Avon Tire Warranty(BEWARE)

[Tourus]

     Last December I bought an Avon Cobra tire for the rear of my Tourer. It cost me $284 installed from a local Motorcycle shop on hiway 19 in Spring Hill, fl. 34608. They made a big deal out of the 15,000 mile warranty and the road hazard warranty which gives you a free replacement tire if tire is damaged due to anything puncturing the tire. I got a screw in the tire so I called them and they switched me over to the parts manager. I told him that I had gotten a screw in it, but after reading the warranty it said covered for first millimeter of wear. I told him that I did not know how much wear was on it and he replied, is it to the wear mark indicator? I answered no so he said then your good I then told him that I had not tried to remove the screw to see if it would leak and he said don't even bother I'm ordering you a new tire, all we do is take a picture of it. The new tire arrives Wednesday June 22n/d and is going to be installed the 23r/d. so I show up at the motorcycle shop on hiway 19 in Spring Hill, Fl. 34608 that has some junky used bikes out front but sells new bikes inside. I go in and give the parts manager the warranty and he immediately says oh I don't know how this works I will have to let Dave handle it. I sit down in front of Dave and look at a few magazine and Dave goes in the back where my bike is and when he returns he says the way this works is I have to pay for the installation and I replied that's fine. So now the tire is installed and its time to pay and Dave says I need to go check something and comes back and says we have a problem. I measured the tread depth on the new tire and it is 9 millimeters, your tire has 4.5 millimeters so the warranty does not apply. I explained to him that I told his parts manager about the 1 millimeter wear and he said it did not matter as long as it was not down to the wear indicator mark I was good. The parts manager was standing right there but let Dave tell me how his parts manager was confused and did not understand where the 1 millimeter was measured from. Now Dave says all he can do is sell me the tire at cost, and we have very little mark up because we have to compete with the internet. My friend that was with me said can you adjust the labor charge and Dave said no that would be taking money away from the mechanic. (I DON'T BELIEF THE MECHANIC WAS PAID $60 for changing the tire DAVE) so instead of causing a big argument and getting my bike back with possible damage I paid them. I told DAVE, had I known what he was going to pull on me I might have just had the tire plugged or patched or considered going to the Darkside. I then ask Dave what the 15,000 mile warranty covered and he said let me see, got on the computer acted like he was reading and then said "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT COVERS". If you would like to call Dave and find out what he knows about tire warranties or any other problems you are having the number is (352)596-8028. but before you deal with the motorcycle shop located on 19 in Spring Hill, Florida you might want to think about my experience. I did tip the mechanic $10,poor guy is working for Dave that has got to suck. I also went back the next day and got my tire back, did not have to see Dave or "PARTS MANAGER" At 65 I should have known better. I've moved on, got new tire, got old tire, and got to meet DAVE.

[Gavin_Sons]

Dave sounds like a real stand up guy. 

[Oss]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtDAK7Umk7A

Dave's not here

[The emperor has no clothes]

You handled it better than I probably would have.

[Tourus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtDAK7Umk7A

Dave's not here

Unfortunately Dave was there

[Rams]

http://www.avonmoto.com/warranty/road-hazard-warranty

Road Hazard Warranty

We won’t let a flat tire leave you feeling down

You’ve recently bought a set of Avon tires, but then you get a puncture or accidentally damage it. Life seems so unfair.

Here at Avon we understand your frustration. This is why we’ll replace your recently purchased Avon tires for no charge if the damage to it is accidental or you get a puncture.

Of course, there are one or two other conditions. The Avon Road Hazard Warranty is valid up to the first 1mm of tread depth expended, per tire purchased, and you’ll need to fill in the form on the back of this leaflet and have it endorsed by your tire dealer when you buy your Avon tires. Everything else you need to know is detailed in the ‘Terms and Conditions’.

