Avon Unleashes the Cobra

Industry observers agree that, looking forward to what will happen in 2008, recent developments in the motorcycle market reflect a changing demand in favour of sports touring tyres and modern cruisers. modern cruisers (see opening article for more detailed information on the development of the motorbike sector).

As far as tyres are concerned, this translates into increased call for wider and higher speed rated products. “As a market leader in cruiser cross-ply it is important for us to be up to speed in this segment, Avon motorcyle sales manager, Graham Matcham, told Tyres & Accessories. And that is exactly why Avon used this year’s Motorcycle Trade Expo as the NEC in Birmingham as a platform to launch its new Cobra cruiser tyre.

After having listened long and hard to what their cruiser, custom and touring customers demand from a tyre, Avon came up with a wishlist of tyre characteristics that the company has tried to incorporate in its new Cobra range. The Cobra replaces the popularVenom-R.

Featuring unique snakeskin sidewalls, aggressive tread pattern and low noise emissions, Avon representatives claim the Cobra “silently defeats all roads that stand in its path.” Avon’s development team wanted to improve manoeuvrability at both high and low speeds, dismissing the common belief that wide tyres are unable to corner proficiently. A taxing undertaking for a tyre that can be fitted on some stereotypically cumbersome machines.

In order to achieve their goal, manufacturing techniques first used in Avon’s successful sporty Viper range have been adapted and applied to Cobra. To improve handling in the much wider Cobra sizes, they are formed using A-VBD (Advanced-Variable Density Belt). This construction technology utilises a jointless belt of ultra-strong material. Above the carcass, these strands are wound closely together at the tyre’s centre for increased stability and wear resistance. Towards the tyre’s edges the fibres are then progressively spaced out to allow the tyre to take on a multi-compound effect as the tyre leans.

With a fang mark and coiling indentation appearance, Cobra’s snake-like tread pattern looks commanding. But this aggressive pattern is not just for show. Developed by Avon, Force Following Grooves (FFG) follow the exact direction of forces that are transferred through the tyre. These channels in the tyre’s surface significantly reduce irregular and advanced wear on bikes that carry heavy loads. Each Cobra rear tyre also features the distinctive snake’s head logo on the sidewall.

Stormy weather?

According to Avon motorcyle sales manager, Graham Matcham, 2007 was a very good year, with strong sales performance and the launch of new product, timed to coincide with the development of the sports touring segment. The strategy obviously worked and even competing manufacturers are now describing Avon as “the fastest growing brand in the sports touring segment.” And with the UK sports touring motorbike tyre segment now acounting for upwards of 35 per cent of the market (the largest single segment), this is a good place to be.

Last year Avon aimed to kick to kick up a storm, with the introduction of the its Storm ST touring tyre. But how did it all go, did Avon achieve its objectives? In short yes.

According to European sales figures, Storm sales grew 8 per cent across Europe during 2007. This alone was obviously a successful result, but it is fair to say that UK Storm sales performance blew away the European average, growing 12 per cent last year, 50 per cent ahead of the wider European result.

Avon describes the Storm-ST is its first tyre to include new ‘Reactive Footprint’ (RF) technology. RF technology marries Avon’s unique variable belt density (VBD) carcass with Lifetime Profile Engineering (LPE) and is designed to produce a footprint which changes size and shape, depending on the bike’s lean angle. Avon reports that the result is a contact patch that grows as the bike leans, giving more grip in corners whilst minimising wear rates when travelling in a straight line.

Avon’s Road Hazard Warranty was extended to include STORM-ST, alongside the Viper and Azaro ranges. The unique scheme replaces punctured or damaged tyres in the infancy of its useable life – free of charge.

The vast majority of Avon two-wheel tyres are made by Cooper Tire & Rubber Europe’s production headquarters in Melksham, but Tyres & Accessories learnt that some scooter sizes are now being produced in Thailand by way of an off-take agreement with a local manufacturer.