Front tire ???

[mirider]

Just turned 18k miles on my 14' TriGlide and I am in the red area on my tire tread depth gauge. Time for a new tire and leaning toward replacing with the stock Dunlop. Have read a lot of good things about the Avon trike tire and I am partial to Michelin tires in general. Just wondering what the opinions of this group are.

 

[Zammy]

We have a '15 and just put on an Avon Trike tire at the 15,000 service. I am totally satisfied I made the right choice, we just returned from Eureka Springs riding the twisties. The bike handled them better than the Dunlop, the front end never slid or hopped once. We were riding pretty aggressive on the Pig Trail, a lot of times we were 15-20 over on the curves and it was solid, the back end chirped a few times but the front was planted. We're running 38 # pressure in it and so far I'm sure it will be replaced with another Avon Trike tire.

 

[Panjs]

I have an Avon Coibra trike on my '09. Only had it for a few months but I'm very happy with it. Runs straight and true down the road and doesn't seem to be bothered by surface irregularities.

Rubber-wise it appears much more robust than the Dunlop.

 

[CJAC]

I used Dunlop & Michelin on my '15. Just replaced the stock Dunlop with an Avon trike tire on my '17. So far I like the Avon better than the other two brands.

 

[Firewrench22]

Another vote for the Avon. It works really good, tracks good, doesn't follow grooves, etc. Much better than the Dunflop. 36 psi.

 

[MDO]

I have the Avon on my short list for a replacement front tire for my Freewheeler.

I will have to go with the AV 71 Cobra, as they only make the trike specific tire for the Tri & Goldwing.

I like that Avon has a road hazard warranty on their tire.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I've run the stock and a couple different rear tires reversed.

Now we have over 10,000 miles on the Avon trike specific front tire.

It is the best I've run. Better grip, and smooth riding, doesn't wander. Tread looks like it is going to last even longer than a rear tire reversed...but won't know on that for sure for a while yet.

Kevin

 

[mirider]

Thanks all....appears to be overwhelming like for the Avon, guess that backs up what I have read. Still leaning towards the stock Dunlop for a couple reasons.....1. my dealer has them on hand and will make me a VERY good deal installed and 2. I got 18k + miles out of original tire with no handling issues. Will query dealer on what he can do on an Avon.

 

[Zammy]

I did a little price comparisons, looks like https://www.denniskirk.com/avon/cobra-av71-trike-tire.pfp544572n2.prdf is the best around right now

 

[MSgtRick]

I put around 3,000 miles on an Avon and couldn’t stand the sudden wandering and wobbling. Took it to three separate HD dealerships in central Texas and got nothing but excuses. Of course, they only rode it up and down the street in front of their respective dealerships. Took the trike to an independent shop where the two owners actually took it out to cruising speed on the highway. Yup, both felt exactly what I felt. Their recommendation was to replace the front tire with either a Michelin or Dunlop American Elite. I went with the Dunlop.

Who knows. Maybe I got a defective Avon. All I know is they said they’ve replaced a few Avons on the Tri-Glide simply because the Avon tires were good handlers but, in their opinion, were way too soft. After approximately 1,000 miles on the Dunlop it seems to be working well. YMMV!

 

[MDO]

I'm not sure what model Dunlop comes stock on the Tri-Glide. The Freewheeler comes with a Dunlop 408 (I believe). Mine, at 6,000 miles, is looking like it might go 18,000.

Besides the Avon, I am also considering the Michelin Commander II. If you look at ALL the reviews, it seems to be the best rated overall.

Also, the Metzler M888 Marathon & Dunlop American Elite get good reviews.

The motorcycle cop that runs the Law Abiding Biker website says the Dunlop handles the best, but the Michelin Commander last a little longer, but he can not give up the handling.

I have found all of these tires priced between $120-$140, so that's not really an issue.

I also recently checked out a Cycle Gear store about 10 miles from me & they had the same prices within 10% as all the online places. They will mount the tire with a lifetime balance for $25, if the tire is purchased from them & $50 if not.

