradually work into leaning all the way so no unintentional sliding takes place. So far, I see them as an upgrade.

[sixlow]

Jeff, I think I see a greasy smudge inside the left exhaust tip !    C'mon man 

[Chrisj CMA]

Jeff, I think I see a greasy smudge inside the left exhaust tip !    C'mon man 

I'll go inspect. Lol

[msb]

My Avons will last through this season, I am hoping for some decent pricing on new Chromes sometime before I replace them before next Spring. There is no better riding feeling than having both front and rear tires brand spankin' new at the same time. I can remember only one time that I've replaced both tires on the Valk at the same time, and that was for my ride to Morgantown WV Inzane. That glorious feeling lasted for days before I got used to it.

[mello dude]

Thanks Chris! 

[Chrisj CMA]

Jeff, I think I see a greasy smudge inside the left exhaust tip !    C'mon man  

Good catch. Small smudge I guess from putting the wheel on. Can't have that right

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok as requested. My cobra chrome tires have 5,000 mikes on them.

[Avanti]

Is that a shadow line on the rear or a wear line?

[Chrisj CMA]

Is that a shadow line on the rear or a wear line?

It's mostly a shadow. I just went and looked real close. There's a faint hint of a flat spot starting but the lighting makes it look worse.

BTW. These tires still ride like a dream. Smooth, quiet and great traction wet or dry

[Avanti]

Yes, cobras are my favorite. If the saying "you get what you pay for" still holds true then these days you get a lot.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok y'all. Just happened to check the calendar. Yep the Avon Chromes are right at 10,000 miles now. Half way done and still look good

[H*GLEG]

I thought they were great, Rear lasted 8K.  Front had 10K.

[Chrisj CMA]

Well 12K is it for the rear. Took a 3" nail and plugging is not working. Was easily good for another 10K

[f6john]

Take that puppy off and repair from the inside! What tire pressures are you running? I've got a new front Cobra for my Valkyrie waiting to be mounted when the bike is running again.

Also what balance method are you using?

[Chrisj CMA]

Take that puppy off and repair from the inside! What tire pressures are you running? I've got a new front Cobra for my Valkyrie waiting to be mounted when the bike is running again.

Also what balance method are you using?

Ya. I was going to get it patched but Judy talked me into buying a new one. I use the normal stick on weights and 42lbs. 40 in the front

[Jess from VA]

You could get it patched anyway and keep it as a standby.  (if the remaining tread is worth it)

Just as a part of randomness of life, I now happen to have both bikes with new tires at the same time (it's a miracle).     (well, 10K on one car tire is almost like new)

New Michelin CrossClimate2 (Grand Touring All-Season) on the other bike.



So far, this is a great tire.

[Avanti]

I found a 1/4 inch bolt in my rear tire on one of my trips in early 2022. I was able to plug it and finish my last 1100 miles home. Fortunately it did not leak. It is no longer on my bike even though it had a lot of tread left. I do not want to be thinking about my tires when I am traveling.

[Jess from VA]

The car tire I just had swapped for the Michelin picked up a big nail at the last Roanoke VA Inzane.  I rode it home from Roanoke (4 hours) with the nail still in it (only added air once).  

It was stringy plugged, glued and clipped by an expert (not me).  No inside patch; if you're going to take it off the bike and the wheel, you might as well go with a new tire.  That car tire had lots of good tread, and the nail/plug was nicely captured in the tread.  I rode that tire for 4 more years without a loss of pressure (other than temp changes and sitting) or any other trouble.  I paid real close attention to it for the first few months, then forgot about it.

4 years later, it still had decent tread, but it went in the shop for other work, and it was time for a new tire... and a rear end service.  

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok my bike is all back together. Spare wheel/tire installed. All new oil, grease, 0-rings. Even new rear brake pads and brake fluid. Splines still perfect but the dampeners were shot. Should be good for awhile now.

This drive train has right around 100,000 miles on them

[Jess from VA]

but the dampeners were shot.

Jeff, were those dampers OE rubber, or aftermarket polyurethane?

My poly dampers just disintegrated in both bikes, after about 12-13 years of good service.   

[Chrisj CMA]

but the dampeners were shot.

Jeff, were those dampers OE rubber, or aftermarket polyurethane?

My poly dampers just disintegrated in both bikes, after about 12-13 years of good service.   

They were OEM, the new kind previously only for interstates. But it's all good I have a few sets on hand.

[Valkorado]

You could get it patched anyway and keep it as a standby.  (if the remaining tread is worth it)

Just as a part of randomness of life, I now happen to have both bikes with new tires at the same time (it's a miracle).     (well, 10K on one car tire is almost like new)

New Michelin CrossClimate2 (Grand Touring All-Season) on the other bike.



So far, this is a great tire.

Nice looking tire.  What size are you running?

[Jess from VA]

What size are you running?

The regular 205 60.  I like them fat. 

I may not get the 37K the Goodyear Assurance Tripletread (no longer made) gave, but I hope so. 

[Valkorado]

What size are you running?

The regular 205 60.  I like them fat. 

I may not get the 37K the Goodyear Assurance Tripletread (no longer made) gave, but I hope so. 

[RNFWP]

Ok my bike is all back together. Spare wheel/tire installed. All new oil, grease, 0-rings. Even new rear brake pads and brake fluid. Splines still perfect but the dampeners were shot. Should be good for awhile now.

This drive train has right around 100,000 miles on them

I've done rear end service on my Valk quit a few times now, however, when I first started (2014) I found your slideshow on the shoptalk page and printed it out and used it like a manual. It was great with all the photos. I've since learned a couple more tricks to help with that task but I've always wanted to say thanks for taking the time to put that together and sharing it with the rest of us.

If you keep after that final drive like you have... it looks like it will last a lifetime. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok my bike is all back together. Spare wheel/tire installed. All new oil, grease, 0-rings. Even new rear brake pads and brake fluid. Splines still perfect but the dampeners were shot. Should be good for awhile now.

This drive train has right around 100,000 miles on them

I've done rear end service on my Valk quit a few times now, however, when I first started (2014) I found your slideshow on the shoptalk page and printed it out and used it like a manual. It was great with all the photos. I've since learned a couple more tricks to help with that task but I've always wanted to say thanks for taking the time to put that together and sharing it with the rest of us.

If you keep after that final drive like you have... it looks like it will last a lifetime. 

Thanks, and You're welcome. It's good to know that slide show is being so helpful

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok so the rear is new but the front now has 17,250 miles. I took the picture of more left side than right because the left side wears more. I think there's a good 5,000 miles left on this tire.

[Chrisj CMA]

Wow, just checked the dates. Can that be correct, says I started this post four years ago?!?!  Seems like one or two. And.... That means I'm averaging just a little over 4,000 miles a year now. At one time I was doing 10,000 in a year.