Avon Road Rider tyre availability

An internet search revealed abc tyres  (I think) had them in stock. So I bought one. It took a few days to arrive as it came from Germany.
Such a shame about Melksham.

Why not fit a 100/90-18? a smaller tyre that meets the speed and weight spec will run warmer and nearer its ideal operating temperature. 
The tyre situation is worse than many realise, the Dunlop factory in France where production was being moved may now be in the hands of Sumitomo Tyre and Rubber. They bought Dunlop from Avons parent company but whether they bought the factory is unclear. 

Had the same availability issue here in Leeds - local provider had no stock and none available from their suppliers warehouse.
I called "Wheel House tyres" on 0121 748 0000 midday and the Avon Roadrider Mk2 arrived at 8:30am next day. £117 all in.

Hi Robin, you had better get a wiggle on if your going to make the rally in France ! 

You're kinda spoilt for choice with an 18" rear. And there's no issue with running different tyre makes front- rear. I like Metzeler Roadtec x-ply. Just avoid Conti Gos.

Hi.
I too have Metzeler Roadtec01's -not on a Commando but on my 650 Dommi and personally I think they're great.
The 110/90x18 I have on the rear measures 108mm wide,  fitted on a WM3 rim. Not the cheapest, but excellent in wet and dry, and they last well too. They also do various sizes of matching front tyres, both in 'metric' and 'Imperial' sizes.

If you want to stay with Avon, have a look at the Roadrider2 4.00x18 rear tyre. According to Avon website it is the same width as the 110/90, has more tread (7.5vs.5.6) and is just 8mm larger overall diameter. Also slightly higher load rating. 
A quick google search shows availability, albeit limited stock from around £115.
I've never owned a Commando so cannot comment on whether it is good, ok or 'no, don't do it', but the specs are so close it suggests it should be OK.

Regards 
George 

Hi Robin,

If you go for a pair you could try Michelin Road Classic 400-H18 rear and 325-H19 front.

I've not got them fitted to my Commando, but on an old CB750 Four.

But anyhow they appear narrower than the Bridgestone Battlax and Avon Roadriders I had previously fitted so clearance should not be a problem.

Great mileage also.

Before we all commit to rebuilding our wheels, are there any 19" options out there ? Whilst I currently run roadriders, I recall Dunlops still did 19" TT100 front and rear when I last looked. Are they still available and are there other brands with this size ?

Some may have noticed even the 18'' rear is now getting harder to find in a sensible width that has a suitable speed and weight rating for the Commando.  

Stan you are quite right, but the 100/90-18 I can see don't have a weight rating of that compared to the tyres fitted originally, it's a tiny bit lower. Those that don't want the wider tyre are left with the 4.00 x 18 which tend to carry the same weight rating as the original tyres. Is it critical? as many owners have found, not really. The Roadrider 100/90-19 on a MK3 Interstate with pillion and luggage could potentially exceed it's weight rating, and yes I did query it with Avon some time back. The desing and factor safety in tyres made today most proabaly far exceeds what was used back when the bikes were new. 
Sadly it is not just Norton owners that experience this issue, some 'modern' 20 year old bikes have similar issues as we find here occasionally when owners want tyres fitting to their bikes that pass through the workshop. The contractural tie in between manufacturers of the bikes and tyres does not seem to help either these days.  

My issue is that anything wider than a 3.50 x19 rear  or 3.25 x19  front just dont fit the space and the metric "equivalents "  are not  that . Looks like moped tyres or SH cast offs might be my future .

I was lucky and bought my new Roadrider ll 100 90 19 from the same place as Brian just before he bought his. I've looked around and at the moment the only matching pair of tyres I can find in 19" are K81 (TT100).
Front or Rear use in 3.60 & 4.10 which worked out around £300 a pair all in by mail order. I went from TT100 tyres to Avon Roadriders quite a few years ago but if the current owners of the Avon license don't get their act together when my current tyres wear out in a couple of years I'm going to have to go back to TT100's if they are still making them then.

I was lucky and bought my new Roadrider ll 100 90 19 from the same place as Brian just before he bought his. I've looked around and at the moment the only matching pair of tyres I can find in 19" are K81 (TT100).
Front or Rear use in 3.60 & 4.10 which worked out around £300 a pair all in by mail order. I went from TT100 tyres to Avon Roadriders quite a few years ago but if the current owners of the Avon license don't get their act together when my current tyres wear out in a couple of years I'm going to have to go back to TT100's if they are still making them then.