|
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I've got 4500 miles on my first set of Cobras and I'm really liking them. It took a while to get used to how much more they move around on the highway than the E3's do. I ended up lowering the pressures down to Vic's recommended 36/38 solo and that settled them down quite a bit. The handling is simply fantastic wet or dry. They stick really well and turn in beautifully which hasn't deteriorated at all so far. They don't howl like the E3s do either.
I'm planning a Trans-Canadian trip this summer and I need to set up a tire change. I've run the hell out of the current set and am currently down to less than 3 mm tread depth. According to Avon's site they started with 8.6 mm tread depth. Based on that I'll probably wear the rear out at about 6500 miles. I'm thinking I'll probably get about the same on the trip based on more of a load but offset by higher pressure and a more sedate speed. The E3's went 10,000 miles by comparison and were into the tread wear indicators. Those of you that are running Cobras what mileage do you think you might be getting and what pressures do you run?
Thanks,
Marc |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | 'more sedate speeds'!?! Obviously you've NEVER driven Canada 1 where everyone drives like it was the last lap @ Daytona using all lanes including two way turn lanes-You are about to have your eyelids yanked up into your hairline. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | Before you leave on a long trip Always start with new tires. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I have about 5k on mine and should get at least another 4k, maybe more. I run 40/40 in mine and love them. I didn't notice any highway movement though. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 54
Orangeville, PA | I have them on my KP and am on the second set of them. First set lasted just over 6,000 miles and I am expecting to get about the same out of the current set. I run them with 38 myself and this setup works great for me. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Thanks guys! I think I'll try bumping the pressure a bit on the next set and see if they go any further.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I have 8 1/2 K on mine and that includes a trip to the Dragon. I'm guessing I'll get 11-12k total. I run more curves than most I suspect. Don't do much Interstate. I run 'em in the 38-40 psi range and have Ride On in front and rear. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | Marc
Plan on your tire changes either just before crossing the boarder and just after, or plan on zipping south of the 49th as we we not only get bent over for tire pricing, but it expected that we hold our ankles!!! lol 2 years ago in Utah, I installed both front and rear for the same price I installed rear only this past sept. I found the best price, and had local wrench mount tire as I the r/r of the wheel. For a long trip such as that, \i would really consider dark side! Only problem is here in Canada no one stocks a suitable tire to fit the Visions. \i see it as a way to not have to stop and have down time on your trip.
Have a great trip. Watch for wildlife as Deer and Moose tend to be a little larger north of the 49th. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Man, I got 16.5k out of my first E3's, and 17.5k out of my second set. Not sure why you guys are settling for tires that barely give 10k, if that.
I did the Cobra's and Metzelers on my KP, and they were very unimpressive.
To each his own I guess. Glad we all like something different.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| norcan - 2013-01-14 4:09 AM
Marc
Plan on your tire changes either just before crossing the boarder and just after, or plan on zipping south of the 49th as we we not only get bent over for tire pricing, but it expected that we hold our ankles!!! lol 2 years ago in Utah, I installed both front and rear for the same price I installed rear only this past sept. I found the best price, and had local wrench mount tire as I the r/r of the wheel. For a long trip such as that, \i would really consider dark side! Only problem is here in Canada no one stocks a suitable tire to fit the Visions. \i see it as a way to not have to stop and have down time on your trip.
Have a great trip. Watch for wildlife as Deer and Moose tend to be a little larger north of the 49th.Thats exactly what I'm planning on doing.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Turk - 2013-01-14 5:24 AM
Man, I got 16.5k out of my first E3's, and 17.5k out of my second set. Not sure why you guys are settling for tires that barely give 10k, if that.
I did the Cobra's and Metzelers on my KP, and they were very unimpressive.
To each his own I guess. Glad we all like something different.
Here are the reasons I've switched brands:
Improved wet weather traction which is the primary reason.
Eliminate howling in curves after the tires are worn halfway.
Minimize deteriorated turn-in as the tires get squared off.
