Avon AM2 roadrider crack

That sounds shocking. Is it a newly purchased tyre? What is the date stamp on it? It can be found on the sidewall in an oval, in the form of a month and year, i.e. 07/16, for example.

I've been using them for some years now & never had a problem with them. What did the supplier say when you took it back?

Here in the US, this tire has been reported cracking/delaminating and is known. Wish we knew why? bad manufacturing or improper use? Not very common, but your report is far from the first. Despite this, it is a tire that many people here like and use.

What is the size of tyre and size of rim it is on?

I fitted WM3 rims to my Commando as 90/100 tyre was not recommend to be fitted to the normal (an narrower) WM2

Almost all of my tyres are Avon's and have good results with them.

Regards the photo: Is the tyre actually not fit for purpose? To me I would have said just looking at the picture that it was just an imperfect mould? But I base that comment on the photo only.

Be interesting to know what Avon say. Could you e-mail them pictures?

Your contract is with the retailer not Avon, it's clearly not fit for purpose and the retailer should refund you, if they don't, go and see trading standards?

dan

A year or so ago I looked into Changing my antique pattern SM rear tyre for a Roadrider on my 99DL , The only way it could be done was to fit a front tyre (not universal ) back to front. I would also have had to raise the gearing to compensate for the loss in diameter. Bought another SM which seem to last for years and have never cracked even when 20 years old. Now having a similar problem with my 250 and its 2.50 x18 and 2.75 x18 tyres .

I think you should name the retailer, That attitude stinks.

I think the 1979 Sale of Goods Act has been repealed and replaced. I think the new one is similar but don't know. But I am sure the clause + wording has changed.

It looks like the tyre has a series of longitudinal slots which don't quite join up. Looks like usage does what the tread designer did not do - tearing on the dotted line. It looks like a tread pattern design mistake. Oddly enough - it makes me wonder why the groove did not go all the way round the tyre to begin with. I bet it's not unsafe, but I wouldn't like to bet my own life on it.

I don't think naming and shaming retailers on an internet forum is a good idea myself. It's to easily abused by malicious people who like nothing better than to wreck somebody's livelihood.

Iagree the tyre is not fit for purpose, unfortunately Trading Standards & The Sale of Goods Act (or its replacement) won't help Allen - hestated that he's in the US, not the UK. He's going to need theUS equivalents!

Previously Allen Hanford wrote:

I mounted an Avon AM2 roadrider the other day and about a week it has developed a very large crack down the center of the tread, rendering it unusable. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi Allen,

here's a photo of the cracked Roadrider on the rear wheel of my 1976 Honda CB750F1. It was replaced under warranty.

I have Roadriders on my Commando (great tyres) and no problems so far.

Removed as posted twice!

Hello well for all this I have ever fitted Avons On the Rear wheel for one I do not like the Square looking SM roadmaster, I always fitted Dunlop K70 or K82 which are better handling and last well and you can still buy to this day, but having said this I have never seen cracking like this in any tyre so this must be down -the compound of the rubber that breaking up quickly clearly not fit for use on Englands roads take this to trading standards do not mess with the dealer there fake Avon tyres and rogue tyres should take off our roads before some rider is killed with them yours anna j

Anna makes a valid point. There are many fake parts out there. I would email Avon customer service with all details. I found them really helpful when I was offered GP lookalikes for road use,

Norton changed to Avon from Dunlop in the early 50's because they were a superior product.

If you read Allen's posts he is in the US so UK law isn't much help to him. I am surprised by his suppliers attitude though, they should help him. There used to be a problem with Avon tyres cracking prematurely but this was supposed to have been corrected a few years ago.

Ian

Gordon, now yours does look like a defective tyre from what I can see. I'll leave it at that.

Anna, I don't buy Dunlop's any more on principle. Dunlop's were made in Japan under licence using the name 'Dunlop Gold seal.' Before we knew it the Japanese bought out the parent company, closed down Fort Dunlop in Birmingham and moved production to Kobe, Japan!

By the same token, the Chinese now export all new branded MG cars direct from China. The SV model MG could have been a small UK MG brand but the Chinese threatened legal action if the MG name was used.

Hi,

I'm not sure what mix tyres are made from any more, it certainly isn't just the old-fashioned rubber compound as far as I am led to understand and sadly I am being lazy not doing my own research!

From a safety point of view also this type of situation is not acceptable either. Those cracks are ridiculous and dangerous and where-ever this has happened, money back or replacements should be issued forthwith!

Retailers, surely must be responsible for what they sell, especially since something like this can potentially lead to a nasty accident!

However, there are plenty of fakes out there and I personally only purchase tyres from reputable firms, the last one I bought through RGM! Aren't, Avon's supposed to all be only manufactured in the UK?

For my latest build, I eventually opted for Safety Mileage Mark 2's front and rear. I used them in the 70s and 80s with no complaints; I believe on the new ones, the compounds used have changed to modern formulas, lets hope they are as durable!

Tyres like everything else can be a statement, whether their performance is needed or not, admittedly SM tyres are not flash in the looks department, but time and time again i have seen in my opinion, "Classic" bikes with modern rubber that do not look right aesthetically!

I have a tyre on I think on an Ariel wheel, it's a Dunlop Ribbed variety manufactured in France at Montlucon and still feels soft and pliable

Ironically someone told me if you want old fashioned mainly natural rubber tyres, China may be the only place you can get them, I have heard to the negative that manufacturers there, will copy any products/Brands and completely disrespect patent laws.

Super-Sports bike riders who renew their tyres every 3,000 miles are I think taking part in a commercial rip-off of sorts, lack of tyre durability is certainly, not my idea of fun!

Best of luck sorting this issue out!

Cheers

John H

Sorry I missed the US connection! but for those who are interested the relevant U.K. Legislation is the Supply of Goods and Services Act: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1982/29

Anna makes a valid point. There are many fake parts out there. I would email Avon customer service with all details. I found them really helpful when I was offered GP lookalikes for road use,

Norton changed to Avon from Dunlop in the early 50's because they were a superior product.

Previously anna jeannette Dixon wrote:

Previously Charles Bovington wrote:

Anna makes a valid point. There are many fake parts out there. I would email Avon customer service with all details. I found them really helpful when I was offered GP lookalikes for road use,

Norton changed to Avon from Dunlop in the early 50's because they were a superior product.

hello is this the first time that Charles has agreedwith me woulders will never cease, now have fun guys yours anna j

Anna, I only disagree with you when you are wrong! Best wishes