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Tyres - Azaro's... convince me....
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The Strom could well need a new set of tyres before I take it over to
Europe for a bit of comedy 50mph riding round the 'ring.
The current Trailwings have turned out okay - however they took a lot
of getting used to compared to the 014's on the GSX-R (along with the
bike :) ) and they really don't like certain wet road circumstances
(they're not bad in the wet, but not great). Also slightly disappointed
with the life I've got from them all things considered.
So, as the most offroad I get is using the pavement (*cough*)
occasionally or gravel in bends I'm thinking of going more sport
touring - in the size of wheels I have (110/80 19" & 150/70 17") there
appears to be the choice of the Bridgestone 020 and the Avon Azaro ST -
both of which are well rated here.
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Michelin do the Pilot Road in those sizes too now - I've got a pair sat
here waiting to go on Pinkie. I've been seriously impressed with the
Pilot Powers on the MV compared to others I've tried (Dragon Evos,
Diablos & M1 Sportecs) so I have high hopes.
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I've only ever had Bridgestones on my bikes (5 years now...) with no
major problems at all - therefore I'm very strongly thinking 020's is
the way forward.
However the Azaro's are distinctly cheaper.
What are the font's thoughts? Especially from people who went from
020's to Azaros...? What's the wear rate like?[1]
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I think I still had Azaro 3s fitted to the b12 when I sold it, so no
idea on the wear front. Had no problems with them, seemed quite a pointy
profile, though that may have just been due to a back-to-back comparison
with utterly squared 020s.
Do they still do their puncture guarantee?
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On the Azaro III rear tyre, there is a 1mm deep groove that runs
diagonally across the tread. If one should acquire a puncture while
that groove is still visible then Avon will replace that tyre FOC.
One would still need to fund the fitting charges. As to the front
tyre, I have no idea.
NB. The rear Azaro III fitted to the RF900 still has that groove
visible, after ~4,000 miles.
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I'd go with the Azaros, they're good enough for me to go hooning on and
last much longer than 020s. In the wet I prefer to be on the Azarozs too
- you can use more of the tyre on corners and braking hard on damp/wet
roads doesn't give as many arse-puckering moments. The fact they cost a
lot less than 020s is a bonus, as is the fact that the handling doesn't
dramatically deteriorate as they square off, unlike 020s.
It's like Avon managed to build a tyre that has as much grip as a
supersports tyre of 5 years ago, but with the longevity of their old
Speedmaster.
For me the Azaros win in every respect
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Hmm... I had Azaros on a ZXR750 about six years ago. They were ok but I
didn't think they were that good. However a lot can happen in six years
I suppose.
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That'd be azaro II's not III's, the III only came out about 3 or 4 years
ago..
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I've got (on the K1100) an Azaro on the rear. Unfortunately it's got an
ME33 on the front. 'spose I ought to change one of them... or maybe I
won't bother. My memory of the ME33/55 wasn't that good; but there's no
way I can bin a virtually new tyre...
The K100's got Pirelli sport demons (hate the name) fitted. I think
these are a wonderful tyre. All of the grip of the BT45 and none of the
white line instability when worn, plus they don't crack up like the 45
does and give better mileage.
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I loved 'em on the R1 but I think the version you are talking about may
be completely different for grip and profile.
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Azaros wear better, grip better, tip in better, and warm up more
quickly.
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Not only that, but they're inevitably cheaper than the 020 equivalent.
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I'll never again use 020's on my bike over AV45/46's. Is that a good
enough recommendation?
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I'm using AV's on this here B12. Sure I can spin the rear up and I can
get the front end to skip and lock more than on supersports rubber but
they are still very good.
I had to pull an emergency stop yesterday. It was cold and wet. Tyres
were cold, I was only 250M from my start point. I had time to think and
build up the pressure almost to the point of a stoppie if I'd moved
weight forward. I was *seriously* impressed. The rear doesn't move at
all unless you over egg the gas, very reassuring ride.
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I'm with the little ginger fella on this one.
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[1] this is a piece of string question - I think the power delivery
(and the riding style it encourages :) ) will always be tough on tyres.
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