avon speedmaster mark2

The 4 digit code has been in use since the year 2000. If yours don't have one then they're going to be at least 19 years old. I would bin them without hesitation.

You can still get the SM - now made with modern rubber.

https://www.wheelhousetyres.co.uk/avon-am6-am7-pair1.html

Hi John, I don't think they have gone out of production, I have them fitted to my M50, ( the last pair about a year ago) I like the look of them especialy the ribbed front.

A tyre bloke once told me they are the same tread design as the old ones but now use modern tyre compounds?...…...not sure if that is true but they grip well in most conditions, even at the speeds I do! 

Regards John O

You can still purchase the Avon Speedmaster Mk2 either through specialist motorcycle tyre dealers or tyre fitting shops that sell the Avon brand. The problem that I had with fitting these old style tyres on both of my Nortons was the lack of tread depth. The two that I purchased both had only 4.5mm of tread depth to start with and the softer modern compound used wore very quickly even with moderate use. After just 3000 miles both were near illegal. I switched to fitting RoadRiders. OK they do not have the 'classic' look  but the grip in poor road conditions is brilliant and after 6,500 miles on my touring bike there is still 3mm of tread in the centre and 2.4mm on the sides.

Just keep in mind that if switching to SMs with new rubber compound, you may need to up the pressure a bit over the original Norton specs. 

If you have original mudguards you may find that you cannot fit modern tyres as they all come up wider than you think!.

-When I fitted TT100 tyres (360 front, 410 rear), I had lots of clearance issues.  The rims were not correctly centred.  Once fixed, the TT100s just cleared.  Just.  Not sure how RoadRiders compare for clearance issues

Paul

The 100/90 Roadriders are more rounded compared to 4.10 TT100s. They do not have a line of edging chunks that seem to catch on all the Mudguard fittings. On my 650 I have an 18" wheel and can run an Avon 4.25 or equivalent size in the swinging arm with good side clearance. If I use a 4.25 TT100 I have to shave down the shoulders.

At the front end a 3.60 (90/90) TT100 catches everywhere whereas the Roadrider is fine. I am not a great fan of the looks of the Avons but they are good in the wet.

In my opinion, the best tyres I ever fitted on my Dominators were the Dunlop Arrowmax series. They gave excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions but were not so good if wheel alignment was off by even a small amount. Consequently Commando Isolastics and worn Dominator Swinging Arm bushes did not mix well with these tyres.