Available tires

commandofastback said:
I heard that Avon was taken over by Dunlop, but i didnt hear anything about discontinuing the AM26 so far. The AM 26 100/90-19 rear is still listed on the german Avon site. Got a new one in January.
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Your news was incorrect, not Dunlop.

Avon were already owned by Cooper tyre. Cooper tyre, as of later last year, is now owned by Goodyear. Goodyear is closing the Avon factory in Devizes, UK.

Goodyear plans to move production into Europe, I had understood that would be in Germany!

The tyre production may be interrupted, prices may change.

In the short term, the supply of Avon racing tyres has been a much discussed issue for classic racers. They are currently available due to pressure from stockists and racers, and some advance investment, but Goodyear don't seem keen.

Suggestion is that road tyres will continue. I am guessing the low volume and manufacturing and stocking various compounds for, on balance, very few sales, just isn't attractive to a high volume producer.

Even pre Goodyear some of the same thinking was obviously having influence, hence the move to a universal AM26 rather than specific front/rear fits in the same size!

If you bought a rear fit it will be older stock.
 
Hi Steve I had heard Goodyear were moving production to their French factory. They make the Dunlop range there, which is why some Avon tyres may disappear as they streamline production.
No fairy godmother in sight & Goodyear wont be running a batch from old moulds every once in a while. Many years were spent trying to persuade Avon to resurrect the mould for the classic sidecar tyre.
 
SteveA said:
Your news was incorrect, not Dunlop.

Avon were already owned by Cooper tyre. Cooper tyre, as of later last year, is now owned by Goodyear. Goodyear is closing the Avon factory in Devizes, UK.

Goodyear plans to move production into Europe, I had understood that would be in Germany!

The tyre production may be interrupted, prices may change.

In the short term, the supply of Avon racing tyres has been a much discussed issue for classic racers. They are currently available due to pressure from stockists and racers, and some advance investment, but Goodyear don't seem keen.

Suggestion is that road tyres will continue. I am guessing the low volume and manufacturing and stocking various compounds for, on balance, very few sales, just isn't attractive to a high volume producer.

Even pre Goodyear some of the same thinking was obviously having influence, hence the move to a universal AM26 rather than specific front/rear fits in the same size!

If you bought a rear fit it will be older stock.
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Yes i got it mixed up because Dunlop is also owned by Goodyear.
 
The Dunlop k81 Universal 4.10 x 19 has a tread depth of 7.2 mm. The Avon RRider2 dedicated rear 4.00 x 18 has a tread depth of 7.5mm. The Avon rr2 in100/90/19 has a tread depth of 5.6mm, just slightly more than their front only tires at 5.0 mm.

So the 19" K81 Universal mostly solves the Avon lack of tread depth problem on the 19 Universal".
Now what about handling?

Glen
 
er, wot about mileage? 3500 miles is really pushing it in my experience.
 
elefantrider said:
Probably my next tires. They have 100-19 front and rear versions which are the perfect size for WM2 rims. Looks like they are steel belted radials. Did you install them yourself or use a tire machine?
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The Contis are a real bitch to install. I got the front on with spoons and a couple of bead buddies, but pinched the tube and scratched the rim. The rear was impossible. I ended up taking them to a shop. Should have done that to befin with. Fronts are 100/90-19 on a WM3 and rear is 110/90-18 on a WM4
 
Any feedback on Bridgestone BT46 from those that have rims that can use them?
 
worntorn said:
The Dunlop k81 Universal 4.10 x 19 has a tread depth of 7.2 mm. The Avon RRider2 dedicated rear 4.00 x 18 has a tread depth of 7.5mm. The Avon rr2 in100/90/19 has a tread depth of 5.6mm, just slightly more than their front only tires at 5.0 mm.

So the 19" K81 Universal mostly solves the Avon lack of tread depth problem on the 19 Universal".
Now what about handling?

Glen
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My experience of K81s in modern compound is that they tramline like crazy on white lines & overbanding, but are very grippy, and hook up well in the twisties.
I think it's due to the blocky open tread design combined with a modern soft compound' Once I got used to them moving around it wasn't an issue.
I think I got through a rear in less than 1500 miles - similar to the Michelin Hi-sport radials I had on my 851!
I've also got some Roadrunners in a modern compound, and they don't seem to be as badly affected. I don't know about mileage yet as I've not done many miles on them. Future availability is anybody's guess.

I much prefer the look of the 'traditional' tyres on a standard Commando, but my next build is very non-standard; it's got 18" wheels and Avon AM 22/23 - until they wear out.
 
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B+Bogus said:
........ but my next build is very non-standard; it's got 18" wheels and Avon AM 22/23 - until they wear out.
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The problem with race tyres on a road bike is that you rarely get enough heat into them to make them work!

And, probably, that particular pairing is too wide for good steering!

But having an idea what the likely cost and supply situation will be when you wear a pair out, I'm pretty sure you won't be 'investing' in any more!
 
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jamesp said:
Any feedback on Bridgestone BT46 from those that have rims that can use them?
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I use them all the time at the rear on my bikes, 110/90/18.
They last about 7- 8000 km.
For my N15, I have 2 rear wheels. For longer trips, I take the wheel with the new(er) tire.
That way I can get the most out of them.