The Cobras have accomplished these goals with the downside that they wear out quicker. Some of us are willing to shoulder the increased cost based on the benefits. Other riders I've spoken to have no problems at all with the E3s or can't see spending the extra money. I completely understand that. For me to have more confidence in the wet is easily worth the cost by itself.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| why not do like Rollin put a car tire on the back. He went to Alaska last year with no problems and you got around 25 thousand miles out of it
Do a search the title was top of the world |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Hey John,
We put cams in Nozzledog's bike last week so I got to ride his with a car tire on the back for the first time. It was OK but I didn't like the way it cornered. I think I'll stick to bike tires. I don't care about the mileage as long as its predictable.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| marcparnes - 2013-01-14 8:57 AM
Turk - 2013-01-14 5:24 AM
Man, I got 16.5k out of my first E3's, and 17.5k out of my second set. Not sure why you guys are settling for tires that barely give 10k, if that.
I did the Cobra's and Metzelers on my KP, and they were very unimpressive.
To each his own I guess. Glad we all like something different.
Here are the reasons I've switched brands:
Improved wet weather traction which is the primary reason.
Eliminate howling in curves after the tires are worn halfway.
Minimize deteriorated turn-in as the tires get squared off.
The Cobras have accomplished these goals with the downside that they wear out quicker. Some of us are willing to shoulder the increased cost based on the benefits. Other riders I've spoken to have no problems at all with the E3s or can't see spending the extra money. I completely understand that. For me to have more confidence in the wet is easily worth the cost by itself.
Marc
While I haven't tried anything but E3's on the Vision, when I had the KP, I found the opposite to be true. The Avon's and Metzelers were too squirrely for me. They just didn't seem to give me the traction that the D407/E3 combo did, even on wet roads. Not to mention, that they wore out twice as fast. The only time I had howling issues with an E3 was on a front tire that I didn't watch the air pressure on. It began to cup pretty bad. After that, it's done. A replacement E3 fixed it right up. Never any extraneous noises from the E3 if you keep a modest amount of air in them and don't let them cup.
Again, to each his own, but the E3's out perform other tires, in my personal experience.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| marcparnes - 2013-01-14 8:57 AM Turk - 2013-01-14 5:24 AM Man, I got 16.5k out of my first E3's, and 17.5k out of my second set. Not sure why you guys are settling for tires that barely give 10k, if that. I did the Cobra's and Metzelers on my KP, and they were very unimpressive. To each his own I guess. Glad we all like something different. Here are the reasons I've switched brands: Improved wet weather traction which is the primary reason. Eliminate howling in curves after the tires are worn halfway. Minimize deteriorated turn-in as the tires get squared off. The Cobras have accomplished these goals with the downside that they wear out quicker. Some of us are willing to shoulder the increased cost based on the benefits. Other riders I've spoken to have no problems at all with the E3s or can't see spending the extra money. I completely understand that. For me to have more confidence in the wet is easily worth the cost by itself. Marc I completely agree. I can't see myself ever going back to E-3's |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | Turk - 2013-01-14 7:24 AM
Man, I got 16.5k out of my first E3's, and 17.5k out of my second set. Not sure why you guys are settling for tires that barely give 10k, if that.
I did the Cobra's and Metzelers on my KP, and they were very unimpressive.
To each his own I guess. Glad we all like something different.
