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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Frisco, TX | I've heard that a few folks have had some problems with the Avon tires. Specifically, cracking or splitting along the tread ofter a number of miles. Anybody here experience any Avon Cobra tire problems? Anybody with great things to say about them? I'm getting ready to go on a short 7000-8000 mile trip in 2 weeks and don't want to have any more problems than usual. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Frisco, TX | I forgot to include the link. http://www.gl1800riders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&p=1210348 |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | When replacing the tires on your Vision, remember the rim is 5.0". Check the fitment of any tire you put on the bike. A lot of tires of the 180 size are for fitment of 5.5"-6.0" size. That was the issue with putting on Avon or other tires on the Kingpin, which has a 5.0 rim. The tires would produce a high speed wobble at 85mph and above. If the fitment of the tire is 5.0, should work. Have not heard much about the Cobra tire. I ran the Venom tire on my Kingpin and it has to be the Custom, otherwise there was wobble over 85mph. The AM42C performed very nicely on the Kingpin but it wore faster than the Dunlap. Good luck on your trip. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Fergy, I can't speak for Goldwings running the Venoms, but I have run them on HD Baggers. They wear ok but I'm 99.9% sure I almost always got better mileage out of Dunlops. Now here is the thing.... I looked at the link you provided and what was being talked about is experienced with the E3 as well. It has to do with tread design and tire pressure. The E3's on my bike began scalloping at 5k miles before I realized the dealer lowered my tire pressure. I had it in for servicing before a trip and checked tire pressure 3 days into the trip, I always check every 3 days. Dealer mechanic lowered pressure to 32, don't ask why other than he didn't look at the manual. Once I corrected the pressure the scalloping was easily ridden out but will shorten my tires life some.
My advice is run whatever tire you want, but check your pressure and tires regularly. I've started checking the Vision every two days, and it seems to need nothing in the way of air for a good week or so. I prefer a tread design like hat is found on the Dunlop 402's but the E3's and Venom X are fine as well. Enjoy your trip.... T |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Madison, AL | Good reminder on the air pressure and tire fit. We have several new riders and some treat their bike like their car. I have pointed out to more than one rider the importance of checking the air pressure. One guy thumped the tire and said "It feels fine", so I went to my bike got out my pressure gauge and he was almost 12lbs low. He was surprised but already had the tell-tell ring around the tire. |
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Tourer
Posts: 340
Regina Saskatchewan Canada | I had Avon Cobra tires on my Kawasaki Nomad and after only a few months of riding the side walls where checked like they had been left in the sun for a year or two. I complained about it but they did nothing. Needless to say I will never buy an Avon tire again. I went back to the OEM tire the bike was designed to use and had no problems. I will most likely do the same with the Victory Vision unless I have cause not to.
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I just ordered gl1800 set of Avon Cobras. On sale at 20% off until midnight EST tomorrow at Honda direct line. Hope they work out. Guess I'll find out in a month or so! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Eden Prairie, MN | The tires that came with our bikes were chosen after running many brands and models. I have to ask, what do you expect to accomplish by experimenting? Seriously (and respectfully) What is wrong with the Dunlops that came with the bike? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| rainmaker - 2008-08-11 9:13 PM The tires that came with our bikes were chosen after running many brands and models. I have to ask, what do you expect to accomplish by experimenting? Seriously (and respectfully) What is wrong with the Dunlops that came with the bike? Sometimes a manufacturer does not make their choice solely because it is the "Best Performing" product, but on other business decisions (e.g. cost, profit margin, contracts, time line, availability, relationships, etc.). An obvious example of this is the Garmin 2720. This product was discontinued by Garmin before it was ever available on the Vision. Stores were blowing out this discontinued product inventory for $300 while Victory dealers were changing over $1,000 for it. Another item that comes to mind are the speakers and amplifier of the audio system, there are better speakers and amps out there. Another item are the 35 watt PIAA bulbs in the axillary light kit. PIAA has a 55 watt bulb that provides much better light that could/should be in the axillary kit. In short, it doesn't hurt to be informed about product options. I will need new tires soon and am considering other options as well. I would like something that works better in wet conditions and gravel (if there any to be had).
Just my 2 cents on the topic, Tim
Edited by TimS 2008-08-12 2:53 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I agree with Tim there Rainmaker. Just because the manufacturer chose it, doesn't mean it's the best. I think another example is seats/saddles. They make them, or have them made, and I think a lot of people who buy aftermarket Corbin or Mustang seats would agree that most, not all, manufacturers, don't do a good job of designing a seat, let alone building one. I found that to be true with my last bike. The manufacturers know what they want to sell their bike for based on what people WILL buy the bike for, and they know how much they want to make off each bike sold. That being said, if they sink all the money into the engine, trans, things that are most often reviewed and can give them a great selling point, it goes to reason that they are not going to put the best, which is usually the most expensive, tire on the bike. They know people will have to replace them, and then they can put whatever they want on the bike. Victory has done a good job overall of making a good bike, but there are things that could have been done better, and I bet they know that too. But, as with all business, it's a matter of money and profits.
Edited by divesharc 2008-08-12 9:40 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Frisco, TX | rainmaker - 2008-08-11 11:13 PM The tires that came with our bikes were chosen after running many brands and models. I have to ask, what do you expect to accomplish by experimenting? Seriously (and respectfully) What is wrong with the Dunlops that came with the bike? Hmm... If we all took that approach, all of our bikes would pretty much look the same. It's normal for new tires to come out and it's normal to find tires you prefer vs. other tires or use tires you're familiar with from other bikes. Also, manufacturers often have agreements with specific manufacturers (e.g. Bridgestones on your Kawasaki Nomad) that have little to do with what's best but what's good enough and what is mutually beneficial between the two manufacturers. In the past 100,000+ miles on my bikes I've had Bridgestones, Metzlers, Avon Venoms, Dunlops, etc. Each tire has it's plusses and minuses (well, Bridgestones mostly had minuses and yet they are the tires Kawasaki uses). On my 1500 Vulcan I ran Avon Venoms. Great tires, great grip, wouldn't use anything else. My Vulcan 2000 OEM tires were Bridgestones. Because of the odd size that Kawasaki picked for the rear tire, I had only 2 or 3 choices in tires and I was getting barely over 4000 miles on the rear tire. I finally dropped down to a 180 on the rear and went with the Elite 3 which gave me more miles. Avon Cobra is now made in the size for the Vulcan 2000 and of course for the Vision. Since I had such good luck with Avon Venoms, I would like to try the Cobras. But, like wine, not all vintages and varietals from the same winery are equal. Experimentation is in order and at least I'll have a helmet on in case the experiment fails.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 140
| It`s nice to have good tire choices, and I generally experiment, but so far these E3s have been pretty satisfying. How much mileage are most getting out of these? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | What kind of mileage are you getting on your E3's now? I was always told if you wanted long life to go with E3's |
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Frisco, TX | Arkainzeye - 2008-08-13 6:45 PM What kind of mileage are you getting on your E3's now? I was always told if you wanted long life to go with E3's It's not just about mileage. On the Rogue it was but I figure I can easily get 10,000 miles out of the rear and 15K out of the front with the E3s. I'm trying the Cobras only to see if they handle better since I used to run Avon Venoms on my old bike and loved them. I have nothing agains the E3s at all. So, why change? Because I like change. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | Let me know how you make out. I am at almost 18K and I replaced first set at 9500 miles.
These look like I will get a little more miles out of them, but if I can get better performance with similar mileage, I will change too....
I am also thinking about a 21" in front as well as an 18" rear( with new wheels)
Edited by devilboy 2008-08-13 9:52 PM
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