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The Avon 3D Ultra range

Tue, 27 Mar 2012

As with many things, the world of motorbikes goes in phases. It be might be manufacturers dominating a certain segment of the market or even one country seemingly having a never ending supply of successful racers and the same goes for tyres. Back in the eighties and early nineties if you wanted racing success in the Supersport class Avon tyres would be your most likely weapon of choice. Good friend Jim Moodie had many victories both on short circuits and the roads with this very British manufacturer and anyone close to Jim knows he would only ever choose the best.

For many years track day regulars have stuck to a few popular tyres but Avon have just launched three new tyres sports bike tyres, which I reckon are up there with the competition. I tested the new 3D Ultra range at the Cartagena and Almeria circuits in Spain and each time came away impressed. 

The Ultra Sport delivers good feel and endurance but while perfectly capable on track the front didn’t deliver quite the same mid corner ‘bite’ as the Supersport and Extreme.

This tyre would be more suited for the occasional track rider as it steers well but also has good endurance if you’re racking up road miles. After jumping onto the Supersport I instantly had a more planted front end feeling mid corner, giving me more confidence to push as hard as any rider in the fast group. 

Avon says the ‘3D Siping’ (little alligator mouth slits around the tyre), help initial warm up and to maintain a good working   temperature. Who know if this works but it certainly makes sense and I didn’t have any moments so I’m giving the Sipes the thumbs up. My first lap on the Extremes reminded me of fitting a soft tyre in the dying minutes of BSB qualifying. These tyres instantly pull you tighter to apexes and encourage greater angles of lean. After around fifteen laps on a BMW S1000RR the rear grip level dropped slightly but from there on in remained constant lap after lap.

It is clear there has been plenty high tech development gone in to the latest Avons as they deliver good feel and endurance on road or on track. I’d happily instruct in the wet or dry with the 3D Ultras so if the deal is right and you fancy a change you definitely won’t be disappointed.


By Niall Mackenzie


See also: AMA Superbike: 2012 Daytona Results, Von Kuenheim: BMW Must Start Winning in WSBK Before Entering MotoGP, How to destroy a GoPro.