Avon Azaro's anybody .....

mickboyle · February 05, 2012, 01:29:43 PM

Hi Guys,

In in the process of fixing up my 93 FJ1200 as it's been in storage for the last 5 years ...
Anyway I'd really like to try a set of Avon-Azaro-ST AV45 & AV46 tyres but the sizes available to us in Canada seem to be a little bit different.

The manual for the FJ says that the tires should be
Front :   120/70 V17 (or VB17)
Rear:     150/80 V16 (or VB16)

And Parts Canada here has (for these Avon Azaro's) available.
Front :   110/80 R17
Rear:     150/80 R16

As you can see the front tyre is slightly different so I was wondering if any of you have used this size front tyre on your (later) FJ? Whether it makes a difference or even improves the handling.

I know about the issue of crossply (bias) versus radial tyres but these Avon's are supposed to work well on the FJ and have very good construction, grip, and longevity.
Here is a link to the tyres ..... http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/avon-av46-azaro-sport-touring-rear-tire.html

Are any of you using these Azaro tyres, what do you think, and what sizes are you actually using.

The FJ Owners club in the UK has a number of members that love these things so it would be nice to get some info from this side of the pond.

Cheers in advance.

Mick

fj11.5 · February 05, 2012, 02:02:09 PM

The 110 front should give sharper handling over the 120, will be going to a 110 myself once I wear the front metzeler out I had fitted before finding out on here of the better choice

FJmonkey · February 05, 2012, 02:07:02 PM

I have been using these tires for the last few years and really like them on my 86'. With the 86' I have 16" front and rear. In my opinion the front should be a 110 not a 120 on a 3" wide rim. MoparMan has a 110 on his stock 3" x 17" wheel and profile looks proper. As far as longevity I got 2246 miles [3614 KM], mind you that I wore the sides off, not the center. I went through 3 fronts to 1 rear. I do most of my riding close to home on the twisty roads of my backyard. I should sell my used tires to members that mostly commute and flatten the centers. I will be upgrading to a 3.5" x 17" in the next few months, I will match the front with the rear (Dunlop Q2) till I need another set. Avon's are still on my list of good choices, hell...till I upgrade it is my only choice.

1tinindian · February 05, 2012, 02:24:46 PM

I have used the Avons for the past 3500 miles on my 91.
The rear is now looking squared off, but the front has no noticible wear.
Very impressed with the Avons, but I am now running a 3.5 front and a 17x5.5 rear wearing Dunlop Sportmax tires so I will be moving on with these for now, but may look into the Avons for the new rims when the time comes.

Leon

markmartin · February 05, 2012, 02:33:15 PM

Quote from: 1tinindian on February 05, 2012, 02:24:46 PM
>>> I am now running a 3.5 front and a 17x5.5 rear wearing Dunlop Sportmax tires <<<

Leon

Leon,

What size tire are you running on your 3.5" x17" front rim?

Mickboyle,
I've had good luck with the Avons. I had some cupping on the front when I ran them at 32-34 psi, but that went away on my most recent front that I've run at 36-38psi.

Mark

mickboyle · February 05, 2012, 09:48:04 PM

Guys,

From the (further) research that I'm doing it looks like the Azaro tire's have (or are) being replaced by Avon Storm 2 ones.

The combination that guys are using on the FJ seems to be this :-

Avon Storm ST AV55 Sport Touring 120/70 x 17 Front Tire
Avon AV46 Azaro-ST Sport Touring 150/80 x 16 Rear Tire

Is it safe to mix tire types like this and has anybody done it ?

Thanks in advance.

Mick

moparman70 · February 05, 2012, 10:05:52 PM

per FJ monkey reply --- yes I do run the Storm 2 and in the 110 series on my front end -- I think the front is a Storm Ultra and the back is the 46 --- very much ok to run that way

My research prior to buying was this -- the 110 tire fit a 2.75in - 3 inch rim --- the 120 fit a 3in to 3.5 inch rim --- so technically you could go with either but I chose the 110 on the 3in rim because it was the on the high side of the spec as oppose to the 120 on the low end of rim width. Thus my tire fits better I think.

I can't tell you about mileage yet but grip and feel are great as far as I can tell...rubber side stay down.

At this point I will buy the same tire again once they wear out

steveccc

Arnie · February 05, 2012, 10:06:23 PM

Mick,

Those are both radials (I think) and you should have no problems.

Back at the start of this discussion, you mentioned a 110/80x17 front and the first reply was that it would have "sharper" handling. I think they were wrong or mis-read your size quoted. With that tall a sidewall, you would have less than sharp handling. My guess is that they were talking about a 110/60x17 size.

Arnie

moparman70 · February 05, 2012, 10:20:17 PM

Well - to be clear -- when I was buying AVONs -- the series was only 70 ...it was either 120-70-17 or 110-70-17 ..no 60 or 80. I have the AVon Storm Ultra ( AV 55 ) on the front and they are the 110/70-17 -- they were available when I bought them last year. If you can only get the 80 series I would go with the 120-70-17 but I don't know why you couldn't get what I bought ....

In short ...I would recommend the 110/70/17

1tinindian · February 05, 2012, 10:53:21 PM

Quote from: markmartin on February 05, 2012, 02:33:15 PM
Quote from: 1tinindian on February 05, 2012, 02:24:46 PM
>>> I am now running a 3.5 front and a 17x5.5 rear wearing Dunlop Sportmax tires <<<

Leon

Leon,

What size tire are you running on your 3.5" x17" front rim?

120/70/17

JCainFJ · February 06, 2012, 01:03:35 AM

These are great tires, I have been using Azaro's and now the Storms for 12 or 13 years. I have used them on my FJ, YZF600 and SWMBO's TDM. These are great street tires, they last a long time, warm up quickly (on the FJ esp.) and they are the best wet road/rain I have ever used.

Ride Well,
Jon

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Avon Azaro's anybody .....