Tyre Review: Avon Vipers

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

On August 15th I had a new set of tyres put onto my bike. I usually have Bridgestone BT010's, but as you know they are nolonger in production. Since the new BT014's are supposed to be uber-soft and shred really quickly when used on the motorway, I had to try something different.... so I bought a set of Avon Vipers.

I've now done 1000 miles on my new tyres, and quite frankly they're excellent. Their performance when out for a blatt round the lanes is fantastic. They stick like glue in the corners, turn in nice and fast, and give you the same confident feel that I used to get from my Bridgestones.
In the wet they're also great. Their tread pattern seems to be a little better than the Bridgestones, and if anything I feel a little more confident in the wet on the Avons. The deformation of the tread pattern on the driving edge of the tread that occurs on the BT010's doesn't happen to the same degree on the Avons either.

All in all, I've found the Avon Vipers to be an excellent tyre choice for somebody with a sports bike who likes to ride the tits off it at the weekends, but also needs to do reasonably large amounts of "sensible" mileage during the week. After 1000 miles, of which about 5 or 600 will be motorway miles, my tyres are still round with no apparent sign of them being about to square off. Thumbs Up

EDIT - Incidentally, those are the Avons in question in my avatar...
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Nice review, I only ride a CG so it's not really helpful to me but was well written and some sound advice Thumbs Up

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Watch out as common opinion is that Avons are always rubbish, so some will burn you at the stake for that review.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

veeeffarr · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

They do have a rather unfortunate company name... Wonder if it's the same company that make the femme products Wink

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

I have used Avons loads of times. OK, often no going for the latest greatest sticky tyre but not had any problems. Grip has been fine and tyre life has been good.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

/me shudders

Avons, never again, you 2 don't know what you're talking about!

Michelin/Bridgestone all the way!

Suzuki · Roger Joined: 03 May 2005 Karma :

Maybe you just can't ride properly... Razz

____________________
<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon Razz

<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map