Available tires

WM3 rim on the N15
WM4 on the Commando
 
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SteveA said:
The problem with race tyres on a road bike is that you rarely get enough heat into them to make them work!

And, probably, that particular pairing is too wide for good steering!

But having an idea what the likely cost and supply situation will be when you wear a pair out, I'm pretty sure you won't be 'investing' in any more!
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Not for a road bike. The rear is a 120 on a WM4 rim, so I'll see how it works out.
As a Ducati owner, I guess good steering is a relative thing.
I have a 130/70 18 kicking about (not for this bike), and they're now retailing for £270 o_O
 
B+Bogus said:
My experience of K81s in modern compound is that they tramline like crazy on white lines & overbanding, but are very grippy, and hook up well in the twisties.
I think it's due to the blocky open tread design combined with a modern soft compound' Once I got used to them moving around it wasn't an issue.
I think I got through a rear in less than 1500 miles - similar to the Michelin Hi-sport radials I had on my 851!
I've also got some Roadrunners in a modern compound, and they don't seem to be as badly affected. I don't know about mileage yet as I've not done many miles on them. Future availability is anybody's guess.

I much prefer the look of the 'traditional' tyres on a standard Commando, but my next build is very non-standard; it's got 18" wheels and Avon AM 22/23 - until they wear out.
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+1 on the K81's tracking irregularities in the road, my bike wiggles like crazy when I encounter rain grooves on the freeway here in California. I can remember K81's doing that on bridge gratings etc. waaay back in the 70's
FWIW Harley dealers stock high quality inner tubes and rim strips that fit our bikes.
 
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B+Bogus said:
Not for a road bike. The rear is a 120 on a WM4 rim, so I'll see how it works out.
As a Ducati owner, I guess good steering is a relative thing.
I have a 130/70 18 kicking about (not for this bike), and they're now retailing for £270 o_O
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There is a 130/70 x 18 AM23, but no 120 rear in the Avon current catalogue?

Though it looks on line that they have added the AM18 120 hard rear back in, I have not seen one for sale.

I prefer a 90/90 front, again, AM 22 only available 110 in 18" sizes.

If there was a 120 rear I might try it! They have sold them in the past. 130 is a mite too big!

Though with the 130/70 Heidenau on a 3.2" rim I don't have to trim rubber from both sides like I had to with an Avon on the same rim!
 
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YING said:
Brian,
I dread changing my tires as they have always been a PITA. I went and got a Harbor Freight unit and then all the upgrades that are available for the unit.The only thing that worked well was the bead breaker. I ended up using my spoons on the floor.My Boranni WM-4 rims have a safety bead and I don’t know if that is my problem but I am seriously considering going to a shop to have my new tires installed as the rims are too pretty to disfigure.
Mike
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I do mine by hand and have done enough that I'm okay at it by now - the key, often cited but easy to forget, is to have the opposite bead down in the smaller center of the wheel when you do each bead. Of course, the bloody Attacks were so inflexible that that was much, much easier said than done. But they're on the wheels, so it can be done....!
 
SteveA said:
There is a 130/70 x 18 AM23, but no 120 rear in the Avon current catalogue?

Though it looks on line that they have added the AM18 120 hard rear back in, I have not seen one for sale.

I prefer a 90/90 front, again, AM 22 only available 110 in 18" sizes.

If there was a 120 rear I might try it! They have sold them in the past. 130 is a mite too big!

Though with the 130/70 Heidenau on a 3.2" rim I don't have to trim rubber from both sides like I had to with an Avon on the same rim!
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Just checked mine and it's a 120/90 on a WM3 rear, and it's a few years old now. I have a cantilever 130/650 for the Seeley, and the chain clearance is 'marginal'.
A friend who races the Irish Championship (when it's running...) prefers narrow tyres and I think he switched to Contis.
 
BrianK said:
I do mine by hand and have done enough that I'm okay at it by now - the key, often cited but easy to forget, is to have the opposite bead down in the smaller center of the wheel when you do each bead. Of course, the bloody Attacks were so inflexible that that was much, much easier said than done. But they're on the wheels, so it can be done....!
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Brian,
I get them on but I don’t look forward to doing it. I have all the tools and protection for the rims,etc.It’s just a bitch of a job. I will be at it again today.Thanks for your reply and will let you know how I make out
Mike
 
B+Bogus said:
Just checked mine and it's a 120/90 on a WM3 rear, and it's a few years old now. I have a cantilever 130/650 for the Seeley, and the chain clearance is 'marginal'.
A friend who races the Irish Championship (when it's running...) prefers narrow tyres and I think he switched to Contis.
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I describe my chain clearance as 'zero'. But that's enough, right?

Is that Ralph? I know he went to Contis, but has tried Heidenau for the wet. I find them better than Avon in the wet.
 
SteveA said:
I describe my chain clearance as 'zero'. But that's enough, right?

Is that Ralph? I know he went to Contis, but has tried Heidenau for the wet. I find them better than Avon in the wet.
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Richard Ford. I got his ex- Frank Rutter Mk 4 Seeley 750. It had Heidenaus fitted, but they were rather old, and took some shifting to replace.
 
B+Bogus said:
Richard Ford. I got his ex- Frank Rutter Mk 4 Seeley 750. It had Heidenaus fitted, but they were rather old, and took some shifting to replace.
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I've met Richard, at Gedinne. Which is, if I think about it, where I met Ralph!
 
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