I set out today to buy an Avon Road Rider tyre (110/90-18) to replace the increasingly worn one on the rear of the Commando. Not so easy.
Seems that last year Goodyear Tires, recent purchasers of Avon and already owners of Dunlop, shut Avon’s Melksham factory in Wiltshire- thanks guys - preferring to transfer production to Goodyear factories in France and Serbia.
(Condolences, too, to the 350 local men and women made redundant having served Avon producing tyres in Melksham for 112 years).
The result of the Melksham factory closure is a severe shortage of Avon tyres, replacements for the English product from France and Serbia not having materialised - thanks again guys.
Options appear to be:
1 Retain the matching but slightly worn Avon tyre on the front of my Commando and scrap the worn Avon on the rear, replacing it with a compatible alternative brand. Question is, which brand would be most compatible?
2 Scrap both front and rear Avon tyres and replace them with a matching set of appropriate tyres of a different make. Question is, which make or brand?
3 Keep both current Avon tyres, front good rear worn, and risk some additional penalty points to the three I already have, if apprehended?
Any views or recommendations would be most welcome!
Thanks Robin
Why not fit a 100/90-18? a…
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.
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Ashley, that's a possibility…
Ashley, that's a possibility but it's just that I have been very pleased with the performance and look of the 110/90-18. Year or two ago I think I recall some positive comments you made about Continentals - may I ask what your opinion of them is these days. Thanks.
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The Conti's were head and…
The Conti's were head and shoulders above the Avon's, but then they were a radial. They looked skinny but still exceeded the speed and weight rating of the Avon's, they ran warm but no issues as they were designed to take tyre warmers. Not cheap and they wore quickly when using a WM2 rim, if I change to wider rims in the future then I will certainly fit them.
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Quite agree with Ashley that…
Quite agree with Ashley that the Conti Classic Attacks are very good but they withdrew the 19" rear fitment? I shall have an 18" WM3 rear rim laced up so I can use their 110 or 120 fitment which are the only rears now available.
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Avon Tyres - 850 Commando Mk 3
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.
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Thanks Brian. Called Wheel…
Thanks Brian. Called Wheel House Tyres on seeing your post. They too are now out of stock but thanks for suggesting them.
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replacement rear tyre
Hi Robin, you had better get a wiggle on if your going to make the rally in France !
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You're kinda spoilt for…
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.
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Another Metzeler user
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
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Michelin
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.
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Thanks Gordon. I have had…
Thanks Gordon. I have had good experience with Michelin on my BMW - different spec tyres of course.
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Tyre availability
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 ?
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Alan, yes, TT100 are still…
Alan, yes, TT100 are still available in the 19'' size. No other manufacturer produces a 19'' rear or universal for road use.
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There is this Metzeler:…
There is this Metzeler: https://www.metzeler.com/en-ww/catalogue/product/block-c
Don't think I'd put 'em on a Commando - P speed rating is 93mph. Maybe a Navigator.
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Some may have noticed even…
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.
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A quick look at an online…
A quick look at an online tyre retailer's site shows plenty of 4.00x18, 110/90x18 and 120/90x18 H-rated (or higher) rear tyres from all the major manufacturers. Think it'll be a while before you have to consider 17" radials :)
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Stan you are quite right,…
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.
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My issue is that anything…
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 .
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Dunlop TT100
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.
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Dunlop TT100
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.
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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.