Tires of choice for roadster

[Nat67]

Our choice of tires for the Roadster suck. Ran the Avons front and back and really was not that impressed with them. Nice tire but the Michelin Commander grips better and last longer. Even the Dunlop Elite Three Handles better than the Avons and last longer. To bad neither company makes tires for our bikes what a shame. It would be nice if they did. On previous bikes I have always used front and back tires made from the same company,to me that was just common sense. That is why I tried the Avons after the cheapo stock tires wore out. Just not really impressed with the Avons. Just wish we had better options to choose from.

What problems did you experience with the Avons sonny , and what pressures did you run them at ?

 

[barbagris]

Would be interested to know just how many of the Cobras have failed ? I know there was an issue with splitting on earlier batches but have heard no reports of that in quite a while . I am not saying it hasn't happened , but have never heard of a catastrophic failure either. Are there any facts and figures on this worrying subject ?
Myself and 5 other rocket owners I sometimes ride with all use Cobras , a couple of the guys from day one and have never experienced any problems whatsoever , and all ride the cahoonies off their bikes ! It may just be that they really suit British roads and weather , I don't know ?

Well you could ask Avon. I bet they've never heard of the problem. In the 7 years I've followed R3 forums I'd say I've seen 4 or 5 first hand references. There has been one on here this month. All rears all BLOW OUTS. But given that not ALL R3 riders post on forums - my guess is it could well be more.

I can tell you that my front Cobra lasted less than a Metzler. It wore VERY asymmetrically - it cupped a bit like the Metz's do but very much more on one side than the other. I boiled my Metzlers Blue.

Now imo I do not ride HARD (by UK standards) and never really have - but I do spend loooooong periods at constant high speed here - and in summer it is blisteringly hot. When was the last time in the UK you maintained an average of 74mph for a full tank of fuel? - I'm blowed if I could. Here It's easy once you're away from cities.

AND - Something is up with AVON. Here they were for years the tyre of choice for most M/C shops. These days nobody wants to suggest them. I use Roadriders on my Guzzi and took ages to find any. They are making all sorts of offers in the USA to stay in the game. Non of it inspires much confidence to this jaded old "professional misleader" other wise known as product manager.

 

[Claviger]

The Avon Cobras had a delamination issue back in 2009. Since then just the occasional blow out, like any brand.

If your concerned about speed rating over 149, you only have one option: Avon front, the (v) rated one not the V rated one, parentheses matter, and Excedra Max rear.

Commander IIs are good tires, single compound designed for mileage with decent grip. Commander IIs have a strong following in the HD world. Claim to have "more dense" rubber that's still soft to achieve high mileage.

Dunlop Elites, same concept as the commanders. Also a very strong following in the HD world.

They are only available as fronts for a Roadster.

Metzler is trash in my opinion. Rear dead under 4K miles, no stationary burnouts. Front cupped to **** by 6000, run at or above spec pressure it's whole life.

Bridgestone Exedra is trashier than the Metz for mileage, grip is similar to the Metz.

Bridgestone Excedra Max is great and the tire of choice for a very large group of R3 owners as well as other muscle bikes for its ability to take high power and still return decent mileage. It'll be my next paired with a new Avon front. Claims to use various cord densities to achieve high grip and mileage, a claim supported by lots of anecdotal evidence.

Avon is the only dual compound for the rear and is grippier than a Tyranasaurus Rex stuck in a Tar pit as long as you give it a minute or two to warm up! Does indeed get a bit sketchy below 40f.

Avon front, can't say anything bad. Gives a neutral feel doesn't do anything strange so far. Not overly sharp turn in, but faster than the Metz. Time will tell if it cups to **** like the Metz did. I like it and will probably stay with it forever.

I've lived in two very very wet environments Hawaii and now near Seattle. I ride in all weather, Avon front absolutely crushes the Metz for wet grip, rears were similar for me in rain.

There are a couple of other options, Night Dragons, Scorchers, etc for the front but they're either round rocks and don't grip for **** or in the case of the Pirelli incapable of dealing with the R3 weight for any reasonable amount of miles.

