Letter to Avon Tires

[Bowhunter]

I wrote a letter to Avon asking if they had any intention of bringing back the Venom 300 tire since the Cobra tire is having so much trouble. The response from Avon was that they have less than 1% customer dissatisfaction with the Cobra tire and would thus not be bringing back the Venom. They said that the Cobra is a superior tire to the Venom and that they were surprised that I was not happy with it. I invited them to visit our forum and enter "Avon Cobra" in the Search bar and see if they still feel that less than 1% of the customers are not happy with the new Cobra.
If you find the time, it would be informative to Avon if you would let them know that we would like to see the Venom 300 tire again. I also stated that I would making this post and that they should check out the response to the post.

These photos illustrate why I am not happy with the brand new Avon Cobra tires on their first ride, properly inflated, single rider who weighs 235#. Look close and you can still see the nubs on the top of the tire!!

 

[aspen874]

I am one of many people who had to replace their Cobra rear tires becaause of the join splice appearing in the tire, 300 tire by the way, my friend also had to replace his also.

 

[erldawg]

I am one of many people who had to replace their Cobra rear tires becaause of the join splice appearing in the tire, 300 tire by the way, my friend also had to replace his also.

X2

I decided to go with the Avon on the rear again due to the fact I had a sizable amount of wear left on the front. Two weeks later my front tire developed cracks. Come spring I'll be replacing these f**king junk tires with Metzlers!

 

[Bowhunter]

Both the Postman and myself have bought new Metzlers last week for the coming riding season. I was hoping for a different response from Avon!

 

[Abaco21]

Did you send them these pics?

Besides that question and their response, did you ask them to make good on this cracked tire, and if so what was their response?

 

[superfly]

I am needing a new set soon and been watching the response on these issues for some time. I love my venoms but must say I am very hesitate to get the cobras. Was the consensus that it seemed to happen more with the 300 than the 250?

 

[Bowhunter]

Yes -I did send them the pics above, Yes-the request to replace the tire was originally met with: " send in the tire and we will evaluate why this has happened, and then we decide if it is covered". A promise to involve the Better Business Bureau then brought about the correct response of: "Full replacement". The above tire was on the Postman's bike and he replaced the tire with a Metzeler instead of the Avon, his 300 rear tire also did the split that came from the joint splice. My Cobra tires did not have the joint splice problem but they only got about 2500 miles before they were as slick as my head!
I am not able to answer the question about the problems also being in the 250 tire, sorry.

 

[bigdogtech01]

I wrote a letter to Avon asking if they had any intention of bringing back the Venom 300 tire since the Cobra tire is having so much trouble. The response from Avon was that they have less than 1% customer dissatisfaction with the Cobra tire and would thus not be bringing back the Venom. They said that the Cobra is a superior tire to the Venom and that they were surprised that I was not happy with it. I invited them to visit our forum and enter "Avon Cobra" in the Search bar and see if they still feel that less than 1% of the customers are not happy with the new Cobra.
If you find the time, it would be informative to Avon if you would let them know that we would like to see the Venom 300 tire again. I also stated that I would making this post and that they should check out the response to the post.

These photos illustrate why I am not happy with the brand new Avon Cobra tires on their first ride, properly inflated, single rider who weighs 235#. Look close and you can still see the nubs on the top of the tire!!

The DOT # shows that the tire was made on the 30th week of 2009. When did you purchase the tire and where from? Maybe the tire was sitting in a warehouse for a while? Still, should not happen even if the tire had been sitting around for a while. I'm having the same problems with my Yokohama Geolander Mud tires I have on my truck. I contacted the manufacturer and they are also telling me the tires are fine and have not had any problems with them. Unreal!!

 

[oldmutt]

Andrew:
You had to say that. I just bought a set of Yokohama Geolander tires for my truck last week.

 

[kickstart]

Remember, Firestone didn't have any problems either.

I just had to replace a 15" trailer tire that came on a pace trailer, I just happened to notice that the tread was 1" higher on one side and the inside was one big bubble all the way around, could not find one local so I had to order one online.

There were many I had never heard of so I decided to spend a few more $$$ and buy a Goodyear, the date code was good just a few months old BUT in raised letters was
"Made in China". :bang:

 

[BWG56]

I replaced my Cobra 300 after 1800 miles because of separation. Did receive a refund and put that towards my new Metzler 300. 1% really, I wonder how much in % their sales on the Cobra 300 dropped off in the past 6-9 months.

 

[CHOPPED]

The Cobra's do suck!! I'm going with Metzler.

 

[stinger1]

i have the Cobra 250 and couldnt have done more than 2500 miles and it needs changing. Yet my Venom did 15000.......such a crap tire !

 

[Mickeetwo]

Went through this a couple of months ago. First Cobra I got 2500 miles before the tread started separating, replaced free with another Cobra and got 1200 miles before the tread started separating again. Called Avon and had the district rep come and look at the last Cobra. Each time Avon said no problem they would replace the tire free of charge and this was a isolated incedence. I got tired of taking my back tire off and replaced it with a Metzler. We'll see if the Metzler holds up. I also contacted Tim McNally, he is the Technical Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Avon in the UK. He told me he has'nt heard of any problems and would look into it. I also gave him a link to the website with the thread on Avon Tires. Never heard from him again. Most of the tread separating problems have been with the 300mm tires. As far as Bowhunters front tire sidewall cracking, that is a different problem. The Cobra front tire is a Bias tire and the Cobra 300 is a radial tire. If you've had a problem with the Avon's you need to contact them at there website and let them know about it. Try sending your e-mail to Tim McNally.

 

[Bowhunter]

Andrew, the tires were purchased by Postman from a mail-order supplier around February of 2011. On our first ride of the season the front tire did what you see in the photos, the rear later had the splice problem. I also purchased a set of Cobras from a local dealer, I only got around 2,500 miles and they were shot, always properly inflated, ridden by a solo rider(215 pounds).

 

[soonertodd]

i'm on my 2nd cobra now,no seperation issues but wet traction sucks compared to the venom and i was getting about 12k each out of the venoms. i got 8k on the 1st cobra and it looks like the one i have now is only gonna make it 8k if im lucky. 300 tire. i may go with a metzler next,didnt they rub the belt though?

 

[erldawg]

i'm on my 2nd cobra now,no seperation issues but wet traction sucks compared to the venom and i was getting about 12k each out of the venoms. i got 8k on the 1st cobra and it looks like the one i have now is only gonna make it 8k if im lucky. 300 tire. i may go with a metzler next,didnt they rub the belt though?

Metzler supposedly changed the design and should not rub now.

 

[RRRUFF]

I plan on checking on the Metzlers myself when its time for tires again. I haven't had any issues with my Cobras thought buy why take the chance.

 

[firedog19]

Since the cobras are junk has anyone mounted a 250 dunlop elite 3. I ran elite 3 on my flsts and loved them just wondering about the for my ridgeback?

 

[woodbutcher]

Since the cobras are junk has anyone mounted a 250 dunlop elite 3. I ran elite 3 on my flsts and loved them just wondering about the for my ridgeback?

something about going from a 300 down to a 250, just doesn't sound as macho.