AVON Distanzia Tyres

[Vampire]

Avon have released a new tyre called the "Distanzia", at least it is new to me down here in Oz.
I have been running Anakees on my R1200GS for 18 months and have found them to be excellent, but I'm due to replace them for the run to Phillip Island for the MotoGP mid October and I'm curious to try these new Avons.
Anyone have any experience with them?
See http://www.avonmotorcycle.com/us/en/Product.asp?ProdType=DualSport

 

[TheJoker]

There was a thread about these Avons not long ago - the search button is your friend

 

[Vampire]

There was a thread about these Avons not long ago - the search button is your friend

Yeah, thanks for that. I did have a look at the previous discussions of four months ago, but was hoping for something more recent and perhaps a wider range of experience.
The experiences of back then seemed to fall into two categories, OK and crap. I'm always suspicious when there is limited moderate input.
My tyre supplier has asked me to try them out, so I guess I'll give them a go and if they perform poorly, I'm confident he'll do the right thing by me.
Ciao,

 

[Steve]

They've been around over here for a few years now. I had a set a couple of years ago, and I'd rate them as good as the Tourances or Pirelli Scorpions.

Steve Rose, formerly of RiDE magazine, had them on his long-term test 1150, and rated them pretty highly.

 

[Shaggie]

Hi Vampire

Newbie first post but I used these tires on a R1150GS back in November (first time on a GS ever and I guess that's why I'm here now) and within a couple of days riding on the bike, had the tires to within 5-10mm of the edges so I'd rate them as 'pretty good'...

Shaggie
NZ

Avon have released a new tyre called the "Distanzia", at least it is new to me down here in Oz.
I have been running Anakees on my R1200GS for 18 months and have found them to be excellent, but I'm due to replace them for the run to Phillip Island for the MotoGP mid October and I'm curious to try these new Avons.
Anyone have any experience with them?
See http://www.avonmotorcycle.com/us/en/Product.asp?ProdType=DualSport

 

[wessie]

I fitted a pair to my 1150GS last summer then rode across Europe from the UK to Croatia via a mixture of roads from French Autoroutes to twisty Alpine passes.

They were excellent on that 2500 mile trip and continue to be so on cold & wet British winter roads.

As they were about £30 a pair cheaper than Tourance I'm sure I'll be buying them again.

 

[artig]

I was one of the 'crap' posters in the original thread. The first set lasted only 5,000km, which the dealer also thought was far too little. So I got a second set at trade price. They have now lasted about 6,300km and the rear needs replacing within the next 500 to 700km. This is definitely the last time I use Avon Distanzias. FWIW the original Bridgestones lasted about 9,000km and the Michelin Anakees almost 10,000. Still haven't decided on what I will get fitted next week, but probably Metzeler Tourance or Bridgestone BT-020 if they are in stock.

 

[Mike Moloney]

Tyred

I've recently installed a set of Avons Distanzias on my 1200GS and, with only 650 miles so far on mostly damp and wet winter roads here in the UK, have no complaints. The Dunlops that came fitted from the factory were finished at 5900 miles and I was able to get a set of Avons for a very good price (free). I have to admit to being slightly apprehensive before mounting them for, as noted, there's not much feedback from users. If I'd been paying I would have likely have bought Metzeler Tourances because they had been long-lasting and confidence-inspiring on my previous bike, an 1150GS. A set of Anankees on the 1150 had not lasted well and I swear they were not as good in the rain as the T66s before that. On the 1200 the Avons seem to intitiate turn-in slightly better than the Dunlops, are much better in damp conditions, and so far feel at least as good as the Metzelers. Unless a tyre returns truly crap mileage I'll happily trade a few less miles overall for better feel and more grip.

Surely there are too many factors involved to say that any tyre one person uses will work in the exact same fashion for someone else. Roads in New Zealand and OZ are made from different mixes of asphalt than in North America or the UK. North Americans and Australians may be more likely to wear the centre of the tyre tread faster simply due to the nature of big open, and likely drier, roads. No two bikes carry the same load and, while we're all legends in our own minds, it's clear that some people are faster (or is that slower?) than others. Does every rider religiously check his cold tyre pressure before each ride? Of the major brands nobody makes a truly bad tyre, so it's a matter of trial, and possibly error, to find the one that works best for you. For sure it's worth seeking feedback from other riders but in the end it may simply be a case of riding your GS that much more to find out which tyre works best for you on your particular bike.

