Avon tires and the cold weather.

[sarges46]

My friend and fellow member, Noddy, is really cranky now. He just got his bike out (91vr) and was giving it an inspection.

 

His brandy new Avon front tire is checked again! Cracked all the way around by the rim. Same thing happened to him last year with a brand new Avon.

 

I am wondering if this brand is suitable on the VR front. It's almost like the cold storage has this negative effect.

 

The rear is fine, but it is a larger tire. Mine is fine (rsv) again, a larger tire.

 

So far the avon is a great tire, but you may remember I had this same problem with an Avon on my first gen a couple years back.

 

Anyone think the extreme cold could affect the tire while in storage. His is an unheated shop with wood flooring.

[dragerman]

I don’t think the cold is the problem especially on a wooden floor. I’d start by checking the age of the tire and if it’s a current tire the problem is in the material.

[sarges46]

I thought of that Charlie...however...all three tires...less than a year old when mounted.

 

Cant figure out why this is.....sure dont hear much of this problem from the guys in the south.

[capn eddie]

+-just because you had the tire mounted last year has nothing to do with how old the tire is . it could have been setting on the dealers shelf for a lot longer. i have read in other post that people have bought tires that had code dates that went back five years are more, so check the code date on those tires. just because you got them last year don't mean they were just made in the same year.

[wes0778]

In looking for Venom tire prices, I find that they are offered in both Bias ply and Radial ply. I would never consider putting anything other than radials on any of my cages.

So would I not be better off going radial on my bike too?

 

I guess my dumb question for the day:innocent: is what are the advantages and disadvantages of radial vs bias on a scoot?

 

I also wonder if some of the differences I read about, here, in mileages are comparing apples to tennis balls, ie radials to bias.

[BOO]

In looking for Venom tire prices, I find that they are offered in both Bias ply and Radial ply. I would never consider putting anything other than radials on any of my cages.

So would I not be better off going radial on my bike too?

 

I guess my dumb question for the day:innocent: is what are the advantages and disadvantages of radial vs bias on a scoot?

 

I also wonder if some of the differences I read about, here, in mileages are comparing apples to tennis balls, ie radials to bias.

 

Not a hundred per cent sure but I believe the radials were made for the 1800 GW.

Not sure how they would work on other bikes and I don't know anyone that is riding on radials except the wingers.

BOO

[wizard]

I've got a BF Goodrich TA Radial tire on the rear of my Venture. Does that count?

[dragerman]

I thought of that Charlie...however...all three tires...less than a year old when mounted.

 

Cant figure out why this is.....sure dont hear much of this problem from the guys in the south.

I’m no stranger to the cold and strongly suspect a problem in the manufacturing end of the tire. I’ve seen some tires suffer some serious neglect and 'cold' and still hold out. If the rubber is cracking after one year (or two or three for that matter) I’d suggest talking to a rep... that is not usual for a tire to do that.

[Snaggletooth]

I've had my Avons on for two years now through winters here in the midwest. Temps below zero for extended amounts of time in an unheated garage and a concrete floor. However I do block the bike up to get the tires off the floor for the extended storage for the winter months.

 

I push my tires pretty hard and I can barely say I have any chicken strips left and I'm seeing no sign of side wall cracks at all. I've got about 10,000 on this set so far and they are looking like they will do well for another season at least.

[sarges46]

+-just because you had the tire mounted last year has nothing to do with how old the tire is . Just because you got them last year don't mean they were just made in the same year.

 

Yeppers...I was speaking of the date code.

 

Maybe its bad luck. But dang what a pain. He got the tires from South west motors and they have replaced one or should I say Avon did. But, he takes off tire....pays to ship there and then waits for another. No riding which is a bummer.

 

My original question was a wonder....if anyone else in the extreme cold...and not knocking southern Ont...but man it gets cold here! -40...even got to -50 in winnipeg this winter, has this problem.

 

He has had it with them me thinks and will see if he can get a credit or something from Avon or SWM and move on to a differant brand.

 

He says its a shame cause he loves the ride and feel of the tire.

[dragerman]

Hey Rick, just to add some credibility to my comments I lived up in Northern Ontario for about 16 years wher one could count on having 6 months of winter. It was not uncommon to get cold snaps where the daytime high would not get any better then -28 Celsius for two weeks. The coldest I’ve experienced was -52 ... Now I know there are places much colder then that but I’m sure you’ll agree that’s cold! I understand your winters can be quite harsh and all considered I still think there is a problem with the tires.

[Guest HdHtr]

I don't think it has anything to do with cold/weather or anything like that. Others of us down here in warmer climes have the problem as well.

 

I put on a set of Venoms' last year and the sidwall on both (front AND rear) are cracking like crazy after a very short time. Both tires were 3 months from production when I bought them. This is the first time I've used Avon's and I do like the tire performance.

