Avon Cobra Trike Tire Regrets?

[rhino65]

Anyone out there ran a MPA or BT-45 then tried the Avon Cobra trike tire and go back to a MPA or BT-45? I'm getting ready to purchase another Cobra trike tire but recently joined a GW club and many of the older gents riding trikes are telling me to go with the MPA or BT-45. (It's what all the members are running)I like the fact the tire will last twice as long but afraid I'll regret and miss the ride of the the Cobra.

 

[Gold Rush]

It's a choice thing Brian. Trade comfort and control for longevity. The bias ply tires you mentioned have served us well for many years and will continue to do so. If you value the comfort and sure footed feeling and much as I do then the choice is easy. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[mhgoldwing]

Much has to do with the riding environment IMO. If you're primarily riding straight, smooth roads and big sweeping curves then the bias ply tire will serve you well. However, the harder the twisties and the rougher the road then the Avon Cobra Trike tire shines with it's better ride and handling. Again, just my opinion as I have run them all and will now only use the Avon tire until some tire company proves they have a better product.

My experience with the bias ply tires in my primary riding area was noise, harsh ride, and inability to hold firmly to the road in fast twisties as it sometimes wanted to "skitter" through the turn. Again, just my opinion driving my trike. YMMV.

 

[Mick]

I guess when it comes to the trike and all the money Ive spent on her being cheap about a tire is the last thing Ill do. If it comes down to cost and the tire lasts twice as long as compared to ride quality with half the life Ill take ride quality. Ive had 2 MPAs and a BT45 and theres no contest with the Cobra. The Cobra wins hands down. My late wife even noticed the ride difference with the Cobra on the front and liked it. If your going to cheap out on a tire after spending that money on a trike.........

 

[rhino65]

Bought the trike a little over year ago. Had standard Bridgestone something on it. Read about the Cobra and bought it. My mistake I didn't keep close enough eye on air pressure and ran it mostly 38-40 psi. Probably why only lasted 11,000 miles.

Twice a year we head Southwest or southeast from Illinois and get into twisties for a week or so. It's about $60 more for tire but I hate a noisy tire or anything rougher. To me it's all about the ride and quiet. I'll get some ribbing and flack from the older gents in my group but I'll just tell to them "Got to keep up with technology".... They love that.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Anyone out there ran a MPA or BT-45 then tried the Avon Cobra trike tire and go back to a MPA or BT-45? I'm getting ready to purchase another Cobra trike tire but recently joined a GW club and many of the older gents riding trikes are telling me to go with the MPA or BT-45. (It's what all the members are running)I like the fact the tire will last twice as long but afraid I'll regret and miss the ride of the the Cobra.

IMHO, the "last twice as long", may be true against the OEM type front tire.

My experience with the bias ply tires in my primary riding area was noise, harsh ride, and inability to hold firmly to the road in fast twisties as it sometimes wanted to "skitter" through the turn. Again, just my opinion driving my trike. YMMV.

I believe much of the "skitter" is caused by many believing they should run 42psi in the front tire. What a harsh ride this gave as I did the same w/my first BT45! Ran the second @ 38psi, big difference in the ride!!!!!

 

[Pegasus1300]

If all the guys who you ride with thode tires you could buy an MPA or BT to try. If you still like the Avon then sell or give the MPA or BT to one of them and go back to your Avon Cobra. I'm thinking you'll end up back on the Cobra but in the end it is your trike and your style that will decide.

 

[rhino65]

If all the guys who you ride with thode tires you could buy an MPA or BT to try. If you still like the Avon then sell or give the MPA or BT to one of them and go back to your Avon Cobra. I'm thinking you'll end up back on the Cobra but in the end it is your trike and your style that will decide.

Got plans to ride one with the BT-45 that he just put on last fall at our next meeting. Compare it with my nearly wore out Cobra

 

[mhgoldwing]

IMHO, the "last twice as long", may be true against the OEM type front tire.



I believe much of the "skitter" is caused by many believing they should run 42psi in the front tire. What a harsh ride this gave as I did the same w/my first BT45! Ran the second @ 38psi, big difference in the ride!!!!!

I tried the different pressures down to 38psi and it didn't make much difference on our chip-n-seal roads. Smooth asphalt wasn't a problem and it seemed to grip well; BT45.

 

[rhino65]

With the Cobra what's the best mileage you've gotten with it properly inflated. Which as I stated earlier I failed to do. I've heard 40-42, and some say 42 period.

