Avon Viper

[terbang]

I have just fitted an Avon Viper Sport to the front end of me Bus. The rear is already an Avon. So far so good, so has any one else tried em?
I see Finn's mug in the latest KR magazine advertising them for Coro loops so they can't be all that bad... cant they?

[bugjuice]

I'm on me third pair.. still rubber side down.. can't be bad..

[The Stranger]

How many k's you get out of them buggy?

[bugjuice]

about ~3-5,000 for a rear and 8-10,000 for a front.. but I do dick around a lot trying wheelies etc. Could make them last more if I tried. How much did you get out of yours?

just thinking about it, on my third rear, second front coming up as soon as the bike is back on the road

[James Deuce]

They're bloody brilliant, wet or dry.

[The Stranger]

Stretched it to about 5,000 (rear) on the X11, but they were loosing bits at that stage.
If you go by the owners manual they probably should have been changed at 4,000.

Front is still on there at about 12,000 and should get another couple.

Just seem to wear pretty quick. They were new on the GSXR from LB and the rear is not looking the best right now. Got the bike 2 months ago and it has been off the road half of that time.

I am probably just a tight arse bastard I guess.

[Blackbird]

Have just checked on the UK Blackbird site as it's a reasonable comparison and the average seems to be just under 4000 km with some a lot less. I'd imagine this would apply to the 'busa!

[terbang]

Fair enough those Kays dont sound too bad. The origional Bridgestone BT56's on the Bus were just terrible tyres and the rear was shagged at 3500K's and the Front at 9000K's. The one on the rear (Azarro ST) is still going strong after 6500K's and performs fairly well.

[Clivoris]

Had em on my SV1000s. Liked them a lot. Thought about getting them again but am gonna give the Conti Sport Attacks a go.

[Scouse]

I think I'll stick to me Michelin Power Sports

[Hitcher]

And good on your vindows as vell.

[sAsLEX]

Got one on the front after Kerry suggested it, just havent been able to go on a decent ride yet! Left a big front wheel darkie the other day after locking the front whilst lane splitting! Much fun!

[bugjuice]

loosebruce got 1600kms out of his back tyre.. he treated it really really harsh, and a hard track day at puke.. so not too bad I guess!!

[Blackbird]

Fair enough those Kays dont sound too bad. The origional Bridgestone BT56's on the Bus were just terrible tyres and the rear was shagged at 3500K's and the Front at 9000K's. The one on the rear (Azarro ST) is still going strong after 6500K's and performs fairly well.

I have Azaro S/T's all round and they're a reasonable compromise between longevity and grip. I get a similar mileage to you. They have a deeper centre tread depth than many tyres which helps longevity. My front doesn't last much longer than the rear due to sidewall scrubbing so I always change them together. Hope that your Azaro is the "B" load rating which was developed especially for the heavier fast bikes like the 'busa and 'bird. I'm on my 3rd set now and they're fine for my needs.

I'd like a set of Vipers but 3 sets a year would draw unwelcome attention from Mrs B:nono:

[Fishy]

I had them on my CBR1000RR and found them and excellent tyre in the dry but completely crap in the wet. I ended up on the wrong side of the road twice with 2 wheeled slides on damp yes just damp roads not even completely wet. Would I by them again........ Nah.

[Lou Girardin]

I had ST's on the RF and thought they were OK. I thought that power slides at 110 k's were normal for such a 'powerful' bike. Then I tried Diablos and Z6's on the Bandit, more grunt, harder riding and neither let go once under power.
Vipers may be different, but I won't be finding out.

[Blackbird]

I had ST's on the RF and thought they were OK. I thought that power slides at 110 k's were normal for such a 'powerful' bike. Then I tried Diablos and Z6's on the Bandit, more grunt, harder riding and neither let go once under power.
Vipers may be different, but I won't be finding out.


What sort of mileage do you get from your Z6's Lou? How do you find wet weather performance?

[terbang]

I have Azaro S/T's all round and they're a reasonable compromise between longevity and grip. I get a similar mileage to you. They have a deeper centre tread depth than many tyres which helps longevity. My front doesn't last much longer than the rear due to sidewall scrubbing so I always change them together. Hope that your Azaro is the "B" load rating which was developed especially for the heavier fast bikes like the 'busa and 'bird. I'm on my 3rd set now and they're fine for my needs.

:
Yup the Azaro a "B" load rating and though its not all that flash on a slippery road I really can't complain about it, it satisfys the scotsman in me. The decision on the Viper was based on a lot of writeups on busa boards about tyres and heavy bikes (even waded through a german one) and the Viper got the better reviews. It was a close one between the Pilot Power and Viper. I have also used Avons for years in the form of the road runner with no probs so I guess I'm a little brand loyal as well.

[The Stranger]

What sort of mileage do you get from your Z6's Lou? How do you find wet weather performance?

On the X11 I have done 6,000km on the rear now and I would guess there is another 3,000 to go. Still got the Viper on the Viper on the front and the combination is fine.
The Z6 would be the best tyre I have had in the wet.
I prefer it to both the Azaro and Viper in the wet.

[Blackbird]

On the X11 I have done 6,000km on the rear now and I would guess there is another 3,000 to go. Still got the Viper on the Viper on the front and the combination is fine.
The Z6 would be the best tyre I have had in the wet.
I prefer it to both the Azaro and Viper in the wet.

Thanks for that.:yes: I've only done about 2000 km on my current set of Avons but will need to replace them before I head to the south island next March. I'm reluctant to change from a known combination before such a long haul but in view of the positive reports, I might try the Z's.

Cheers

Geoff

[Hitcher]

I need to wear out a set of tyres between now and the Grand Challenge in October. I'm guessing that the OEM Battlax 020s should be kaput by 10,000km -- about 2,500km away (the rear is already starting to square off and the front to fluff up, both classic 020 traits). At that stage I plan to try a set of the Conti Road Attacks, despite having been a loyal and devoted fan of the Metzeler Z6 on both of my last two bikes.

Gee, ain't it nice to have choices again!

[Lou Girardin]

What sort of mileage do you get from your Z6's Lou? How do you find wet weather performance?

Around 9000 from a rear. I stretched one to 10,500 once when I couldn't get a replacement.
I've never had a problem in the wet. They've given little slides twice on tar snakes that I didn't see in time. Very predictable and gentle. But they've held on when I've overdone things and was mentally preparing for the splat.

[Blackbird]

Thanks everyone for the comments - it's a confusing world innit? A while back, someone posted that very few of us ever get near to pushing the design limit of any modern tyre. That's a true enough statement but we do come close in extreme conditions or a major cock-up and that's when you really need an edge!

Every new tyre design feels weird for a while anyway while you get used to the different profile.

[loosebruce]

loosebruce got 1600kms out of his back tyre.. he treated it really really harsh, and a hard track day at puke.. so not too bad I guess!!


Thats was the sport compond, i got 950km out of the supersport version.

Good tyres though, i was impressed, not too shabby at my speed in the wet either, but i'd still swing Pilot Powers on the road, although i would've been keen on trying the extreme compound, with the 190/55 rear and had a hack on the track.