Period tires: Dunlop TT100 vs Avon Roadrunner

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elefantrider

elefantrider

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I like the appearance of period tires, however they are pricey and tend to crack easy and wear fast.

Are the Avons Universals any better than the Dunlop TT100, in terms of performance, durability?
www.avontyres.com

Avon Tyres - On Road. On Track. On Avons.

Avon has been making high quality tyres since 1904, tyres that fit all sorts of cars, motorbikes, vans and trailers. On two wheels as well as four.
www.avontyres.com www.avontyres.com
 
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As a universal tyre it will lack tread depth for the rear compared to a dedicated rear, Roadriders that fit front and back suffer the same.
 
According to the website, Roadrunner universal is available in different compounds to suit front/back use.

These any better than TT100s?
 
I had TT100's on my bike when I bought it in 82, that lasted 2 weeks as they whitelined too much, I then went to Avon Roadrunners and have stuck with Avon ever since, no whitelining and good grip wet or dry. But its a personal choice as some say the TT100 performs better.

Compound type is not thread depth, they are still Universal tyres, best to ask if they increase the thread depth when using a rear compound but then the sizes would alter which is not shown on your link.
 
I realize this is not what you are asking but roadriders take some beating
And I know they are not original,
It's just my opinion
 
TT100s were really good tyres. In 1972. Time moves on. The Avon Roadriders are everything you could want in a tyre. If they wear out a bit quicker than others, so be it. I'm willing to bet that more tyres are changed on Commandos because of old age than being worn out.
 
Back in the 70s K81s were what was fitted and everyone stuck by them, but it also depend on where the tyres were made if they were made in England they had a softer compound, handled pretty good but wore out quicker, if they were made in Spain they were a bit harder compound and lasted longer but not as good grip, then they were made in Japan, they lasted as long as the Spain made ones and handled a bit better, but they are a old design now and need to get with modren tyre, the Avon Roadriders are a good tyre, they last as long as the made in Japan K81s but handle a lot better and grip really well in the wet and handle great in the dry, I push them a lot harder than the old design of the 70s, I ever run them on my 2013 Thruxton and can get them right over to the edge of the tyre without losing it and I do the same with them on my Norton, I can't do that with the old K81s without some grip lost and the front tyre wears a bit funny after they been on for some time, no problems with the Roadriders.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
Back in the 70s K81s were what was fitted and everyone stuck by them, but it also depend on where the tyres were made if they were made in England they had a softer compound, handled pretty good but wore out quicker, if they were made in Spain they were a bit harder compound and lasted longer but not as good grip, then they were made in Japan, they lasted as long as the Spain made ones and handled a bit better, but they are a old design now and need to get with modren tyre, the Avon Roadriders are a good tyre, they last as long as the made in Japan K81s but handle a lot better and grip really well in the wet and handle great in the dry, I push them a lot harder than the old design of the 70s, I ever run them on my 2013 Thruxton and can get them right over to the edge of the tyre without losing it and I do the same with them on my Norton, I can't do that with the old K81s without some grip lost and the front tyre wears a bit funny after they been on for some time, no problems with the Roadriders.

Ashley
Click to expand...

I had a TT100 that was made in the Republic of Ireland. Did England even own them back then? o_O
 
TT100s were manufactured in France for some time after production ceased in the UK then Japan and I think currently manufactured in Indonesia.
 
The 4.10 is made in France, says on my sidewall. I did have a 3.60 on the front which said Japan. Not saying that they are not made elsewhere, I think they are popular in SE Asia which probably means if true that they make them there.
As far as wear goes the rear is good for a thousand miles before white line squirming, will last another thousand miles. The front lasts a lot longer and while the rear wears on the centre, the front wears on the right side (UK). Still a good tyre on the Norton, though to be fair I have not run the Avon so.........
 
Well my orginal K81s that was on the bike when brought new had made in England on them but that was over 43 years ago now, the replacements had made in Spain, here in my home town of Brisbane I have been getting my tyres from Tyres for Bikes since the late 70s so wherever they source there tyres from, who knows I just buy them when needed but do take notice where they are made, as long as they stick to the road.

Ashley
 
Is it possible that the K81s & Avons being made now have the old tread design but are made with modern compounds etc?
 
Time Warp
I have the latest Conti Road Attack3 18" radials (with tubes) on my bike and they are a superb year round new generation tyre but need the necessary wide rims and swingarm.
Formally had Pirelli Angel GT which only got 8500 miles at the legal limit, due mainly to alot of motorway riding but these Contis will probaby get 10,000 plus, and they love corners even more, especially in the wet, the easy turn in is perfect for my clipon/rearset bike.

If I was staying with the standard swingarm and 2.15" rims I would definitely try the Conti Classic Attack radials which are available in 18" and 19" sizes. Radials work perfectly on the Commando and well worth a look if you do alot of miles in all weathers and like curvy roads.
 
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I use TT100GP on my little Honda 250 classic race bike. I like them. The GP is a soft racing compo und and they are very sticky. The tyre dealer told me that all the "whole number" tyres ( 3.00 -18, 3.50-18 4.00 -18 ) are 100% profiles and the others ( 4.10, 4.25 etc) are lower profile. I like the feel of a 100% profile tyres.

I've never used the Avons so I can't compare.

One thing that I've learnt over the years is it's very common to hear people say " I took XYZ tyre off and replaced it with ABC and it handles better. But what's happened is they have taken off a worn out, flat in the middle tyre and it's inevitable that the new tyre will handle better whatever make it is.
 
oldbeezer said:
Is it possible that the K81s & Avons being made now have the old tread design but are made with modern compounds etc?
Click to expand...

I believe they are.

That’s why they wear so fast.

‘When I were a lad’ we never seemed to change tyres. I’d buy basket cases, do them up, ride them around a couple of years and sell them on again all with the tyres that came with the original basket case!

They must have handled terribly by the standards of today, but we didn’t know any better then.
 
"Back in the Day" Depending on which day I guess. Looks like Avon Roadrunners and Avon GPs were fitted on this day.
I thought GPs were rear only tyres, looks like I was wrong. Photos are from Wolverhampton and Mk III 850s.

I use Roadriders now.

Period tires: Dunlop TT100 vs Avon Roadrunner
Period tires: Dunlop TT100 vs Avon Roadrunner
 
Avon Roadrider or Roadrunner are least expensive. Followed by the K81, then the ContiClassic Attacks.

I have ruled out the BT45 because they do not make a 19" rear.

The Universal looks nice and has deep thread, similiar to K81.

IMO, these bikes look best with somewhat tall tires.

Period tires: Dunlop TT100 vs Avon Roadrunner
 
My Jan. '72 Combat had identical Avon GPs 4.10H19 front and rear. I always preferred them over the TT100s - rounder less squirmy.
 
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