Why are we being so generous? Because we believe that our tires are excellent high performance motorcycle tires and we’d like you to have the time to find that out for yourself. And if that means replacing your damaged or punctured tire for no charge, we think it’s a price worth paying.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
•This warranty applies to all Avon tires, purchased in the USA or Canada under the Avon Road Hazard Warranty scheme. It is limited to one ‘no charge’ replacement tire per purchase. The Road Hazard Warranty expressly excludes non-DOT race tires.
•This warranty is valid up to the first 1mm of tread depth expended. The tread depth is measured on the center groove of the tire for the first 1mm of wear.
•Claims can be honored by any participating Avon tire dealer in the USA or Canada. Claims must be accompanied by a fully completed original certificate of fitment and invoice (as can be found on the back of this leaflet), issued at the time of purchase. The tire must also have been balanced and have been fitted with a new valve where necessary.
•This warranty covers normal road use only. Incorrect inflation, off-road use, racing and deliberate or malicious damage will invalidate the warranty.
•Applies to the original purchaser and is non-transferable.
•Does not cover rapid or uneven wear caused by motorcycle defects.
•If the tire is removed or repaired by a non-approved company or individual the warranty will be declared invalid.
•Damage incurred while fitting or removing the tire isn’t covered by the terms of the warranty.
•When all other conditions have been met, Avon Tyres will provide to the participating dealer a ‘no charge’ replacement Avon in the same model as purchased – all you will pay for is refitting, rebalancing and new valve.
•This warranty program is effective for a period of one year from date of purchase.
•Except for the express warranties set forth in this “Limited Warranty”, all other warranties, conditions, representations, promises, guarantees, covenants or collateral agreements, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, relating to the tire or any services provided in relation thereto are excluded to the extent permitted by law.
•AVON DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Some states do not allow exclusion of incidental or consequential damages so this limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. We won’t let a flat tire leave you feeling down
•This Warranty gives you special rights and purchasers in the USA and Canada may also have other rights, which vary from state to state and or from province to province.
•No employee, dealer, distributor or representative has authority to make any statement, commitment, promise or agreement binding upon Avon, except as stated herein.
•Proper vehicle and tire care is necessary to obtain the expected wear from a tire. It is your obligation to properly maintain your tires and the vehicle upon which they are mounted, including (A) operating your tires at the inflation pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and (B) keeping your tire/wheel assemblies in balance.


I guess it depends on whether or not you paid for a Road Hazard warranty, if it was free with the tire then, in my opinion you were either mislead or not listening close enough when and if that was discussed as a selling point.   If you paid for a Road Hazard Warranty, then it was a big rip off IMHO.   Not much of a warranty. 1mm isn't all that much wear.   Just my 2 cents worth of opinion.   Personally, I'd blame the shop I purchased from, myself or Avon.   Unless, you feel you were mislead, then I'd be really pissed and make sure Dave heard about it from every biker I ever knew.   

It didn't sound like you let Dave know you were unhappy with being mislead, I surely hope you let them know in person.   They'll only become better if they know you're going to bad mouth them.     Additionally, was Dave's shop a participating AVON Dealer?   Seems like there are several "catches" (or "got ya's) in that warranty.

[Mr Whiskey]

Wow!
If it's already on the bike before I'm informed the warranty doesn't apply then we got 3 possible options...
1)Shop eats tire, I pay install & tip mechanic.
2)Reinstall old tire & get it to hold air (you rode it in right?) & I pay shop nothing (but take extremely good care of mechanic for the trouble).
3)Dave wouldn't enjoy option 3 (& I'd pay bail).

Sorry to hear you got "Dave'd" but you handled it in a much more mature manner than I probably would have.
Thanks for headz up about the motorcycle shop on hiway 19 in Spring Hill, fl. 34608. I'll keep a lookout for Dave

[Tourus]

   Dave knew I was not happy but business must really be bad and he will do what ever it takes to make a buck. His shop is a participating member of the hazardous warranty program, even gave me another hazardous warranty for the new tire. He should have measured the tread depth of my tire before they changed the tire not after. His parts manager should have manned up and admitted that he told me the 1 millimeter thing didn't matter as long as it was not worn past the wear indicator mark. Dave actually told me he was giving me a break because he had raised the cost of installation to $70 but since I paid $60 the first time he would only charge me $60(GEE THANKS DAVE). I called the day before I went and ask if I would be charged a installation fee and was told that the PARTS MANAGER was off that day and he did not know, he said that is between you and the Parts Manager, and then went ahead and scheduled me to come in @9:30 the next day. When you say it seems like I did not let Dave know I was upset, Dave knew I was pissed, but at 65 with 40% of my heart working and the other 60% depending on my pacemaker I have learned to control my emotions. DAVE IS A DICK and I will let others know it if they haven't already heard. Not the end of my world or Dave's, just bad for business at DAVE's WORLD. 1 millimeter could be worn off in a few days, AVON really has a lot of confidence in that COBRA. 1 MILLIMETER OF CONFIDENCE, I dare any other tire manufacture to stick their neck out like that.

