Billed as the replacement to the long-standing Distanzia, the new TrailRider is Avon’s latest rubber aimed at the riders of big adventure motorcycles.
The British based manufacturer have been working hard with two readers of RiDE Magazine to develop the new tyre, and recently a number of journalists from around the world gave the new tyre a test at an official launch in the Bavarian countryside.
One of those present was US magazine, Motorcyclist, who have the new Avon a good initial review.
“Don’t let that evocative name mislead you. Just like the big-boned adventure bikes it’s intended for, Avon ’s all-new TrailRider “adventure sport-touring” tire isn’t going to get you very far on a slippery or sandy singletrack. But if your vision of adventure involves lots of hairpin-shaped switchbacks or hammer-down highway slogs, these new boots will be tough to beat” they say.
The TrailRider offers increased stability over the outgoing Distanzia, thanks to the use of Avon’s Variable Belt Density Technology which limits tyre growth at high speed. It also reduces running temperatures, to improve tyre life. Avon engineer Ashley Vowles also says that the firm have used proprietary chemistry to improve the silica dispersal process, so that there is more of it in the new TrailRider than in any Avon tyre ever before. This results in a significant improvement in wet grip, and a slight improvement in dry grip over the previous Distanzia. It also uses 3D Sipe Technology to limit tread flex and control tyre temperature.
Motorcyclist magazine commented:
“The TrailRiders felt ready right off the kickstand, no need to tiptoe up to operating temp. On OEM Metzeler Tourance tires, BMW’s GS is one of the lightest steering bikes in this class. There was no degradation whatsoever in handling behavior on the Avon-equipped GS, suggesting a neutral tire profile and a stable carcass, and on the autobahn the Avons remained unfailingly predictable and planted right up to the Beemer’s electronically limited, 145-mph top speed.
Excellent outright grip was confirmed during a spirited session on the Triumph. Even against all that triple torque with the traction control switched off the rear TrailRider resisted breaking traction, and the front reliably stayed put even when pushing that front-heavy bike hard into tight, downhill hairpin turns. The only time we could get the TrailRider to misbehave, in fact, was when we didn’t rev-match while downshifting the slow-revving, heavy-flywheeled Guzzi, causing the rear wheel to lock and slide momentarily—but that’s a bike problem, not a tire issue. On any road and any ADV, the TrailRider is a very confidence-inspiring tire.”
As the UK’s largest distributor of Avon motorcycle tyres, as soon as the various TrailRider sizes become available, you can count on Cambrian to have them in stock!
Check out the range of TrailRider sizes here.