Exactly! I have 16,200 miles on my rear E3 right now and it's not done. Who has the $ or patience to change tires that often? No (percieved) performance differential is worth such a deficit in longevity to me, like you said " to each his own" |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I do notice the road noise of the E3 but it's a non issue for me. As far as wet weather riding, It has rained unmercifully for a week and it's not over. The sun isn't predicted to shine here until Friday and I have commuted every day with the E3's handling well with a considerable amount of water standing in the road and passing big rigs and their gusts and in their wet wake. Not saying other tires wouldn't handle better but how much better than " quite well" do I need. God speed on your trip Marc  |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | I kinda like the singing in the turns that I get from my E3s! I'm on my 2nd set as we speak and they are just now starting to sing for me at about 7k. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| JS5Owner - 2013-01-16 3:46 PM I kinda like the singing in the turns that I get from my E3s! I'm on my 2nd set as we speak and they are just now starting to sing for me at about 7k. The first time I heard E3's singing to me it was so loud I thought a wheel bearing was going out. That was my last set. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| The one and only time an E3 "sang" to me was when it had cupped really bad after being thoroughly worn. I suspect a bad batch of tires or improper inflation.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| Turk - 2013-01-17 8:11 AM The one and only time an E3 "sang" to me was when it had cupped really bad after being thoroughly worn. I suspect a bad batch of tires or improper inflation. Yours or everyone else that says they had the problem? |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| kris1956 - 2013-01-17 10:37 AM
Turk - 2013-01-17 8:11 AM The one and only time an E3 "sang" to me was when it had cupped really bad after being thoroughly worn. I suspect a bad batch of tires or improper inflation. ?Yours or everyone else that says they had the problem?
I suspect that may be the case for many people. However, this was years ago on my old KP. Every other E3 I've had has been whisper quiet. I avg about 25k miles per year, so I've gone through many sets of tires.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Turk - 2013-01-18 6:25 AM However, this was years ago on my old KP. Every other E3 I've had has been whisper quiet. I avg about 25k miles per year, so I've gone through many sets of tires.
Isn't that the oddest thing? Every set of E3s I've run have howled like crazy in turns once they were about 1/2 worn out. I wonder what the variable is that allows one guy to notice it and another not to. From experience I'm aware that I hear and feel things lots of other guys don't. I do the same thing in a car. Its a curse :-)
Marc |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| marcparnes - 2013-01-18 11:33 AM
Turk - 2013-01-18 6:25 AM However, this was years ago on my old KP. Every other E3 I've had has been whisper quiet. I avg about 25k miles per year, so I've gone through many sets of tires.
Isn't that the oddest thing? Every set of E3s I've run have howled like crazy in turns once they were about 1/2 worn out. I wonder what the variable is that allows one guy to notice it and another not to. From experience I'm aware that I hear and feel things lots of other guys don't. I do the same thing in a car. Its a curse :-)
Marc
Not sure, but I do keep them inflated to 38front and 41 rear, religiously. Even when the temps change daily. Having the TPMS makes it easy to stay on top of.
Edited by Turk 2013-01-18 12:35 PM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I've been thru two sets of E3's on my Vision and they both howled like crazy when they were half worn,not to mention the handing went away. Maybe it's my driving style or the roads I drive but this latest set of Avons have been great. I'll give up a little mileage but it's worth to me. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | I'm religious about keeping my air at 40/41... and they cupped but that IS to be expected given the tread pattern. See: http://www.rattlebars.com/tirewear/index.html |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| I just went through my first / last Cobra rear tire. I absolutely loved the handling, ride and noise level or lack of noise. It is incredible in the twisties and will not let you down in that respect. But, the longevity is as expected with a sticky tire. I should have replaced it at 6000 but it caught me off guard on a trip so i wound up with 7200 on it unwisely.
Anyway the middle and edges are now a race slick with no evidence of tread anywhere on it.
I was not happy with myself for getting in that situation but live and learn.
My new Metzler ME880 is waiting in the garage. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I'm real interested to hear what you think of the Metzler now that you have had experience with the Cobra. Please let us know how it goes. BTW, isn't the ME880 a bias ply tire? Does that make any difference? Which front are you going to use?
Marc |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| It's a radial. 180/60r/16. I have an E3 radial on the front for now. I will let you know in a thousand miles, but all of the reviews.were really good. We will see. Take care. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 482
Beer Collins, Colorado (there is no fort) | One of my issues with the Metzler (and others)is the load rating of 74 compared to the Avon & OEM Dunlop's 80 rating-that's 165 pounds less load rating and I need all the rating I can get. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | I have used a lot of ME880s in the past on heavy bikes, including Harleys and Yamaha touring bikes, but it is my understanding that the ME880 does not include a tire that matches the performance specs of the Victory OEM tires. I can see no reason to "downgrade" for a replacement tire. Maybe another Metzler would provide the needed specs, I really do like my experience with their tires.
