| Author | Message | ||
     Zane |
Ok. I have a tire question. BikeBandit.com is showing the Avon Viper Stryke AM63’s for sale. Front 100/80/16 $53.28 (in stock) Rear 120/80/16 $58.55. (2 weeks shipping) Shipping is a flat $7.95. Does anyone actually use the Viper Stryke tires and how do you like them? What kind of tire life been are you getting with the AM63’s? Since these are sold as scooter tires are they enough tire for a Blast or should I spend the money for something rated a bit higher? I believe they are “P” rated. Should I spend the cash for something “S” rated and if so, what would you recommend? If I go with the AM63’s do I have to do the shock tab fix to the rear for it to fit or is it really stock size? What are people’s experience with the Viper Stryke? My needs are 90% commuting to and from work and 10% curve hunting on the weekends. Thanks in advance. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
A bunch of people are running the VS's in the oversize and at least one in the above stock sizes. Avon tires have a good reputation here and these probably fit your needs the best. Scooter tires are fine especially if your not a hard core knee dragger (and they're probably fine there too). These have a Blast acceptable rating. Some other scooter tires are not okay if you decide to do some experimenting. I'm moving this thread to the tire section where other avid Avon users can post! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Subtopic moved! (here) | ||
| Zane |
So are the 120/80/16 really a stock size or do I have to modify the shock tab for the rear? Seems like everyplace I checked this size is back ordered. Is Avon a really small company or is the demand just that big? (Message edited by Zane on July 17, 2008) | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Avon is HUGE! Either they didnt make enough for demand or demand isnt that high so they didnt make enough. Sometimes, they promise a tire, but it fails their testing, so its not available yet. I dont think this is the case. You can call Avon directly and ask them where to find one or if there are 'issues' such as backorder, etc. Avon is usually very helpful on the phone. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Yes they fit without modification. | ||
| Zane |
If I do go the next size up, what size is that? For the front it looks like 110/70/16 and for the rear 140/70/16. At least at is what Bike Bandit shows. Is there a better choice for the larger size? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
No and that is the current 'hot' set up (110/70/16 and 140/70/16) on the Badweb Thumper side. You will need to modify the shock mount tab. EZ or Swampy say use a hammer, its easy and you wont be the first. EZ & Swampy or anybody else using this set up want to weigh in? I run Pirelli's! (Message edited by gearheadErikO on July 17, 2008) | ||
| Zane |
I just want to make sure I'm ordering the "right" size if I do vary from stock. I don't have any problem taking a hammer to the shock mount. Heck, I've done some of my best work with a sledge hammer and a torch...lol | ||
| Ezblast |
A 6lb Sledge is perfect for the job. So far the Avon is the best choice in that plus size - I may try the New Pirelli in that size next time - that size is correct! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on July 17, 2008) | ||
| Zane |
What is the general consensus on where to buy? Bikebandit.com has the Avons pretty cheap: 110/70/16 for $45.35 140/70/16 for $69.95 Total $115.30 plus shipping. I can't imagine there's anyplace any cheaper than that, but if there is, I'm not too proud to save a few bucks...lol | ||
| Ezblast |
Chaperals price is a tad more but the shipping is free. EZ | ||
| Zane |
Excellent! Thanks for all the good info gentlemen | ||
| Sleez |
i like these guys; http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php? cPath=362_363_364 | ||
| Zane |
I just ordered a set of the Avons from Chaparral Motorsport. For the front I got a 110/70/16 and a 140/70/16 for the rear. Total cost was $127.70. It actually would have been about 4 bucks cheaper to order from Bike Bandit even with the $7.95 shipping charge. Both companies are out of stock on the back tire but Chaparrall is showing that the can ship on August 2nd and Bike Bandit just says shipping is more than two weeks. Decided the couple of bucks was worth getting a firm shipping date. Can't wait to see what good tires do for my baby. | ||
| Reuel |
