My Avon Storms were terrible!

[GPRIDER]

I've had 2 sets of Azaros on my 04 and loved them. No head shake or vibrations. About 8,000 mi. on each set. After those I went to the Stradas. Great tires, but I had to wrestle the bike into the turns and curves. Didn't like that. Now I have a set of Storms on and so far like them a lot. Turn in is very easy and just a slight head shake when I take my hands off the bars. I hardly ever take my hands off the bars so this is not an issue. I have 600 mi. on them now. I will be going on a 3,000 mi. trip in several weeks. That will probably tell me how these tires will perform for my personal use. I will try to report back on them when I get back.

GP

 

[BentAero]

After getting 5,200 miles out of the stock 020's, I put on a set of Conti Road Attacks. Absolutely loved the feel. Made the Feejer "come alive" w/ handling so good, it made the 'Stones feel as if they were just plain junk.

The Road Attack's are apparently similar to the Storm's as they "feel great" w/ awesome grip, but wear very quickly. At 3,200 miles both front and rear are shot. The rear is nearly bald from edge to edge, so no rain riding for me until the new tires arrive Monday. Loved the feel, but even I'm surprised at how quickly they wore out. Always ran 39 fr, 41r except for one long day of 'spirited' riding when I got the bright idea of lowering the psi to 37f and 39r. Big mistake. Cooked the tires, both fr and r which likely killed any hope of making them last until 4K miles. Also, FWIW, lowering the psi made the bike handle weird/squirmy. It was NOT the right thing to do.

I was considering ordering a set of Storm's but at the last minute chickened out and went w/ the old reliable PRoads, as I remembered my poor experience w/ a set of Azaro's on my ST1300: Felt great, handled great, wore like a MotoGP qualifying tire. Both front and rear gone in 4K miles. Oddly enough, the center of the front is still in good shape, but the outer edges are gone. Am I doing something wrong? :taunt: Here's a photo of the front. Poor resolution, but you get the idea.

I'm anxious to try the new PR -2CT when it's finally available to see if it lives up to all it's hype.

If I could just get a great handling tire that would last 5K miles...

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

First set of storms after two sets of Azaros. Got 9000 on first set and 10,000 on second set. I always change the front with the rear needed or not. I like a fresh front with the rear. The storms so far are easier to turn in than the Azaros. Grip is good and weather tested in the wet. 1/4 oz in front and 3/4 oz on rear. No headshake at any speed with any Avon. Lucky I guess.

Unless I get 5000 miles on the Storms I will stay with Avon. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[Fastfar]

'nother Storm Report:

I ride 95% twisties on chip-n-seal and patched asphalt throughout the Sierra foothills. I have always killed tires at around 5K, with the fronts shaving into a pyramid before the rears are worn to the wear bars. I run pressures around 36F/38R to 38F/40R...

The first set or Storms wore out in less than 4000 miles, the rear was worn to the bars in the center ( I have never worn out the center of a tire before) while the front had another few hundred miles or so. The Azaros always gave me an honest 5000 miles and the front and rear were worn almost evenly, but the front shoulders always go first no matter what brand, a function of where and how I ride.

My next set had a front with a heavy spot that could not be balanced out, it had a vibration from the get go that felt like head shake. Avon warrantied the tire through my Yamaha dealer (Roseville Yamaha). The second rear wore like the first one did, gone in less than 4K with the center to the bars...

I had great luck with the Metz M3 Sportec, it felt like the Azaro, and lasted my minimum 5K. The Metz Z6 feels too peaky when it wears down a bit on the shoulders. I heard the Pilot Roads are hard and tend to slide a little when pushed. I have also heard some good things about the 'stones BT021 on the FJR, as well as the Pirelli Diablo Stradas...

By the way, any Sacramento area riders, be sure to check out Roseville Yamaha's tire prices...cheaper than Southwest Moto, even with tax...a rear was $127.31 OTD...they got the tire in 1 day, and they were able to mount while I waited... B)

 

[snikr]

My new Storms are on the way. My dealer handled most of it but I did talk with Keith and he was a pleasure to deal with. No if ands or buts. The tires were replaced because of a balance issue (took more than 2.5 ozs to balance).