 

[sonny]

What problems did you experience with the Avons sonny , and what pressures did you run them at ?

I did not really have a problem with them but was expecting a similar ride compared to Michelin Commander's. Overall was disappointed. I ride all year and work a night shift. Riding home at night in 35 degree weather and lower was just flat dangerous. Very poor traction in cold weather. Wet road conditions was not much better, comparing the traction under these conditions with the Michelin commanders was like comparing apples and oranges. I believe I ran 42 PSI in the Avons. The Avon front tire started to develop flat spots after 4,000 miles. Not really cupping but was not wearing even either. When I switched to the car tire in the back the front Avon really took a beating. Now I am running a Dunlop Elite three up front with the car tire and it handles great on the open road. Very stable at highway speeds and better traction under adverse conditions. The metz tires were a #ucking joke in wet weather.

 

[Nat67]

The Avon Cobras had a delamination issue back in 2009. Since then just the occasional blow out, like any brand.

If your concerned about speed rating over 149, you only have one option: Avon front, the (v) rated one not the V rated one, parentheses matter, and Excedra Max rear.

Commander IIs are good tires, single compound designed for mileage with decent grip. Commander IIs have a strong following in the HD world. Claim to have "more dense" rubber that's still soft to achieve high mileage.

Dunlop Elites, same concept as the commanders. Also a very strong following in the HD world.

They are only available as fronts for a Roadster.

Metzler is trash in my opinion. Rear dead under 4K miles, no stationary burnouts. Front cupped to **** by 6000, run at or above spec pressure it's whole life.

Bridgestone Exedra is trashier than the Metz for mileage, grip is similar to the Metz.

Bridgestone Excedra Max is great and the tire of choice for a very large group of R3 owners as well as other muscle bikes for its ability to take high power and still return decent mileage. It'll be my next paired with a new Avon front. Claims to use various cord densities to achieve high grip and mileage, a claim supported by lots of anecdotal evidence.

Avon is the only dual compound for the rear and is grippier than a Tyranasaurus Rex stuck in a Tar pit as long as you give it a minute or two to warm up! Does indeed get a bit sketchy below 40f.

Avon front, can't say anything bad. Gives a neutral feel doesn't do anything strange so far. Not overly sharp turn in, but faster than the Metz. Time will tell if it cups to **** like the Metz did. I like it and will probably stay with it forever.

I've lived in two very very wet environments Hawaii and now near Seattle. I ride in all weather, Avon front absolutely crushes the Metz for wet grip, rears were similar for me in rain.

There are a couple of other options, Night Dragons, Scorchers, etc for the front but they're either round rocks and don't grip for **** or in the case of the Pirelli incapable of dealing with the R3 weight for any reasonable amount of miles.

Thanks for that claviger , I find the Cobras inspire confidence to the point that I have balled the edges on the rear ! I will admit that they do wear quicker than other tyres I have used and I now only expect one season from the rear and two from the front . I realise this is probably unacceptable from high mileage riders and commuters , but my R3 is a toy and England is a small country , as @barbagris points out , unless one is travelling the length and breadth , you would be hard pushed here to ride a tank of fuel at a constant 70 to 80 mph !
Where I live is rural , with lots of hills and very twisty . I would rather spend £160 every season or so for the peace of mind and grip the Cobras give me , than risk throwing the bike down the road on a less sticky tire !
My average wear on a rear cobra is a little more than 5000 very fun , fast miles often 2 up with which I have no complaints ! When I had my Hayabusa I could shred out a Bridgstone Battlax in a couple of weekends !
I am interested to read what you say about the Excedra Max tho . I am nearing rear tire time and may just take a punt ?

 

[mr hunt]

Well you could ask Avon. I bet they've never heard of the problem. In the 7 years I've followed R3 forums I'd say I've seen 4 or 5 first hand references. There has been one on here this month. All rears all BLOW OUTS. But given that not ALL R3 riders post on forums - my guess is it could well be more.

