I've been combing all the posts relative to tires, wear characteristics and handling, forming my choices for the change over in tires and brands. I've not come across a post that addresses the handling characteristics comparing AV45/46 and the Michelin Roads. So I decided to start a new one to separate from all the rest.

Currently, the Michelin Roads are mounted. And although I enjoy the mileage they offer, I feel as if it's a trade off to sluggish responce in the handling dept.

I'm leaning toward the Michelin Power front and a new Road in the rear. However, I've never had the experience of the Avon AV 45/46.

So the question to those who have tried the Roads and AV45/46's. Do the Avon's turn in quicker than the Roads and give the bike the spry feeling I'm looking for in addition to mileage longevity?

Or do you think the Power/Road combo would offer the best offering of performance handling since this particular choice typically wear the same?

What say you?

ThanXX!

To me, the roads do feel a little heavy when compared to the AVs. I chose them because their wet weather performance is much better, IMO. Have you tried to shim up the shock? Could be the handling improvement you're looking for.

Good questions. I was hoping for someone running the Power front and Road rear to answer the questions. I appreciate everone post but the posts I read only related to Road front and rear combo. Those that are running Power front and Road rear haven't hit the end life of their tire. So the jury is still out. Loingrader has a good post but again I think he ran Roads front and rear.

Not entirely true... for the umteenth, and hopefully last, time...

I get ~10k out of a rear road, and the front power I have on it right now has in the neighborhood of 9000 miles on it and still looks OK... Yes, they will wear out about the same time!

Avons steer faster than road/road, but not NEARLY as fast as Power/road combo... Plus, Avons haven't been noted for their performance in the wet, and both Roads and Powers are awesome in the wet.

Mike

ya think???

I had considerable experience with these two brands on the Blackbird.

For me, the Avons absolutely turns in faster and also has faster transitions than the Pilot Roads.

That doesn't mean the PRs are not good, because they are... in fact, since installing the Wilbers shock last year (with it's higher ride height), I found the Avons now turn in so fast, it's almost twitchy. Was also was being push around in the wind considerably more then I was prior to the Wilbers install.

So... I have gone back to Pilot Roads on the XX to preclude the twitchiness. I prefer the wet grip and longevity of the Avons, but the Pilot Roads aren't terribly far behind the Avons in this regard, and I still have blistering fast steering due to the Wilbers 15mm ride height increase.

But if I didn't have the ride height increase (either thru the Wilbers shock, ot the 6mm shim trick), I'd still be on the Avons. And the Avons are strictly used on my FJR. They kick serious ass, IMO.....

I run am running Avon ST46 rear and the SP49 front. Thats a great tire combo unless you cook the rear.

I roasted my rear ST46 last month in the mountains. I was pushing the XX pretty hard in the turns. The next day I went downstairs and noticed the sides of my rear all blued. The trip I took over a week ago to the mountains I had the rear slip alittle more than normal, and on my favorite road they stuck pretty good but felt off. We stopped for a quick break and I felt my rear tire it was warm to the touch, but not hot.

The ride a month ago a buddy gave me some pointers (he's a trackday junky) on my line selection and being able to carry alot more corner speed. Co-worker who rode with me this last time said he noticed my corner speed was alot faster than the last time he rode with us.

I normally only get 4000 miles or so out of my ST46 rear running 40psi, and 38psi in my SP49

Next set of tires will be Pilot Powers front and back. I will have the grip but know my milage will suck. Beats going down though

You can get pretty much the same result by sliding up your forks,but there might be clearance issue at full tilt.

I truly feel that comparing tires without compensating for different radius is not fair and right.It is basically like comparing tires on bikes with different chassis geometry.
When switching brands always measure and compare tire diameter and compensate with chassis geometry changes by sliding the fork or adjusting rear shock.

If you don`t do this you don`t get real picture of your new tires.

once again (see other tire thread), avons rule. in the wet, in the dry, they work great, wear evenly, and last a long time. i (like dale) have had them on my xx and my fjr, and i will not go back to any other tire. zero complaints.

-b

I've been using the 45/46's for a while now. They've handled and stuck very well for the most part. In fact, I've been very happy with all of them until recently. I had a problem with a 45 (Avon scare) a few weeks ago. I usually get about 5k miles from a rear and about twice that from a front.

I've also been riding a little harder lately and the Avons have slid on me a few times. I don't mind spinning/sliding the rear once in a while, but sliding the front end makes me uncomfortable. I think I'm going to try Pilot Powers for the next set. I'm hoping for improved grip and no handling degradation.

to their defense, any tire can lose traction. the avon's do it in a controllable manner. this keeps a tense situation (i don't often push my bike that hard) from getting out of control. the avons (as do pretty much any road tire made in the last 5 years) can be pushed farther than i can push them. i wouldn't take them to the track, but for sport touring, i love em.

-b