Tire question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,056
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From: Kalifornia
Tire question
Looking ahead in the not too distant future of tire replacement. I have decided to go Michelin Commander IIs or Avons, based on reading of many threads.
Question number 1, which Avon?
Question number 2, what happened to tires like this one?
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/210...0-16-rear-tire
I know this one does not fit my bike but those tires seemed perfectly fine to me years ago.
I have a hard time wrapping my head (and confidence) around a tire that is mostly smooth, with an occasional wiggly groove. It seems to me that the part of the tire that is groove free, will be far slicker in rain or wet roads, than the grooved portion. I also know cars do not lean in corners like bikes do, but even the bottom of the car tires are not slicks.
What am I missing?
I want tires for high mileage and resistance to tracking rain grooves in the road. Would prefer to keep in between the two brands mentioned above.
Question number 1, which Avon?
Question number 2, what happened to tires like this one?
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/210...0-16-rear-tire
I know this one does not fit my bike but those tires seemed perfectly fine to me years ago.
I have a hard time wrapping my head (and confidence) around a tire that is mostly smooth, with an occasional wiggly groove. It seems to me that the part of the tire that is groove free, will be far slicker in rain or wet roads, than the grooved portion. I also know cars do not lean in corners like bikes do, but even the bottom of the car tires are not slicks.
What am I missing?
I want tires for high mileage and resistance to tracking rain grooves in the road. Would prefer to keep in between the two brands mentioned above.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I started with Avon Venoms and then Cobras when those replaced the Venoms. Both excellent. They're very good at staying straight and not following cracks and tar snakes. When putting different tires on a Harley, go by the tire company's pressure charts, not Harleys, Avon and several others run higher pressures than Dunlops. I know those almost smooth tires look like a traction problem, but Avons have noticeably better traction than the old Dunlop 400 series probably still on most Harleys. They don't do well in snow, though. Somehow those occasional wiggly grooves work on wet roads, although if you're like me, it will take a while to trust them. Different science for bike tires versus car tires, round versus flat. You can run a car tire on a bike, some folks do but most are skeptical about handling, but you wouldn't want a bike tire on a car, even if you could find one that would fit. Wouldn't last long, for one thing, wear a narrow strip to the cord in the middle, not even touch the rest.
#2: Tires that look like old car tires may look cool on old restored bikes, but they'll handle like crap compared to modern tires. Probably even worse than Dunlops. Speaking of car tires, those work great on the drive wheel and sidecar wheel on sidecar rigs, if you ever go that route, get much better mileage, too.
#2: Tires that look like old car tires may look cool on old restored bikes, but they'll handle like crap compared to modern tires. Probably even worse than Dunlops. Speaking of car tires, those work great on the drive wheel and sidecar wheel on sidecar rigs, if you ever go that route, get much better mileage, too.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: Kalifornia
Thanks for the explanations. Yes it still makes me nervous running on these tires on wet roads. Seems hard to imagine they work better, but I guess manufactures would not be using those molds if they were unsafe designs.
How was the mileage on the Avons, compared to Dunlops?
How was the mileage on the Avons, compared to Dunlops?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
Those occasional squiggly grooves on the new series of tires is the one thing that bothered me when I got my bike from the dealer. Still there on my bike since it will take me a very long time to wear them with what I have as a riding habit here.
I have the older style Dunlop tires on my softail and have not had an issue with them.
I hope you get some more info on this. I am never going to wear mine out, but I may very well replace them if I can find something that suits my old style thinking about tire treads......
I have the older style Dunlop tires on my softail and have not had an issue with them.
I hope you get some more info on this. I am never going to wear mine out, but I may very well replace them if I can find something that suits my old style thinking about tire treads......
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Kalifornia
LongPlay
Take a look at the AvonRoadRider, for the looks only. No idea how they handle or track.
Take a look at the AvonRoadRider, for the looks only. No idea how they handle or track.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 270
Likes: 64
From: Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines
Yes, that has a good bit more water shedding capacity than what's on my bike at the moment. I would consider that a big improvement.
You know, here in the tropics, even though at the moment we are struggling to come out of a drought of sorts since Feb of this year, when it does rain, man, it makes Texas rain look like a front yard sprinkler.... It makes me glad I am 240' above the surrounding seal level here sometimes.
You know, here in the tropics, even though at the moment we are struggling to come out of a drought of sorts since Feb of this year, when it does rain, man, it makes Texas rain look like a front yard sprinkler.... It makes me glad I am 240' above the surrounding seal level here sometimes.
