Avon Viper Supersports on an SV

[jimmyboost]

Has anyone been running the AVON Viper Supersports on their SV.  If so, how do they compare to the michelins and the pirellis (do they even compare at all).  I've been running michelin but the michelin DOT's run $310 a set for soft/soft and I can pick the Avons up for $240 a set.  Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

[benprobst]

u get what you pay for. I dont have any personal experience with the avons, but most of what I have read equates to you get what you pay for, and in the case of avons, you generally get less than you pay for. whats your pace/tire consumption like?

[jimmyboost]

Not that I've had extensive experience yet, but the michelins last about three track days and then the front seems to be gone and starts pushing alot.

[Super Dave]

Which front are you using?

When I raced on Avon's some time ago, they didn't have the absolute grip as the more commonly available race DOT's and they didn't last as long.

If they did, it would be a big deal to have better traction, longer life, faster lap times, and less cost.

[kvanengen]

3 track days and the front is going???? I really drought that. Unless you are one of the faster sv riders around here I think you can get more life than that. Are the Mich. A better tire? Yes!!! Is it worth the extra $100.00? If you are asking this question that means in the back of your head your not sure about the Avons, in turn you will ride slower because in the back of your head you won't be confident in them. Good call I wouldn't be. I have tried them on a sv and I wasn't too impressed. If you are going to us a Mich. Pick the PRC over the PR1/2. On an SV you should only go through 2 maybe 3 fronts in a season. (I only went through 2 last year, and I couldn't be happier with them). When it comes to the rear that's your call. I have had great luck with the Medium compound. I hope this helps you out.

[Super Dave]

A front could go away.  There are some Pirelli tires that some riders are racing on that have a very short life.  Depends upon the compound and construction. 

When I raced with Avon, one of our problems was that their tire was developed strictly in Europe, so it really didn't work as well as it could have if it had some development in the US with our temperatures and on the track surfaces that we have.

[kvanengen]

Yes it does matter what pirelli you have. i used pirelli for 4 years, both soft and super soft fronts. unless it is overly hot out you should get a little better life than that on a SV.  That is what i found, but what the H^%$ do i know.

[jimmyboost]

soft front.  Two of the days on the set were super hot days at Talladega, one cw and one ccw.  The other day on the set was at Jennings.  I still had really good feedback from the front, it just felt like it would get greasy after the first 5-6 laps of the session.  I also haven't been using tire warmers....too many heat cycles from 6-7 sessions a day for three track days maybe?  I have tire warmers now though and I'm hoping Santa brings me a generator for Christmas so I can actually use them.  I do want to stick to the michelins because I do have confidence in them kvanengen.  Again, my experience is limited but the grip is amazing!  I'm just on a tight budget and I'm nickel and diming everything  (except the suspension  ).  Guess I shouldn't be nickel and diming something as important as tires though.

P.S. Definitely not one of the fastest guys on an SV out there.

Thanks for the imput guys!

Jim