You pull the wheel & carry it into them.

 

[mirider]

I'm not sure what model Dunlop comes stock on the Tri-Glide. The Freewheeler comes with a Dunlop 408 (I believe). Mine, at 6,000 miles, is looking like it might go 18,000.

My TriGlide has the 402 Dunlop which has over 18,000 miles on it right now and probably could squeeze a couple thousand more out of it without any problem.

My dealer will mount any tire they sell for $10 so that is not an issue. Their tire pricing a little higher than on-line but with my HOG discount and bonus buck program, probably close enough to not be a factor. As I said earlier, leaning on replacing the stock Dunlop since I got good mileage and no handling issues with it but looking at all options. Appreciate the feed-back on this site. ThumbUp

 

[MDO]

My TriGlide has the 402 Dunlop which has over 18,000 miles on it right now and probably could squeeze a couple thousand more out of it without any problem.

My dealer will mount any tire they sell for $10 so that is not an issue. Their tire pricing a little higher than on-line but with my HOG discount and bonus buck program, probably close enough to not be a factor. As I said earlier, leaning on replacing the stock Dunlop since I got good mileage and no handling issues with it but looking at all options. Appreciate the feed-back on this site. ThumbUp

I have the Dunlop 402 on the front of my Honda 1100 Sabre & it has performed well.

If your a Dunlop fan, check out the American Elite. It's nice to have options.

The Freewheeler is somewhat limited by the 19" front wheel size, but there are enough choices to make it interesting. I don't have any major complaints with the stock 408 really.

 

[ISP-FL]

I read what everyone was saying about Avon's when I needed a new front tire at about 15,000 miles. I thought my stock Dunlop performed okay so that is what I replaced it with. I used a metric shop in Ft. Myers that is know for doing a really good job balancing and installing.

Since then we have done the Tail and ridden all over eastern TN and NC. Coming up on 20,000 miles and no complaints out of the Dunlop.

 

[MDO]

I read what everyone was saying about Avon's when I needed a new front tire at about 15,000 miles. I thought my stock Dunlop performed okay so that is what I replaced it with. I used a metric shop in Ft. Myers that is know for doing a really good job balancing and installing.

Since then we have done the Tail and ridden all over eastern TN and NC. Coming up on 20,000 miles and no complaints out of the Dunlop.

Was that OEM the Dunlop 402? OEM tires are so much better now than they were 20 years ago.

Dunlop has done a lot of work with HD to design better tires.

It's awesome for us to have great choices when picking new shoes for our baby.

 

[PosseRider]

I put the Avon on my Tri about 12,000 miles ago with Dyna Beads installed. Will never go back to Dunflop. Best handling smooth ride ever.

 

[Bikerbozo]

My ‘10 TG is in the shop for unrelated regular service and they tell me my front tire is balder than an 8-ball. I had them look up the Avon tire. Available in NY and they can have it tomorrow to put on. Figured I was due for a change. I used to be a fan of Dunlop’s. But not for a while now.

 

[1dn5up]

My ‘10 TG is in the shop for unrelated regular service and they tell me my front tire is balder than an 8-ball. I had them look up the Avon tire. Available in NY and they can have it tomorrow to put on. Figured I was due for a change. I used to be a fan of Dunlop’s. But not for a while now.

The rocket scientist that you are and some one else had to tell ya that ? :qpnmt:

 

[Bikerbozo]

The rocket scientist that you are and some one else had to tell ya that ? :qpnmt:

Perfect timing. I was just setting up a date to show actual rockets scientists (or at least technicians) a couple hours ago how to correctly balance rocket components on one of my companies machines in a couple of weeks. In, and I’m not making this up, Jupiter, FL.:qpnmt:

 

[1dn5up]

Perfect timing. I was just setting up a date to show actual rockets scientists (or at least technicians) a couple hours ago how to correctly balance rocket components on one of my companies machines in a couple of weeks. In, and I’m not making this up, Jupiter, FL.:qpnmt:

Understand, but you Gota look at stuff once and a while !