Tom

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>.....Conti Road Attacks. Absolutely loved the feel. At 3,200 miles both front and rear are shot. The rear is nearly bald from edge to edge, Oddly enough, the center of the front is still in good shape, but the outer edges are gone. Am I doing something wrong? :taunt:

You're an animal....

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I got 7-8k miles from my second storm front (the first was replaced due to the bump defect on warranty). It was the best front tire I ever had. At a stretch, I could have put on another 900-1500 miles on it. No cupping at all. No wobble. Best turn in and line through the turns...that is up until the BT021. I think the 21 is comparable and am really happy with my 21's after the first 900 miles...I wonder how long they'll last. They tread is deep...hopefully it'll take a while to use em up.

The front lasted as long as the Storm rear (4500) and the Z6. I replaced the z6 early for it's slick behavior when cold.

 

[Last Chance]

I have approximately 5500 miles on my second set of Avon Storms. The first set were a disappointment. The front shook and wore in a strange fashion.

However this second set is great! No head shake at any speed or while decelerating down through 30. :yahoo: The front is symmetrical with no sign of cupping yet. The rear looks to have a few more thousand miles on it. I'm basically really pleased with them and the handling they provide. Makes one wonder how the quality of the installer (as far as balancing, etc.,) goes in how these tires perform. I may try others, but I think Avon Storms will be on my "A" list for the future. :thumbsupsmileyanim:

LC

 

[Gsfjr]

I have approximately 5500 miles on my second set of Avon Storms. The first set were a disappointment. The front shook and wore in a strange fashion.
However this second set is great! No head shake at any speed or while decelerating down through 30. :yahoo: The front is symmetrical with no sign of cupping yet. The rear looks to have a few more thousand miles on it. I'm basically really pleased with them and the handling they provide. Makes one wonder how the quality of the installer (as far as balancing, etc.,) goes in how these tires perform. I may try others, but I think Avon Storms will be on my "A" list for the future. :thumbsupsmileyanim:

LC

I got over 9000 out of the azaros..loved them..Had stormes installed today..I'll let you know what I think..Hope I can get 9000 out of the stormes

George

finger lakes NY

 

[Last Chance]

SNIP

LC

I got over 9000 out of the azaros..loved them..Had stormes installed today..I'll let you know what I think..Hope I can get 9000 out of the stormes

George

finger lakes NY

GOOD LUCK! If you get that many miles out of them, I'll be consulting you for your riding techniques!!!

LC

 

[snikr]

I got 9000 miles out of my Azaros as well. My first set of Storms were JUNK and the second (replacement set, long story) set goes on this week. I'll let you know what I think after I've put some miles on the 2nd set.

Tom

 

[S76]

FWIW

I just got an email form a friend that put on a brand new set of Storms and headed out on a 6500 mile trip. Not long into the trip "the defective front Storm had to be replaced." No other details than that.

Just another log for the fire. These issues are not past.

Another tidbit FWIW.

I am having good success with the Stadas, thank you Jeff. They seem to work better with a lot of air presure though to eliminate falling into the corner and for optimum wear. 42 PSI front and rear. Looks I'll get about 8 to 9 K out of them.

 

[snikr]

I finally got my new Storm's mounted and they seemed to solve my problem. Only rode a couple of short trips to work so far but the front tire issue is GONE! Time will tell but I am happy with how Keith, Avon and my local dealer handled the whole thing. As long as Avon has service like this I'll stay with them cause they are the best tires I've tried. YMMV

Tom

 

[FJRay]

I might as well speak up. Put the Storms on just before WFO. The rear was toast at 4k which was dissapointing and then yesterday while riding the twistys the front got real squirley and started shaking so I stopped to check it out and it looks like a belt might have come apart because now the front tread has an S bend as you rotate the wheel. It was a slow ride home. The local Suzuki shop is going tits up so I got a new michelin wholesale to go with the Shinko I bought for the rear.

