Avon Cobra Review

[Rick Morris]

So I finally had a chance to really ride the Avon today. It reached about 55 degrees today. Put about 170 miles on the bike. Rode with my 3 sons and their two friends. My boys on their Ninjas; ZX6, 636, and a ZX10. Two friends were on a 636 and the other on a Street Glide with a 23" front wheel, all the performance goodies etc... Less than a mile in the ride we finally got passed some slow moving traffic and I dropped it into second grabbed a fist full and pulled the front wheel right up. Now if I had done this with the Metzler it would have broken loose and I would have spun the tire. YAHOOOOO! Finally I have a tire that gets some traction.

We rode very hard up Long Pound Road into Plymouth, back through Carver, Wareham and Bourne dragging pegs and dropping knees. That tire gave me complete confidence in its cornering ability. No wobbles or squirrely little throttle ups coming out of corners. No accidental drifting or breaking loose. A solid road grip and excellent stopping power too.

The only rider I had trouble with was my son on his ZX10. The other 4 couldn't keep up. Some Hooligan antics and a few wheelies. A few of off camber turns, hard braking into narrow right or left hand turns and I am thoroughly impressed with this new tire. It feels as confident as the Q3s on the Ninjas. I am very impressed.

Now for some really warm days and I will see if I can grind those little titties of the pegs.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Thank You Rick. I have been preaching the glory of the Avon Cobra for quite some time. Your report was validation.

 

[cr0ft]

Yep, I agree that they're great tires, but then again I did buy them so I have a vested interest in thinking so. It was a really great thing that Triumph put the exact same wheel dimensions on the Thunderbird LT as they did on the Touring - this way, I could get perfect size and weight rated radial Cobras with whitewalls for mine, which lifted both the ride and the looks.

Cobras + Progressive 444 HD did great things for my bike when cornering.

 

[TasRocketRider]

Now change the Triumph suspension to real shockers and really enjoy the ride.

 

[Rick Morris]

Now change the Triumph suspension to real shockers and really enjoy the ride.

I have been considering a suspension upgrade for this year. What would you suggest?

 

[Mittzy]

Wilbers but they are expensive

 

[cr0ft]

Some of the go-to choices seem to be Progressive Suspension 444 HD (most guys want HD for the Rocket, but some prefer normal) and Hagon Nitro. I went Progressive and am happy with that, not blindingly expensive at JC Motors and works great.

Also pick up a set of these, the stock bolts are unsightly. Triumph Shock Bolt Dress-up Kit

 

[sonny]

How much for the Wilbers suspension package? What is the advantage of the Wilbers over progressive? This is my next upgrade on the Rocket X and would like to hear from those that have installed the products. One more thing where are the Wilbers made?

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Good shocks are Wilbers, Hagon Nitro, Progressive 430, 440, 444. Also change the front springs to Progressive (or similar) and change the fork oil from 5W to 7 W. This up grade takes all the wallowing out of cornering.

Wilbers are Germany
Hagons are England
Progressive are USA

 

[dougl]

Some of the go-to choices seem to be Progressive Suspension 444 HD (most guys want HD for the Rocket, but some prefer normal) and Hagon Nitro. I went Progressive and am happy with that, not blindingly expensive at JC Motors and works great.

Also pick up a set of these, the stock bolts are unsightly. Triumph Shock Bolt Dress-up Kit

Me too. And Progressive front springs. Just be sure to get the right shock springs for your weight.