TYRE ADVICE

**The Stranger:Me** · 30th September 2005, 17:14

As some of you may be aware, I got a puncture the other day nessesitating the replacement of my rear tyre.
It was suggested that the Avon Azaro AV46 was a good replacement for the exsisting Bridgestone BT56.
The gentleman at the tyre shop suggested that we could probably get away with not changing the front (BT57) also as he felt that the two would probably work together OK.

Whilst I am impressed with the superior road holding of the Avon there are some traits that I am not happy with.
I am uncertain if the negative traits are the tyre itself or just the fact that there is a mismatch between the front and the rear.

What effects would i be likely to notice as a rusult of miss matched tyres?
Is there anyone out there who has experience with Avon Azaro AV46 tyres and what was your general impression of the tyre?

Just trying to decide weather to replace the front with a matching one or biff the rear and go to a different tyre.

**ManDownUnder** · 30th September 2005, 17:17

Dunno about the techo stuff - Frosty and co will advise you better than I...

But something I can recomend is getting tyres in from the US. If you know anyone heading up that way - buy a tyre online and have it shipped to the hotel/place they're staying.

Bring it back as checked luggage... and you'll save 50%.

I know - I did... and I'll do it again!
MDU

**WINJA** · 30th September 2005, 17:48

NO AVON WOULD BE A GOOD REPLACMENT FOR A BRIDGESTONE, IF I WERE YOU I WOULDA GOT ANOTHER BRIDGESTONE , ASK THE GUY WHO SOLD IT TO YOU HOW MANY SPORTSBIKES HES OWNED AND HOW MANY KS HES DONE ON THE , BMW DONT COUNT .
WITH MISMATCHED TYRES A BIKE CAN TRY TO HIT THE APEX OR RUN WIDE DEPENDING ON THE PROFILES , THIS IS USUALLY BAD BUT NOT ALWAYS , I USED A PILOT RACE FRONT AND A BT56 REAR AND THE BIKE WAS TRYING TO RUN INTO THE APEX WHICH WAS HARD TO CONTROL CRUISING BUT WORKED GOOD WHEN SLIDING THE FRONT INTO A CORNER, THERES NOTHING LIKE A SET OF MATCHED TYRES TO GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE.
I HATE AVONS AFTER TRYING 2 SETS , DOESNT MEAN YOU WONT LIKE EM

**bugjuice** · 30th September 2005, 18:30

I've got Avons on my sprotsbike, Winj... but they're the new Vipers..

Not sure about the actual effects of mismatched tyres, but some of it could be upstairs, so try not to over think stuff too much.

One thing that is obvious, is that tyre manufacturers design their tyres in pairs, they rarely consider other models, but forget other brands. That being said, it depends on how hard you ride it. The Blackbird is a big beast, so fast corners would demand high grip. But do you ride that hard? If you do, then may be buy a new pair, or replace the back (the place where you've bought it, he's told me that if I wasn't happy with my tyres, he'd replace it, so may be give that a go) for another BS that you had before..

**Big Dave** · 30th September 2005, 19:07

I have a combination of 46 and 47 Avons and am very happy with them.
Sports front/ sports-touring rear.

rear wear is about normal for a $300 bit of rubber.
They are very well suited to heavier bikes and carry a high load rating.

You've adjusted suspension? Tried different damping settings and preload?

**cowpoos** · 30th September 2005, 19:13

michelin power pilot for the best grip you can get...about $280 for a 190 rear

Or if you want some thing that'll last abit and have reasonable grip...dunlop D208's would be a good choice...$315 for a 180 rear...

**The Stranger:Me** · 30th September 2005, 20:34

The bike feels way different. Turns in quicker (big plus on a bike that size) and feels more planted/confident in the turns. I have a set of reference corners that I used for adjusting the suspension and I can get through those quicker by a reasonable margin with the avon and at the same time I feel more relaxed about it.

What is pissing me off though is a vibration at motorway speed and above. This got better when I took it back for balance. After that I thought it may "wear" out as the tyre got some use or may be the result of the different tread pattern.

I was advised that I may notice a low amplitude weave at low speeds as a result of the mismatch. This you can clearly feel. But as I spend so little time at 15kmh that in itself is of no concern.

But by the end of the ride today my wrists were sore as a result of about an hour of motorway speed.

**Lou Girardin** · 1st October 2005, 09:34

The AV46 has an unusual belt design that compensates for less than ideal suspensions, probably not an issue with your bike, and gives a very smooth ride.. But this belt design also seems to create some vagueness when riding fast. I had no problems with the Avons, apart from spinning up quite easily in the wet. But Metz Z6's are in a different league.

**Blackbird** · 1st October 2005, 10:53

Winja is way out of date on Avon technology but he's spot on about never mixing your tyre profiles. In fact, the AV45/46 Azaros are recommended tyres for the Blackbird. Now, here's the catch - there are two types of AV45/46! The first set of Avons I fitted were good tyres but the front developed a funny wear pattern, sort of triangling off on the sides. I put this down to the tyre casing deflecting when I was pushing on a bit in corners. I may well have been right because there is a special Azaro which was developed for heavy hyperbikes like the Hayabusa, ZX 12-R and Blackbird. They have a stronger carcass construction and have the words "Load Range B" on the sidewall. These are the only ones you should use. I got my current ones from Road and Sport in Hamilton, but I guess the major suppliers in Auckland will have them. The Vipers are also great but being a softer compound, will wear more quickly. All depends on fitness for your style of riding.

Additional reading: http://www.bikersoracle.com/jaws/avon.htm
http://www.bikersoracle.com/jaws/bridgestone.htm

**Groins_NZ** · 1st October 2005, 11:10

Some KBr's talked about mixing tyres in this thread:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15401

**madmal64** · 1st October 2005, 11:14

Real Happy with my Azaro's. Im on to my 2nd set. I came of Dunlops which I felt were on so good. I feel alot more confident on the Avons and had my 1st track time with them last weekend at Manfeild and they were heaps better than the Dunlops.
Im no expert on tyres and all I can go by is what suits me and my riding style. I know what I like and what I feel confident with.

**The Stranger:Me** · 1st October 2005, 14:08

Thanks for that Blackbird and hey I never take WINJA seriously anyway.

**Blackbird** · 1st October 2005, 14:22

No worries

I find 40-42 psi cold is about right front and rear. Lower than that, you can feel it's a bit squirmy unless it's a hot day. Above that and it will slide a bit more easily if you're pushing on.

You mentioned that weave at low speed. I notice it every time I have the Avons changed but it seems to go away quite quickly. Either that or I get used to it! Avon call it "tread pickup" from the large blocks of tread running in one direction and then the other.

Geoff

**WINJA** · 1st October 2005, 14:44

Originally Posted by CaN

Thanks for that Blackbird and hey I never take WINJA seriously anyway.

I DONT TAKE MOST OF YOU GUYS SERIOUSLY , LOTSA WHINEY FUCKS THAT CANT RIDE PROPERLY ON THIS SITE , I KNOW 2 RESPECTED RACERS WHO HAVE NOTHING BUT BAD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT AVONS ON THE ROAD AND ON THE TRACK

**Teflon** · 1st October 2005, 15:23

Originally Posted by CaN

As some of you may be aware, I got a puncture the other day nessesitating the replacement of my rear tyre.
It was suggested that the Avon Azaro AV46 was a good replacement for the exsisting Bridgestone BT56.

I have a lot more confidence in my Shinkos than any Avon. I've lost count on how many times i've nearly highsided with a Avon on the rear.