juddspaintballs
Dual Sport Touring
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2007
- Messages
- 516
- Age
- 38
- Location
- Berkeley Springs, WV
- Bike
- KTM 1090 Adventure R
- STOC #
- 7186
I've run Avon Tyres ever since I purchased my ST. It came with Azaros on it, which I ran until they quit being made, and then I ran Storms. When I heard the Storm 2 Ultras were supposed to be as good as the Storms but last longer, I decided I needed to give them a try.
I heard about the front end wobble associated with Storm 2 Ultras. Prior to hearing about that, I was already considering using a Storm 2 Ultra on the rear (for the mileage) and a regular Storm on the front because it usually lasts about twice as long as the regular Storm rear did for me. So, in light of the possible wobble issues, I went with that option. My current front was a regular Storm, still in good shape, but with the trips I have planned, I wanted to change the tire now and wear the other one out later if I need to. So I have two brand new tires on my ST1100: a Storm front and a Storm 2 Ultra rear.
My front steering bearings are in tip top shape, since I replaced them last winter with tapered bearings from CBR bearings. At the same time, I also put in new progressive springs and new fork oil. My rear shock is also in good shape, but still a Honda shock (newer). My suspension and steering should therefore have no effect in creating a wobble or amplifying any present from the tires. Prior to the front suspension work and new steering bearings, I always had a deceleration wobble from 55-40 mph.
I mounted both tires yesterday. I did not even concern myself with balancing the tires. I don't think I'm going to do that anymore anyways. 41 psi in the front, 38 psi in the rear.
I put about 100 miles on the ST today. I broke them in in the rain. I'll say that the Storm 2 Ultra rear sticks just as well as the regular Storm does on wet pavement, which was one of my concerns with the harder rubber in the middle. The front performed as usual. It quit raining and blew hard today so the roads dried off. I rode home nearly the same route as I rode to class this morning: mostly back roads that I'm familiar with with maybe 15 minutes of interstate mixed in.
The interstate portion on the way home was full of stupid drivers that liked to go from 60 mph to 10 mph for no reason, so I got to test out the braking traction as well: as expected from an Avon. I rode slow, I rode fast, I road twisties, I road straights. I hit triple digits once. I never found a wobble during acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration. The ride was on par with the ride quality of all of the other Avon Tyres I've used on the ST and I noticed nothing abnormal with using a Storm 2 Ultra rear. I wonder if I would have found a wobble if I used a Storm 2 Ultra front. I don't feel like finding out right now
.
Conclusions? There are none! Might I suggest, however, that anyone experiencing wobble with the Storm 2 Ultras make sure their suspension and bearings are in good shape. Perhaps that tire just likes to amplify a smaller problem.
I heard about the front end wobble associated with Storm 2 Ultras. Prior to hearing about that, I was already considering using a Storm 2 Ultra on the rear (for the mileage) and a regular Storm on the front because it usually lasts about twice as long as the regular Storm rear did for me. So, in light of the possible wobble issues, I went with that option. My current front was a regular Storm, still in good shape, but with the trips I have planned, I wanted to change the tire now and wear the other one out later if I need to. So I have two brand new tires on my ST1100: a Storm front and a Storm 2 Ultra rear.
My front steering bearings are in tip top shape, since I replaced them last winter with tapered bearings from CBR bearings. At the same time, I also put in new progressive springs and new fork oil. My rear shock is also in good shape, but still a Honda shock (newer). My suspension and steering should therefore have no effect in creating a wobble or amplifying any present from the tires. Prior to the front suspension work and new steering bearings, I always had a deceleration wobble from 55-40 mph.
I mounted both tires yesterday. I did not even concern myself with balancing the tires. I don't think I'm going to do that anymore anyways. 41 psi in the front, 38 psi in the rear.
I put about 100 miles on the ST today. I broke them in in the rain. I'll say that the Storm 2 Ultra rear sticks just as well as the regular Storm does on wet pavement, which was one of my concerns with the harder rubber in the middle. The front performed as usual. It quit raining and blew hard today so the roads dried off. I rode home nearly the same route as I rode to class this morning: mostly back roads that I'm familiar with with maybe 15 minutes of interstate mixed in.
The interstate portion on the way home was full of stupid drivers that liked to go from 60 mph to 10 mph for no reason, so I got to test out the braking traction as well: as expected from an Avon. I rode slow, I rode fast, I road twisties, I road straights. I hit triple digits once. I never found a wobble during acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration. The ride was on par with the ride quality of all of the other Avon Tyres I've used on the ST and I noticed nothing abnormal with using a Storm 2 Ultra rear. I wonder if I would have found a wobble if I used a Storm 2 Ultra front. I don't feel like finding out right now
.Conclusions? There are none! Might I suggest, however, that anyone experiencing wobble with the Storm 2 Ultras make sure their suspension and bearings are in good shape. Perhaps that tire just likes to amplify a smaller problem.
