Tire composition

[shuswaper]

Just had the Avons put on the other day (after 20,151 kms on the oem stones) and it`s a relief not having to think about the perilous aspect to riding on worn tires.Not to ,mention, one rear tire that I had to plug almost 10,000kms ago! I have been spending a fair amount of time cleaning and preparing the bike for winter (can`t ride cuz its raining like hell last few days)...insurance is up 1st of Nov. I noticed on the rear sidewall that one of the belts was made of Kevlar. My quetion is: Is this common on bike radials? For some reason, I thought there would be a steel belt. Obviously, I am not a tire expert...is it possible that the extended mileage (purportedly) being realized is directly related to the belt composition on these tires. It is my impression that the Avons last longer than any other brand...yes, no? Any thoughts people? h34r:

 

[04 FJR Pilot]

On a car tire usually there are steel belts in the tread area and polyester in the sidewalls. A cars sidewalls move much more than a bikes sidewall. Kevlar is stronger than steel and is alot easier to form and weighs a ton less. The Carcass of a bike tire generally has a lot more belting from the tread out to the bead to strengthen the sidewalls. You don't want a motorcycle tire to "roll over" like a car tire does as this would result in terrible handling and immenent crash! I don't feel the type of belt material will directly determine mileage life of the tire it is more of an equation of belt and compound, leaning more toward the compound. Harder compound, longer life but degraded traction. Softer compound better traction shorter life. I too am no tire expert but this seems to be the rule.

Feel free to bash me if I'm incorrect "O tire gods"!

 

[rdfrantz]

Belt reinforcement material for motorcycle radial tires (and bias ply motorcycle tires do sometimes have belts) include steel and a range of polymers including Kevlar. Body plies are reinforced with both polymers and textiles. The steel belts are gererally heavier, promoting greater lateral stiffness as well as a similar or greater "depth" stiffness to polymer reinforced belts.

Their function, regardless of reinforcing material, is to reduce tread distortion. Tread distortion brings unsettling feedback, and through increased friction temperatures, wear.

As mentioned by 04 FJR Pilot, wear, while certainly affected by the flexibility of tire construction, is more a function of tread compound hardness. Avon Azaro rear tires are constructed with two compounds (Dual Compound). The center sections has a harder, better wearing compound than the softer, more tractive, cornering section. Hence their reported longer wear than other similarly tractive (sticky) tires.

My own experience with Azaros pm several model bikes has been the rear lasts 8,500 miles, as do Pilot Road rears, where the ME-Z4 and ME-Z6 last 6,000 miles, BT020 lasts 5,500, D220 lasts 5,000, and a bundle of others less than that. Along with the good wear comes a soft feel absent in the Pilot Roads, and exceptionally good wet weather performance (though other folks disagree about the wet weather performance). All that "goodness" results from a blend of compound, belt performance, sidewall construction, and tread pattern. They've hit a home run this time.

Best wishes.

 

[04 FJR Pilot]

Personally I got the same mileage out of my Metzler tiers as I got out of my Avons. About 5500. With the Metzlers I had some slipping in the wet but rock solid otherwise. The Avons induced the well known handle bar shake and didn't last any longer so i will be looking elsewhere for new tires. Anyone know anything about those new Pirelli Diablos?????

 

[shuswaper]

Thanks guys for your response! I finally got to ride the other day on the new Avons and i gotta say, they felt great. Most confidence inspiring, to say the least. I found it remarkable, how the bike responded to turn-in. And, would somebody explain to me this so called Avon wobble? To tell you the truth...I have been waiting to experience this feeling at the handlebar and , in the few kms I`ve ridden , I have only felt it once...pulling away from a stop...it must of lasted all of 6 ft (at walking speed!). An overblown issue perhaps? Well, I suppose....if thats the only fault, I would greatly accept that over the stones cupping (which we all know, contributes to a head shake at various speeds!).I stand by my earlier assertions...the Avons are the best for this bike and, I have taken into consideration the various other threads from other sites, regarding tire performance.Ciao... :assasin:

 

[04 FJR Pilot]

The Avon wobble in my case is at 45-50 MPH hands off bars with a rapid cycling of about an inch. Head bearings have been checked and rechecked. If you put one hand on the bars it subside quite a bit but was still noticeable. This was from day one so it wasn't brought on by wear. The Metz didn't exhibit this trait.

 

[shuswaper]

Hey 04FJR...can`t say whats going on there...what psi are you running up front? I have now ridden about 400kms on the new Avons and for the life of me, I cannot detect, induce or duplicate the "wobble/headshake" that you are experiencing. By the way, I have 42psi at both ends. :assasin:

 

[04 FJR Pilot]

Was running stock 36 PSI. I tried bringing the front up to 40 but it didn't seem to help much. Kind of a mute point as I'm getting ready to have the Diablo Stradas installed. Hopefully that fixes it once and for all.