Avon Cobras on the R3T

I recently replaced the Bridgestone Excedras on my R3T with Avon Cobras. I got about 5500 miles out of the Bridgestones. The tires were just down to the wear bars and could have given another thousand miles were it not for the weird handling. At speeds under 25 it felt like a tire was flat. I actually thought something may be loose in the front end. That's the first time I've had a worn tire react that way.

After several hundred miles I'm very happy with the Avons. The first thing I noticed is the front tire doesn't follow every imperfection in the road. The front Bridgestone has a groove down the center of the tire. Whenever I've had a front tire like that I didn't like it. I would suspect that SoCal freeway rain grooves would be interesting. The Avon front doesn't have that groove.

Another problem I had with the Bridgestones was tar strips. On even moderately warm days the Bridgestones would skate over tar strips bit time. A very unsettling feeling depending on the number and width of the strips. The Avons seem to be much better at handling the tar strips.

Although I haven't scarped the floorboards with them, the Avons seem to handle very well. High speed sweepers at twice the posted limit are very comfortable. They seem to turn in very well and hold a line just fine. Unless the mileage turns out to be terrible, I think I'll be very happy with the Avons.

In an email the Avon rep recommended 36lbs front and 44 rear on the R3T. They also say to expect 8-12,000 miles. Since I've never gotten that kind of mileage from any tire, on any bike in the Arizona heat I'm not holding my breath.

Wow. I am surprised the stock Bstones let go that early. Hope the Avons last longer. That will more than likely be my next choice.

5500? Wow, how do you ride?

Btw, I had the rear end kick out on me while making a left hand turn a couple of weeks ago. I counter-steered out of it, but it is a bit un-nerving, especially since I had just got the bike and was still getting used to it. I turned around and went back to see if there was sand or oil in the area, just trying to figure out why it happened (for my own piece of mind). I didn't see anything obvious, but when I put my foot down I almost dropped the bike. It was an oil slick.

You have to be VERY careful around here (Florida panhandle) this time a year because we get the afternoon pop up showers that are generated by the moisture coming off the gulf and the heat. It may be clear as a bell where you presently are, but be raining 2 miles away. The problem is it's so muggy, it can rain and 10 minutes later when you come through the area, the streets will appear to be dry. But, the oil will still be on the surface.

I think that's what happened to me.

RocketDaryl said:

5500? Wow, how do you ride?

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Never over 45, rarely out of third gear.

Actually I think it has more to do with the composition of the roads you ride on than most anything else. Given the wild discrepancy you see on the mileage people get from tires, not much else makes sense. I've lived in Arizona for 28 years and owned 8 or 9 bikes in that time. My mileage is always in the 5k-8k range. The heavier, more powerful the bike, the less the mileage.

I think I'm a fairly normal rider. Average around 10 over the limit, curves at 1.5-2 times the posted limits, no burnouts, rarely use the brakes (unless stopping of course), 1/4-1/2 inch chicken strips, and check the tire pressure before each ride. Oh, and I do virtually no in-town riding and no commuting. When I get on the bike, its for at least 250 miles, usually more.

I only got 5500 and went to the darkside, the stock rear started to separate on the inside, I opened a case with Bridgestone but I don't think they will do anything and I don't want another one.

HEAD

on the other r3owners someone had posted a warning about his bridgestones. something about the rubber on the inside of the tire was flaking off and making the tire handle really weird, feeling like a flat. i have avons on my klr and really like them and will put avons on the r3t when the bridgestones go down, or when they feel funny.

Ok! I've been riding for over 40 years and I've never heard the term "chicken strips" until yesterday. What are they? The area on the edge of the tire that rarely gets used, because one is to "chicken" to lean that far? I've got about 6000 miles on a Goodyear Tripple Tread
and it doesn't have those. Drag the floorboards too often, I guess.

that is right. that little area at the edges of the tires that does not get used unless you lean the bike over.