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I am a TRIUMPH T140 traitor soon to purchase a 1974 Commando. I use AVONs on the street and my T140 race bikes and was wondering what AVON 19 inch tire is good for my "new" Commando?

Thanks
TEAM FASTLIKEJUDY
AHRMA #697 and #701

Avons may have been a good choice 30-40 years ago and may serve well today, but there are other choices that, IMHO, are better, especially if you are willing to lace an 18" rim to your rear axel. I use BT 45 Bridgestones (110/90/18 rear, 100/90/19 front) and have no trouble wearing out the outer soles of my shoes going around corners, I also have my ISOs set tight.

Given that a good rubber set might last 2-4 years you'll have plenty of opportunity to feel other brands; TT100s are at the bottom of my list, but I have had good experience with Dunlop GT 501s on my W-650. I'm thinking that serious ZR rated radials would be wasted on a Commando, lest it be as commited track machine.

RS

I agree with RS. The Avon has poor wear characteristics. 2500-3000 miles. Hang a 18" rim on the back and you will have many more choices. The Dunlop GT 501 is an excellent choice.

I don't have any issues with Avons, the new Roadrider is an excellent tyre and changing to an 18" rear wheel is not an option if money is tight. If too many people go to 18" there will be no market for 19" rears and no way to run an orginal Commando on the road.

I have a 90/90 on the front and a 100/90 on the back

For more info on the ads and dis's on 18" rear

http://www.ncno.org/article2.htm

i also have used the AM26 road riders on a 19 front/back commando and they are excellent tires w/ decent mileage - i've switched back after having 18" on the back and not being happy with the riding characteristics (even though i do love my battleaxe BT45s )
m

4.10/19 Avon Roadrunners front/rear. I removed the POs 120x18 rear and 100x18 front and much prefer the handling of the bike with the oem wheel/tire size. Though of course there are a lot more choices w/18" wheels and a wider tire will wear a lot longer.

Practically speaking, with 19 inch rims if you use Avon AM26 100/90 Roadriders front and rear, you will not find a better combination. Great handling and I have not had a wear issue with the last 6 or so that I've used. When the rear is worn out, I fit a new one to the front and fit the old one on the rear. Works out well.

Practically speaking, with 19 inch rims if you use Avon AM26 100/90 Roadriders front and rear, you will not find a better combination. Great handling and I have not had a wear issue

Agreed, brilliant tyres, if you run out of tyre then you'll have been on your arse for the previous minute anyway. I done a 4000 mile trip to Romania two years ago and was worried about longevity but the tyre came back and done another 2000 miles after that. Far better than TT100's and the old roadrunners and reasonable price also.
I run 18" on my John Player (only because its got CMA 3 spoke alloys on it) and its a PITA when you get carried away, despite the bullshit about higher profile tyres etc the stand grinds away all the time. Stick to original rims with roadriders in my (never wrong) opinion

Can't praise Avon Roadriders enough, as well as bags of grip my bike steers much better as well. It's a personal thing but I feel a Commando looks much better on 19" wheels as well, too much space between tyre and mudguard with 18s

I agree with the Avon Roadriders option, I have used them on two of my Commando's and they are superb, very stable, good grip and good milage. I see no need to change to 18" as another rider commented you can still touch the footrest down no problem(if you want) on corners and I think they look better. I have also used Avon Roadrunners and Dunlop TT100 in the past and they all work fine on the road.

One thing that going from the POs 18" 120R 100F back to oem 4.10x19 Avons did was allow me to remove the steering damper that was on the bike. With the POs set up, the bike would tend to tank slap over bumps without the damper or with it at minimum damping. With the oem wheels/tires, the bike exhibits none at all - totally stable steering regardless of bumps/speed.