So, if I decide to switch to these bigger tires, but my front tire is in really good condition, am I OK to do just the rear, or should I stick with stock size on the rear until I replace both? | ||
| Zane |
Reul, I'm in the same boat as you are. My front tire is a Dunlop and it's fine. I'm going to replace it anyway. Its only an educated guess but I don't think stock on the front and a bit bigger on the rear would not give you any trouble. What might be a problem is if you have two different brand of tires on the bike. Seems to me if they aren't the same tread pattern and "stickiness" that could lead to trouble. If you have an Avon on the front already, you'll be fine. If not spend the extra bucks and keep both axle with the same brand of tire. (Message edited by Zane on July 26, 2008) | ||
| Reuel |
I have a Pirelli on the front and an Avon AM26 on the rear. I do notice that the rear tire has a tendency to feel a little unsure of itself on a cold day when I just get started and go WOT in first gear in a hard left turn. Heck, I did a hard-core peg scraper after riding 15 miles, taking a 15MPH curve at about 45, and I could feel the rear tire complaining, but I think that's because the AM26 isn't really meant for what I'm doing to it. It hasn't broken loose, though.  I blame that on the lack of mass and power. I was going to just switch to Pirelly MT-75 from now on, but after reading about the AM63 for the last ??? months, I've decided to go that way. | ||
| Swampy |
I have, long ago, far away, ridden with a stock Dunlop on the front, and a Kenda 140/70/16 on the rear. I wore the Kenda out in short time and replaced front and rear with Avons AM51 and AM52. So I didn't have a problem with it....but.....you will really be impressed with the way it corners with the BIG Avons on both ends. Also as a side note, the Little Kids Blast has a really bad cupping issue with the front Avon AM63 110/70/16, however I am on the second AM 63 on the back, so it has about 4000+ miles on it. I had adjusted the head bearings about 2-3000 miles ago, and replaced a front isolator recently, I don't know if that contributed to the tire cupping. I will find out on the next go-round. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
You'll be fine with the different tyres. You can experience some instability with mismatched tyres, but I rather chance that with the stickiest front tyre you can buy! Cupping? Have you serviced the forks lately? Shimmed? Changed the fork oil weight? I dont think your boys are the 'average' Blast riders. | ||
| Swampy |
Good Idea! I will look into doing a fork service! | ||
| Xgecko |
I have scalloping on my front big AM63 but plenty of tread....so far I've been riding on it about 14 month at least 8K miles the rear went well over 6K miles | ||
| Ezblast |
Tony - hit more curves - I had it developing on the former red bike - daily commuter, did a great set of twisties - a bit over a 100 miles of them, and voila - smooth again - we obviously are not getting our twisty fix's in - lol EZ | ||
| Xgecko |
All I ride is twisties...there isn't a straight piece of road longer than 500yards on my morning commute...Connecticut roads are nothing but paved cow paths lined with ROCK WALLS | ||
| Ezblast |
Sounds like fun to me! | ||
| Xgecko |
it usually is...normally I can make the 17 miles drive half a sleep if I need to I know every bump and curve like the back of my hand. | ||
| Aaomy |
july 12 i put on a set of avon 63's replaced both front and rear with the stock sized, purchased form chaparral 1000 miles latter im hitting wear bars on the rear.. hitting the center and almost hitting the side wear bars????? ugh,, i just put these on,, no burn outs,, no hard launches,, just back and forth to work 42 mile each way... kinda seems like the rear should have lasted longer.. now i dont know what to do? the front still looks like new.. i dont like mixing tires but also dont want to replace tires every month!!! i am temped to try the mt-75 and see how long one of those lasts.. any reccomendations?? pressure was 30.5 front and 32 rear.. | ||
| Ezblast |
Wild - try a higher rear pressure - 34 - to 35. EZ | ||
| Xgecko |
I run pressures in the 34lbs range as well. I ran more than 1000 miles after the wear bars...I am running the big tires not the small (Message edited by Xgecko on August 07, 2008) | ||
| Johnnymac |
I installed my VS rear @ 500 miles ago and I have just lost the new tire "hairs" on it. You have only twice the miles on yours and yours are nearly shot already. My first thought too is that your air pressure is too low. I am running mine at 35psi. |
