Avon Cobra vs Venom Mileage Update

[Matt Moore]

Hello BDB,

Here is a quick tech report from Kansas Motorcycle Works and Avon:

In response to Big Dog Owners' requests, Avon changed the compounds used on the "Cobra" 300/35R18 and the 250/40VR18 to extend the mileage capability to match that achieved by the earlier "Venom R" series. The change occurred mid-summer 2013.

I hope this helps settle some of the debate out there.

Matt Moore
Kansas Motorcycle Works

 

[kickstart]

Any chance you have something from Avon to back that up?

Hello BDB,

Here is a quick tech report from Kansas Motorcycle Works and Avon:

In response to Big Dog Owners' requests, Avon changed the compounds used on the "Cobra" 300/35R18 and the 250/40VR18 to extend the mileage capability to match that achieved by the earlier "Venom R" series. The change occurred mid-summer 2013.

I hope this helps settle some of the debate out there.

Matt Moore
Kansas Motorcycle Works

 

[Slick-Dog]

Were would be the best place to get them at (newer ones)?

Thanks for the info!

 

[Matt Moore]

Yes I have documentation from Avon to back that up. We carry both. I have the 250s in-stock and some 300s on-order. If you would like to see the documentation, shoot me an e-mail at Matt@kansasmotorcycleworks.com.

 

[woodbutcher]

are you planning on giving the BDB forum group any kind of a discount????

doesn't hurt to ask

 

[BWG56]

Changing compound was not my first and biggest concern, it was the fact that the Cobra's tread separates with as little as 1K miles. What documentation do they have that they fixed that problem?

 

[prairiehorse]

I had two that did that (separated/cracked) sent pix and paperwork back for replacement and ....... NOTHING!!!! After numerous emails and phone calls. NOT IMPRESSED with avons customer service or backing up their products.
Gave up after 6 months of working on it.... was on 300mm

 

[Matt Moore]

I will ask my rep and see what she knows about it. I can probably make a BDB deal on tires. Let me crunch some numbers. Would this be a group-buy thing or individual thing?

 

[Tdubb]

Changing compound was not my first and biggest concern, it was the fact that the Cobra's tread separates with as little as 1K miles. What documentation do they have that they fixed that problem?

Contact David Alari at Avon. He will get back with you and even speak with you on the phone to explain what the issue was and how it was fixed.

Dave Alari
Account Manager
Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America
dalari@avonmoto.com

 

[Tdubb]

I had two that did that (separated/cracked) sent pix and paperwork back for replacement and ....... NOTHING!!!! After numerous emails and phone calls. NOT IMPRESSED with avons customer service or backing up their products.
Gave up after 6 months of working on it.... was on 300mm

Contact Dave Alari (see earlier post) - he insisted if I had any issue with Avon splitting tires he would take care of it.

 

[kickstart]

E-mail sent, Thanks

Yes I have documentation from Avon to back that up. We carry both. I have the 250s in-stock and some 300s on-order. If you would like to see the documentation, shoot me an e-mail at Matt@kansasmotorcycleworks.com.

 

[woodbutcher]

Dave Alari was the person i spoke to back when this monster raised it's head. all i got from him at that time was a whole lot of corporate speak that went nowhere about how much better the cobra was than the venom and that there were no problems with the tires. as for myself, i will most likely go with the metzeler and leave the testing of the "new compound" to people braver than myself.

 

[Brew]

Yeah, check out the post I put up about the AVON 300 series tire and the info David gave to me and the local shop here in Washington State. The news did not give us a warm fuzzy feeling! The shop had asked when and what batches were affected and the answer was an unknown and that the issue was identified and fixed. The shop put on a brand new AVON that was covered for free and the new tire did it again. I'm done with AVON! I hope the compound change fixed the joint splice issue.

 

[T.Byrd]

Yes I have documentation from Avon to back that up. We carry both. I have the 250s in-stock and some 300s on-order. If you would like to see the documentation, shoot me an e-mail at Matt@kansasmotorcycleworks.com.

Good Deal.

 

[05 old dog]

well hell.....cleaning bike yesterday for trip to colo this weekend and found this dreaded tire split in my 250 avon...ordered a tire yesterday, will be here wed. gives me 1 dam day to change it out....old tire has 5400 miles on it.

 

[kickstart]

Matt told me a while back he was going to put the info he had sent to me on the site, I'll put it on if he doesn't get around to it in a few days.

 

[Knuckles]

Change all they want. I'll never buy Avon's again. Company is too fucked to get me back as a customer.

 

[japelfrey]

I love the dunlops I put on my dog almost 2 years ago, they are still holding strong.

 

[05chop]

I have been to recent bike events this year I have seen many sidewall cracking. Most riders I talk with are not aware of what really could happen. Spread the word could save a life.

 

[Nukeranger]

If Avon is so horrible, why do I have 6,500 miles on my back tire with a born on date of 2009 and it has been on my bike for about 3 years and only shows normal wear?

I'll buy another.