I also just mounted up a set of the new storm tires from Avon. Upon reflection, I should have taken the sage advice from SkooterG and ponied up for several sets of Azaros, while they were still around. (I know I'll regret agreeing with that bastard in public)
At first test ride around my neighborhood I didn't notice it, but after the trek north to Russell for my new seat, I will be removing these tires from my bike ASAP which were brand new before departure. There is something really wrong with the front tire. I ran mucho sets of the azaros and the wiggle when new was fine with me, but the new storm profile just seems plain wrong. Is it me, or does the tread profile look backwards compared to the direction arrow? The azaro low speed wiggle would settle down after a few hundred miles, but the iffy storm feedback is increasing. I'm guessing around 650 miles total for my road trip.
Anyway, to describe the front tire feedback. At speed there is a huge tendency for the bike to weave around, and get anywhere near the back of a semi and it becomes immediately apparent that something is all too wrong with this setup. It got to a point where I wasn't sure where the bike was going to track to next? I dare not take my hands off the bars for what might happen next. Never checked for the 50-45mph decell wobble either.
Upon return from the trip, what is now happening at slow speed and maybe every quarter rev(?) of the tire is a combination of a distinct bar wobble left and right (feels like a small bulge but the tire looks fine) and at the same time a sound like a tractor tire. I guessing that this is tread pattern related.
I just came off 2 prior sets of Pirelli Diablo Stradas, and while the rear tread bar issue bothers me, they were stable as a rock in a straight line from 0-Vmax. I will be calling the Avon rep on Monday for their feedback and hopefully a refund. Never thought I'd be saying this for an Avon product.
The FJR is a rock steady platform at any speed, so it has to be the tire?
I am now in search of a new flavor of tire.
Bridgestone BT-21? Dare I say it - Michelin Pilot Road? :huh:
psst - FFS Avon, bring back the Azaro for the FJR.