Avon Venom AM42 tires

[tregal16]

A few years ago, JakeWilson was offering a special on Avon tires. I bought (front and rear) from them in May 2010. I installed the rear tire in August of 2010 at 25949 miles (it replaced a Metzger tire that I got almost 20,000 miles out of). Anyway I was giving the bike a really good once over and I noticed that the rear tire was showing cords in the center. It appears to me that a belt broke on the tire since the other half of the tire still has decent tread across it. The bike has 31979 mi on it now, I contacted Jakewilson just to see if there was anything that could be done since I really believe it was a defective tire (I used to be a wrench turner years ago, although it was for cars and trucks). Anyway they emailed me back saying there was nothing that could be done since the amount of time that has passed, plus the fact that the mileage was pretty good for a street bike. Plus they felt that since the cords were showing through in the one area it appears that I locked up the brakes and that caused the wear... Well, that statement sorta jerked me the wrong way, it is a 800+ pound bike, I am not locking the brakes up on this beast, plus I could see getting really crappy mileage out of the tires if I was paying $50 for the tires...

And before anyone says air pressure, the tire is rated at 50 psi, although I ran 44-45 psi checked regularly. No trailer towing, usually rode one up, yes it did ride and was showing signs of a problem, but I was enjoying riding to much to really worry about the tire earlier (yes, bad idea, I am lucky that something serious didn't happen as I was lax in thoroughly checking the tires)

Well enough of the rant... just thought I would share the comical response I got about locking up the brakes on the bike...oh yea, and I won't spend my money on Avon tires ever again.

[debron]

Yeah,....well,.....that's life in the real world. I'd say that was OK mileage if you were riding a sport bike but it's crappy mileages for a touring bike, regardless of the weight, but what can you do.....?

[tregal16]

you're right...nothing you can do except vent to make you feel better. I understand that people can be hard on products and like to abuse the system, however it isn't right that manufacturers can skirt responsibility when they should really stand by the product when justified.

[Bob in Tucson]

I don't think you'll be tempted to buy a Venom again since they seem to have discontinued them. I switched back to E3's.

[tregal16]

Actually as of yesterday, JakeWilson.com still lists the tire as in stock. But you are right I will try E3's or I may go to the darkside...

[Gator Mike]

I've had pretty good luck with Venoms. 20K on the first set and doing well on this set. With that said, I can definately understand your complaint. To say that you brake hard enough to expose the cord is rediculous. You might try going directly to Avon with your complaint. Don't have any idea if they will do anything about it but I would be curious to see what they say.........Gator Mike

[Me Again]

And before anyone says air pressure, the tire is rated at 50 psi, although I ran 44-45 psi checked regularly.

You put to much air in the top and not enough in the bottom.Next time ,turn the tire over.
Only went flat in one spot.

[tregal16]

And before anyone says air pressure, the tire is rated at 50 psi, although I ran 44-45 psi checked regularly.

You put to much air in the top and not enough in the bottom.Next time ,turn the tire over.
Only went flat in one spot.

Dang... thanks for the advice....next time I will be more attentive LOL actually reminds me of always saying when someone said they had a flat tire, I would tell them to turn it over, it is only flat on the bottom...or when someone would come into the garage reporting their engine was missing, I would look under the hood and tell them I found it!

[gearheadfla]

That reminds me of a friend I have that had a 1968 Chevy Biscayne wagon, he "converted" it to rear engine by cutting the rear frame out just behind the rear seats, the welded a Olds Tornado front frame and drive line section to it, it really looked like a factory job when he was done. He would stop at these Mom and Pop service stations along his travels and tell the guy his engine seemed to be missing, the guy would open the hood and IT WAS. I always told him he should mount a old lawnmower engine to the bare cross member, have it running and then tell the guy it don't seem to have enough power all the sudden. This guy also put a 327/300 horse V-8 on his lawn tractor, but that's another whole story, I got to be the test pilot for that one.

[ekap1200]

Sounds like just bad luck or bad roads that popped a cord in the tire. I have ran venoms and the first set would have gone more than 20k if it didn't pick up a nail. The set I have now made the trip out to Utah pulling a trailer and showed just a little cuping when I returned. A week down to Tail of the Dragon worked the cupping right off and I still have the rear tire on it now. Although I have a new E3 I won at the rally to go on this season, I would buy the Avon Venom again . Glad you found out you had a bad issue before it failed out on the road somewhere. As for locking up the rear wheel believe me it can be done, at 80mph after being pushed into another lane ( not moving ) by a truck , I did indeed lock the rear wheel up, but thats another story. Gene Kap.

[Mr Jensee]

That reminds me of a friend I have that had a 1968 Chevy Biscayne wagon, he "converted" it to rear engine by cutting the rear frame out just behind the rear seats, the welded a Olds Tornado front frame and drive line section to it, it really looked like a factory job when he was done. He would stop at these Mom and Pop service stations along his travels and tell the guy his engine seemed to be missing, the guy would open the hood and IT WAS. I always told him he should mount a old lawnmower engine to the bare cross member, have it running and then tell the guy it don't seem to have enough power all the sudden. This guy also put a 327/300 horse V-8 on his lawn tractor, but that's another whole story, I got to be the test pilot for that one.

Actually that was an old Candid Camera stunt done waaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the 60's!

[MalamuteMike]

And before anyone says air pressure, the tire is rated at 50 psi, although I ran 44-45 psi checked regularly.

You put to much air in the top and not enough in the bottom.Next time ,turn the tire over.
Only went flat in one spot.

You need to take the bag off the back so you can turn the tire while airing it up if putting in 44lbs. you put in 11lbs. then turn tire 1/4 turn then add 11lbs. 1/4 turn add 1/4, but remember if this is done in the spring YOU MUST get all the old air out you don't want to mix the air !!