Tire test ...read on, Avon's suck!!

[smitty141]

Stolen (and cleaned up a bit) from another group,

where it was stolen from another site:

> The German mag MOTORRAD had an interesting tire comparo where they

> determined the best sport-touring tire and the best sport tire for

> street/trackday in the dry and wet with lap-times that don't lie and

> also tire wear/longevity. Interesting was also that the difference in

> corner speed between the best sport-touring tire and the best sport

> tire was only 2.5 mph and they said today's best touring tires have

> more than adequate traction for all kind of street riding. Only if you

> do trackdays and are fast enough to get the sport tires warm enough

> sport tires are safer and the way to go...

>

> Anyways the best sport-touring tires:

>

> Dry:

> 1)Metzeler Z6 and Conti Road Attack

> 2)Pirelli Diablo Strada

> 3)Dunlop D220

> 4)Michelin Pilot Road

> 5)Bridgestone BT020

> 6)Avon Azaro

>

> Wet:

> 1)Pirelli Diablo Strada

> 2)Metzeler Z6

> 3)Michelin Pilot Road

> 4)Conti Road Attack

> 5)Dunlop D220

> 6)Bridgestone BT020

> 7)Avon Azaro

>

> Between the best and worst tire were 5.5 sec difference in lap time!

>

> The best sport tires:

>

> Dry:

> 1)Metzeler M3

> 2)Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

> 3)Michelin Pilot Power

> 4)Conti Sport Attack

> 5)Metzeler M1

> 6)Pirelli Diablo

> 7)Dunlop Qualifier

> 8)Bridgestone BT014

> 9)Avon Viper Sport

>

> Wet:

> 1)Michelin Pilot Power

> 2)Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

> 3)Metzeler M3

> 4)Pirelli Diablo

> 5)Metzeler M1

> 6)Conti Sport Attack

> 7)Avon Viper Sport

> 8)Dunlop Qualifier

> 9)Bridgestone BT014

>

> 9.4 sec difference per lap between the fastest and slowest tire on

> the same motorcycle! (Yamaha R6)

>

> 6 tires were tested on tread wear (rear tire):

> 1)Metzeler Z6 8400 miles

> 2)Pirelli Diablo 4400 miles

> 3)Metzeler M3 4100 miles

> 4)Michelin Pilot Power 2CT 3500 miles

> 5)Dunlop Qualifier 3100 miles

> 4)Conti Sport Attack 2500 miles

>

> Test bike - Buell XB12S

 

[twowheelnut]

I'm convinced that the Euro tires are different than what we get here. Lot's of Euro's hate the Avon, while we like 'em. Go figger. :dntknw:

 

[Ignacio]

Great article. Next time I do a long distance ride of 7,000+ miles.....all on a track.......I'll know Avons are not the right choice. :huh:

BTW, first time I saw the new avatar and sig bling TWN. You 'da man!

 

[twowheelnut]

Great article. Next time I do a long distance ride of 7,000+ miles.....all on a track.......I'll know Avons are not the right choice. :huh:
BTW, first time I saw the new avatar and sig bling TWN. You 'da man!

It's temporary. Now if only I could photochop Barney with the velvet suit and pimp hat! :lol:

We did have some fun and I bow to you and skooter on the kart track! I had nuttin' fer eeder of ya! :blink:

 

[Rogue]

It's temporary. Now if only I could photochop Barney with the velvet suit and pimp hat! :lol:

Put out the call! I'm sure someone here could do it. thats how Radman got his crown on his.

 

[Scab]

It's temporary. Now if only I could photochop Barney with the velvet suit and pimp hat! :lol:

Put out the call! I'm sure someone here could do it. thats how Radman got his crown on his.

Yo, TWN, I could prolly handle the photochop for ya. Send me some pics.

 

[smitty141]

Great article. Next time I do a long distance ride of 7,000+ miles.....all on a track.......I'll know Avons are not the right choice. :huh:
BTW, first time I saw the new avatar and sig bling TWN. You 'da man!

