AVON COBRAS INSTALLED

[dogdoc]

Well drove up to Georgetown today and had the new Cobras installed. I am always a little nervous as to how much damage they will do, you know. ??? But about 1.25 hrs later they said your ready to go. I checked everything out throughly and NO DAMAGE! Damn, hard to believe. I took my bags off the night before and left them home. they used weights that just stick on as opposed to weights that clip on the edge of the rim. Are these as good? better?

Well im very impressed with the Avons. That 180 justt fits under the rear fender. it does have just nearly 3/8 inch deep meat on it. the front about 1/4 inch. It seems you can slice thur the twistys with alot more confidence and with less steering. the ride home was just enough to scruf the newest off so they work really good now.

i would highly endorse them. I hope they live up to their reputation for mileage.

Ride easy

Dennis

[landman]

hope you enjoy them doc.keep us posted.

[Top Cat]

Cobra's ???
Geez Doc, the way you always talk about the Stones I thought you would replace them with OEM. ;)

Doc, I have about 800 miles on mine, and all I can say is enjoy. There isnt a better tire out there and they will hold their grip at a angle the Nomad was not suppose to go. Lol.

keep in mind, on a scale of 1-10 the Avons Venons are a 5, the Cobras are a 10. We were on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 3 weeks ago and there were wet areas as you rode. The guy behind me said that everytime I went over a wet spot he could hear the water and the tire. It was the deep groove pushing the water out. That and for the first time I hear no roar in the front tire when cornering. My old Mets were notorious for that.

[dolanz]

Doc, couldn't agree with you more, I've had mine for a month now and I find the ride to be really quiet and really smooth. I am also running with dyna-beads in them, so the difference from the old stock ones is very noticeable.



Dolan

[caddman11]

Looking forward to here what you have to say about them at the end of the riding season, I'm sure I'll be looking for a new set of tires then or next spring. Smooth and happy riding. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[VulcanE]

Congrats Dennis, Now you see what everyone was talking about when they got away from the Brickstones. IMO, the stick on weights are better than the clip-ons, as long as they cleaned where the weight sticks on really good. If they didn't, you'll lose it.

[phenrichs]

I am enjoying my Cobras as well. Had them about a month. I like the way the sidewall looks like snakeskin too. Nice Touch.

[dogdoc]

TC: I liked the stones and got pretty good mileage but they're got to be a better tire out there. metz wasn't it, maybe Cobras.

[flavor]

Put Avon Cobras on at the season last year. Have put some miles on them this year as well. Maybe a 1000 miles total. I found they are better than Metzlers in the rain and the bike wants to go the way you lean. In other words body weight leaning can effect your line without even counter steering. The bike wants to go wherever you want it go, almost like telepathy.

Hope they hold up mileage wise.

Got a GPS zumo 450 during the winter. As best as
I can tell, With the 180/70's on the rear my spedometer is about 3 to 3 1/2 miles off according to the GPS at 60 miles an hr. (Speedometer faster.)

[dabull]

Nice Doc....my Cobras should be in this weekend and on sometime during the week....good to hear good reports http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[pirate]

I'll need to replace the stocks on mine this year. Good to hear positive reports from people who have the Cobras.

[jamiep24]

Stick-on weights? That must be some really good adhesive!

[djh]

Doc, Good to hear you got the Cobra's installed what I have heard from others out there and family who swear, by them you will be very happy with them. On the subject of the "Stick-On" weights they have been around a long time and used on custom rims without major incident if installed correctly.The adhesive is quite strong and durable. DJ

[taranis]

You'll enjoy the Cobras I think. I had my set put on about a month ago and have about 2,000 miles on 'em now. Not a sign of wear so far. I agree with the cornering on these - the bike just SITS in the corners now.. like riding on rails. Even better that they're almost silent compared to the stock Stones.

[dogdoc]

good to hear about the weights guys. im thinking of going with Dyna beads in the future which i can do myself. one guys said his bikes speedo is 3-5mph faster than gps? i thought our bikes were running 5mph slow from the factory. then a taller tire made it only 1-2 mph slow? Correct me if Im lost.

is the 180 Cobra tire like the 180 metz in being a little taller and fixing most the slow speedo??

[cactusjack]

good to hear about the weights guys. im thinking of going with Dyna beads in the future which i can do myself. one guys said his bikes speedo is 3-5mph faster than gps? i thought our bikes were running 5mph slow from the factory. then a taller tire made it only 1-2 mph slow? Correct me if Im lost.

is the 180 Cobra tire like the 180 metz in being a little taller and fixing most the slow speedo??