 

[bikerskier]

I have about 3500 miles on mine and am currently on a trip thru BC. Rode one of the finest 2 lane roads in the known world today from Whistler/Pemberton to Lillooet and then thru Lytton, Spences Bridge and down to Merritt. The Duffy Lake Road east of Pemberton is very mountainous, windy, steep climbs and descents, a road folks come to from far and wide to do. The Storms were magnificent and then the high speed sweepers from Lillooet to Merritt were a another treat. I love these tires but I'm afaid they are wearing quickly and the rear will be gone in another 1500 miles. However, I will happily trade handling and sticky tread for longevity.

 

[git-r-dan]

In the rain and in dry weather, for me,these tires have performed flawlessly with tons more traction than the stock tires. During my last trip from FL to TX, went through quite a bit of rain with around 3 inches on the road in places. At 65 in a solid downpour, they plowed right through with no problems. Sure love the confidence they give. Right now, I have around 9k on them and it looks as though they're going to hold up right around the same mileage the stock tires gave. Lots of highway miles and some twisties. Tire pressure is 42 rear, 39 front. I was running on the highway above the limit until the performance award leaving FL for 85 in a 70. No cupping, no vibrations, no flats, nada. The smart tire warning light has come on once when it was a little past time to put air in but do my best to keep the right pressure in them. Next tire change will be the Storms again, no question. First bike ever, little over a year now, coming up on 20k, sure love it.

My Avon Storms are great.

 

[BMort]

I'm not happy with my first (and last set of Storms). I put on a new set prior to a 6300 mile cross country trip. After about 3000 miles the front tire developed a SEVERE wobble-especially while truning left-couldn't ride over 40mph. Stopped a dealer in Kalispell and they too said the tire had something wrong with it. It looked fine, but after checking the balance, steering head beerings and even the rear tire balance, the dealer said it had to be a defective tire. He installed a new Metzler front tire and viola-all was perfect. The rear Avon had a pretty good flat spot on it and now after 7000 miles it's shot.

I'm speaking with Avon about reimbursement for the tire and shop work performed before the realization that what appeared to be a good tire was indeed defective. I'm anxious to see how they handle my claim.

Prior Azaros were fine-11,000 miles as were my old Venoms on my Valk Interstate. Always kept tire pressure up to max.

BMort

In the rain and in dry weather, for me,these tires have performed flawlessly with tons more traction than the stock tires. During my last trip from FL to TX, went through quite a bit of rain with around 3 inches on the road in places. At 65 in a solid downpour, they plowed right through with no problems. Sure love the confidence they give. Right now, I have around 9k on them and it looks as though they're going to hold up right around the same mileage the stock tires gave. Lots of highway miles and some twisties. Tire pressure is 42 rear, 39 front. I was running on the highway above the limit until the performance award leaving FL for 85 in a 70. No cupping, no vibrations, no flats, nada. The smart tire warning light has come on once when it was a little past time to put air in but do my best to keep the right pressure in them. Next tire change will be the Storms again, no question. First bike ever, little over a year now, coming up on 20k, sure love it.
My Avon Storms are great.

 

[Bill]

When I purchased my FJR1300 last month, it came with Avon Storms that had about 2,700 miles on them. The first thing that I noticed was the strange squirming and thumping in the front tire. Almost felt like riding on a dirt bike knobby. There was also a bouncing sensation while on the highway and quite a bit of handlebar shake. I found that the tire was manufactured in January of 2007.

Nevertheless, I rode the bike for approximately 2,000 additional miles and decided to call Avon before I purchased a set of Michelin Pilot Roads for the bike. Good thing that I called them...

Avon replaced the tire under warranty even though I was not the original purchaser and the tire has almost 5,000 miles on it. During the winter, I'll just replace the rear and should have a great set of tires on the bike throughout most of next summer.

I've read that the Avon corrected this early defect and that the current Storms are pretty decent tires. If this turns out to be true, and with Avon's level of customer service...I may stick with Storms. I understand that they also have a road hazard warranty.

FWIW... when I mentioned the longevity of Azaros on my Blackbird, Avon told me that the Storms won't get the mileage that the Azaros did.