My 2020 Speedmaster (bought new in June ‘22) has just turned 2200 miles. I’m not sure that I like the OEM Avon Cobra tires. Guess I just don’t have the confidence in these tires. I’m thinking of just replacing them with some Metzlers, or Michelins. I care more about wet and dry grip than longevity… Any ideas from others that have replaced front and rear tires on their speedy? Thanks, Pete
With every cruiser bike I've owned, I got best results with michelin commander tires. My last option with previous tire change was with Maxxis tires. Surprisingly good result: excellent behaviour and good duration, with a very low price. But they are actually impossible to find in my country. If you can get that brand at USA you can give a try.
Interested to hear why you don't like the Cobras? I've done nearly 5k on mine. I've ridden through torrential rain and scraped both running boards, usually on roundabouts. Though I didn't scrape the running boards in torrential rain, . They haven't let go, or tracked. I'm pretty heavy (100kg+) and have ridden the bike fully loaded and didn't feel any slop in the walls. They have got chicken strips but that's more to do with the limitation of the boards. Having said that I feel the demo bike I rode with the pegs touched earlier. Though I will own up to being a cheapskate and won't be considering anything until they are worn through. Winter riding is usually a consideration for new tyres but not planning riding this bike once the salt hits the tarmac. I did ride Michelins with dual compound on my last bike, and when the time comes will be looking at them again. That was on the XJR1300 without the limitations, and I used the full arc of the contact surface. What has caused you to lose confidence?
I do like the tires. But they are not better than others I have tested and are cheaper, and more important, hard to find here (what it make them even more expensive when available)
