Rear Avon Roadrider Cracking

Big_Jim59 · Apr 7, 2022

My '74 Norton came with a 110/90v18 Avon Roadrider on the rear. The tire is dated from 2012. I know that this bike has been stored inside, out of the sun and yet the tire has deep cracks running a quarter way, or more, around the sidewall just above the bead. I have done a little Google sleuthing and have determined that this is a feature of this tire (tyre).

Has anyone else experienced this type of degradation?

Should I purchase another Avon Roadrider for my Norton and hope for the best?

BTW the front Avon Roadrider looks fine.

bill · Apr 7, 2022

I would say a 10 year old tire is past its use by date. Put it in the round file.

Big_Jim59 · Apr 7, 2022

bill said:
I would say a 10 year old tire is past its use by date. Put it in the round file.

I would never ride on this tire. The cracking is extensive. I was just wondering if a replacement Avon is wise? I know a lot of Norton owners swear by them.

robs ss · Apr 7, 2022

Big_Jim59 said:
I would never ride on this tire. The cracking is extensive. I was just wondering if a replacement Avon is wise? I know a lot of Norton owners swear by them.

I have changed from Bridgestone (BT45's) to Avon RR's (100/90-19 & 4.00-18) and am very happy - only 8 months ago though.
Conteract beads in the tubes are good - keeps them balanced without spoke weights.
Cheers

Dogsbody · Apr 7, 2022

Ten years old for a car tire , five for a bike would be the maximum life. You say stored inside out of the sun, how hot did it get in there during the day and then how cold at night? That’s effectively a heat cycle every day. Should be stored in a constant temperature and humidity if you want to keep them correctly. That was the advice when I worked for Goodyear.

Fast Eddie · Apr 8, 2022

In the old days, when tyres were made out of Bakerlite, tyres could, and did, last forever. But 10 years for modern bike tyres is well past their usable date!

There were stories of cracking sidewalls on Roadriders, a few years ago I recall, but I’ve never experienced it, and the issue seems to have gone away, so perhaps Avon addressed it?

I run Roadriders on all my classics, road and track use, I can’t fault them.

I’ve been using Roadriders ever since they phased out Super Venoms.

I’ve often thought about buying race compound Roadriders for track use, but the stock road versions have never given me a ‘moment’ on the track, so I’ve kept with ‘em. I obviously reach my limit before they do. Which is how I like it !

trident sam · Apr 8, 2022

I had a couple of Avons like that about 10 years ago, the cracks showed up after just a few miles. I just ditched these tyres and haven't had it happen since.

Madnorton · Apr 8, 2022

2012 was around the time the Roadrider was withdrawn from the market place for a short time. But as the tyre is 10 years old, it is well beyond its normal life, check the manufacturers recommendations these days, most motorcycle tyres are 5 years, with regular deeper inspection upto 10 years.

baz · Apr 8, 2022

trident sam said:
I had a couple of Avons like that about 10 years ago, the cracks showed up after just a few miles. I just ditched these tyres and haven't had it happen since.

Same here

Derek Wilson · Apr 8, 2022

I agree, time for a new tire. 10 years old is definitely beyond the "best before" date.

Big_Jim59 · Apr 8, 2022

Thanks everyone for responding. This answers my question. Looks like I will be replacing the Avon RR with another one.

concours · Apr 8, 2022

I've worn out a bunch of em. Not perfect, but really good.

concours · Apr 8, 2022

Derek Wilson · Apr 8, 2022

I have been going through a rear tire per season, 5000-6000 miles of life, 120/90-18 BT-46. Only have to worry about the front weather cracking.

alan hodge · Apr 8, 2022

roadriders on my commando still good after a few years but i have had real bad luck with asia made K70s on my BSA and Triumph sidewalls crack after just a year or so

ashman · Apr 8, 2022

Bit of boot polish will fix it (Worlds Fastest Indian, good on you Burt), depends where the cracks are on the side wall get rid of them on the tread and depends how deep the cut into the tread or if rear tyre burn out time.

Big_Jim59 · Apr 8, 2022

The cracks in the tread look like rock damage. This is what mine look like. It's sad because there are very few miles on this tire.

Fast Eddie · Apr 8, 2022

It’s not sad! It’s a blessing. You need to bin it anyway cos of age. The crack simply brought the issue to your attention !

robs ss · Apr 9, 2022

Big_Jim59 said:
The cracks in the tread look like rock damage. This is what mine look like. It's sad because there are very few miles on this tire.

Just buy a new tyre - new and soft - and be thankful this one didn't let you know of it's problems on the road!
Move on.
Cheers

concours · Apr 9, 2022

Big_Jim59 said:
The cracks in the tread look like rock damage. This is what mine look like. It's sad because there are very few miles on this tire.

Shitcan it.

Rear Avon Roadrider Cracking

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