 

[pjg]

Hi from sunny Sydney!!!
For what its worth the distanzias are better than the tourance/anakee combo on dirt BUT not as good on tar. Pays your money, takes your choice
Cheers
paul

 

[Mouse]

Of the major brands nobody makes a truly bad tyre,

Except Bridgestone Trailwings of course

 

[samtheeagle]

Avon have released a new tyre called the "Distanzia", at least it is new to me down here in Oz.
I have been running Anakees on my R1200GS for 18 months and have found them to be excellent, but I'm due to replace them for the run to Phillip Island for the MotoGP mid October and I'm curious to try these new Avons.
Anyone have any experience with them?
See http://www.avonmotorcycle.com/us/en/Product.asp?ProdType=DualSport

I've got a rear distanza on my R12GS since mid Fall sometime.

I think they've been around for long enough that you don't need to worry about new product teething issues.

From what I gather, they will last slightly less than Tourance's and they will grip slightly better than Tourance's (this is from the Dude who installed the tire for me and also from reading opinions online at AdvRider).

Because I got the tires in the wet/cold months (here in Boston, MA, USA, Earth) I haven't really been able to get a feel for how grippy they truly are, in comparison to the Tourance.

The only thing I can somewhat positively say is that the tire seems slightly louder than my Tourance.

That's my 2 cents. And that's exactly how much it's worth.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Except Bridgestone Trailwings of course

You can say that ten times!

I had Avon Distanzias on my 11GS and liked the way they felt, but sold the bike long before they were worn out.

Jim

 

[power2learn]

I've got a pair of Distanzia's at present - I've only had the bike 4000 miles, and don't know how many miles they did before I got it. The front is due for replacement now, but I thought it would probably only do 1000 or so when I bought it, so it has lasted a lot longer than expected. I also only expected 3-4000 miles out of the rear when I purchased the bike, but to be honest, it hardly seems to have worn at all over the last 4000 miles.... must be good for at least another 2-3000.

MTS are offering a pair of the Avons for £155 (inc. fitting to loose wheels) which seems excellent value, and I'm quite tempted to go stick with them.

However, I don't feel confident with these tyres on wet or icy roads (in other words, most of the time I've ridden the bike). The rear particularly seems prone to slippping sideways, typically at slow-moderate speeds (e.g. 20-30) on winter roundabouts. I'm running the recommended tyre pressures.

Don't know if it is the tyres, or something gone radically wrong with my slow speed cornering technique (first bike for a while; used to be jap sports tourers - was never prone to 'roundabout anxiety' before...).

Even though they are much more, I might try Tourances or 020s to see if that sorts it.

(Otherwise, going to have to spend some time with an advanced riding instructutor and get my technique checked out.... )

 

[birdseye]

However, I don't feel confident with these tyres on wet or icy roads (in other words, most of the time I've ridden the bike). The rear particularly seems prone to slippping sideways, typically at slow-moderate speeds (e.g. 20-30) on winter roundabouts. I'm running the recommended tyre pressures.

Don't know if it is the tyres, or something gone radically wrong with my slow speed cornering technique (first bike for a while; used to be jap sports tourers - was never prone to 'roundabout anxiety' before...).

I've noticed the same thing on my GS but using Bridgestones. Paticluarly on wet manhole covers I am conscious that the rear wheel skips sideways more easily than previous bikes but always (so far! ) recovers. I've put it down to greater engine braking, almost no shock absorbing in the shaft drive train meaning that any clumsiness in throttle control (and I'm good at that ) causes the tyre to break grip for a second.

But its easier to blame the tyre than the riders skill levels!

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Distanzias are OE on the new triumph scrambler - but
get tourances from maw in parramatta - cheapest i could find.