Recommendation sought: tires for wet roads

[freshmeat]

OK - so I got 8000 miles out my stock Metzlers, but the rear tire's got less than ~1/8 inch of tread pattern left down the center - which may explain why the back end's been kind a loose whenever the road's been really wet for the last few weeks. That is, on those days when I could ride in rather than taking the cage [saddlebags don't seem like they'd work that well as pontoons].

Did a quick search on +tires +rain and variations and found discussions on the Strada Diablo (?) or Pilot Roads -

Any suggestions from the FJR collective for all weather tires to give as much grip as possible in our NW winter weather??

Also - thear tread wear on rear tire seems much greater than the front - replace both anyway, ?

thx --

 

[dcarver]

I don't have that much to draw on to make a good suggestion.. one set of Z6's, 2 sets of Diablo Strada E's, and now running Pilot Roads. At least the Roadies have a full groove across the center of the tread.. but I've not yet been in (serious) rain, so I defer...

 

[HaulinAshe]

Either the Mich PR or the Diablo Strada will both grip well in wet and cool conditions. IMHO the Diablo handles better but definitely gets less miles than the Mich PR. Depends on your demand for performance. The Mich PR is a good all-around tire.

Typically two rears to one front.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

The Avon Azaros are great rain tires from experience. I went through 2 sets and thought i would try the Pilot Roads. I have not been in the rain with these yet, But the dry traction is the same as the Avons... AWESOME! :yahoo:

YMMV

 

[Warchild]

I've ridden in a lot of serious rain, and for me, there is NO finer wet-weather tire than the venerable Avon Azaros (AV45/AV46 ST combo). This tire have demonstrated unbelievable wet grip for me.

These tires are in the midst of being superseded by the follow-on generation of Avons, the Avon "Storm" AV55/AV56 ST combo). I have a set of the Storms coming to me this week.

 

[twowheelnut]

I've ridden in a lot of serious rain, and for me, there is NO finer wet-weather tire than the venerable Avon Azaros (AV45/AV46 ST combo). This tire have demonstrated unbelievable wet grip for me.
These tires are in the midst of being superseded by the follow-on generation of Avons, the Avon "Storm" AV55/AV56 ST combo). I have a set of the Storms coming to me this week.

What is rain? My Storms should be here by Friday :hope: and I'm curious to see how the wet weather ride is, too.

 

[Last Chance]

I've ridden in a lot of serious rain, and for me, there is NO finer wet-weather tire than the venerable Avon Azaros (AV45/AV46 ST combo). This tire have demonstrated unbelievable wet grip for me.
These tires are in the midst of being superseded by the follow-on generation of Avons, the Avon "Storm" AV55/AV56 ST combo). I have a set of the Storms coming to me this week.

I'm almost ready for a new tire and thought I would try the Avon Storms. Who has them in "stock"?

LC

 

[FJRay]

I don't know about the new Avon but the 45/46 combo is the best wet tire I have ever run period.

 

[Derek]

is the storm replacing the azaro or just being added to the lineup? i do love the azaro, especially on wet roads. i'll give the storms a try if they review well by the avon guys on this forum.

derek

 

[Wolfhound]

Replacing.......Talked to the Rep at the Int. Cycle Show.....

 

[twowheelnut]

I'm almost ready for a new tire and thought I would try the Avon Storms. Who has them in "stock"?
LC

The east coast distributor (I don't know if that's the ec warehouse for Parts Unlimited or another distributor) has 'em in stock which is where my dealer is getting them from. On-line houses typically have tires shipped straight from the distributor, so you can finish the math from here...

is the storm replacing the azaro or just being added to the lineup? i do love the azaro, especially on wet roads. i'll give the storms a try if they review well by the avon guys on this forum.
derek

'Replacement' is the word being used. And, you'd trust this lot of misfits? I have some tropical ocean front property in North Dakota for you...

 

[Fencer]

Just put chains on your metz and Fogedaboudit

According to Gary at University Motors (who orders from both Tucker Rocky and Parts Unlimited) The Storms as supposed to be avail on Thursday the 30th AT THE WHSEs. They will not be in local Dist for a few more days. I ordered mine this past Friday.

 

[Derek]

'Replacement' is the word being used. And, you'd trust this lot of misfits? I have some tropical ocean front property in North Dakota for you...

no worries. the misfits don't run avons.

derek

 

[twowheelnut]

no worries. the misfits don't run avons.
derek

Metzelers, then? :grin:

 

[Wolfhound]

Believe what you want ....for now...... :cigar: Wouldn't bet on anything a salesman said or a company add either....

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

get the Avons. Who better to design a tyre for the rain than a bunch-o-limeys?

 

[boogahboogah]

I had the Metzeler Z4's when the '05 was new. After they got worn at 11+K, bought a set of Avons based on what I read in the forums.

Now after reading all the hubbub about Michelin this & Diablo Strada that, I decided to buy another set of Avons a few weeks ago (couldn't wait for the new ones). Currently at 24K, the Avons got 12+ before the rear started looking bad (but still no squirrely handling, no rear end slippage, no surprise little jerks). I figured I'd rather stay with what works good for me & let the others do the tire testing... (caveat: I do have the Wilburs rear shock & front fork springs as installed by Klaus).

 

[Wolfhound]

Once again, the Know it alls are right ! The only tire NOT REPLACED by the Storm is the Azaro 150/80ZR16. Straight from Avon, word.

PM me & I'll send you The Avon distributors letter.

 

[twowheelnut]

Once again, the Know it alls are right ! The only tire NOT REPLACED by the Storm is the Azaro 150/80ZR16. Straight from Avon, word. PM me & I'll send you The Avon distributors letter.

Straight from the manufacturer's web site:

The Storm-ST replaces Avon's Azaro-ST and builds on its predecessor's talents.

Read it for yourself.

And, as listed in their fitment guide:

Storms only for '01 - '05

and the '06 (our '07).

Alls I knows is whats I knows.