Edited by Oldman47 2013-04-24 1:04 PM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Ditch - 2013-04-24 10:11 AM
It's a radial. 180/60r/16. I have an E3 radial on the front for now. I will let you know in a thousand miles, but all of the reviews.were really good. We will see. Take care.I forgot to ask what pressures you were running in the Cobra. I'm running it very high so I'm curious if that helps its longevity or not.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| 40 psi n the rear and 42 in the front. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| You half to check your air the first of every month and when it gets into the mid 90's check every two weeks
By doing this your tires will last longer say 15 thousand |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Some people ride harder than others in the turns. I think it's as simple as that. E3's howl like the wind. Love my Cobra's~ |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| johnnyvision - 2013-04-24 6:27 PM
You half to check your air the first of every month and when it gets into the mid 90's check every two weeks
By doing this your tires will last longer say 15 thousand
I never ride without checking my air pressure, never. If you get 15000 miles out of a cobra AV72 then your tire hasn't touched the pavement for at least half of it.
Good luck with your theory. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 244
| Ditch - 2013-04-24 1:11 PM It's a radial. 180/60r/16. I have an E3 radial on the front for now. I will let you know in a thousand miles, but all of the reviews.were really good. We will see. Take care. I lost a CT to a road hazard and had to have an emergency replacement in Fl. The St.Petersburg Victory tried the larger tire for me (Met 180/60R16) but couldn't get it to fit. It rubbed after they had it on. I'LL PUT A GOOD WORD IN FOR THEM. They took it off and remounted a stock tire with out charging me anything extra. Great bunch of people there. Thanks St. Pete |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| That's awesome. Heck I'm gonna check my air pressure every week! That should give me 20k+!!!! Who knew |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 752
Broken Arrow, OK | Not a bad deal!
$40 rebate from Avon through 5/31 too.
http://wingstuff.com/products/34751-gl1800-goldwing-avon-cobra-tire... |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| jeffmack - 2013-04-26 10:06 AM
That's awesome. Heck I'm gonna check my air pressure every week! That should give me 20k+!!!! Who knew
No, no, no, that's not how it works.
You only check it with your left hand from the right side of the bike every other Wednesday before 12:30 but after 10:20 am. Then if the temperature and dew point spread are more than 4 degrees but less than 8 degrees different you use the other hand and the other side of the bike. But, when that happens you have to check the front pressure first because if you don't it may let out enough air to tilt the universe. If you accidentally do that and the universe tilts don't worry about it because I'm sure someone on here will know how to fix that too!
I forgot to mention you cannot, I repeat cannot do any of these procedures on the third Wednesday if there are overcast skies. I obviously broke the last rule and shortened my expected tire life on my soft compound Cobra (which I dearly loved) by approximately 8,821.2 miles.
Crap!
Edited by Ditch 2013-04-26 12:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| Avon Cobra 7200 miles, ALWAYS PROPERLY INFLATED. 70% one rider with no trunk. There is some debris on the tire. Yes, that is cord showing.
Are there any more questions????
