No, you're safe with that gamble - would be like taking candy off a baby! Avons are just great!

 

Just put a set of Avons on my 2007 Softail Custom (FXSTC), and now have a rear wheel wobble at ~75-80MPH.

Changed plenty of tires before, so I know the drill (belt deflection is good, etc.).

Please be aware that the wobble is not present when riding two-up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

If the bike is fine 2-up it suggests the pressures may be high for solo riding. In actual fact Avons routinely use higher pressures than in the owners manual, so first of all check their website for the correct ones. Do not use the max pressures on the sidewall! Also bear in mind that tyres require a couple of hundred miles minimum to bed in. I personally don't run fast or corner hard for around 500 miles on new tyres.

 

Check the pre-load on the rear suspension, it may be set too high.

 

Avon calls for 38-40 PSI in the rear (200/55/17), and I've been running 40 PSI (solo & two-up).

If riding two-up stops the rear wheel wobble (when set at 40 PSI), are you suggesting I should use less than 40 PSI when riding solo?

Thanks

 

Bike has Progressive rear suspension, set at stock height.

Never had an issue with any brand of tire (stock Dunlop, Metzeler, etc.), just these Avons.

Bike previously tracked well with the worn Metzeler, started wobbling as soon as the Avon was installed.

Thanks

 

I've been riding long enough to regard recommended pressures as a starting point and routinely set mine higher than recommended, by a couple of pounds or so, especially on my Glide. By all means try reduced pressures, say by a couple of psi.

When I started riding bike owners manuals came with recommendations for adjusting pressures for light or heavy riders, as well as riding 2-up or loaded with luggage. That seldom is given a thought these days or gets mentioned. Especially if you are lightweight, reduce them as a starting point. Make small changes one step at a time. If it gets worse with a lower psi, try a slight increase as an alternative. I've used Avons on my Harleys since the 1970s and always go back to them and have only had good experiences. I haven't however owned a bike with such a wide low tyre similar to yours.

 

Just bumped the PSI pressure up from FT: 35 RR:40 to FT:38 RR:44.

Big improvement, but still a little squirmy (solo ride only).

Thanks

 

Play around a little more, to see if you can get any further improvement. I have Avons on all three of my Harleys/Buell, two at 'book' pressures, the Glide a little higher at both ends, although the wheels/tyres on that are not stock.