 

[mhgoldwing]

With the Cobra what's the best mileage you've gotten with it properly inflated. Which as I stated earlier I failed to do. I've heard 40-42, and some say 42 period.

When I purchased my first Avon Cobra Trike tire I called Avon and asked about the pressure they would recommend. Their answer was 40-42 psi. I keep mine in that window.

 

[JaysGone]

Its been a year for me and Ive already forgotten the mileage I have on it so far.

My opinion of the Avon trike tire hasn't changed at all since the thread I started when I 1st got the tire.

Im still sorry I didn't get another MPA. Or Battle Axe

Im at this point used to the Avon but still dislike it.

The way it "feels" in general. The MPA felt a lot better to me.

Im running it at 36 to 38psi and hopping to wear it out as soon as possible as one can at 36 psi.

At 40 psi it bounces all over the place.

With the MPA I felt a lot more "planted". More comfortable a better road feel.

I might be the only one here not liking the Avon.

 

[bikerbillone]

I don't think I don't like the Cobra, but I cannot sing he praises a some others have here. BT45 (rear) was better, think I'll try the MPA when I replace the Cobra. I'm not trying to beat it to death to replace the thing, I want to see how many miles I get.

 

[lgjhn]

I went from a BT-45 to the Avon and like it.

I keep the pressure at 41 and it seems to do just fine.

I plan on buying another when this one finally wears out.

 

[JaysGone]

I don't think I don't like the Cobra, but I cannot sing he praises a some others have here. BT45 (rear) was better, think I'll try the MPA when I replace the Cobra. I'm not trying to beat it to death to replace the thing, I want to see how many miles I get.

I wont beat it to death. It will last as long as it lasts. I wont miss it when its gone.

Im not sure the MPA is still out there?? I haven't looked in awhile.

Im sure the Avon will go in my case another year to 18 months.

I might even replace it with a Kenda. Ive had 2 Kenda rears on the front of my double dark RoadStar. I got almost 20K out of them. Half the price of the Avon too.

 

[Marc H]

Different areas,road materials,riding style,And trike design make a difference.I admit to running the Cobra at 38 lbs at least for part of my time with it.The grip was superior to the BT45 I have now.Forgiving as anything to mistakes.I think I could almost break the rears loose before the front.Since most of my twisty riding is 50 mph and under this made my ride flat boring.Like the car drive turn and go.No thought process to the corner at all.Probably would have been wore slick by 11k miles if that van hadn't parked on top of it.I replaced with BT45 and did some suspension work and my ride is comparable.I know the ride would be a bit rougher without the suspension work.I think for me the BT is a better fit.My trike is a short wheelbase straight axle and I think this plays a part in things also and I don't think thats been examined much.

 

[Gold Rush]

Another consideration many don't realize is the difference between the GL1500 and 1800 frames. The 1800 frame is much stiffer so any bumps will be transmitted to the seat. I remember when the GL1800 came out how the 1500 guys complained. They got use to it and started enjoying that sport feeling. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[CrystalPistol]

I've had both of those bias rear tires, one is half worn hanging in the basement,

Avon Cobra Trike Radial is on frt of trike, love it.

 

[Bronson512]

Had a Bridgestone rear running up front. I bought the bike used and that’s what it was wearing but my beliefs are if Bridgestone had meant for it to be on the front it wouldn’t have said “rear only” on the sides. I’m not fussing at you who are doing this so don’t hit the reply button on my account. Just and opinion.

I’ve only got 250 miles on my Avon but the difference was immediately noticeable even by my co rider. I’ll let you know how she wears later.

 

[firefighter4634]

No regrets with the tire but after a year of owning the trike the front tire has a slow leak. The first year we bought it was in February and hauled it home in a snow storm, parked it for the winter. The tire keep good air pressure all winter and through the summer riding season. But now this spring has a slow leak, about 3 pounds a day or so. I have tried checking with soapy water around the bead and valve steam and have not found anything. Also clean the tire with a wet rag to look for and nails, screws etc bought found nothing. Any thoughts? I suppose I need to take the wheel off and do some more detailed checking or possible take into a dealer to have it looked at?

