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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 |
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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. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | Before you leave on a long trip Always start with new tires. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
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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 |
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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" |
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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  |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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? |
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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.
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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 |
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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
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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. |
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Cobra Update