[Robert]

1mm of tread depth expended

That is nothing and the shop should have seen this and I agree with Whiskey on 2 options.
 
I am also surprised Avon has been a good tire for me and they did replace one that was defective. Shame they have to resort to this kind of sham.

[Rams]

TOURUS5/17,
You reacted better than I would have.  My hat's off to you.   You are also taking an appropriate action based on what's you've stated but, I would make sure Dave and the tire manufacturer knew I was "telling the world" about the service and warranty.

I agree, 1 mm isn't squat for a warranty.

[cookiedough]

what tire mfg. has a 15,000 mile warranty = NONE since iffy to get 10-12K on rear Avon Cobra tire in my experience.

I'd be having service at that stealer paying ALL for the new Avon tire since NO word FIRST BEFORE doing the install on NO warranty can be done on it and ONLY pay for labor.  If he disagrees, then get owner of stealer and fight it and tell him sorry,  wasn't informed upfront so put my old tire back on and keep your new Avon for some other sucker.  If they don't like it,  they can lump it I would NEVER pay period since is unethical and totally in the wrong for sure.  What they gonna do about it?  They could take it to court and am sure any judge would side on your favor for sure.  At the very least split the cost of new tire in 1/2 plus labor charge would be TOPS I would pay.  

Remember,  stealers are in it to make money.  I would never buy my tires from a stealer unless they can match online pricing which they won't do around me, not even close to it.   Problem is then they jack up the labor charge to install NOT buying the tires from them so try to find a decent stealer who will do it for normal labor charge.

1mm is basically less than 1/2 a season (if that, not even) of riding so what good is a warranty at all to be honest besides the first 1-2 months of driving on a new tire is about it.

I personally won't be getting an Avon Cobra rear tire next time since mine only lasted 9-10K miles before dozens of tiny pinholes all over the tread leaking air out slowly due to small chip seal pea gravel roads all around me being small, sharp rocks doing the damage.  I went Shinko SE890 on rear for 125 bucks vs. 175 bucks or so for the Avon Cobra and am expecting another 9-10K out of that for 50 bucks less.    

Not so sure what I want for front tire next since my Avon Cobra on it now is pushing 5 years and guessing 14K miles on it so best be looking, maybe will last until next spring??  Never had a flat front or rear tire but guessing a blowout on the front tire can be 10x's worse than a rear tire blowout?

[The emperor has no clothes]

  Dave knew I was not happy but business must really be bad and he will do what ever it takes to make a buck. His shop is a participating member of the hazardous warranty program, even gave me another hazardous warranty for the new tire. He should have measured the tread depth of my tire before they changed the tire not after. His parts manager should have manned up and admitted that he told me the 1 millimeter thing didn't matter as long as it was not worn past the wear indicator mark. Dave actually told me he was giving me a break because he had raised the cost of installation to $70 but since I paid $60 the first time he would only charge me $60(GEE THANKS DAVE). I called the day before I went and ask if I would be charged a installation fee and was told that the PARTS MANAGER was off that day and he did not know, he said that is between you and the Parts Manager, and then went ahead and scheduled me to come in @9:30 the next day. When you say it seems like I did not let Dave know I was upset, Dave knew I was pissed, but at 65 with 40% of my heart working and the other 60% depending on my pacemaker I have learned to control my emotions. DAVE IS A DICK and I will let others know it if they haven't already heard. Not the end of my world or Dave's, just bad for business at DAVE's WORLD. 1 millimeter could be worn off in a few days, AVON really has a lot of confidence in that COBRA. 1 MILLIMETER OF CONFIDENCE, I dare any other tire manufacture to stick their neck out like that.

I'm with you. It's shitty business on his part. At this point just warn everyone you know about the place.