 

[mhgoldwing]

No regrets with the tire but after a year of owning the trike the front tire has a slow leak. The first year we bought it was in February and hauled it home in a snow storm, parked it for the winter. The tire keep good air pressure all winter and through the summer riding season. But now this spring has a slow leak, about 3 pounds a day or so. I have tried checking with soapy water around the bead and valve steam and have not found anything. Also clean the tire with a wet rag to look for and nails, screws etc bought found nothing. Any thoughts? I suppose I need to take the wheel off and do some more detailed checking or possible take into a dealer to have it looked at?

Check the valve stem; both at the valve and the mounting hole.

 

[firefighter4634]

Check the valve stem; both at the valve and the mounting hole.

So I jacked up the front of the trike tonight and set a large tub under the front tire filled with water. No leak around the vale stem but did find tiny bubbles ( wasn't that a song?) coming from the seat around the rim. So might just wait and see if warmer weather and some riding makes it seal back up, if not I might have to take the wheel off, break the bead, clean around the rim and try to get it to seal that way.

 

[lgjhn]

So I jacked up the front of the trike tonight and set a large tub under the front tire filled with water. No leak around the vale stem but did find tiny bubbles ( wasn't that a song?) coming from the seat around the rim. So might just wait and see if warmer weather and some riding makes it seal back up, if not I might have to take the wheel off, break the bead, clean around the rim and try to get it to seal that way.

Firefighter, I've had to do that to a couple of rims that have come into my shop for repair. What I think, IMHO, happens sometimes is that a tire gets mounted onto these aluminum rims and soapy dish detergent type of water is used for the lubricant. That stuff will slowly corrode the aluminum at the tire bead interface over time. I've had to break the tire down and remove it from the rim, then wire-brush, scotch-brite, etc. to try to get it back to where it looked like it would seal. So far, I've managed to get em to seal but one of em was pretty ugly. I suggested to the owner of that one that he may want to start looking for a replacement rim for the next tire replacement that comes up.

 

[bikerbillone]

Firefighter, your post #22 on the Cobra bead, I have a feeling that is your problem. My first and only Cobra, I had that slow leak that was just totally annoying. Finally had to confiscate a kiddy pool and found it that way, truly a hassle finding the leak. By very carefully searching and rotating the wheel with the tire still on the rim I finally found the bubbles. If at first you don't find the bubbles, don't give up, could be you just missed them on first turn.

 

[1dn5up]

Being I know my tire dealer well , I watched the tire monkey replace mine. After removal there was a little oxidation on the wheel bead. So I asked if it could be removed before the newtire was installed. At that point he had the big can of bead sealer in his hand ready to paint the bead. Yup - NFG I said. After I won the dispute , I asked him why the two dots , yello and red ? His answer was , That means it’s a good to go tire inspected by 2 inspectors ! He got highly insulted after I re educated him on the marks.

Yup he was pissed with me:Shrug:. Then the owner and I had the discussion on the whole process. His response; I’m lucky just to get help to do this stuff, let alone try to educate them. Plus there going to do what they please anyway.

Cant teach old dogs new tricks :Joker3:. Or they just know it all!

 

[CrystalPistol]

I had an instance of leaking at the bead with a Elite II rear on my 1200 ... but nothing on the trike's front Cobra.

What was leaking on the 1200 was I had "Ride On" in it's tires, stem looked like it rotted away, Ride On tried to stop that leak successfully at last but by then I guess tire was low enough the bead unseated some, Ride On seeped in and tire bead reseated "differently" and by then, Ride On had hardened, bead area leaked, tire was flat next time I want to ride. I broke both down, cleaned out Ride ON, re-inflated with new metal short stems.

 

[1dn5up]

Elimentry, new tire, new stem ! Forgot to mention that in my last post, had to insist on that also.

 

[Burnerboy]

I'm on my second Avon front tire, I don't know the difference between any other tire, cause this is all I know, BUT I do like it, and will most likely purchase another, when needed

Ronnie

 

[MDO]

I'm on my second Avon front tire, I don't know the difference between any other tire, cause this is all I know, BUT I do like it, and will most likely purchase another, when needed

Ronnie

Just curious, are you using the dedicated trike tire or the regular Avon Cobra front tire.

I'm asking because I have a HD Freewheeler & Avon does not make the trike tire in my size, only for Gold wings & Tri-glides. I have heard good things about their Cobra tires though and they have that size for my FW.

 

[CrystalPistol]

...& Avon does not make the trike tire in my size, only for Gold wings & Tri-glides....

What size is that?