Is said

The German mag MOTORRAD had an interesting tire comparo where they> determined the best sport-touring tire and the best sport tire for

> street/trackday in the dry and wet with lap-times that don't lie and

> also tire wear/longevity.

Street and track, I seen it on the internet... it has to be true...

 

[twowheelnut]

We stole smitty's thread... Avons suck, Bib RULES!!!!

 

[smitty141]

We stole smitty's thread... Avons suck, Bib RULES!!!!

+1 :angry2:

 

[madmike2]

> The German mag MOTORRAD had an interesting tire comparo where they> determined the best sport-touring tire and the best sport tire for

> street/trackday in the dry and wet with lap-times that don't lie and

> also tire wear/longevity. Interesting was also that the difference in

> corner speed between the best sport-touring tire and the best sport

> tire was only 2.5 mph and they said today's best touring tires have

> more than adequate traction for all kind of street riding. Only if you

> do trackdays and are fast enough to get the sport tires warm enough

> sport tires are safer and the way to go...

>

> Anyways the best sport-touring tires:

.....blah--blah--blah.....

> 9.4 sec difference per lap between the fastest and slowest tire on

> the same motorcycle! (Yamaha R6 )

>

> 6 tires were tested on tread wear (rear tire):

.....blah-blah-blah.....

> Test bike - Buell XB12S

Okkaaaaaay. If we want to extrapolate their findings to our "style" of bike, why not test SPORTS-TOURING tires on 600+ lb machines so the sidewalls are flexing, the handling will be compromised by the weight, etc., etc., etc.

Evidently they were doing a comparison aimed at the desire of many of the sportsbike riders to purchase the "newest" style sport tire. Do you think they took off and rode a 5,000 mile trip on the R6 or the XB12S? Did they not have a BMW RT, Pan Euro or FJR available. How about a Triumph ST or an Aprilia Futura? Something besides a sports bike.

I think the websites are giving us a better idea how the different tires are working in the real world, on North American roads and freeways, and on the FJRs and ST1300s, etc.

 

[afterburn]

Great article. Next time I do a long distance ride of 7,000+ miles.....all on a track.......I'll know Avons are not the right choice. :huh:

Some people have enough curves in their neighbourhood to actually care about grip you know.

Okkaaaaaay. If we want to extrapolate their findings to our "stule" of bike, why not test SPORTS-TOURING tires on 600+ lb machines so the sidewalls are flexing, the handling will be compromised by the weight, etc., etc., etc.

Because it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, IF you use the specific tires for that model of bike. Heavy ST bikes typically have a special tire with added cords and stiffer sidewalls to compensate the additional weight. The behaviour of the bike across the different tire brands will not differ by a whole lot.

 

[tmassey]

Avons suck

 

[madmike2]

Because it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, IF you use the specific tires for that model of bike. Heavy ST bikes typically have a special tire with added cords and stiffer sidewalls to compensate the additional weight. The behaviour of the bike across the different tire brands will not differ by a whole lot.

I would think that it DOES make a difference, especially in regards to wet weather riding where horsepower/torque and available traction/motorcycle curb weight all come into play. And though there may be more cords in a specific "sport-touring" tire would the compound necessarily be different? And if it is, wouldn't that make the results of this test non-applicable to the heavier bikes?

Their test results do not seem to match the mileage figures given by the LD community and reports given on the FJR websites. BTW, I DON'T use Avons so I'm not trying to defend that brand.

 

[Toecutter]

Avons rule, unless they suck. Then they don't, until they do again.

 

[mdisher]

Because it doesn't make a whole lot of difference, IF you use the specific tires for that model of bike. Heavy ST bikes typically have a special tire with added cords and stiffer sidewalls to compensate the additional weight. The behaviour of the bike across the different tire brands will not differ by a whole lot.

I *think* what you meant to say was...

The behaviour/performance across different bikes for the same tire wouldn't or shouldn't differ by a whole lot, or at least it''s not supposed to.

