Tires

[magoo]

I will need to replace my OEM Bridgestones once the snow is gone and was looking at the Avon Cobras. The OEM tires are bias ply and the Cobra Avons are radials. What is the difference and is one better than the other? Also, I noticed decent prices from some US websites but the freight to get them to Canada is quite high. Are there any good Canadian locations to buy tires from? Thanks for your help!

[ringadingh]

A lot of guys like the Avons, Ive never tried them myself but they are one of the better tires out there. Ive had good luck with the Dunlop Cruisemax and D404's. Don't buy them from the states and have them shipped here unless they ship by USPS only.
Most vendors use UPS or Fedex and the brokerage charges and taxes will add up quite high.
I found out the hard way a couple years ago when I ordered a tire and brake pads. When the Ups man arrived I owed an additional $104.00 at the door.
My pal orders his tires from some place in Ottawa, but Im not sure of the name, he says they have the best tire prices in Canada. My brother buys his from Royal Distributing and gets really good prices when they have a sale.
I'll see if I can get the name of the place in Ottawa.

[cactusjack]

Ride into the US on old tires, ride back to Canada on new tires. Who's to know?

[AlabamaNomadRider]

That is smart thinking Scott.

I know a lot of people use the Avon Cobras and I am sure they are a good tire. I replaced my OEM tires with the Dunlop Elite 3 tires and have really enjoyed them. I only have about 2,000 miles on them since I replaced tires, but I can't see any wear at all. They ride good and make no noise. The tread pattern is a good design. If you ever have to ride on grooved roads the pattern is excellent for that. The bike doesn't go squirrelly on you.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Ride into the US on old tires, ride back to Canada on new tires. Who's to know?

I know some that have done that, it another good alternative.

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I know some that have done that, it another good alternative.

If you don't put much mileage on them before crossing, you might just as well declare them, you'll only get nicked for the GST and PST. There is a lot of cross border shopping going on around here and border guards are wise to that sort of thing, at least on cars. The little nipples sticking out everywhere on new tires are a dead giveaway.

[timebandit]

If I'm not mistaken, my 08 came with Dunlops and I replaced them at 24k with another set of the same.

I've got 18k on them in the last season and think I'll be able to go another10k before there in need of going in the bin ::)

[vulcanguy]

Hi!
I think the name you are looking for Ring is Dream Cycle. I know my Dealer, Ottawa Goodtime centre will match prices... My advice is call around, get a price & try to deal...
Good luck!
Cheers

[ringadingh]

I think your right, I'll find out for sure tomorrow.

[Cajunrider]

The Avon Cobras are very good tires. The only problem I had was I wore the center out on my rear Cobra in 6,000 miles pulling my trailer with too much air in it. I was advised by an Avon tech to run 48 - 50 psi in the tire riding 2 up and pulling the trailer. Don't do it. If I ever go back to a rear MC tire, I will run 40 - 42 psi whether I'm towing the trailer or not. My front Cobra has 16,000 miles on it with several thousand miles of life left on it.

[deadant]

Ring, how much work are the whitewalls? I love the look of clean wide whitewalls on bikes, however would much rather be riding than scrubbing the tires.

[sly]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I think your right, I'll find out for sure tomorrow.

https://www.dreamcycles.net/
Here you go, I think

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by deadant

Ring, how much work are the whitewalls? I love the look of clean wide whitewalls on bikes, however would much rather be riding than scrubbing the tires.

They are a bit of work but not near bad enough that I'll get rid of them. I replaced the rear WWW tire with a car tire back in the fall. You don't really see a lot of the rear whitewall anyways and that is the harder one to keep clean.
I have a new Dunlop D404 WWW to install in the spring. I use Spray Nine and a scrubrush to clean them, it only takes me a couple minutes a side to make them sparkle again.

[nomadbehappy]

I'm planning on replacing my tires in the spring with Avon Cobras as well. I picked up a nail in the front tire near the end of the season (well it became the end of the season for me). I live in Barrie ( hour north of Toronto) and I think I called and checked online everyplace I could find from Dream Cyles in Ottawa to Zdenos in Waterloo and a few places out east and out west. The last place I checked was my local dealer where I bought my bike. Guess what, they were the best price and he said if I could wait until the spring he had already placed his spring order and he could knock the price down even more! I only had a couple weekends left to ride so the bike got winterized a bit earlier then planned and he will hold my tires when they come in until I want them in the spring. I have had great service from my dealer and they have been very fair to me. It is nice to be able to support the local guys and know you are getting good service and fair prices.

[ringadingh]

Sounds like the dealer there is ok, is St Onge? Ive bought a couple parts from them before we got a dealer in Bradford.
Royal Distributing near you also has good tire sales on sometimes. Im not sure what brands they carry, but my brother buys Michelins there for his BMW.