My Avon Tire Review

[Silverback51]

Please remember, this is my opinion. You may agree, or disagree.

I was running the Goodyear Bill Boards and loved them. However, I'm planning a 2500+ mile vacation this July, and after going back and forth about it, decided to buy the Avon's just to be safe.

So this comparision will be between the Avon and Goodyear BB's.

Rocks - The BB's pick up and throw more rocks than the Avons. In fact, it seems like the Avons are no different than any other tire.

Traction, straight line - I really do not feel there is that big of a difference based on my seat of the pants gauge.

Traction, cornering - This is one of the big differences in my opinion. Both tires have very high limits. The difference comes when you reach those limits. The BB's were very good at letting you know you were approaching the limit. The Avons take you closer to the limit before letting you know things will get exciting if you push it much further. This is one area that I prefer the BB's. Both are very good tires, and light years ahead of the Goodyear GTII's that were originally on the car. Those things were garbage in my opinion.

Driveability - The Avons do not flat spot, nor do they follow ruts in the highway like the BB's do. They do however wander a little, but it is well within acceptable limits in my opinion.

Weight - What a difference here, but that is to be expected when comparing a race tire to a DOT approved street radial tire.

Front - BB: 17.5 pounds, Avon 29.0 pounds
Rear - BB: 21.0 pounds, Avon 31.0 pounds

That makes a big difference in the unsprung weight at each corner of the car. On the street it probably would not be noticed. On the track, I would venture to say it would affect lap times depending on the roughness of the track.

Looks - I love the looks of the BB's. To me they just look right on the car, from the crappy lettering, to the buldging sidewalls.

Tire pressures - Just so everyone knows what pressures I'm running. BB's, 20 front, 18 rear. Avons, 22 front, 20 rear.

Needless to say, the Avons will stay on the car for the trip. After the trip I will decide what I'm going to do. Right now my plan is to buy a second set of wheels and have a set of the Goodyear G7's mounted up on them for most of my driving. If I take a longer trip again, then the Avons will go back one.

Please let me know if you have any questions that I did not address above.