Avon VS Meztler

[Gkiller]

I JUST HAD MY R3 DYNO TUNED A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAVE METZLERS ON ANY ONE DYNO TUNE WITH AVONS /

Avon motorcycle tyres are only for use on vehicles for which motorcycle tyres were originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer, any other use may be dangerous.

Motorcycle tyres which have been subject to use on rolling roads must no longer be used for subsequent, normal service. Use of Avon motorcycle tyres on a rolling road (Dyno) will invalidate the tyre warranty. All tests on rolling roads must be carried out with test tyres, special tyres reserved for maintenance purposes, or tyres which are worn out or downgraded.
Safety | Avon Tyres

Just had my Rocket dyno'd two weeks ago with an Avon on the rear....

 

[Travelinguy]

Travelinguy here....30,000 miles, all around the US...deserts of Texas, NM., AZ, and California...mountains in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah an Colorado....wet riding in the Northwest (Washington an Oregon), heavy traffic in all major cities...lots of dirt and gravel roads looking for BLM campsites...whatever. I've used three different brands of tires, four rear replacements and two front. Tried Metz's, Avons, and Bridgestones. Other points of interest...I have a red and black 2008 Touring...you know, the faster one because it's Red and Black and I of course use extra wax ....Other points...I don't ride hard-hard meaning I ride regular (for an old guy). I do twist the throttle a bit at stop lights around town ...especially if there's one of those "other kine bikes" sitting next to me (or a Porche...I love Porche's because the guys usally are spending $80,000+ to try and do what we get to do for $10-$15K . I average 5000 to 7000 miles on the rear and try to push 10,000 to 12,000 on the front. I have a lot of weight on the rear...not me (I'm 5'10" 165lbs) but I have all my camping gear, tool kits, computer, food, and clothing and lots of etc's..so I'm guessing 150-200 more pounds some out over the back end.

All of that said....Everybody gave Avons a good rap and I can understand why...except for me on acceleration...I got my first shock when the AVON slipped out from under me...meaning it broke traction and took me a little sideways! Scare the crap out of me as that was my first initiation to the fact that this is one BA bike!...Okay...I will say was hot that day...like 105 in Tuscon or some hell-hole. The Metz is great except they last about 5 minutes. Oh yeah, don't try to get a tire between Dodge City, Ks an Oaky City...forgetaboutit already...I found one...they put it on....I knew it was going to be bad when I asked how much and they said "well let's see...you've got a Rocket right? soooo...just give us all you have and all that you're ever going to make for the rest of your life. The Bridgestone was okay...about average (whatever that is). The claim was it was suppose to get double the milage of the Metz...yeah...well that didn't happen...The good part was I could see the chords coming through...in fact I rode that one so far I could see the air inside!

Thinking about going to the darkside next round but I'm also thinking about hanging up the old spurs too...not sure....meantime...I'm having a ball when the lightening, deer, cantalope arn't trying to kill me off.

O/O Travelinguy - still in Mulberry, Arkansas dodging tornadoes (well it's either that or going down and trying to sleep among the croc-a-gators in Louisiana .

 

[CanberraR3]

Great to hear how the Bridgestone is. One of my mates rides a Boulevard and it is stock on his bike. Looks a little flat (making it look wider and better in my opinion) but does it make it more of a wrestle around bends?

Exactly my observation - that it's flatter, almost has corners - although nothing like a CT. Interestingly I find it needs less wrestling - maybe it has more give - and wish I'd got one sooner. Love the way it looks big and fat and definitley has a more cushioned ride. Look here and you get the idea Gallery - boulevard-c109r - Suzuki Boulevard

It's pretty wet outside now and I'm about to ride home in next 30 mins or so, so will see how it goes in the wet.

 

[TOMCAT]

I've got 84,000 klms on my 2009 R3 Standard, always get at least 10,000 klms out of Metzler Marathons rear tyres. They are always scrubbed when i ride into the shop for a new one. Ridden all over the country in all sorts of weather (i don't own a car) Most big trips im two-up with luggage. Run 45PSI in the rear, 40PSI in the front. Try really hard not to nail it too hard away from the lights ....unless there's another bike next to me. Never tried the Avons because nearly everyone reports less grip in the wet , my bike getting out of shape in the wet does not really appeal to me. Guess i'll be sticking with the Metzlers until something better comes along.

 

[wsrvr]

Here's my experience. I have 39000 miles between my 06 R3 and my 12 R3R.

Have gone thru 6 rear Metzs and 2 rear Avons, averaging 2400 to 5600 between them.