[Oss]

not to defend the crappy service but a 1mm warranty would have saved many on this board who have run over a nail on the way home from getting that new tire

I think I have heard many stories of members who had that sad experience. 

1mm measured at center should be somewhere around 1000 miles if you ride the sides of the tires like whisky   

Anyway seems like one more reason to go car tire to me
Oss

Waiting for this damn E3 to wear out so I can put my austone on

[Mr Whiskey]

1mm measured at center should be somewhere around 1000 miles if you ride the sides of the tires like whisky   

Flattery will get you.....EVERYWHERE
Crank it & bank it baby!

[..]

1 mm.

A lot of us here can wear that out in a blink, a heart beat etc etc.

Stupid warranty aimed at those willing to be sold to.

If it sound too good to be true....................................................

[Jess from VA]

Here's the deal.  How can anybody square 15,000 miles and 1MM of tread depth?  Titanium tires would probably suck.  The only way this works is if you load the bike on a trailer and drive it around 14,000 miles, then get off and ride the bike and get a flat (or something) before the next 1000 miles (if it doesn't burn a MM before going a K).    

This sounds just like some kind of government program for people who actually work.

I'm glad you got the old one back; get it repaired and ride it to the wear bars. They usually charge you a fee to dispose of your tire; if they did, get your two bucks back.  LOL

What I would do, is copy-paste your post, word for word, to HQ Avon in an email (never a phone call), and ask them if they think you were treated fairly.  Tell them you posted this to a nationwide Valk forum with thousands of members who likely ride Cobras more than any other brand.  Costs you nothing.  More blame on the dealer here than Avon, but you never know if you don't try.  Even if you get nothing, Dave may get some hate mail from Avon and at least that might be worth a giggle.

 

[wiggydotcom]

What I would do, is copy-paste your post, word for word, to HQ Avon in an email (never a phone call), and ask them if they think you were treated fairly.  Tell them you posted this to a nationwide Valk forum with thousands of members who likely ride Cobras more than any other brand.  Costs you nothing.  More blame on the dealer here than Avon, but you never know if you don't try.  Even if you get nothing, Dave may get some hate mail from Avon and at least that might be worth a giggle.

 

I like this idea of letting Avon Corporate know how you got treated. The dealer should have done all their due diligence BEFORE mounting your tire. That's BS that they did that first, expecting they then had you over a barrel.
I for one would be willing to sign any petition stating I won't be buying their tires any more until this situation is resolved--PROPERLY!

[Rams]

Use the tools they give you.

Contact Us

Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America
 4600 Prosper Drive
 Stow, OH 44224-1038
 Phone: (800) 624-7470 or (330) 928-9092
 Fax: (330) 928-0503

Sales
 Phone: (800) 624-7470 or (330) 928-9092
 Fax: (330) 928-0503
 Or E-Mail: info@avonmoto.com


Technical
 Phone: (800) 624-7470

It's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, I'd be squeaking my butt off if it were me.   Be sure to let them know that you're passing the word around via the internet.   I'm sure they get that threat all the time but, it's about all you've got.

[cookiedough]

Warranty claims get taken care of iffy at best more in favor of mfg. over the consumer, especially on stuff like tires and ATV's, etc. that take abuse from normal wear and tear, etc. 

I bought a new youth 90cc ATV that although ONLY had a 6 month warranty,  the next spring I changed oil after only 5-6 trips in that 6 months just 'out of' 6 month warranty the next spring and first time out,  it blew an engine seal.  Can am dealer where I bought it from never submitted a warranty claim stating I overfilled the crankcase by 1-2 ounces blowing the gasket seal dripping oil.  I said B.S. since owners manual states 1.2 qts. so I ONLY put in 1 qt. even  and was just about, if that, 1 ounce over the dipstick level tops, just a smidge above is all maybe 1/4" above where it was, if that.   I demanded Can am dealer to go to bat for me and at least pay for the gasket seal of 20 bucks or so and I will pay the 1 hour labor charge.  I know 20 bucks is not much, but Can Am from Canada did honor the part, but not the labor.  Something is better than nothing and best to ask cannot hurt. 

