The new Avon Storm tyre - an extended evaluation.

[Blackbird]

I've now had my Avon Storm tyres on for a few thousand km and have attached my impressions so far. Tyres, like bikes themselves; are always a compromise or a case of "fitness for purpose" but Avon have a real winner in the Storms:rockon:

[Hitcher]

I've now had a chance to stretch the Storms on the FJR in both wet and dry conditions. Magnificent.

After having just completed nearly 3,600km on another FJR on 020s on dry roads and then coming straight back to riding mine with the Storms, the difference is apparent at the first corner when the sharpness and bite of the Avons is immediately apparent. Dry road, wet road, these things just bite beautifully. Indeed some other rider has almost eliminated any vestige of chicken strips on the read. He knows who he is. And he's deaf...

The next big tests for the Storms are "distance to square" and "life of rear".

[BigB]

Great write up Geoff, just had the Avon's fitted to my bird so it'll be intresting to see how they go.

Cheers

Brian

[Blackbird]

Great write up Geoff, just had the Avon's fitted to my bird so it'll be intresting to see how they go.

Cheers

Brian

Hope you're enjoying having her back Brian. Probably won't have mine back on the road for a couple of weeks and I'm missing it already!

[vifferman]

The next big tests for the Storms are "distance to square" and "life of rear".
Why should they square off?
The only square tyres I've had on any bike were on the FahrtSturm when I bought it, due to the previous owner running the tyres at very low pressure (and presumable very straight roads?)

[Blackbird]

Why should they square off?
The only square tyres I've had on any bike were on the FahrtSturm when I bought it, due to the previous owner running the tyres at very low pressure (and presumable very straight roads?)

Riding on straight roads too much causes squaring off:scooter: Trips up to the bach in Coro at weekends causes the reverse problem for me - the sides take a hiding!

[Macktheknife]

Great write up mate, makes me want to go out and get some.

[jtzzr]

Now youv`e got me thinking Geoff , hope you get your baby back soon . Regards JT

[Big Dave]

Why should they square off?
The only square tyres I've had on any bike were on the FahrtSturm when I bought it, due to the previous owner running the tyres at very low pressure (and presumable very straight roads?)


Azzaros fall/fell away badly for the last 25% - don't know if it was wear or the compound or what - but they never felt as good for the last bit of their life. Brilliant for the first 3/4.

Thus the song and dance about life of the tyre.

[vifferman]

Azzaros fall/fell away badly for the last 25% - don't know if it was wear or the compound or what - but they never felt as good for the last bit of their life. Brilliant for the first 3/4.

Thus the song and dance about life of the tyre.
Tell me about it. Plenty of tread left on my rear Azaro (OK - it's down to the wear bars in places) but there was a wee bit of wee (or was it rain?) on the road this morning, and the freakin' thang was spinnin' up like a wild spinning-up thing, all over the place. And it was only VFR power - not like it was awesome HoggleyDoggley or scooterywootery power or nuttin.

It was almost enough to make me turn south young uh... - old(ish) man and get some Storms fitted.

[Blackbird]

Tell me about it. Plenty of tread left on my rear Azaro (OK - it's down to the wear bars in places) but there was a wee bit of wee (or was it rain?) on the road this morning, and the freakin' thang was spinnin' up like a wild spinning-up thing, all over the place. And it was only VFR power - not like it was awesome HoggleyDoggley or scooterywootery power or nuttin.

It was almost enough to make me turn south young uh... - old(ish) man and get some Storms fitted.

Do it Ian - you won't regret it! If you do, and experience front end head shake as I described in the write up, get them rebalanced! This doesn't detract from them being an awesome step up in performance though.

[vifferman]

I let the rear down to ~33 for the ride home (in the rain) at luncheontime. It was certainly better, so instead of spinning up taking off, it didn't spin up till 3/4 throttle. Of course, it may have been due in part to warmer temps and the road having been washed clean a bit, but I think not.
The front AV49-SP was fine, at 38ish PSI. Go figure...
I would've thought that being a more sporty tyre, it would be a harder compound and be worserer in the wet, but the only problems I've had have been it feeling funny if the pressure get down below 37ish.

[Sanx]

I would've thought that being a more sporty tyre, it would be a harder compound and be worserer in the wet, but the only problems I've had have been it feeling funny if the pressure get down below 37ish.