Have gone thru 3 front Metzs and 2 front Avons, averaging 4100 to 6400 between them.

The Avons are easier to mount and are the reason I prefer them. I agree that they slip in the wet more than the Metzs, but I'm a dry day rider.

I suspect my riding style and the type of pavement they pay down in my area has something to do with it. I ride in the Rocky Mountains above 5500 ft ASL so I'm sure the pavement differs from that used in lower, warmer elevations.

Later

 

[TOMCAT]

Right oh..Tomcat That seals it> Im sticking with the Metz.

Cheers Mate...give us a buzz when your in Vic

Will do , another lap of Tassie is on the agenda.

 

[fastfreight]

Wait!

No one wants to know about Travelinguy's homicidal cantalopes?

 

[CanberraR3]

Lap of Tassie?

 

[HellFire]

This is interesting. My Mezt rear is about past its sell by date at 5,000mls exactly. Was thinking of trying an Avon even though apart from the wear factor i've been happy with the Metz. HELLFIRE why "anything but a Metz" I'm open to suggestions as long as it is'nt darkside.

That's too bad you've totally written off trying out the darkside but to each his own.
The Avon Cobra I now have on the front was an improvement over the Metz in a couple areas that I noticed right away. It handled crisper, the bike WANTED to turn where the Metz fights it a little. The ride was smoother and less jarring over road seams. The Avon is wearing more evenly than the Metz, the Metzler began to cup on both sides almost overnight where the Avon hasn't changed in 7000 miles, in fact it still looks new.

Pete.Triumph's comment about it being dangerous to use anything but OEM is silly, vehicle manufacturers are more concerned about cost and availability over performance and safety. They use the best tire they can based on cost and work a deal with the tire maker for price and a dependable supply.

Each tire is a compromise, they obviously cant all perform the same function the exact same way another does. So you make choices based on what is important to you and how you ride it. Any Darksider will tell you that riding on a car tire is a compromise, it's not perfect. But to us the benefits far outweigh the negative quirks, I'll be the first to tell anyone who asks that they have a tendency to follow ruts in the road at slow speed but the 240 Metzler did too. Car tires have more mass and increase the unsprung weight a little, but the Metzler was so thin that it wears out quickly. The Metz has no tread at all in the center of the tire and hydroplanes easily where the car tire has tread and disperses water with ease. Running 40psi in the Metzler makes it a brick and the ride is harsh compared to a car tire with 28-32psi.

Tires are as personal to the rider as a pair of shoes, you can't expect golf shoes to perform well on a basketball court ... you have to decide what you do more of or buy multiple pairs. Right now I'm loving my BFG/Cobra combination, the compromises are hardly noticeable to me.

So if the tire fits, you must acquit.

 

[pete.triumph]

That's too bad you've totally written off trying out the darkside but to each his own.
The Avon Cobra I now have on the front was an improvement over the Metz in a couple areas that I noticed right away. It handled crisper, the bike WANTED to turn where the Metz fights it a little. The ride was smoother and less jarring over road seams. The Avon is wearing more evenly than the Metz, the Metzler began to cup on both sides almost overnight where the Avon hasn't changed in 7000 miles, in fact it still looks new.

Pete.Triumph's comment about it being dangerous to use anything but OEM is silly, vehicle manufacturers are more concerned about cost and availability over performance and safety. They use the best tire they can based on cost and work a deal with the tire maker for price and a dependable supply.

Each tire is a compromise, they obviously cant all perform the same function the exact same way another does. So you make choices based on what is important to you and how you ride it. Any Darksider will tell you that riding on a car tire is a compromise, it's not perfect. But to us the benefits far outweigh the negative quirks, I'll be the first to tell anyone who asks that they have a tendency to follow ruts in the road at slow speed but the 240 Metzler did too. Car tires have more mass and increase the unsprung weight a little, but the Metzler was so thin that it wears out quickly. The Metz has no tread at all in the center of the tire and hydroplanes easily where the car tire has tread and disperses water with ease. Running 40psi in the Metzler makes it a brick and the ride is harsh compared to a car tire with 28-32psi.

Tires are as personal to the rider as a pair of shoes, you can't expect golf shoes to perform well on a basketball court ... you have to decide what you do more of or buy multiple pairs. Right now I'm loving my BFG/Cobra combination, the compromises are hardly noticeable to me.

So if the tire fits, you must acquit.

HELLFIRE you miss under stood me the text in capital was me talking the text below was cut and copied from avon tyres web site on safety they only meant that you should not use a tyre for nornmal road use if you had it on a rolling road or dyno not that avons are unsafe on a r3 in any way