[Tourus]

     As far as I know the tire was ordered from Avon as a replacement. Dave may have got the tire as a replacement at no cost, just a possibility no proof. Took a picture of my tire to send to Avon and then charged me. The Parts Manager told me to bring it in for replacement even after I ask him about that 1 millimeter limit, and like I stated earlier told me not to even try to remove the screw. He ask me where the screw was located and I told him it was off center to the left. That's when he told me all they will do is take a picture of the location and he was ordering the new one. Does anyone measure the depth of the tread on a new tire, then check for wear every time you ride. If its an Avon Cobra then maybe you should. You may only have to check it a few times, then you can tear that warranty up and move on. It looks real good I signed it, They signed it,dated it, and stamped it and told me to make sure I didn't loose it. I would have been better off if I had lost it. The other thing is the hazard warranty that looks so good is on one sheet of paper and then all the details is on second sheet with a list on reasons not to honor warranty.

Ride safe and measure your tread   ii < that might be 1 millimeter
Size really does matter

[PAVALKER]

I believe that warranty is provided at no additional charge by Avon, as a courtesy to bikers.  Hell, you already pay too damn much for a bike tire that doesn't last as long as it should so they use that so called warranty as a sales technique.  You may not have paid for that warranty specifically, but we all have just by buying those tires.

Dave screwed you, not Avon.  I have never tipped someone for changing a tire.....that is what I paid for to begin with.  Tips are for service above and beyond .....and they didn't do anything for you that was above and beyond what you over paid for already IMO.

I always question service advisors, managers and techs and make the terms of the service and warranty work clear before they do anything.   Once had a car dealership fail my car on state inspection for a staple in the rear tire and a slight edge tear on wiper blades.  They wanted to pull tire and patch it on the inside.....and only charge me 300 bucks to remove/repair/replace.  I suggested pulling the staple knowing it would not leak, but they didn't want me do it in their garage.  I told him where else could be a better place to do so....in the event the air leaked out.  They also wanted to charge me 50 bucks to change wipers.  I had a spare set sitting on the shelf at home.  Needless to say... before I pulled out of the garage, I pulled the staples with my pocket knife showed the service advisor, then drove  it home,  changed the wipers and took it right back.  The service advisor seemed surprised and said I thought you were going to call and reschedule.  I said I tried to call you, didn't get an answer and figured it was best to come back right away so you and the mechanic had these issues fresh in your memory and didn't have to waste our time re-inspecting all over.   Damn crooks.   The car only had 5k miles on it in the last 5 years. 

Last time for them as I'm sure it might your last time for that bike shop.

In the future I'd suggest you get yourself a Stop-n-Go tire plugging kit.  At home if you pull the screw and it doesn't leak...no problem, if it leaks you have the plug kit and more money in your pocket you didn't have to give the stealer.

[Rams]

Don't know (actually doubt) if it will do any good but, I copied and pasted your story into an email and sent it to the listed email address.   Informed them that the Valkyrie community tended to stick together and that this story was being circulated.   Also informed them that I would not be putting any Avon tires on my Valkyrie.   

Hope it helps your cause but, I doubt it will.   If we don't stick together and complain/take some kind of action, this kind of crap will never stop.   Hopefully, Avon will correct the situation or at least get the dealer straightened out.

[Misfit]

I will still run Avons. How is a nail or screw in your tire Avons fault. If they were to charge me something over and above the cost of the tire for that warranty it would make a difference. If they are offering a free replacement within the first mm what are the chances. I still like there tires and will be responsible for my own flats. Sorry Dave was a jerk but it had nothing to do with Avon. Ron, don't speak for me and you shouldn't be speaking for the rest of the group either. Who appointed you our liaison? 

[Rams]

Ron, don't speak for me and you shouldn't be speaking for the rest of the group either. Who appointed you our liaison?  

I thought I might get this reaction.   Don't worry, I won't speak for you.

IMHO, if you or anyone else is going to gripe on the world wide web about something, the entity you're griping about should be informed but, you're correct.   The offended person is the one who should be the one doing the griping.  

The rest of the story though is that, his one gripe won't make any impact and showing support might actually help him or others.   Please correct me if I'm wrong but reading his initial post, I read that as informing us and actually inviting us to bitch to Dave or whoever.   Again, maybe I'm wrong.......  But, that is what I see.

