Avon Storm - 6,012 miles

[kaitsdad]

I installed my first set of Storms back in May, the idea being that they would get me through WORD, the Utah 1088, and then to NAFO and back, right around 9,000 miles in all.

Checking on available tread this morning, at 6,012 miles I was pleased to find lots of tread left -

That is, until I rotated the tire 180 degrees:

And then I remembered that this tire needed 95 grams of weight to balance.

It worked just fine - smooth, balanced, absolutely nothing to indicate that it had a problem - so has anyone out there with Storm experience seen this before?

 

[dcarver]

I'm experiencing this with my currently mounted front Avon Storm. As you stated, the wear has been good, the tire still handles great, and the wear pattern across tread width is the best I've ever seen.

However, just like your rear, the wear across 180 degrees is not even.

Last summer, on the the way to WFO6 via Creston, Canada, another front Storm went south. At speed, the front was vibrating badly. Arrived at friends house, we checked for roundness, and that tire wasn't!

It was out of round by more than 1/8".

Since then, I've run two other sets of Storms, and the out of round issue has not been an issue.

Still again, I won't run Storms when away from home. I love the way they stick and tip into corners, but don't trust them for the 'big' rides.

EDIT - added link.

I'll be trying a set Pilot Road2's for NAFO.

 

[maddawg46]

I installed my first set of Storms back in May, the idea being that they would get me through WORD, the Utah 1088, and then to NAFO and back, right around 9,000 miles in all.
Checking on available tread this morning, at 6,012 miles I was pleased to find lots of tread left -

That is, until I rotated the tire 180 degrees:

And then I remembered that this tire needed 95 grams of weight to balance.

It worked just fine - smooth, balanced, absolutely nothing to indicate that it had a problem - so has anyone out there with Storm experience seen this before?

Yep mine did the same, but at 4600 miles. They suck. They had a great compound in the Azaros that lasted me 7000 miles. They changed compounds in the Storm. They wrecked the tire in my opinion. Now the rear is looking like yours at 4600 miles! The front is shot. No more Avons for me. I bought a set of Michelin Pilot Road 2. Haven't put them on yet, but everyone seems to like them.

 

[user 213]

I installed my first set of Storms back in May, <snip> - so has anyone out there with Storm experience seen this before?

Yes. About the same mileage point too. I typically got 10k from the Azarro, so mighty disappointed with the Storm.

Probably try the RoadSmart next. Though no one seems to have worn one out yet, so can't say how long they will last.

 

[RonBB]

Yep, too bad that Avon quit making the Azaros I would have stayed with them for all future motorcycle tires. Are you listening Avon?

 

[user 213]

Yep, too bad that Avon quit making the Azaros I would have stayed with them for all future motorcycle tires. Are you listening Avon?

Gunny! I was ready to stop looking at the other girls.

 

[kaitsdad]

It really is disappointing. I really liked the tip-in, and the smoothness of the tires.

But this sucks.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

 

[dbvolfan]

Can't say that I saw that with my last pair of storms, although it did take an unusual amt of weights to balance them. Got 12k out of the rear and still had a good 1k left or so before a nail finished her off. The front went 13k+ before it finally started to cup and I decided to replace her when I was in for the 26k service.

Nevertheless, I went with PR2's simply because of all the horror stories out there on the Storms...maybe I got lucky on this last set as I got twice the mileage I did out of the Azeros.

 

[FJRMGM]

On the opposite end - I got 10,100 miles out of my last rear Storm and the replacement tire only took one tiny weight to balance so I am happy with them.

 

[J-DADDY]

I installed my first set of Storms back in May, the idea being that they would get me through WORD, the Utah 1088, and then to NAFO and back, right around 9,000 miles in all.
Checking on available tread this morning, at 6,012 miles I was pleased to find lots of tread left -

That is, until I rotated the tire 180 degrees:

And then I remembered that this tire needed 95 grams of weight to balance.

It worked just fine - smooth, balanced, absolutely nothing to indicate that it had a problem - so has anyone out there with Storm experience seen this before?

kaitsdad

Wow! Scary!

