Anyone tried Avon tires recently?

[vifferman]

My rubber donut thingies ... oh yeah - *tires* need replacing. I was going to replace the Pirelli Dragon Evo / GTS combo with some Pirelli Diablos, but I am considering some Avons. Anyone tried some Avons recently?

I had some on my VFR a couple of years ago, and thought they were pretty good, until I replaced them with Bridgestones (BT012F/BT020R) - they absolutley rocked!

Anyhoo - I'm thinking of giving the Avons another go, but I have my doubts...

[Jackrat]

Iv'e had Avons on a few bikes.
The best thing to do with them is replace em'.
I have one on my bike now,it is ok unless it rains,then I don't trust it.
I know some body will disagree,probably quite strongly,But I think they're a dry road only tyre.

[White trash]

Different for different bikes.

I had a pair on my GSXR750 (Azaros) when I raced it and they were shit hot! Lasted really well also.

I'd agree with Jackrat in sizes to suit his XS650 they are an EXTREMELY dated design. In englis, they're crap

You never know till ya try!

[750Y]

yeah i ran a set of av49/50s on my 750(not the pro series tho which was the trackday tyre) nearly 2 years ago when they were just released. They had plenty of grip wet and dry(better dry grip than BT010). a good solid, trustworthy tyre. I got good mileage outa them too from memory. they basically fell apart in the last 500kms(2 rides) and i got them off quick to find about 2 mm of rubber thickness in the centre. I recall the front felt a little nervous but that was to do with the ultra pointy profile on an already fast steering bike.
I wouldn't go back to them now, but only because i believe there are better tyres available for the money. I'd have no problem recommending them to another rider. I'd put them on a par with pilot sports.

[Slim]

They're fantastic dry tyres, but anecdotal evidence is that they're crap in the wet, especially when there's actually puddles of water involved. From what I've been able to tell, it's mostly the 600-750cc bikes that don't handle them & I know people who rave about them on their litre or bigger bikes, even in the wet. My man's 916 came with them on & he had problems with the back letting go, even in the dry! (Just to buck the trend )

If you're an all-weather-biker, then I'd suggest either staying with the Pirelli's or returning to the Bridgestones. If your bike only makes it out of the garage when the sun is shining and the road is dry, then give the new Avon Azaro's a try.

When the supplier will replace them for something different, even when you're already halfway through a set of tyres, then you've got to wonder if the "official" denial of any problems is for real or not!


PS. I have actually used them on my CBR6. I'm not just waffling for the sake of it or passing on stories I've heard other places.

[vifferman]

Well, it's too late now - the Azaros are now on. If I don't like 'em after 1000km, they'll swap 'em for summat else, at no charge. But, I think I'll probably like them, once they're scuffed in and I'm used to them.
I must admit, they feel really weird after my worn Pirellis....

Thanx everyone for your helpful comments.

[Blackbird]

I don't think you'll regret it. I have the ST45/46 combination on the 'bird and they're the best tyres so far. Good sidewall strength was important because of the bird mass - not something that should be required in the VTR. However, grip in both the wet and dry are great. I think that I'll probably get about 6000 k out of the rear which isn't much, but the horsepower and weight combined puts paid to a long life. My riding partner only gets 4000 k's from his 'busa rear, so I should be grateful!

I don't know whether you noticed a slight feeling of weaving at walking pace, but I did and other Azaro users have commented on it too. It disappears above walking pace. Apparently, its cause is the large tread blocks which go in opposite directions. I don't notice it any more, or maybe it's diminished with wear.

Cheers

Geoff

[DEATH_INC.]

I've used 'em in the past,strange tyre.....gripped fine in the dry,f*****g useless in the wet.Interested in what you think of the new one's....

[dangerous]

Well, it's too late now - the Azaros are now on

I put a pair of Dunlops on my Storm last weekend D208 frount and D220 rear so keep track of your milage and Ill do the same and we shell compair notes in about 8000k's
I replaced them with the D204's that were the factory tyre and only got 6700km out of them (the frount had about 1000k left)

The other brand I was thinking of is Metzler MEz3 frount and MEz4 rear, these tyres I get 10,000k out of on the Guzzi 1100i but that is a heavier bike so the tyre was better suited, so not sure about the VTR.

[wkid_one]

I put a pair of Dunlops on my Storm last weekend D208 frount and D220 rear so keep track of your milage and Ill do the same and we shell compair notes in about 8000k's
I replaced them with the D204's that were the factory tyre and only got 6700km out of them (the frount had about 1000k left)

The other brand I was thinking of is Metzler MEz3 frount and MEz4 rear, these tyres I get 10,000k out of on the Guzzi 1100i but that is a heavier bike so the tyre was better suited, so not sure about the VTR.

You will notice a significant reduction in the turn in speed with the 208's on the Storm. I found the best tires for the Storm were the Renners or M1's. Either that of the Pilots. Everything else had too flat a profile for a bike that already has slow steering

[Lou Girardin]

I've used to sets of ST45/46's, no complaints. Good grip wet or dry, great wear rate and excellent ride quality. But I'm going to try Diablo's or Sportecs next, seeing I can get them cheap.
Lou

[Coldkiwi]

for what its worth, the diablo corsas i've been ru(i)nning on the gsxr have been pretty good and they get used in all weather. I believe pirelli's advertising about them being good in the wet because I really need to work the throttle to break the back end under acceleration. sadly the rear its due for replacement soon (mainly to my recent attempts to learn to wheelstand when the tyre wasn't quite hot enough and a day at Pukekohe. its done around 7000 kms)

so if the azaros don't work, the diablos are definitely worth a go
s

[dangerous]

You will notice a significant reduction in the turn in speed with the 208's on the Storm. I found the best tires for the Storm were the Renners or M1's. Either that of the Pilots. Everything else had too flat a profile for a bike that already has slow steering

Do you mean compaired to the 204's I will notice a difference in turn in speed?
The buggers at the shop said there won't make a difference. How ever something dosen't fell the same but then again you can talk your self into thinking that.

[wkid_one]

Do you mean compaired to the 204's I will notice a difference in turn in speed?
The buggers at the shop said there won't make a difference. How ever something dosen't fell the same but then again you can talk your self into thinking that.

No - from most sharper more parabolic profile tyres. The 208's are quite flat in profile - and given the rather lazy geometry of the VTR the last thing it needs is slower steering. I tried most tires on the VTR - Pilots, Renners, M1's, 010's, 012's - and found that more parabolic tyres helped the bike turn in and also make it more settled in the middle of the corner than flatter tyres. 208GP's were nice on the VTR - although sooo much harder than the Renners to keep heat in.

It is personal preference tho - I like my bikes to really fall in to corners fast rather than amble down to lean - I also prefer tyres with a huge, minimal tread footprint when at full lean.

[Hitcher]

I also prefer tyres with a huge, minimal tread footprint when at full lean.

Yeeg!! Call me old-fashioned, but I derive enormous comfort from having a decent tread footprint on the road at all lean angles...