Across brands is a whole other issue.

A Dunlop 208 for a sportbike vs a heavier bike is different but they both perform about the same and are engineered for the same results. Same things for an ST tire if you could find one to fit that sport bike.

The heavier bike will wear it out faster though just because it's heavier. Been there done that.

 

[madmike2]

In my mind the variables between sportbikes and STs are great, and is more than just weight, but the physics involved wtih the managing that weight and the dynamics applied to the chassis and tires by the different handling characteristics of each motorcycle. To me, in my anal retentive thought processes, there is a vast difference between how the sportbike will wear a tire (specifically a front tire as opposed to "turning in" a heavier, longer bike) and how a heavier, more torque applied ST would abuse a rear tire in comparison to a lighter, more rearwheel horsepower per pound sportbike, regardless of extra cords in the sidewall (for stiffness and stability).

Personally, I love the Pilot Roads. I enjoy Avons. The Stradas are very close, but there seems to be more "give" or "flex" when the bike is leaned over and ridden aggressively. It's not "scary" but a sense of the sidewall flexing which might be unsettling for some. A much different "feel" than the Azzaros or the PRs. For me, the Stradas are wearing quite well. I have 8500 on the front and 6500 on the rear (I changed to an "E" spec when it arrived) and will probably get another 1K-2K from them, though I don't like not having a "wear indicator". BTW, they have maintained a good profile and one caveat: I change my tires early while others would get another 2K miles from them.

I'm not trying to disprove the validity of the testing done by the magazine, in fact I welcome it. I'm having trouble processing the information as absolutley valid when transferred to a different type of bike. At least someone is thinking and applying "real world" sanity to manufacturer's claims.

I like BikeEffects statement, "Tires are a wear item. Why not try them all?" I'm trying, Jeff, I'm trying!

 

[rogdeb]

I like BikeEffects statement, "Tires are a wear item. Why not try them all?" I'm trying, Jeff, I'm trying!

I've gone through 3 sets of Avons & really like them. The above is a good point though. I'll try the Pilot Roads next I think --- cause Mikey likes 'em

Then again, I just read this from Scab :blink:

I just (a couple hundred miles back) changed my Avons with a set of Pilot Roads. Originals were stones and, aside from the front cupping, weren't a bad tire. The Avons took a little getting used to as they were very quick responding tires. They were always planted, though. Very stable wet or dry, except when I got to the wear bars on the rear and hydroplaning came fairly easily. Now, the pilots are on. Completely different than the Avons. While the ride is good, the tire is a little "neutral" or "non-committal". It takes more effort cornering. It is not really a negative for the way I ride, but there. (I am not that aggressive) What is a negative is the straight-line handling when in the draft of another vehicle. The front is nowhere near as "planted" as was the Avon or the stone. The bike is MUCH more suseptible to negative air, to the point that it is somewhat un-nerving by comparison to past tires. For those of you with experience with the pilots and others, is this just a characteristic of the pilot tread pattern and shape or perhaps something else? What pressure is the concensus with the front pilot? I am currently running at 42 psi as I did with the avons and stones.

 

[Groo]

Think I might try the Diablo Stradas next time... just to see what they're like...

 

[madmike2]

"Now, the pilots are on. Completely different than the Avons. While the ride is good, the tire is a little "neutral" or "non-committal". It takes more effort cornering. It is not really a negative for the way I ride, but there. (I am not that aggressive)." Scab

I concur with his assessment on cornering, you do have to "drive" the bike into the corner with a little more effort. I'm not talking great amounts, just a little different. While riding with the Avons I find myself "unsteering" the bike in corners as it feels like it wants to "fall in" the corners. A little counter-counter steering or some throttle input works fine except there are a couple of corners in my housing tract where 20 mph intersections were "interesting".

YMMV and your riding style may not induce the effects I felt (or that anyone else feels). Don't try tires because I like them. You should know by now that I don't always follow the crowd because of my rebellious and stubborn nature, neither of which you should be emulating.