COBRA CHROME AV91

Just over 4k miles. Front tire is no longer round. And rear tyre is tearing of small pieces..
Would not recommend for cruisers...
Tire pressure always to spec.
Just one summer tire

A while ago I purchased front & rear White walled Avon Cobra Chrome for my 2002 Harley Sportster XL1200c. One afternoon there was a slight drizzle making the roads damp. I was doing between 25-30 mph. Going round a gentle bend on a main road. The back wheel slipped out sideways. I dropped the bike, ending up facing in the opposite direction to which I was going. The bike suffered an amount of damage. (Bent Handle bars. Broken front Brake lever & cracked fluid reservoir. Smashed both mirrors. Bent the front mudguard & forward Exhaust downpipe, cracked Headlight glass)
Ever since this scrape I am frightened to ride the bike as it should be. I'm no way a novice rider. I've ridden Motorcycles since the age of 13. I am now 62yrs. I just don't trust these tyres

Avon 180/65-16 fitted to 2012 Harley FLHTCU .
Engine was modified to Stage 4 .
Expected 12,000 Klms (8000miles) Only got 10,000 klms (6000miles) .Ambient temps in Qld Australia summer HOT - black bitumen very hot .
USA riders claiming 20.000 miles in forums , so disappointed with milage .
Tyre performed well.
Very hard to see how badly tyre is worn as no centre line , however ,
has wear indicators in grooving . No centre line gave me little confidence in heavy rain , but to tyres credit , always got me home !

Big tread separation on the tread cap on a recent California tour. Cost me a day of my vacation and about $900 to resolve. I had 8000 miles on these tires. Very dangerous experiencing a large 10” long blister on my front tire tread cap at 70 mph. Until I got the bike stopped (Goldwing), I thought I was going to drop the bike. These tires gave no warning, pressures always spot on, bike garaged when not being driven, no abnormal tread wear, etc. Boom! Tire gives out 22 miles from nearest parts store/hotel/towing service. You get the picture. Avoid Avon tires!

I use these tyres on a Honda Valkyrie motorcycle, mine are 4 years old and I have done 20K+ on them at some point this year I will have to replace them due to fair ware and tare.
One thing you have take into account is my bike is 25 years old and back in 1997 compounds were different being a more tougher and harder compound on the sidewalls at that time 33psi front and rear was the manufactory recommendation, it took a while to get the pressure right to make the bike feel as it should / was back in it's forma day, I now run on 41psi on the front and 36psi on the rear.
This apart, I like the tread pattern as it stops tracking on cracks on the road surface, having total confidence of the tyre i can brake and accelerate without worrying about the tyre slipping or locking up, the feel in wet weather is the same dry. However the transition from dry to wet and wet to dry road surfaces there can be a momentary twitch as the tyre settles down to the new surface it rides on, but you should expect that anyway as an experience rider. One problem that is now becoming common is that on roads or Motorways that have heavy lorry traffic on and the road becomes rutted you do get a disturbing feeling but so long that you relax the tyre will over come the pulling these ruts give.
In conclusion to this review I would give 9/10 on quality, looks and price. one last thought if you do run them at too low a pressure the tread will cup very quickly..
Safe riding Guys, Pip Denwood