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Has anyone tried Pirelli Night Dragon Tire for 14+ Thunderbird LT

2K views 9 replies 7 participants last post by  durdle 
#1 ·
#9 ·
miles on LT's Avons



I don't know about Beam, but I just replaced my first set of Avon WWs for my LT with 10K miles on them. I could have gone another thousand on them, but I'm taking a 2K mile week-long trip through the desert and up into the mountains so I changed them in advance of that.

My first set of Avons worked well, so I went with them again. But the new front tire they put on gave me a pretty severe wobble between 30-40mph. I brought it back and they found it had a defect and had to order a second front tire. Once that one was mounted, there was no problem and the LT runs smoothly.

I think the radials may provide a little smoother ride, and that's another reason I like the Avons. But I'd be curious if anyone is using a different set and how they work for you. DBrian
 
#6 ·
I think I probably will stay with the Avon tires Basil. My only complaint with them is that they do slip when I go over a tar strip in a curve. I'm not sure if they do this everywhere on paved roads, but in my area the highway department fills the cracks in the roadways with tar so that water does not get down into the pavement substrate. The water then causes the road surface to crack when the weather freezes. When I hit the "tar snakes" in a curve the front tire slips, sometimes enough to really get your attention. Maybe all tires do this. Otherwise, the ride and handling with the Avons is outstanding. I think I may go with the Avon backwalls next time.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the info Basil. I'm new to big street bikes so I figured it might be a universal problem. I know my dual sport with it's off-road tires are really bad for slipping on tar, but I did not know if street tires also did it. In years past the road crews put gritty sand over the tar while it was still wet giving good traction, but they no longer do that around here.
 
#10 ·
Here in So. Arizona we call tar strips road snakes. Every tire will slip on them when they are hot. Had all kinds of scooters, sport touring and cruisers---- they all slip when the weather is hot. Doesn't matter what tire on which you are riding. This can be extremely dangerous in summer!!! Please take caution!!
 
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