Avon Tyres Reaches Motorcycle Centenary

Avon Tyres is celebrating the centenary of its commencement of motorcycle tyre production in 2011. The Avon association with tyre production goes back to 1885, when a former cloth mill in Melksham, Wiltshire was turned into a rubber goods factory. By the turn of the century the company was diversifying, producing more rubber products and by 1911 Avon produced their first motorcycle tyre. It is now the only UK-based manufacturer of road-going motorcycle tyres.

Over the last century, famous motorcycling names such as Geoff Duke, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and Barry Sheene have raced and won on Avon Tyres. The firm has won 13 Supersport and four Production class championships on two wheels as well as Isle of Man TT victories on both three and two wheels. In recent years Avon Tyres has increased its presence in classic motorcycle racing, with riders such as 1987 500cc GP champion Wayne Gardner winning events on Avon rubber.

Avon’s global motorcycle sales manager Graham Matcham said: “It’s remarkable to think that Avon Tyres has been producing award-winning products for a century. We have a rich heritage in both road and race tyres and our current award-winning range encompasses every class of motorcycle and scooter. Throughout our 100 years in the industry we’ve pushed the boundaries of tyre design, with some of our ideas being used by the industry as a whole. Our focus remains our customers, be they the end-user or dealers. We continue to produce quality products which represent great value for money.”

Avon says its latest range of road tyres covers every category of motorcycles from adventure sport to power cruisers. Its VP2 range comes in three variants – Sport, Supersport and Xtreme for track-day users – with a wide variety of fitments.  Avon’s Storm 2 Ultra range was launched in 2010 and has – the company says – become a popular choice in the sports-touring market, where riders are looking for grip in all weathers as well as longevity. Avon also features in the custom-build world of motorcycling.
 
Avon points to innovation as being the heart of its motorcycle brand: “We were the first UK tyre maker to be awarded BS5750 (now ISO 9001) certification and with our European Technical Centre recently opened the innovation is set to carry on into the future,” a company statement says. “With 2011 marking our 100 years of involvement in all things two-wheeled Avon Tyres has a wide-ranging series of events coming up to celebrate this remarkable centenary.”

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