Edited by Ditch 2013-04-26 5:53 PM
(IMAG0373 copy.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 IMAG0373 copy.jpg (86KB - 1 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Your mileage follows what I'm seeing. I've got 2200 miles on this one and it has 5.25 mm left from an original 8.4 mm so used 37.5% so far. 2200/.375=5866. At this rate it will be toast at 6000 miles assuming it wears at the same rate for the rest of its life. For local riding I don't care since it works so well and I change them myself but for a trip its going to be something to have to deal with. I hope those 880's work out.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Since them tires are so sticky, maybe one of you guys can post a pic or video of DRAGGIN THE VISION! I'd love to try those tires, just not any good for pavement that doesn't turn for 16 miles on my commute and then super slab loop around town. Maybe one day. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| Please don't mistake what I am saying. I absolutely loved the Avon, it is what I always used on my previous sport bikes. It is incredible in the twistys and I got my moneys worth but it is too short lived for my ridin style. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| You know, if the E3s weren't so damn slippery in the wet I'd just live with the noise and run them. They were fine in the dry and I was getting a good 10K out of a set. They slipped on me so bad on three different occasions I completely lost my confidence in them. Really a bummer. I guess that's the tradeoff between longevity and traction. I just don't want to take the chance anymore.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Leighton, IA | marcparnes - 2013-04-26 7:50 PM
You know, if the E3s weren't so damn slippery in the wet I'd just live with the noise and run them. They were fine in the dry and I was getting a good 10K out of a set. They slipped on me so bad on three different occasions I completely lost my confidence in them. Really a bummer. I guess that's the tradeoff between longevity and traction. I just don't want to take the chance anymore.
Marc
I've run E3s for years on various models of Gold Wings and always felt very sure footed on both wet and dry surfaces. Everyone of them got noisy after some time which was gradual enough that it didn't bother my a great deal but was just there. I like the fact that they've increased the load rating for the E3s to 80.
All that said, we all ride differently. I'm not an aggressive rider and I live in Iowa where roads are pretty straight in general (boring, yes) so that might account for my feeling comfortable on the E3s in the rain. In any event, talking about tires is like talking about oil. You know what they say about opinions............
Edited by Rider44 2013-04-26 9:07 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | And all this science, I don't understand
It's just my job five days a week
A riding man, a riding man
I've ridden in a slam-out deluge on a few occasions and have done it at 70mph, passing cars and always felt sure footed. It's been on the interstate, but pouring none the less. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| varyder - 2013-04-26 7:16 PM
I've ridden in a slam-out deluge on a few occasions and have done it at 70mph, passing cars and always felt sure footed. It's been on the interstate, but pouring none the less.I know. The first time I just wrote it off mentally but the next two were not easily forgotten. I'm cursed I guess.
Marc |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 125
| pollolittle - 2013-04-26 6:44 PM
Since them tires are so sticky, maybe one of you guys can post a pic or video of DRAGGIN THE VISION! I'd love to try those tires, just not any good for pavement that doesn't turn for 16 miles on my commute and then super slab loop around town. Maybe one day.
You can't be serious.... Do you see the tire??????? Really? |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | marcparnes - 2013-04-26 6:50 PM
You know, if the E3s weren't so damn slippery in the wet I'd just live with the noise and run them. They were fine in the dry and I was getting a good 10K out of a set. They slipped on me so bad on three different occasions I completely lost my confidence in them. Really a bummer. I guess that's the tradeoff between longevity and traction. I just don't want to take the chance anymore.
Marc
Got 17,410 out of my last rear E3, over 19K out of my last front E3. Mine are fine in the wet but there is some road noise , no big deal to me for almost 3 times the mileage. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | jimtom - 2013-04-27 5:27 AM
marcparnes - 2013-04-26 6:50 PM
You know, if the E3s weren't so damn slippery in the wet I'd just live with the noise and run them. They were fine in the dry and I was getting a good 10K out of a set. They slipped on me so bad on three different occasions I completely lost my confidence in them. Really a bummer. I guess that's the tradeoff between longevity and traction. I just don't want to take the chance anymore.
Marc
Got 17,410 out of my last rear E3, over 19K out of my last front E3. Mine are fine in the wet but there is some road noise , no big deal to me for almost 3 times the mileage.
That is great mileage! How heavy are you and what pressures did you run in the front and back tires? |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I'm 145 (featherwieght)  38 front/40 rear. But I'm terrible at checking tire pressures. I average checking them once between changes. The probably would have lasted longer had I been more diligent about tire pressure. My riding is probably 70% - 80% solo because it doubles as my work car. |
|
| |