Avon Storms

[Novocastrian]

The old Trophy had Michelin Road Pilots which are pretty good, I feel.  My newer Trophy has Avon Storms fitted and coming back from Spain I couldn't help feeling the front end was "flinchy".  White lines on the road and the slightest undulation seemed to cause the front end to wander.  I'm happy enough with the rear tyre but the front is a different matter.  It may be psychological because I don't even like the look of the tread pattern - virtually nothing in the centre of the tyre and the tread only really showing once you look away from the centre.  (These are brand new tyres by the way, before anyone throws in a Smart Alec remark).

Anyone else got Avon Storms and what's your experience of them ?

[Ebenezer]

I had Avon Storms fitted some 8.000 km's ago. I claimed a new fronttire after several attempts to make it function normally. Balancing, refitting, nothing helped to improve the problem. Though invisible on the in- and outside, there was a kind of tendency to make the front end wobble. Avon Germany denied my claim but meanwhile I had ordered and fitted a 2d example at my own cost. You 'll understand that this was the last time I bought Avons. I actually did so because of my experience with the make from the seventies. Yes, I am that old indeed.
The mileage proves to be quite good and I am not very unhappy with the tires now although the 2d fronttire still isn't what it should be.
Could our problem with Avons have to do with our own age, Ken?

Henk

[Novocastrian]

Hahaha yes, I am a great fan of Avons on my BSAs - but this one on the Trophy does exactly as you say...it feels like the front end is wobbling about.  I thought it was just in my mind at first, but then it was happening too often for me not to believe it was actually the tyre.  I think I might have to bite the bullet and get it replaced with something else.

[HACKLE]

I'm not familiar with the Avon's you both fitted. But I wonder whether they had the heavier side walls of other tyres recommended for fitment on the Trophy. If not, the tendency to move around [flinching etc.] could be the side walls distorting under the extra weight exerted by the Trophy's weight. As I said I'm not familiar with the Avon's but it might be something to look at. Cheers.

[trophied]

I'm not noticing any of those characteristics on my Storm 3D XM's.  If I'm not mistaken Saddletramp here in the states also has them on his Trophy.  Maybe he can chime in with his opinion.

[Saddle Tramp]

I recently fitted a set of the Avon Storms to replace the OEM Pirelli Angel STs.
With about 6,000 miles accumulated to date, I have noticed that the front tire has begun to cup, although I must admit that the last 2,000 miles were at 80 mph Interstate speeds in the Western U.S. with a full payload. It is interesting that you mentioned the instability in the front end. I have recently been experiencing the same, and had chalked it up to the steering head bearing maybe needing adjustment. 

Given the tread wear to date, I suspect that tire life will not be dramatically better than the OEM tires, which are significantly cheaper, but I will have to see how that all plays out. On a related note, I usually like to have a fresh set of tires waiting in the crawl space, but when I searched my typical tire vendors, I couldn’t find replacement Avon Storm tires. Perhaps they are being discontinued?

[janfmiller]

Try running the front at 38 pounds of air.  That should help reduce the cupping; I was advised that by a tire specialist just after I got my TTSE; he took one look at the original front Angel ( which was cupped ) and said 'you need to run 2-4 more pounds of pressure up front'...

I've used the Avon Storm XMs for 4 changes now.  Love 'em.  Better handling during their life than PR4's for me.

I've not noticed any front end shenanigans personally.  No cupping at 38 pounds.  I get around 10,000 miles if I run right down to the wear bars.  Rear gets a bit noisy after 2000 miles or so...

[Saddle Tramp]

Originally Posted by janfmiller

Try running the front at 38 pounds of air.  That should help reduce the cupping; I was advised that by a tire specialist just after I got my TTSE; he took one look at the original front Angel ( which was cupped ) and said 'you need to run 2-4 more pounds of pressure up front'...

I've used the Avon Storm XMs for 4 changes now.  Love 'em.  Better handling during their life than PR4's for me.

I've not noticed any front end shenanigans personally.  No cupping at 38 pounds.  I get around 10,000 miles if I run right down to the wear bars.  Rear gets a bit noisy after 2000 miles or so...

I remember you giving that advice on tire pressure on the front tire, so that is what I set it at before my recent trip. My personal suspicion is that almost 1,800 miles of almost continuous Interstate running at 80 mph with a loaded bike is what contributed to the condition. I had noticed no cupping in the first 4,000 miles of use at more sedate speeds, and with just myself on the Trophy.

With that said, I consistently was able to get 12,000+ miles out of a set of Angel GT tires on my heavier and more powerful BMW K1600GTL, although the “A” Spec front tire would also develop significant cupping over time.

As far as the shimmy in the front end is concerned, I am not certain whether that recent development on my bike is a function of the tires or the headstock needing adjustment. I will have an answer to that question in the near future...