Tyres - Avon AM26

scim77 · Apr 5, 2009

I have used TT100's and Avon AM20 & 18 in the past but can honestly say that my current tyres, Avon Roadrunner AM26, are the best I have used on my 850.
The bike is quick to turn, falls into bends effortlessly, is easy to hold or modify line and seems impervious to tramlining caused by white lines or road repairs. Really easy to lay into a corner or flick a change of direction,
they inspire great confidence. I am concerned about becoming too complacent since the cornering is so easy and secure. It is like being on rails and feels glued to the ground. Smiles all round!
The treads get nicely warm, which in my experience is usually the sign of grippy rubber. Too early to judge how long they will last but I prefer grip to mileage anyway.
I am enjoying the bike more with these tyres than ever before and look forward to every ride, always looking for more twisty roads. Highly recommended. Well done Avon. ( No, I don't work for Avon )

bill · Apr 5, 2009

I think you will find that the mileage will be pretty good to. I was running the super venom's and got about 3500 miles on a rear and with the road riders I am at 3200 miles and just over half worn on the rear. I like you, thanks Avon for a good tire for our old bikes.

dezwartj · Apr 5, 2009

Consider yourself lucky to have twisty roads. I can only dream about them. Here in Alberta, Canada (like all other prairy provinces and states) the roads go perfectly straight. Either North South or East West.

splatt · Apr 5, 2009

I would also have to agree with you,exellent grip,for a tyre as wide as a biscuit,I found when my back got 1/2 worn I got a slight speed weave in a straight line,definatly no good in Canada.Good rear shocks,, headsteady,rearsetpegs,lower bars and you can really start to have some fun. The only thing is you find out how bad the brakes and forks really are,acouple more projects to do and Isee the forks are now being discussed.

BrianK · Apr 10, 2009

Matt Rambow at CNW recommends Bridgestone BT-45s; I have them on my Snorter now and they are excellent tires. Pretty cheap, too.

I do have some thoughts of trying something like Pirelli Sport Demons next time around, but that's more out of (i) general love of Pirelli tires, and (ii) insatiable appetite for "better," even if what I have now is perfectly good.

Stuart SS · Apr 11, 2009

I first encountered the Am26's at the 2007 Triples Down Under rally when a mate from Sydney lent me his OIF T120 ~

They really impressed me.. so much I have fitted them to my current project T150V Trident ~

Superb ` 8) 8)

Glad to hear they are in fact a good mileage unit as well; as I was of the impression they were not ~

If I had nothing but flat open country I think I would give riding.. but thankfully I reside on top of the Australian Great Dividing range.. which equates to lots of ups and downs ~ and lots of twists and turns...

Great stuff!

MrFastback · Apr 12, 2009

I ordered a set of AM26's yesterday.
I like riding twisties aggressively and the K81's my fastback has on it now are a few years old and very hard. They don't inspire confidence by any means.
I appreciate hearing your evaluation of the Avons.
I'm looking forward to having some sticky rubber on my Norton!
The bike is way to much fun to ride too slow!
I hit 100+ twice today!

BillT · Apr 12, 2009

I bought one K81 to replace my rear, as the front is barely half worn. Once this set is done, I'll be looking for Avons. At the rate the first rear went, I guess October will be new tire time.

I thought I'd get more than 5000 miles out of the Dunlop on the rear, but I guess not.

pkeithkelly · Apr 13, 2009

Mr. Fastback -

I am due for new tires and want to replace my worn out Dunlops with the Avon AM26 tires.

Where did you order yours from? Did you order the 100/90's for both back and front? Or did you go with the 90/90 for the front?

Congrats on the 100 MPH mark. Did one of those myself yesterday!

Keith

MrFastback · Apr 13, 2009

pkeithkelly said:
Mr. Fastback -
I am due for new tires and want to replace my worn out Dunlops with the Avon AM26 tires.
Where did you order yours from? Did you order the 100/90's for both back and front? Or did you go with the 90/90 for the front?

http://sporttour.com/
I ordered 100/90's for both the front and rear.
I would have ordered a 110/90 for the rear if it had been available but Avon doesn't make one. These tires are only $84.00 at Sport Tour but you have to call them 'cause they aren't listed on their website. Their number is: 1-866-761-0936.

Fullauto · Apr 14, 2009

I have run AM 26 Roadriders for some time. I recently had my wheels relaced with 19 inch Morad 2.5 inch rims. This gives the tyres about a half inch wider, flatter profile. Both are 100/90 s. In fact, when I did some research on their website, Avon actually recommend 2.5 inch rims for these tyres as they are a modern tyre rather than a specific tyre for older bikes. I just put the new tyre on the front and put the front tyre on the rear. This way you get good tyre life as well.

I tried a BT45 front fitment 100/90 on the rear and didn't get 1500 miles from it. Handled OK but 1500 miles ??

Keith1069 · Apr 14, 2009

Ditto on the BT45's. Got more than 1500 but at 2500 it was very square. Replaced it and getting the same wear. I raved over these because the tramlining I got with AM20/21 disappeared totally. Looks like AM26 is worth a go.

scim77 · Apr 14, 2009

Keith1069. I can recall your posting when you first fitted the BT45's. I had also had major white line weaving when my Avon Venom AM20 rear tyre wore a flat centre. But 1500 miles on BT45 is a bit harsh. Hopefully the AM26 will still give you BT45 grip but with better mileage. My AM26's felt brill again on yesterday's ride. I am on 90/90/19 front and 100/90/19 rear. Feels really agile.

BrianK · Apr 14, 2009

I've got maybe 2K miles on my BT-45s and they're fine - tread looks almost new. Not sure what accounts for the difference, but, um, I like mine better than yours!

Have heard good things about Avons too, so glad they're working for yous. Me, I'm gonna try some Pirelli Sport Demons next.

JimC · Apr 14, 2009

I've got over three thousand miles on my BT-45's. Looks like they're good for another six. This is on a BMW K 75, which is heavier and has more power than my Norton.

printertim · Apr 14, 2009

Mr. Fastback
I love the AM26s. I just replaced the rear at 3500 and the front looks like it will go twice that. And it is true that they stick well, are good in the wet and look great on a Fastback. We are enjoying the Dragon at Deal's Gap!

Keith1069 · Apr 15, 2009

I've got over three thousand miles on my BT-45's. Looks like they're good for another six. This is on a BMW K 75, which is heavier and has more power than my Norton.

That's staggering.....kinder power delivery? or the rider?

splatt · Apr 15, 2009

Maybe the BMW doesn't drag it's back wheel down the road on an angle like most factory nortons

Reggie · Apr 15, 2009

Nice picture printertim.

Did you make the corner :?: :lol:

printertim · Apr 15, 2009

Reggie
I did and so did the Norton! :wink: The picture is courtesy of Killboy. He sets up on the Dragon and shoots photos every weekend. The Dragon is one of our more famous motorcycle roads in the US. It crosses the Tennessee and North Carolina border. It has 318 curves in 11 miles. Here is the link to his website.

http://killboy.blogspot.com/

He shot me 5 or 6 times that weekend. I have more pictures but didn't want to bore everybody! I just wanted to show Mr Fastback how well those AM26s stick........

Hope all is well on your side of the pond. I haven't been there since 1969 when I purchased the Fastback from Elite Motors!

Tyres - Avon AM26

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