Avon Storm vs. Cobra
Avon Storm vs. Cobra
I haven't really seen this comparison drawn...the Storm is a performance tire and the Cobra is a cruiser tire as I understand it, but what would be the noticeable differences?
I'll be replacing my rear Dunlop in about 2 weeks...any issue with matching a rear Avon to the front stock Dunlop?
I'll be replacing my rear Dunlop in about 2 weeks...any issue with matching a rear Avon to the front stock Dunlop?
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From: Bedford UK
I am an Avon fan and have been using them on my Harleys since the 70s. If you study their website, you will find there are few sizes if any of Cobras that are the same as Storms.
Cobras are designed for 'style and performance for cruisers, customs and tourers', Storm are their 'sport touring' range. I have used Venoms for many years, which they seem to be fading out in favour of Cobras, but we are told they are for 'stability and longevity for heavyweight cruisers', which sounds just fine to a Harley owner.
Now I use my Glide for touring, in a sporty way, while I'm not cruising! Which seems to suggest any of those tyres might be suitable for us.
I have Venoms on my Glide at present and a friend has just ordered Cobras for his Sporty. I also have just bought a Storm to go on the rear of my Glide, using a Deuce wheel. In summary I think you will find that across the Harley range both Cobras and Storms will be recommended, depending on size.
When my front Venom comes up for replacement I will fit a Cobra, to go with my rear Storm. I reckon you will be fine with either of them, but do check size and load rating, to suit your bike. Also check tyre pressures, as they are often higher than for stock tyres.
Cobras are designed for 'style and performance for cruisers, customs and tourers', Storm are their 'sport touring' range. I have used Venoms for many years, which they seem to be fading out in favour of Cobras, but we are told they are for 'stability and longevity for heavyweight cruisers', which sounds just fine to a Harley owner.
Now I use my Glide for touring, in a sporty way, while I'm not cruising! Which seems to suggest any of those tyres might be suitable for us.
I have Venoms on my Glide at present and a friend has just ordered Cobras for his Sporty. I also have just bought a Storm to go on the rear of my Glide, using a Deuce wheel. In summary I think you will find that across the Harley range both Cobras and Storms will be recommended, depending on size.
When my front Venom comes up for replacement I will fit a Cobra, to go with my rear Storm. I reckon you will be fine with either of them, but do check size and load rating, to suit your bike. Also check tyre pressures, as they are often higher than for stock tyres.
Last edited by grbrown; Jun 23, 2012 at 04:57 PM. Reason: Added link.
Thanks for the info. I really want something that will aid in my bike's handling and intill confidence in me, that I've lost in my stock Dunlop K591. Doing a little more research, I'm not sure there's actually a Cobra that fits my 17" rim.
I wanted to go to a 180 tire, but it also appears that Avon's widest that will fit my 4.5" rim is the 170/60/17, which is fine.
But that brings up the next issue... I believe the Storm is radial, and I'm pretty sure my stock front K591 is bias...any issues there?
I wanted to go to a 180 tire, but it also appears that Avon's widest that will fit my 4.5" rim is the 170/60/17, which is fine.
But that brings up the next issue... I believe the Storm is radial, and I'm pretty sure my stock front K591 is bias...any issues there?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Having owned Harleys for so long I find I always go back to Avons. They are more compliant than most, so give a better quality and smoother ride, especially when compared with the wooden stock tyres. They also give excellent grip and cornering, especially in the wet. I've ridden all over Europe on them!
It sounds as if you have the same size rear rim as my Deuce wheel. Either the 160/70 or 170/60 Storm should fit. I'm going with the smaller one as it has a higher load rating and is more suitable for my Glide, but for your Dyna the wider one should be fine.
Using a radial on the rear is OK, with a bias front. The other way around is not good, although I am not sure why. I think you will find the Dunlop that is stock on your rear is also radial.
Hope that helps. We are both heading in the same direction, on opposite sides of the Atlantic!
It sounds as if you have the same size rear rim as my Deuce wheel. Either the 160/70 or 170/60 Storm should fit. I'm going with the smaller one as it has a higher load rating and is more suitable for my Glide, but for your Dyna the wider one should be fine.
Using a radial on the rear is OK, with a bias front. The other way around is not good, although I am not sure why. I think you will find the Dunlop that is stock on your rear is also radial.
Hope that helps. We are both heading in the same direction, on opposite sides of the Atlantic!
Having owned Harleys for so long I find I always go back to Avons. They are more compliant than most, so give a better quality and smoother ride, especially when compared with the wooden stock tyres. They also give excellent grip and cornering, especially in the wet. I've ridden all over Europe on them!
It sounds as if you have the same size rear rim as my Deuce wheel. Either the 160/70 or 170/60 Storm should fit. I'm going with the smaller one as it has a higher load rating and is more suitable for my Glide, but for your Dyna the wider one should be fine.
Using a radial on the rear is OK, with a bias front. The other way around is not good, although I am not sure why. I think you will find the Dunlop that is stock on your rear is also radial.
Hope that helps. We are both heading in the same direction, on opposite sides of the Atlantic!
It sounds as if you have the same size rear rim as my Deuce wheel. Either the 160/70 or 170/60 Storm should fit. I'm going with the smaller one as it has a higher load rating and is more suitable for my Glide, but for your Dyna the wider one should be fine.
Using a radial on the rear is OK, with a bias front. The other way around is not good, although I am not sure why. I think you will find the Dunlop that is stock on your rear is also radial.
Hope that helps. We are both heading in the same direction, on opposite sides of the Atlantic!
I'll have to investigate whether the rear Dunlop is a radial...wouldn't that be printed on the sidewall?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Yes, we do have the same size wheel. Fortunately there are a few suitable tyres for us, but not many sizes. That size seems to cross an invisible line between older style narrow high section tyres, still used on many Harleys, and the more recent wide low profile ones common on many other brand bikes.
The easiest way to check if a tyre is radial or bias is in the size designation. My Storm is 160/70VR17, written in large print. The V is the speed range (so we can safely travel at over 130mph!) and the R is radial.
My Venom is 150/80HB16, indicating a more sensible 113mph and bias. Your Dunlop will have a similar marking.
The easiest way to check if a tyre is radial or bias is in the size designation. My Storm is 160/70VR17, written in large print. The V is the speed range (so we can safely travel at over 130mph!) and the R is radial.
My Venom is 150/80HB16, indicating a more sensible 113mph and bias. Your Dunlop will have a similar marking.
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