Avon storm tyres

[Marmalade]

On my pan european I / we always used bridgestone tyres but changed to avon storms as they were a little cheaper per mile and better grip in the wet

Anyway, punctures are now more regular and totally shag the construction of the tyre making plugging the hole unlikely and unsafe due to the breakdown of the carcass where the bridgestones could usually be plugged and retain shape and usability to the the natural end of life

Anyone else had any problems with these and wondering if this is why avon have brought out the storm 2

Having new tyres every 6-8 weeks is painful enough without extras due to punctures killing them

All this led me to fit a pair of 021's yesterday causing a £250 dent in the bank account

Part worn avon storm 110/80/18 front anyone?
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[G]

£250? Ouch.
I'd have given someone like this seller a shout, who has a pair in sports bike sizes for £175 delivered:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260567734655
Pretty much all the avon tyres I've used have been worse than other manufacturers alternatives, so I avoid them where I can.

[Marmalade]

Bit unusual sizes for pan europeans as a pair
110-80-18 front &
160-70-17 on the back

Here for £220 delivered >
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRIDGESTONE-BT021-110-80-18-160-70-17-ST1100_W0QQitemZ120473787221QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item1c0ccc1b55

but then i'd have to spend my sunday fitting them and i don't have the kit to balance the wheels.
The place i go i ride straight in, they fit, balance and back on the road in 30-45 mins meaning minimal downtime and £30 for the good service they give is worth it
Michaeldever tyres is the place, just off the A303 and i pass it going to/from london regularly.
Used to use Kennington tyres in London as a ride in and out service but can't be dealing with the attitude from some of those in the office.

Locally the places are dearer and tell me to drop the bike in on a morning and collect it later in the day, totally out of the question
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[G]

Ah, rather high profile for such tyres. If you sacrificed '10' on the profile front and back you could get the right widths delivered for £184.
My local tyre bloke is happy for me to get tyres delivered to him and will still offer ride-in, ride-out for £30 for both wheels (I generally take them in a car or sometimes on another bike to save £20.)

Oh and don't have the kit to balance wheels - how about two chairs and a bit of rod of some kind, maybe even a broom handle. Have to get some weights too, of course.
I do all my own trail bikes (don't usually bother to balance myself though), but when I tried to break the bead of my zx9 tyre with a spade didn't have a chance and it was too big to go in the vice.