Focus on key designs – Goodyear’s plans for Avon two-wheeler portfolio

Avon Tyres entered the Goodyear Tire & Rubber fold along with Cooper Tire in 2021 and was integrated into the wider Goodyear group of brands over the following year. Its new owner considers Avon “one of the motorcycle industry’s longest-established tyre brands” and now plans a “fresh focus” for the British marque with a “reinvigorated approach.”

Now sitting alongside the Dunlop brand in Europe, Goodyear says the incorporation of Avon into its portfolio gives riders in the UK and Europe an “even more comprehensive offering than before” with “industry-leading products across all sectors of the motorcycle market.” The new – and “more focused” – Avon two-wheeler range includes the Cobra Chrome tyre for cruiser and custom bikes, as well as the Roadrider MKII, which sits as a complementary offering alongside Dunlop’s sports touring range.

In addition, Goodyear says Avon will continue to produce the 3D Supersport hypersport tyre, Spirit ST and Streetrunner sport touring products, Trailrider and Trekrider for adventure use, Safety Mileage MKII and Speedmaster MKII classic designs, and the Viper Stryke for scooters. The above list of names is shorter than the catalogue of products currently promoted on the local avontyres.com site, which suggests a rationalisation of the Avon two-wheeler range is on the cards. Days are also numbered for the ‘Proudly made in the UK’ logo that accompanies many product lines.

“This focus on key designs ensures the Avon brand still offers riders its most popular products, sitting as a strong partner offering alongside the Dunlop range, which covers everything from off-road to hypersport tyres and everything in between,” comments Goodyear.

Goodyear’s long-term strategy for its two motorcycle tyre brands focuses on further developing its motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where it currently develops many products in the Dunlop range alongside World Championship level racing tyres for Moto2 and the FIM Endurance World Championship.

Goodyear makes many Avon products in Melksham, but production there is scheduled to cease by the end of this year (Image: avontyres.com screenshot)

Highly complementary ranges

“Dunlop and Avon have proud histories and exciting futures,” states Ben Hoge, Goodyear’s general manager, Motorcycle Europe. “The ranges are highly complementary and meaningfully differentiated, so this gives us the opportunity to offer a wider selection of tyres, with one of the youngest product portfolios in the industry, to the trade and riders alike.

“As we plan for 2024 and beyond, we will reveal new product lines, technology upgrades and clear market positioning for both brands.”

In addition to this continued commitment to motorcycle tyres, Goodyear confirms the Avon brand “will remain a key part” of its portfolio in the passenger vehicle segment. This seems to put paid to uncertainty regarding the future of these products, but only time will tell.