New Avon Roadriders are on

[WildBlue]

Just installed them today.  Went with stock size (110/70-17 Front, 130/70-17 Rear), I inquired about going to a 140 on the rear but the people at the shop said there's basically no benefit because in order to fit a wider tire to the stock wheel you pinch in the rim of the tire, which deforms the tire and doesn't really let you take advantage of the extra width anyway.   

In any case, it's too soon for a review, they're still too slippery.  I'll post an update in a few weeks... if I remember.   

By the way, correct chain tension is ESSENTIAL.  Mine was too loose, and I adjusted it while installing the rear wheel.  Man, what a difference!   

Pics of the new tires to follow.

[WildBlue]

Setup at the local shop (Santa Clara Cycle) for wheel removal.  You can ride the bike there and they provide the tent, stands and tools to remove the wheels yourself --> no cost for removal.  Their mechanic even walked me through wheel removal/installation since it was the first time I did it.  Plus they install and balance the tires for free when purchased from them.  Total for the set was $146.00.

(that's not my bike under the tent)

[scratch]

Wow, not bad!

[WildBlue]

Old front BT45 and rear ME550 (~9k miles):
 

New tires on.   


Front:


Rear:

[JBR8387]

I don't see how it makes sense to have the front on that way, it looks backwards. The way it is, the siping will direct water towards the middle of the tire, which is exactly what you don't want. Or at least, that's what makes sense to me.

[The Buddha]

His new front tires are on right ... old ones look like they were backwards ... you dont consider how it is when you're rolling along, you think about hitting the brakes and locking up and how it is then.
Cool.
Srinath.

[galahs]

Are mate they DO look like they're on backwards. 

Check the sidewall of the tyre. It should have an arrow telling you which way the tyre should rotate when going forward.

As JBR mentioned, the tread meant to pump water outwards, away from the tyre, not into the centre.

And this WILL make a difference not just when a wheel is locked but for preventing aquaplaning whilst moving.

[Shadow]

Nope he's got them on right. My looks like that also.I thought it was backwards too untill I looked at the sidewall. but that's the way avon says they go.I have only a couple hundred miles on mine and very little of that in the rain but they seem excellent so far.Much better than the mis-matched combo that was on the bike when I got it.

[WildBlue]

Yes, I just double-checked and both tires are installed correctly.

Srinath -- The old tires were also installed correctly, I just checked some old pictures.

You guys bring up an interesting point though.  What's even more puzzling is that the new front and rear have inverse patterns.  The forward-facing part of the front looks like / \ and the corresponding part of the rear looks like \ / .   

A review I read online said somebody tested them in "monsoon conditions" with no hydroplaning at all, so it sounds like this pattern works.

[galahs]

Very strange  Ah well if you checked then 

[Nikolas]

What's even more puzzling is that the new front and rear have inverse patterns.  The forward-facing part of the front looks like / \ and the corresponding part of the rear looks like \ / .   

That's because the fronts need to clear water under negative acceleration ('deceleration') and the rears under positive acceleration.  My scoots run the same tires front and rear, but my pirellis are mounted opposite each other for this reason (as recommended by pirelli.)

[WildBlue]

That's because the fronts need to clear water under negative acceleration ('deceleration') and the rears under positive acceleration.

I'm not sure what you mean by that, care to elaborate?