[Willow]

I agree wholeheartedly with Misfit.

The issue was with how the dealer handled the tire replacement.

Avon generously offered a 1mm warranty to save the buyer from the unhappy experience of getting a flat on the way home very soon after buying a new tire.

The dealer relating that the warranty applied and then reneging was the issue.

[Rams]

I agree wholeheartedly with Misfit.

The issue was with how the dealer handled the tire replacement.

Avon generously offered a 1mm warranty to save the buyer from the unhappy experience of getting a flat on the way home very soon after buying a new tire.

The dealer relating that the warranty applied and then reneging was the issue.

I never doubted that you would agree with Misfit.

I also agree that the dealer was the problem.   

[Tourus]

I will still run Avons. How is a nail or screw in your tire Avons fault. If they were to charge me something over and above the cost of the tire for that warranty it would make a difference. If they are offering a free replacement within the first mm what are the chances. I still like there tires and will be responsible for my own flats. Sorry Dave was a jerk but it had nothing to do with Avon. Ron, don't speak for me and you shouldn't be speaking for the rest of the group either. Who appointed you our liaison? 
[/quote
  I'm not blaming Avon, when I called the shop I told them about the 1 millimeter hazard warranty and I was told that does not matter. I ask if I should make sure that the screw was causing a leak, the answer was no don't even touch it I'm ordering you a replacement tire. Did I do something wrong, if so what?

[Tourus]

   Guys, don't start making negative comments to each other. Dave is shady, and I will never go inside his shop again. I had heard negative things about the place before but sense I bought the original tire there I called about the screw. There was no maybe your covered, no I will look into it, nothing other than we will get you a free replacement tire. Dave may have got me but in the long run he will come out the loser. Thanks for your input.

[Steel cowboy]

Steve is a good friend of mine. He handled it alot better than I would of. If they would have mounted the tire before telling me of the new price then I would of told them to remount the old one and put the screw back in the proper hole. This particular dealer has had a bad reputation from others who have had them do work on their bikes too. The thought that they might have gotten the new tire as a Warranty replacement from Avon but charged Steve as a new replacement sounds like something Steve needs to find out about. Writting a letter to Avon and asking if it was a warranty or new replacement is what I would do. For the price of an Email Steve could find out the truth. I truely belive there was a rip off at the dealer involving Steve as the victim here. I go by what I hear and I have heard to many bad things about motorcycle dealers in this area to trust any off them.

[Tourus]

Don't know (actually doubt) if it will do any good but, I copied and pasted your story into an email and sent it to the listed email address.   Informed them that the Valkyrie community tended to stick together and that this story was being circulated.   Also informed them that I would not be putting any Avon tires on my Valkyrie.   

Hope it helps your cause but, I doubt it will.   If we don't stick together and complain/take some kind of action, this kind of crap will never stop.   Hopefully, Avon will correct the situation or at least get the dealer straightened out.

Thanks for taking the time to send it. I would have done it but don't know how. I don't expect anything as far as compensation from Avon they don't owe me anything, but Dave SUCKS

[Rams]

Don't know (actually doubt) if it will do any good but, I copied and pasted your story into an email and sent it to the listed email address.   Informed them that the Valkyrie community tended to stick together and that this story was being circulated.   Also informed them that I would not be putting any Avon tires on my Valkyrie.   

Hope it helps your cause but, I doubt it will.   If we don't stick together and complain/take some kind of action, this kind of crap will never stop.   Hopefully, Avon will correct the situation or at least get the dealer straightened out.

Thanks for taking the time to send it. I would have done it but don't know how. I don't expect anything as far as compensation from Avon they don't owe me anything, but Dave SUCKS

Just so we're clear, you didn't screw up, (with the exception of not realizing that some members here have clogged filters with open bypass valves).    Apparently, I need to replace my filter, the bypass valve appears to be open. 

[Tourus]

   Thanks STEEL COWBOY, you are one of a few that knew the whole story starting from when I got the screw in my tire, to me calling them. Everything I have posted is exactly what happened, nothing exaggerated. You know there reputation, I have heard good and bad probably more bad, but if you screw up more people are going to talk about that than if you did something good. In this case they screwed up. Unfortunately there are not that many bike shops to choose from.