The sportier the tyre, the softer the compound they're usually made from. Soft compound = more grip = more wear = less tyre life.

[tomtyer-drake]

hrm, iv only been hearing good things about the storms, any advice where i can get them in auckland? looking for the 110/70-17 front for my zxr250. and any ideas of a vague price?

any experience of them on the lighter bikes?

[Hitcher]

any experience of them on the lighter bikes?

Umm, no. But I wouldn't get too carried away about putting sports touring tyres like Avon Storms on your 250. There are plenty of other tyres that will suit your needs better, such as the ever-popular Pirelli Sport Demon and the Dunlop Arrowmax.

[sinned]

I am about to fit a new rear to the SV1000S and am seriously considering the Avon ST-Storm. It has been a few months since posts on this topic. Are the opinions still the same? Is there still love for the Storm or is the honeymoon over?

The front has a half worn Mitchelin Sports. Is there any risk leaving this on with the Storm on the rear; or should I change the front as well? The bike has done 8,000km from new.

[Hitcher]

Storms all the way!

I've run 10,000km off my Storms now and the rear has just started to show signs of a flat spot in the centre. At this stage I predict at least another 2,000km worth of rear wear. I just love these tyres! Having said that, I may try a set of the new Michelin Pilot Road 2s at the next change. I also note that Bridgestone have (finally) launched a dual compound sports tourer -- the 021. I'll be interested to hear how these go as well. But I have found nothing to fault in the Avon Storm.

[riffer]

Interesting indeed. As an Azaro wearer, I shall watch this topic with interest.

There may be a Storm in my future...

[Blackbird]

I concur with Hitcher's evaluation. They're actually the first tyre on the Blackbird that I haven't found the limit with yet in terms of grip in the wet - my nerve goes before the tyre lets go! The resistance to "squaring off" is great which means that the tyre performs effectively for longer. I think that the rear will be stuffed at about 8000 km. That doesn't necessarily mean that I've been caning it, but coarse south island chip in warm conditions is bound to take its toll, especially with a 220 kg sports tourer. In summary, it's the best all round tyre I've ever had on the 'bird and the best in wet conditions by a country mile.

Now, the final comment! You will have seen my comments about several of us experiencing "head shake" to varying degrees at "round town speeds". I reported this to Avon, they promised to get back and never did so. I'm still seeing posts on the UK Blackbird website about the same thing. Hitcher didn't experience this at all so whether some bikes are more sensitive to the issue or a QA problem exists with some batches, I don't know. All I can say is that the Storms are still worth buying because of their superb performance. If you decide to go ahead, ask your tyre fitter to take real care with balancing because of known issues. If you experience a shimmy, get a replacement like my riding partner did.

Hope this covers what you wanted to know.

BTW, I'm not a fan of mixing tyre types as different profiles move your rolling radius around when turning in and can upset the handling. It's probably overkill, but I even change front and rears at the same time on a matched set. This isn't too excessive on a heavy bike like the 'bird because you get a fair bit of front end push anyway.

[sinned]

Thanks Hitcher and Blackbird. TSS fitted an Avon ST-Storm to the rear today. It will be interesting to see how many kms I get out of it.

[Hitcher]

I hope it works well for you. I'd be looking to get a Storm on the front ASAP, but that's just my preference/prejudice against having different compounds on the road at the same time.

[Blackbird]

I had an email from Dold Industries yesterday, the importers of Avon tyres (see below). It would seem that Avon do indeed have a problem with at least some of their Storm front tyres on some applications. Just reiterating what has been previously said though, it shouldn't put people off buying what is a fantastic tyre.

Hey Geoff,
Was just wondering how the Storms are going on the Blackbird? I have been talking with Avon recently and they are aware of a slow speed weave so are currently experimenting with some ideas that should eliminate it. As they have said to me, its not really a problem and most customers have been more than happy with the overall performance and milage. It also only seems to be on certain model bikes and balancing need to be 100% .
It seems as the tyre wears any weave becomes less noticeable.

[riffer]

I'm putting a Storm on the bike week after next so I've be throwing my evaluation up here as well.

I'm currently running an Azaro on the rear (done 1500kms) and a Metzeler Roadtec Z6 on the front which has triangulated horribly (not unusual for my bike) and is starting to let go in the wet now.