I can tell you that my front Cobra lasted less than a Metzler. It wore VERY asymmetrically - it cupped a bit like the Metz's do but very much more on one side than the other. I boiled my Metzlers Blue.

Now imo I do not ride HARD (by UK standards) and never really have - but I do spend loooooong periods at constant high speed here - and in summer it is blisteringly hot. When was the last time in the UK you maintained an average of 74mph for a full tank of fuel? - I'm blowed if I could. Here It's easy once you're away from cities.


Here in Oz we call that going to work...

 

[Claviger]

I did not really have a problem with them but was expecting a similar ride compared to Michelin Commander's. Overall was disappointed. I ride all year and work a night shift. Riding home at night in 35 degree weather and lower was just flat dangerous. Very poor traction in cold weather. Wet road conditions was not much better, comparing the traction under these conditions with the Michelin commanders was like comparing apples and oranges. I believe I ran 42 PSI in the Avons. The Avon front tire started to develop flat spots after 4,000 miles. Not really cupping but was not wearing even either. When I switched to the car tire in the back the front Avon really took a beating. Now I am running a Dunlop Elite three up front with the car tire and it handles great on the open road. Very stable at highway speeds and better traction under adverse conditions. The metz tires were a #ucking joke in wet weather.

Agree very much with your comments regarding low temp and the Avons. They are a bit finicky at near freezing temps.

 

[barbagris]

Here in Oz we call that going to work...

I thought you Aussies shunned that nasty four letter word. And now you tell us you'd travel 4 hours a day just to do so - Well blow me with a marsupial.

 

[Claviger]

If you consider getting pissed at the local pub using words like "mate" and "bogan" work, then I guess they do actually work

 

[IMFASTTOO]

what is your tire of choice on the roadster and best place to buy tire? Have Metzeler ME880 on now, will need new in the near future.

The Avon Cobras had a delamination issue back in 2009. Since then just the occasional blow out, like any brand.

If your concerned about speed rating over 149, you only have one option: Avon front, the (v) rated one not the V rated one, parentheses matter, and Excedra Max rear.

Commander IIs are good tires, single compound designed for mileage with decent grip. Commander IIs have a strong following in the HD world. Claim to have "more dense" rubber that's still soft to achieve high mileage.

Dunlop Elites, same concept as the commanders. Also a very strong following in the HD world.

They are only available as fronts for a Roadster.

Metzler is trash in my opinion. Rear dead under 4K miles, no stationary burnouts. Front cupped to **** by 6000, run at or above spec pressure it's whole life.

Bridgestone Exedra is trashier than the Metz for mileage, grip is similar to the Metz.

Bridgestone Excedra Max is great and the tire of choice for a very large group of R3 owners as well as other muscle bikes for its ability to take high power and still return decent mileage. It'll be my next paired with a new Avon front. Claims to use various cord densities to achieve high grip and mileage, a claim supported by lots of anecdotal evidence.

Avon is the only dual compound for the rear and is grippier than a Tyranasaurus Rex stuck in a Tar pit as long as you give it a minute or two to warm up! Does indeed get a bit sketchy below 40f.

Avon front, can't say anything bad. Gives a neutral feel doesn't do anything strange so far. Not overly sharp turn in, but faster than the Metz. Time will tell if it cups to **** like the Metz did. I like it and will probably stay with it forever.

I've lived in two very very wet environments Hawaii and now near Seattle. I ride in all weather, Avon front absolutely crushes the Metz for wet grip, rears were similar for me in rain.

There are a couple of other options, Night Dragons, Scorchers, etc for the front but they're either round rocks and don't grip for **** or in the case of the Pirelli incapable of dealing with the R3 weight for any reasonable amount of miles.

I have not used Avons but have seen several failures on the forums The METZ rear is a tough tire and gets great traction on the Dragstrip but the fronts cup badly but a Mich commander 2 140 /75 front is a great tire that lasts and improves handling with great traction Good results with BS Excedra Max rear SO BS EX MAX rear and MICH Commader 2 up front is a good combo