Avon tire questions

[Dieseldawg]

Just recieved my new Avon Venom tires yesterday.I got them in 3 business days from Southwest Moto tires.Fast and a good price.I noticed that even though they are not mounted yet it appear's they are narrower then the D404,s that are on the bike now.I ordered stock size,s for both the front and rear.Do they appear that way when mounted?I can see why people say they handle better.They look more like sport tire,s then criuser tire,s.What tire preussure should I run?I ride more 2 up and sport like(meaning more curves then highway).Also the rear is actually taller then the front tire.Is this the case with the D404,s?And are the Venoms actually the same over all height?I was wondering because of the whole ride height thing.I,m not going to get a chance to mount them to the weekend get,s here.

[Tom]

You mount them and they will be as wide although Ive never measured they still look as wide. You will get VERY strong opinions on tire pressure but I run the pressure listed on the side wall and currently have over 9000 miles on mine and really does not show that much wear.I am glad you went with the stock sizes as I really do not think that using the Avons you need a smaller front tire as handling is so much better with the avons in stock size. Also a few says they do not stick good in rain,I find that they are the best tire I have ever ridden on in the rain. As you know BE VERY CAREFUL THE FIRST 100 OR SO MILES. The coating on the tires from the factory takes a bit to work off and THEY ARE SLICK! I know its overboard but I take a brillo pad and strond soap and scrub the wear area very good ASAP as I have experienced that slick feel. Tom

[KiteSquid]

What tire preussure should I run?

 

It is listed on Avon's web site as Front 36 PSI and Rear at 42 PSI assuming you used stock sized tires.

[yamahamer]

I run 45 PSI front and 50 PSI rear I now have 16k miles on mine and just about ready for a new rear. I also ride "sport like" and the AVON's put the Dunlops to shame.

[KiteSquid]

I run 45 PSI front and 50 PSI rear I now have 16k miles on mine and just about ready for a new rear. I also ride "sport like" and the AVON's put the Dunlops to shame.

 

Is that the sidewall max pressure, or where did you come up with those pressures?

[yamahamer]

Is that the sidewall max pressure, or where did you come up with those pressures?

 

It's 5 PSI over sidewall max. I also have the small front tire.

[gibvel]

It's 5 PSI over sidewall max. I also have the small front tire.

 

Did I read that correctly? 5 psi OVER sidewall max?

[Squidley]

Unless your absolutly faithful in ALWAYS checking your tires before you head out 2 up fully loaded, run the rear at max pressure (which on the ones that I have had is 50psi). The front one I run 5 lbs or so lighter than what is recommended, I tune the suspension, not the tire.

[Moped]

I agree with Squidley. I was talking to Avon Rep. couple weeks ago. He rides a Harley Ultra and has a 150/90/16 on it basically same tire size on as RSV (150/90/15) He said he always runs 48 psi in rear.

[padavidj]

I too was looking to put on new tires on my '05 RSTD, oringinally I was going to install the Dunlop E3's after alot of great feedback from other members on this post. But...........when I went to order the tires from Ron Ayers they were back ordered until sometime later this month almost into Oct. So I ended up changing my order to the Avon's. My brother ordered a Dunlop E3 for his Nomad so I hope he likes it. It will be interesting to see how the two tires handle.

 

Just my 2 cents worth,

 

Dave aka the "Chubby Ape":cool10:

[rsnake]

Ok, as a newbie I may have no respect here but... I can't believe all this I am reading here about running the max pressure from the sidewall of a tire. Doesn't anyone understand that that size tire might be used for many applications and each application may require a different pressure? Same with car/truck tires and 9 times out of 10 the people that don't know any better use the sidewall max pressure and are running 45 psi on their car. Best use manufacturer specs and bump them by 2-3 psi. If in doubt contact the tire manufacturer for their input. I know that Dunlop will give you their opinion for their tires on almost any bike. Please use some common sense. After all your life depends on those two tires.

[jlh3rd]

um........the tire manufacturer doesn't care what the tire is used for..the max tire inflation pressure is exactly what it is....a max tire inflation pressure ( cold)... whether on a motorcycle, car , plane, bicycle etc......you don't have to run the max pressure......but you shouldn't run over it....

[loehring]

I guess I'm just a sucker for following directions but if Avon says 36 / 42 then that's what I run. If I'm heavily packed or riding 2 up I will take it to 37 / 44 but that's it. At 16000 miles I still haven't reached the wear lines on my rear tire. I do check the pressure a couple times a week and whenever I am going on a day long ride.

[CMIKE]

Ok, as a newbie I may have no respect here but... I can't believe all this I am reading here about running the max pressure from the sidewall of a tire. Doesn't anyone understand that that size tire might be used for many applications and each application may require a different pressure? Same with car/truck tires and 9 times out of 10 the people that don't know any better use the sidewall max pressure and are running 45 psi on their car. Best use manufacturer specs and bump them by 2-3 psi. If in doubt contact the tire manufacturer for their input. I know that Dunlop will give you their opinion for their tires on almost any bike. Please use some common sense. After all your life depends on those two tires.

You have as much respect as anybody here...we value all opinions, yours included.

If you are running stock tires...then run what Yamaha says run in the tire...Dunlop 404's came on my bike...and Yamaha Manual says run 36 front 41 in the rear fully loaded. 41 is the MAX sidewall listed inflation pressure for the 404. Dunlop recommends 36 and 40. I am now running Dunlop E3's. I run 36 in the front and 40 in the rear...which is what Dunlope recommends for the Venture. 40PSi is the Sidewall MAX pressure on the Dunlop E3.

