Triumphrat

Zambie · 05-17-2008

I just got my TB 2001 I need to buy the front and rear tires do you recommend "AVON or PIRELLI" please help
Thank you

jimmyj900 · 05-17-2008

The first thing you have to figure out is what kind of riding you'll be doing.

If you're going canyon carving and doing some very aggressive riding and braking, then you'll want a sport tire.

If (like me) you're riding back and forth to work with some relaxed to moderate riding on the weekends, then you might want to look into sport touring tires. You'll get maximum mileage with good traction and braking, but in between a sticky sport tire and a bar-hopping cruiser tire.

The second thing you need to figure out is whether you can buy a matched set of a front and rear -- a bit of a problem with my Adventurer. Mismatched tires will work in some combinations but not all.

Jim

Zambie · 05-20-2008

I decided on Avon I think I will be fine. Thank you again

jimmyj900 · 05-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Vado

I decided on Avon I think I will be fine. Thank you again

Yeah, Avons. I've got the Avon Venom X sport touring tires on my Adventurer and they're so far superior to what the stock tires were that it's amazing.

The mileage on the Avons is a bit surprising. I believe I've got about 8000 on them and it's hard to tell if they've worn at all.

Jim

jp99tbirdnm · 05-20-2008

I'm a believer in Avon's, I run the Azaros and absolutely love them. I highly recommend them.

oil-spitn-rat · 05-20-2008

I was very disappointed in the past two sets of Avons I've run the first set mileage was ok but dry rot was an issue, second set lasted less than 18 months and I had cracking inside the sipes in the tread. Turns out the were over two years old when I bought them. My dealer does not stock many tires for this reason as they don't want old stock.
After some bickering with Avon (thank you Burr @ Winchester Motorsports) Avon sent a new set of tires but I ate the remounting and balance which was minimal. Time was another issue over 2months.
That being said I'll most likely not buy Avons for another bike again. Mileage is ok, grip ok. Nothing about them is worth buying a third set. I'm back to Metzler or another good quality brand.

31scout · 05-23-2008

I have Dunlop D205's (radials) on my '03 T-bird. Mileage is very good. I need to change the rear now, I have 18,000 miles on it.

Mojoinco · 05-25-2008

Being in the same market (new skins) I was reading some of the misc info at the Dunlop site. I quote:

Our inspections have not been limited to those cycles fitted with Dunlop tires; the situation exists for all brands of tires.

Regardless of the make of tire, this is a serious problem. Riders of motorcycles with significantly underinflated and overloaded tires will experience handling and steering difficulty. In addition, this abuse will result in disappointing premature tire wear and may cause catastrophic tire failure.

The addition of accessories, cargo, and dual riding to touring motorcycles aggravates the problems of overloading and underinflation. The excessive flexing that results from underinflation or overload causes buildup of internal heat, fatigue cracking and eventual carcass breakup resulting in complete failure. A consequence of such failure may be an accident with serious personal injury or death.

The appearance of stress cracks in the tread grooves is one indicator of overload and/or underinflation. If you find evidence of tread groove cracking, you should remove and replace the tire immediately. This damage is permanent and non-repairable.

Our inspection of tires of various style and manufacture at rallies and our subsequent testing have confirmed that underinflation (and/or excessive load) causes tread groove cracking and can result in more serious damage within the tire body. Uneven wear may also accompany underinflated use. Failure to heed these visual warnings can result in tire failure or blowout.

That may not have been your issue. I would expect any tire stored in other than poor areas (Dunlop has a list for that too) to easily last more than two years.

Anyhow, I had a set of the old Azarro's. Thinking of either the newer model or the new Dunlop. Am finishing off a set of the Conti Roadattack's. Seem good, no complaints, just wore out the front first (7000 miles; reflects my braking style). I expect that my ride will improve as the front has some scalloping (with this design I wouldn't quite call it cupping -- though it is).

Running a 170/60/17 versus the 160/70, as that is a higher load rating tire (ST1100's and BMWs use this size).