Avon Cobra 140/90B-16 questions?

[cimmer]

I just found some major cracking on my rear tire that is 8 years old per the build date code. I was looking at an Avon Cobra Bias tire for the rear. Has any one tried this tire on the back of the MKII yet. I have the Avon Venom AM41 on the front and had the Venom AM42 on the rear.

Just curious how you might like the Cobra.

Thanks

Rick F.

[frankd]

I've got a new set of Avon's ready to go on, but haven't done them yet. The only difference that I see between the rear Venom and the new Cobra is that the Cobra has hard rubber in the middle of the thread and soft rubber in the outer threads plus some different belts to keep everything aligned to minimize wear.

 

I usually get about 22-24,000 miles out of a set of Venoms, and hopefully I'll get the same out of the rear Cobra. However, the rear Venom I've got on now is being replaced a little early. We've got a big trip planned at the end of the month and it's a bit notched on the side threads, especially the left side. I've got 19K (1 1/2 years) on it now and the thread is still OK, but because of the trip I'll put the new one on. The front has 22K (2 years) and is approaching the wear bars. Most of this wear is 2 up.

[syscrusher]

I had an Avon Cobra radial on the front of my Vulcan 2000. I didn't get really great mileage out of it before I swapped in my spare front wheel and tire for a long trip. While the Cobra sat in the garage for possibly a year it started to show deep splits at the arrow points in the tread, both along the edge where the arrow points terminated and right in the middle where the arrow points end. It looked like it could burst anywhere anytime.

 

I won't be buying another Avon product.

[cimmer]

I wondered about that happen with the splitting on the Cobra tire also. What are the riders here using as a replacement for the rear tire on their VR MKII now?

I plan on keeping the front tire a Venom for now as it only has 7.5k on it and looks good but I am watching it closely.

Thanks

Rick F.

[Barrycuda]

just replaced my Avon Venom X with a new set. I have had no issues regarding cracking from side walls. previous owner had them when I bought the bike but I put on 7000 miles before replacing both front and rear. so far, 1700 miles and in this Florida heat, still see no splits or cracks

[frankd]

Today I took my first ride on the new Avon's. I pulled Avon Venoms off, the front had 22,000 miles and the rear had a bit over 19K, both were worn to where they were completely used up. I installed a Venom on the front and a Cobra on the rear.

 

I would say that the Cobra rear feels different than the Venom did when it was new. It didn't feel as willing to lean as the Venom did. The sidewalls on the unmounted Cobra feel stiffer than the Venom's also.

 

Barb and I have plans on taking a trip out to Albuquerque, so I'll let you know how it's doing after we come home.

[cimmer]

My cracking wasnt the sidewalls, but in the actual tread itself. I have decided to go with the Dunlop E3 as they have a matching front tire for the VR MKIIs and the place I called here in the twin cities has one sitting in stock and can mount it right away and has a decent price for it. It is also less then a year old from the build date.

Thanks for all the input.

Rick F.