I bought a set of Storms last spring (07). Long story but ,in short have yet to need to mount them, but will soon this summer.

Your experience scares me! I'm wondering if I should just "off" them and buy something else! It kinda looks as though the earlier Storms were the most

problematic (which I believe is what I have). Have you noticed any verification RE: that?

Any ideas as to how to check out the tires prior to installing them?

I was gonna try the "balance bead" method for balancing them.

Any suggestions guys?

JC

 

[radman]

Not a bad idea to re-balance at 1/2 or even 2/3 original tread depth on tires with a rep for long life. Would likely eliminate the odd wearing.

 

[kaitsdad]

Your experience scares me! I'm wondering if I should just "off" them and buy something else! It kinda looks as though the earlier Storms were the most
problematic (which I believe is what I have). Have you noticed any verification RE: that?

Any ideas as to how to check out the tires prior to installing them?

I was gonna try the "balance bead" method for balancing them.

Any suggestions guys?

JC

No idea how to check them out before installing. However - If I had another set I'd install them in a heartbeat, as I'm thinking this particular tire had a problem. Dyna beads - in a situation like this, they may be of benefit, and giving them a try might have positive results.

I've spooned on a Pilot Road that has around 4K on it - this will get me through NAFO - then a set of PR2's or ME880's for SPANK. Haven't decided yet.

I'm thinking a spare rear wheel assembly is looking better and better ......

 

[Bluestreek]

My storm was showing chords at 4200 miles

I usually get 6000 to 8000 miles out of a rear tire

No more stroms for me.

I will be on PR2s for NAFO

 

[Constant Mesh]

Looks like you're running a fairly low pressure in that tire or else it's usually heavily loaded. The center, straight-line wear area is quite wide.

 

[Ignacio]

Looks like you're running a fairly low pressure in that tire or else it's usually heavily loaded. The center, straight-line wear area is quite wide.

Or as the first sentence of his posts says...he's doing a rally like WORD! or the Utah 1088. That explains the center wear which isn't necessarily either pressure or load, but many many miles going straight and not a ton of twisties.

But, it doesn't explain the unusual wear from one half of the tire to the other. That is weird and concerning!

Unfortunately, I've had more than enough anecdotal observation that Avon has the occasional clunker of a tire. I'm swearing off them myself after my debacle with a balanced but violenting shaking front Storm in Word and a wobbly Azarro several years back. It's just not worth the risk of a marginal tire in these expensive rallies to me anymore.

I'm guessing there will be more PR or PR2 in my future withe ME880 rear on the long rallies.

 

[RoadGlide]

Hal, I just mounted the RoadSmarts and will give you a report on them at NAFO. I was getting 12K out of the PR's. Just thought I'd give these a shot. I will probably put at least 2K on them on the way to NAFO. It seems Borrec and I just can't seem to find a direct route. That's a scary tire to look at.

 

[pinhead]

Exactly the same thing happened to my Storms at about 5k miles. Tire was bald in the center in one place but still had about 3mm of tread depth 180 degrees opposite. Never did notice any perfomance issues, though. Bike is in getting PR2's right now.

pinhead

 

[dcarver]

Looks like you're running a fairly low pressure in that tire or else it's usually heavily loaded. The center, straight-line wear area is quite wide.

Or as the first sentence of his posts says...he's doing a rally like WORD! or the Utah 1088. That explains the center wear which isn't necessarily either pressure or load, but many many miles going straight and not a ton of twisties.

But, it doesn't explain the unusual wear from one half of the tire to the other. That is weird and concerning!

Unfortunately, I've had more than enough anecdotal observation that Avon has the occasional clunker of a tire. I'm swearing off them myself after my debacle with a balanced but violenting shaking front Storm in Word and a wobbly Azarro several years back. It's just not worth the risk of a marginal tire in these expensive rallies to me anymore.

I'm guessing there will be more PR or PR2 in my future withe ME880 rear on the long rallies.

Wonder what it would take to get the ME880 built in the FJR size?

 

[user 213]

Wonder what it would take to get the ME880 built in the FJR size?

Start writing letters and e-mails.

You do know that the 170/60-17 fits and works just fine, right?