I do not under any circumstances run over sidewall MAX inflation on my bike tires. some do...and that is the risk they are willing to take.

Avons usually run a with a little more pressure than the Dunlop tires...as long as you do not exceed MAX sidewall pressure...I feel you should be just fine.

You need to realize these ventures are really heavy bikes...and carry a heavy load when you are 2 up on a trip with your wife helping you pack.

Heck...I am still trying to figure out a good way to haul the ironing board.

 

Oh yeah...welcome to the site...you will enjoy it here and there is a lot of information here plus a lot of really friendly folks here just waiting to help each other out.

 

:TEAL:

[Gamecock]

Ironing board = trailer. Got my wife one in November.

 

 

Ben

[TEW47]

If you will email Avon and tell them what you ride and how much you and passenger weight, they will tell you how much pressure you should run. For me they said 42 front and 50 on the back. They used the RSV as a test bike for the tires and found they run cooler at those pressure.

 

tew47

[CMIKE]

Ironing board = trailer. Got my wife one in November.

 

 

Ben

 

Oh no... if I buy a trailer to haul the ironing board...that opens up room for a lot more stuff to carry. I will need a Uhaul to follow behind us before it is over.

Got to draw the line here...no trailer. If we cannot get it in the bags on the bike...it don't go or at least I hope it don't.

 

I am trying to teach "travel light"...be easily portable.

 

Don't tell anybody but I really like those Bushtec trailers, but they are costly. Her cousin has a black one he pulls behind a 05 RSMV. Really sharp...

[Squidley]

Very simple to remember about tire pressures...in order to have the max load capability, you have to have the max air pressure in the tire

[Tom]

Very simple to remember about tire pressures...in order to have the max load capability, you have to have the max air pressure in the tire

Well Said. I got right at 16000 out of my old Avons,front still many miles left,and I ran MAX pressure as I AINT no little guy. My Elite 3S Max pressure..5000 on them so far and doing great. That being said I know everybody has there own opinion and that too is OK.

[Seaking]

Well Said. I got right at 16000 out of my old Avons,front still many miles left,and I ran MAX pressure as I AINT no little guy. My Elite 3S Max pressure..5000 on them so far and doing great. That being said I know everybody has there own opinion and that too is OK.

 

I had a couple of old timers and mechanics tell me this one which I applied a few years back and found to make a difference in my tire milegage..

 

Take the bike down the highway at normal speeds at mid day on a hot day.. run it for a while, get things nice and heated up.. if you typically do 60 or 70 (or more) then keep that speed.. Then pull over as quickly and safely as you can, get off the bike and feel the temps between the tire and the hot pavement..

 

The old rule is that your tire should not be any hotter than the pavement.. The going is that if your pressure is too low, you end up with a lot of flex in the tire, causing friction = heat.. so if you're booting it down the highway on low tires, they'll heat up a lot.. If your tires are properly inflated, they should not be any hotter than the pavement on a hot mid day..

 

Kinda 'odd" and unscientific but I go by that to some level.. I used to run my tires at the bike's manufacturer's recommended pressures, and go through tires like there was no tomorrow.. gets quite expensive to say the least.. It was explained also that the recommended pressures were for a "typical 160 lbs rider".. uh huh..

 

Once I was shown this little process, I was able to extend the life of my tires by a huge margin.. However, it was pointed out to me by a sage wise old man that I should be careful not to exceed the side wall pressure indicated on the tire itself..

 

I apply this rule of thumb on all new brand tires I throw on the bike and it works well.. I have a set of E3s on the bike now, my second set since getting the bike.. the first set were killed off prematurely by a loose steering neck that wobbled out the front tire and the rear got cut just before going to change out the front tire.. So both new tires were put on last June 09.. I would daresay I have over 15 to 20,000 miles on them? (I put 33,500 miles on the bike last riding season and changed tires earlier than mid way)

 

But that's what works for me.. your mileage may vary..

[Marcarl]

Just a little thinking here as well.

Tire states max tire pressure and max load. Maybe add up your load, bike, gear and rider(s), then divide it all somehow so that it works out as to how much load you have on each tire. Now you have the load on the tire, which might be increased a little depending on how you ride. Now check to see how close you are to max load, and then adjust pressure to suit.

As we inflat the tire, we have less contact patch which is the all important secton between us and the road, it provides traction, for cornering and braking, the less you have, the slicker things get. If we run too soft, we have a heating up problem and a side roll issue along with the fact that the rubber will let loose. Too hard and we loose traction and keep the rubber too cool to flex properly.

JMT

Carl

[jlh3rd]

my thinking.......exceed max tire pressure.........tire go " BOOM"...........now, no contact patch at all...!!!

[adventurer 08]

Since i just put avons on my rsv I needed to now the correct tire pressure so this morning i emailed Avon with my info about riding two up and a total weight of 350lbs and they told me 38lb front and 45lb in the rear cold. Im still confessed but I would think Avon knows what there talking about.

[jlh3rd]

so avon has a max tire pressure on their tire.....but avon reps give out different figures for different weights ?..........i'm confused....

[TEW47]

This is what Avon sent me when I asked about tyre pressure. Notice for a rider of 170 lbs with no luggage and reinforced construction TYRE. Based on a 170 lbs. rider with no luggage

 

 

For 2 up or bigger loads increase accordingly

 

 

 

Venom Tires with reinforced construction (130/90HB-16 – 150/90HB-15, etc.)

FRONT 40-42 PSI

Rear 48-50

heavy loads-48-50 psi

tew47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 12, 2010 by TEW47