K11 Owners Group

Tiff · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:44 am Post subject: Avon Roadriders

I bought my K1100LT with a brand new Avon Roadrider fitted to the front (still had the sticker on!). I've done just over 1000 miles with it, and when I was changing the front discs the other day, I noticed serious cracking around the circumference of the tyre, just above the rim. Not quite through to the cords, but not far away. I check my pressures regularly, and keep a close eye on my tyres, but this really surprised me, and also reminded me why I do not buy Avons. the Conti on the rear is perfect,has done the same mileage, and has next to no wear.

People, check your Avons! Not sure if I should complain to Avon, or just get a Conti and never use Avon again. I've got a Euro trip coming up, and the last thing I need is to be "let down" by a tyre.

lee richter · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:57 am Post subject:

Check to Mfgr Date on the tire. I bought what I thought was a new set of Metzelers and in less than 90 days I had cracks in the side walls. When I checked the Mfgr. date they where 3 year old tire. Bought them from the local BMW dealer and had to wait a week for them to get here. The BMW shop was not going to do anything unless Metzeler Warrantied them. It took three weeks but did get a new tire. It was the last time I will buy tires from the dealer.
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182 Texas Tail Dragger
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1994 K1100LT

Duc750 · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

Thats definitely a tyre age thing - they'll all do that if they're old

Having said that if the tyre manufacture date is recent then definitely have a go with Avon

To be honest I'm a total Avon convert - the radial combination for the LT is excellent and every pair of Avons I've had for years has been excellent - Storm 2 front and Azaro rear. The Azaro doesn't last as long as I would like but while its still going its great - about 6K of motorway and about 8K of balanced riding ( I ride more motorway in the winter as most of my riding is done early morning or mid evening when its prime icing time)

Tiff · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject:

Duc750 · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

It depends how its been stored though - If its sat on a nice sunny shelf in the tyre fitting shop then it could be three weeks old and still handle like its made by Lego

Tiff · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:32 pm Post subject:

m1ks · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:00 pm Post subject:

It's definitely not an age thing.

That was a replacement which was shipped direct from Avon from their stock of the most recent production run they advised, (the original I bought from M&P and after a couple hundred miles the exact same thing happened, really fine hairline cracks around the circumference just outside the rim), I contacted M&P, sent them pics to explain what was what and they checked and confirmed that was a few months old in stock but not old old, they contacted Avon who advised they had a batch with some kind of defect and they'd replace immediately and pay fitting costs.
I asked them (and M&P) if they thought the physical size of the K would have any bearing on this happening but they advised, no, it would be fine even on a big heavy bike like the K.
Received the new one, which as you know never moved since fitting hence the sticker still being on.
I fitted this (and was going to fit a rear), as i've had them on a couple of bikes, done some good mileage and had excellent wear and superb grip from them. They seem a great all round tyre, even have one on the front of the ZXR as I wasn't massively impressed with the Conti rear so didn't want a conti front and again the plan was to fit something like an Azaro on the back.
I naturally assumed that it was indeed a manufacturing defect or material defect and the new would be OK.

Contact Avon directly and explain the situation to them, that you got the bike from me having already had this very same problem, they should have it on record, and having had the tyre replaced, maybe see if they have an alternative tyre they'll replace it with instead of another Roadrider which should do away with the batch problem if that's what it appears to be.
I'd be interested to know if any others have been affected.
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drikko · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:15 am Post subject:

Check out my post about half way down the page here.

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10826&highlight=avon

The third one they put on for free is just starting to delaminate in a straight line across the tYre, fortunately it is pretty much worn out so it will be replaced by something else, probably a BT45.

It's unfortunate as the tYre handled really well, wet or dry, but I can't risk a splitting tYre.
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Tiff · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:10 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info guys, I've mailed Avon and shall see how they respond.

Duc750 · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

While you are waitibg foir the reply, have a look via google for some of the Michelin pilot road 3 failures that have happened, now those are scary Shocked

m1ks · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject:

Duc750 · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

Maybe I'm wrong, I thought there were 4 or 5 cases reported within that thread although to be fair all in California which does have a slightly different climate to skye!

m1ks · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:44 am Post subject:

No, on that specific thread, (which starts with One guy mentioning the release of the tyres), it's just the one problem mentioned.
If you have half an hour read through from about p6 or 7 to the end of the thread, it's interesting and worth a read.
Something is missing from the story, definitely, michelin have responded in their own fb page saying they're trying to get the tyre in question but the guy hadn't returned it despite him saying it was at his dealer for two weeks!
He never posted pics of the front tread despite being asked by a few.
There's no doubt that rear is destroyed but I don't believe it was under the circumstances he describes.
Too many little things that don't add up to go into here but have a look and see what you think!

Yes btw, it's just a little cooler here on skye, lol
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I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, de-briefed or numbered!

Tiff · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:11 am Post subject:

Interesting reply from Avon.. I'll just go and get a Conti to match the rear, which is recommended fitment, and also a non-radial. I don't want another Avon, and won't be purchasing any in the future. I've dealt with tyre companies for years, and their aftersales dept and can't be bothered to go there again to be honest. I'm not running around trying to get them to admit they sell an item that is not fit for purpose.

"Dear Mr *****
With regards to your enquiry, the warranty would be via the tyre supplier, if the tyre was put onto the machine in order to sell it then your consumer rights lie with the vehicle seller. With regards to the breakdown on the front tyre, we are unable to comment at this moment in time as the Roadrider (which is of a crossply construction) does not appear to be a recognised front tyre fitment for the BMW K1100 LT as the Avon recommendation would be for radial tyres front and rear at 36/42."

m1ks · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:59 pm Post subject:

Interesting indeed, they were quite reasonable when they talked to me and specifically said when I asked that the Roadrider would be OK. (I asked specifically as it was not recommended fitment on their website).
If you want and it'll be any help I can send you a scan of the receipt from M&P, clearly they're misunderstanding also as the tyre was fitted as a replacement to the previously faulty one, not to sell the bike, (it just happened to not be used since fitment due to being MOT expired)

Let me know and I'll dig out the receipt from the original if you want it.

Cheers,

Mike
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I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, de-briefed or numbered!

Tiff · Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject: