Avon tires Cobra vs Venom

[josh]

Looking at ordering a new front tire, What is the primary difference between the Avon Cobra and the Avon Venom.... they look pretty much the same to me
Thanks

[recumbentbob]

The speed rating I think.
I have the Cobra on the front of my Nomad, really like it.

[schoeney]

Isn't the Venom a bias ply and the Cobra a radial?

[Top Cat]

I think the rubber compound is different. The Venom is softer for sportier riding. I could be wrong but that's my story.

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by schoeney

Isn't the Venom a bias ply and the Cobra a radial?

I think you are right, I just looked at the Avon web site.

[vulcans2]

If what I've read on a Gold Wing board, a lot of folks had Avon Venoms on their Wings and, although they performed well, there were issues regarding tire life and wear characteristics. The Venom is a radial. The Avon Cobra has been given high marks from these same people, as they seem to last longer wear better and don't fall apart. The Cobra is also a radial. I'd be willing to bet that, like the Dunlop Elite 3, it comes in both radial and bias ply configurations. I have to add that the Gold Wing is THE heavy touring bike, and probably the hardest on a tire, in that regard.

[redjay]

I have just replaced my first set of Cobras with a new set of Cobras. The front was cupped at 25,000 kms and the rear had what looked like tread separation in a couple of places. The rear tire also had a very pronounced flat area in the centre of the tread. I am going to pay much more attention to tire pressures with this set and if they go the way of the first set it might be my last set of Cobras. Anyone else had any issues with Cobras ?

[Top Cat]

No problem with Cobras here. This is my second set.

[ndbigfish]

I have a Venom on the front and a Roadrider on the rear. Probably will not be going back to Avon tires. My tires are balanced with Dyna Beads and I check the pressure weekly. The front tire has 6,200 miles on it and the sidewalls are cracking as is the tread. The tire was manufactured in 8/10 and went on the bike in 11/10. Texas heat is extremely hard on tires. I've tried Avon, Metzler, Dunlop and Bridgestone tires. Personally I think it is hard to beat the Dunlop 404 on the Nomad.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Go with American made Dunlop's, Elite 3 or 404.

[Top Cat]

Yeah ::) Dunlops are great.
My wife got 7,000 miles on her FRONT 404 that came stock on her 900LT.
Yes I check the pressure regularly.

[ndbigfish]

I have got 15K to 18K on the front D404 typically. Make sure to get the D404 made in Japan.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by GregO

If what I've read on a Gold Wing board, a lot of folks had Avon Venoms on their Wings and, although they performed well, there were issues regarding tire life and wear characteristics. The Venom is a radial. The Avon Cobra has been given high marks from these same people, as they seem to last longer wear better and don't fall apart. The Cobra is also a radial. I'd be willing to bet that, like the Dunlop Elite 3, it comes in both radial and bias ply configurations. I have to add that the Gold Wing is THE heavy touring bike, and probably the hardest on a tire, in that regard.

If I recall, Cobras only come in radial.