When I went from stock Bridgestones to ME880's, my speedometer error went from 10% to around 5%. Now that I've gone from the ME880 to the Cobras, it's back to around 10%.

I check it daily with a speed display sign down the road from my house.

[dogdoc]

good to know, I still got a 5 mph safety buffer.

[jd01]

I've gone with the stick on weights since day 1 on the Nomad and haven't lost one yet over 4 or 5 sets of tires. Might try the Cobras next time I need tires ( just put on a new set of Michelins ), but finding it hard to get past the "snakeskin sidewalls" thing, since I got nailed by a copperhead a few years back and spent a day & a half in ICU and my whole right arm swelled up to my chest area. Me and snakes just don't get along!

[dogdoc]

I hear you jd. these tires are so nimble compared to stoners. its like the front is skating on a razor blade on ice. So easy to turn its nearly scarey at first.

Anyone know the correct psi for the Cobras??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[paulo]

Doc
I'm new to the group but have had my 06 Nomad for a few years now. I have gone thru 3 rear tires alrady and 2 front ones--all OEM.

I have been reading up on the metz tires and Avon.

Sounds like the tire to get is the Avon Cobra.

Can you let me know what the correct tire size is for front and rear. Local dealerships don't know or won't order them in.

Thx Paul

[dogdoc]

Welcome paul, sure can. You need the 150/80R-16 for the front and a 180/70R-16 rear. Thats a size bigger in the rear but get it. it does clear. these tires are incredible as far as handling and looks. Got the pr for $337

[Cajunrider]

My rear Cobra is still in the garage waiting to get mounted. I turned over 8,900 today on a trip to Grand Isle, LA. The weather was beautiful down here. I will mount the rear and front before the Custer trip.

[flavor]

good to know, I still got a 5 mph safety buffer.

Hey Doc I read somewhere that you can have two different tire brands that are the same tire size (180/70's for yhe rear) and the speedo will be a little different.

The design of the Cobra tires, (after calling and talking to one of their reps), was supposed to have more rubber in the center of the tire compared to other brands. Logical since most riding is done on the center of the patch. Time will tell in how long they last.

I wish I could remember how much thicker the tire is in the center according to the rep. By the way I called them when considering going to the dark side and complaining about short tire life on motorcycles.

"Some guy" :) :)
Flavor
Jim

[dogdoc]

flavor: apparently you dont get the speedo fix(near fix) with the cobras that you do with the metz according to CJ. No big deal to me. yes the Cobra have just nearrly 3/8 inch thick meat on the rear which is way thicker than stoners or metz. And the front has about a good 5mm(1/4 inch or so). Hope the mileage is as good as the nadling/looks. :-)

[flavor]

flavor: apparently you dont get the speedo fix(near fix) with the cobras that you do with the metz according to CJ. No big deal to me. yes the Cobra have just nearrly 3/8 inch thick meat on the rear which is way thicker than stoners or metz. And the front has about a good 5mm(1/4 inch or so). Hope the mileage is as good as the nadling/looks. :-)

I'm with ya Doc. That's why I'm hoping to get more miles. About the MPH being different on the speedometer and correct speed, 3 to 3 1/2 MPH higher on the speedometer isn't an issue as well. (Better than 5 or more.............. :)

[dabull]

got the Anon Cobras on today...NICE, VERY NICE...grand total of 35 miles on them, heres my expert opinion...
1. New Tire feel http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif
2. Hold the line
3. ALOT quieter than the worn down train sounding bridgestones
4. Smoooooooooooth as butta
5. Nimble...as Doc said...was a little breath catching at first as to how quick that first turn is...

Will keep an eye on miles too..

Doc I have same question of tire pressure....??

[VulcanE]

According to Avon, for Max load capacity, front should be 36psi, and rear 44psi. I've found that the ride I like the best is 38psi in front, and 41psi in the rear. The Triumph Rocket III Touring uses the same tires we're using, and weight wise about the same. HERE YA GO (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=fitment&method=fitments&manufacturer=62&id=1764&model=&year=2008)

[rflnomad]

Doc and all others with the Cobras; keep us posted on the wear.
As far as the stick on weights. The rim should be clean for the weight to stick. They stick better than most people thing they do! I put a piece of clear tape over mine to be sure. When my rear tire was changed, the rim didn't look too clean.

[paulo]

Thx Doc, much appreciated

Paul

[dabull]

300+ miles interstate/backroads on the Cobras today...man they are a good riding tire!

[coacha]

Well, I guess I may have to look at the Cobra soon. I have to change the front and probably the rear before Custer.

[dogdoc]

Aren't they sweet tires DaBull. Full radials do make a difference. :-)