FJR Rocks

[cuemungous]

I now have about 1,000 miles on my Avons (changed from 020's) and finally have my Wilbers 943 and springs installed. This combo is outstanding. Got my 05 in Novemnber and now have 16,400 miles on it. I enjoy spirited rides in the mountains but did not have too much confidence in the worn 020's and sometimes wallowed with the stock shocks.

But this morning, the Avons and Wilbers combo really felt good and touched down my pegs. First time, it scared the crap out of me because I had not expected it. Second time was more relaxed; I was half expecting it. I normally do not hang off the bike when I ride but will start doing so now.

Wahoo... lovin' it!!!

 

[NoCage]

Hey Cue... glad you finally made it over here. I also switched from the OEM BT020's to the Avons... what a difference.

 

[toophast]

1

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

just ordered the Avons because of threads and comments like these

 

[zorkler]

16k .... where do you find time for 16k in less than a year ...

 

[cuemungous]

Zorkler,

I now have a little over 17,000 miles. I commute with the bike, about 41 miles each way, rain or shine. Half on twisty mountain roads and half on the slab. So that is about 80 miles per day, actually more because I put about 10-15 miles during lunch.

So far, I have road killed 1 squirrel and 4 birds. One bird on the headlight, one on the top of my helmet and two went whoosh on the tire or underneath. No damage to the bike or my helmet, just a big thump when it hit - I thought I ducked low enough but I guess I didn't. Birds are not very smart. I guess they see a motorcycle as having the same frontal profile as a guy on a bicycle and are not ready when it comes to them at 80 mph.

I can't say enough about the Avons and would highly recommend them to anyone. BTW, does anybody know - after the pegs and no bags, what touches down next? The tailpipes?? Just curious.

Cue

 

[Downer]

Just switched to Avons.

Got the '05 just before Memorial day, last week, with 5000 on the Bridgestones, the rear was worn past the treads in the center & the front was singing that cupped song in the turns.

This is the 3rd bike I've put the Avons on, all were transformed in both ride & tire life. This time is the first time I've run into a snag. At certan speeds, (3, 45 & 59) it gets some shimmy. So I pulled off the front & took it to another bike shop to be re-spin balanced. The tech said it spun out true as is. Now with about another 800 miles on them, it seems a little better. It'll get 1500 put on it this weekend, we'll see how they do.

 

[cuemungous]

That is real odd. I have read about the low speed wobble on Avons but despite what I do I cannot produce the low speed wobble. Even slowed down in neutral so I do not lug it. Took my hands off and still no wobble/weave. Guess I am lucky, or could it be the Wilbers springs/shock? Whatever, I'm not complaining.

Cue

 

[twowheelnut]

I'm switching to Michelins this round. The OEM Metzes lasted 8k, the current set of Avons are toast at 7k. Tempted to try the Shinkos, but I can't find enough feedback to make me comfy just yet.

 

[DrEvil777]

My Avons are in the garage, waiting for their turn at bat.

I used to run them on my R-1 and FZ-1 when I took my long summer trips. I was always amazed how well they did compared to Sportecs or Diablos. That and how they looked new after 3000 miles!

I have been ripping the hell out of my tires with some weekday canyon running here in SoCal so my BT 020's are just about dead at less than 5000 miles.

Hope to have the Avons mounted within two weeks!

 

[teerex51]

Tempted to try the Shinkos

TWN,

I returned from the US with a set of Shinkos and one of Avons 49/50.

Will let you know my impressions on the Shinkos, although it'll be a while before I have to shed my BT020s. They look good for another 2K miles.

I remember reading that UnCaged in Fresno was pretty sold on the Ravens B) .

Stef

 

[madmike2]

Cuemongous, the "wobble" seems to be induced by the pavement surface. IIRC there were only a couple of places I ever experienced the dreaded wobble . The first time I instantly thought, "So, that's the wobble everyone talks about." Some seem to have it all the time, but I didn't, and that was with the stock shock.