 

One thing about Avon I've experienced with this problem is that they stand behind their tires and are replacing both including installation. I have dealt directly with Avon, not the distributor I bought them from and Avon has been excellent to work with.

 

Also, Avon has recommended to me to NOT run max pressure in the Venom's as noted on the sidewall. 42 to 44 in the front, 44 to 46 (lbs) in the rear depending if solo riding or two up. I found this odd and I've always run max pressure on the Dunlops or Pirelli's that I usually use and never had a problem with wear or sidewall.

 

I am hoping that I get to wear out this next set.

[sarges46]

Thanks Steve

 

I will let him know to leave out the seller and deal directly with Avon. I know they covered the tire....but the installation they did not and you wont believe what the only installer in town charges us!

 

Its bad enough that we are going halfers and buying a tire changer either from Harbor Freight or a similar one here in town. Should get our money back first set.

 

Thanks for the feed-back guys. I put feelers out because I was suspicious. Apparantly without grounds. Its good to to know.

 

Charlie...please dont think I was questioning your credibility, I assumed (theres that word) you only lived in southern Ont, where it gets cold yes, but not like here for the length of time. I lived in Thunder Bay (when it was Port Arthur and Fort William) and it does get nasty there.

[dragerman]

Charlie...please dont think I was questioning your credibility, I assumed (theres that word) you only lived in southern Ont, where it gets cold yes, but not like here for the length of time. I lived in Thunder Bay (when it was Port Arthur and Fort William) and it does get nasty there.

Not to worry, I thought it was a good exchange of information... but I am glad to now be in an area with more moderate winters!

Good luck with the tires!

Edited April 17, 2009 by dragerman

[Beau-Kat]

Never have had a cracking/checking problem with any Dunlops or Metzlers on my RSV.

 

Never had Avons (yet), so don't know how they hold up in the Southeast heat. We rarely see the winter temps in the teens around here.

 

Generally, Harley folks around here have some problems with early checking on their Harley labeled Dunlops. My 2003 883R Sportster's front checked after two years and less than 3K miles. I've 8K on the original rear and no checking at all. But, as y'all pointed out earlier, the rear is a fatter tire too.

[ToRide1]

Curious; what cleaning chemicals are you using? It just may be what's doing it but pattern can be established if enough people post the info.

[sarges46]

Simple water and brush.

[1 Canuck]

Because of this thread I went and checked my new rear Venom-X tire. This tire as well is starting to crack around the rim, on one side only. The cracking is staggered around the rim with the largest cracks being about 3" long. It was installed last November and I have only driven about 300 miles since. The tire is inflated to 36psi and the bike had been in cold storage on the center stand all winter.

I've notified the dealer and he's looking into a replacement from Avon, so I'll have to wait and see what his answer/solution is. Hopefully it is just one of those things?

Right now the Kumho tire is looking better all the time?

 

The wife says maybe I'm too heavy and I gotta lose weight...but then again she'll use any excuse.

[LilBeaver]

I'm in Texas, my bike came from southern california. Previous owner put on Avon Venoms 6 months before I bought it and literally drove it from the dealer that installed them to his house -- so there are less than 1000 miels on this tire (I picked it up a few weeks ago) (although the date code on the tire is 4205 -- so this bad boy was sitting on a shelf for quite some time). Oddly enough, only the right side is ridiculously cracked on the sidewall. I have not been riding this bike because of that, and am trying to figure out what to do with the tire.

 

From what I am reading, Avon has some sort of manufacutre defect warranty?

[dr_bar]

In looking for Venom tire prices, I find that they are offered in both Bias ply and Radial ply. I would never consider putting anything other than radials on any of my cages.

So would I not be better off going radial on my bike too?

 

I guess my dumb question for the day:innocent: is what are the advantages and disadvantages of radial vs bias on a scoot?

 

I also wonder if some of the differences I read about, here, in mileages are comparing apples to tennis balls, ie radials to bias.

 

The Avons that fit the Venture are bias ply to handle the weight.

[1 Canuck]

Because of this thread I went and checked my new rear Venom-X tire. This tire as well is starting to crack around the rim, on one side only. The cracking is staggered around the rim with the largest cracks being about 3" long. It was installed last November and I have only driven about 300 miles since. The tire is inflated to 36psi and the bike had been in cold storage on the center stand all winter.

I've notified the dealer and he's looking into a replacement from Avon, so I'll have to wait and see what his answer/solution is. Hopefully it is just one of those things?

Right now the Kumho tire is looking better all the time?

 

 

After I sent the dealer the pictures of the rear tire dated (0308); they passed them on to the Avon rep. The Dealer says Avon has no problem in replacing the tire, but I would have to pay to have the Dealer remove and reinstall the wheel. So, I'll remove and reinstall the wheel myself, and then have the dealer install the new tire on the rim. I hope this new tire holds up better than the last one?