Farewell, Avon tires

[Big T]

Final tire was made

https://melkshamnews.com/historic-moment-as-last-ever-tyre-is-built-at-avon-ending-production-after-118-years/

[steve murdoch]

Used the Avon Roadrider AM26 tires for years.
So did a lot of the vintage road racers.

[Nessism]

It's sad to read about this plant closure. It must be devastating to the locals that have worked in that plant for decades.

The question remains, though: have the AM26's been discontinued, or has (or will) the manufacturing location been changed?

[LAB3]

Maybe if they learned how to spell the word "tyres" properly they would have gotten more sales?

Missed out on a SMOKING deal on a set a couple of weeks back due to not having a street address to have them shipped to, someone had an online closeout sale going.

[Grimly]

Well, if the replacement AM26 isn't as good, I'll be going back to Maxxis for the front.

[KiwiAlfa156]

Looks like Avon motorcycle tyres will be now produced in France

https://www.tyrepress.com/2022/10/goodyear-investing-16-5-million-euros-in-montlucon-motorcycle-tyre-production/

[LAB3]

Well, if the replacement AM26 isn't as good, I'll be going back to Maxxis for the front.

Tell you what, I've got about 14k miles on my Bridgestone Battle-ax BT46 front right now and it's doing just fine! I've already replaced the rear once and it's about time to do it again since I put it on but that front is as good as new.

[Big T]

Well, it seems that the death of Avon was prematurely stated.
Between what KiwiAlfa reported above, and this, it appears that the AM 26 will be around for the foreseeable future

Avon Tyres, one of the motorcycle industry’s longest-established tire brands, will receive a fresh focus as part of the wider Goodyear group of brands. Having incorporated Avon into its family in 2022, Goodyear is looking ahead to the future with a reinvigorated approach to the Avon brand.

Now sitting alongside the Dunlop brand in Europe, the incorporation of Avon into Goodyear’s portfolio gives European bikers an even more comprehensive offering than before, with industry-leading products across all sectors of the motorcycle market. The new, more focused, Avon range includes the Cobra Chrome tire for cruiser and custom bikes, as well as the popular Roadrider MKII which sits as a complementary offering alongside Dunlop’s strong sports touring range.

Furthermore, Avon will continue to produce the 3D SUPERSPORT hypersport tire, Spirit ST and Streetrunner sport touring products, Trailrider and Trekrider for adventure use, Safety Mileage MKII and Speedmaster MKII classic designs, and the Viper Stryke for scooters. This focus on key designs ensures the Avon brand still offers riders its most popular products, sitting as a strong partner offering alongside the Dunlop range, which covers everything from off-road to hypersport tires and everything in between.

Goodyear’s long-term strategy for its two famous motorcycle tire brands focuses on further developing its motorcycle centre of excellence in Montlucon, France, where many of the premium products in the Dunlop range are currently developed alongside World Championship level racing tires for Moto2™ and the FIM Endurance World Championship.

Ben Hoge, General Manager, Motorcycle Europe, Goodyear, stated: “Dunlop and Avon have proud histories and exciting futures. The ranges are highly complementary and meaningfully differentiated, so this gives us the opportunity to offer a wider selection of tires, with one of the youngest product portfolios in the industry, to the trade and riders alike.

“As we plan for 2024 and beyond, we will reveal new product lines, technology upgrades and clear market positioning for both brands.”

In addition to this continued commitment to motorcycle tires, the Avon brand will remain a key part of Goodyear’s portfolio in the passenger vehicle segment.

[Rob S.]

The way I remember it (1970's) Avon was the go-to if you wanted a fat rear tire on your custom.