New Avon Storm 3D X-M hypersport bike tyre wins magazine plaudits

The launch of Avon Tyres’ latest sports touring motorcycle tyre aimed at the hypersport market, the Storm 3D X-M, took place near the brand’s Melksham, Wiltshire manufacturing base at Castle Combe in May. The Cooper-owned brand says it has since been reaping the plaudits for the new tyre, tested out by two-wheel specialist journalists on the fast and bumpy circuit.

Jon Urry, working for Motor Cycle News explained that though “Combe is a notoriously bumpy track, the tyre provided a remarkable level of grip, allowing the pegs to be dragged through the third gear off-camber corners. At the end of a continuous stint of over 30 fast laps, the rear began to slide when powering on in third gear, but for a tyre designed to last for 10,000-12,000 miles, that’s quite an achievement. The steering felt composed and the Storm provided good grip right from cold with impressive stability at speed.”

Simon Roots, editor of Fast Bikes magazine, praised the tyre’s resistance to slowing steering, producing “a tyre that compromises little. There are plenty of heavy braking areas around Combe and the X-M let the Fazer go hard into a turn with the brakes still manfully slowing the bike up. After a session on my R1 on Avon’s 3D Ultra Xtremes my wrist wasn’t used to delicate throttle openings, but I needn’t have worried as the X-M provided a great level of grip and angles down to the peg. They also coped well with the bumps.”

Alan Dowds, editor of SuperBike magazine, and freelancer Stuart Barker, writing for RiDE magazine added that they had been impressed with the nominally road-going tyre’s competence on-track. Barker praised the tyre’s performance on the road after the track-based testing had finished: “the nicely scrubbed 3D X-Ms inspired enough confidence for some hard cornering and serious lean angles. The unexpected result of accepting Avon’s invitation was that I finally found a reason to rejoice in the BMW F800GT.”

Mike Armitage, road test editor from Bike magazine also credited the tyre with improving his Yamaha’s low-speed handling: “Steering is weight at low-speed manoeuvres and the bars need constant pressure to maintain course. Or that’s how it was. Avon’s new Storm 3D X-M make the most significant difference I’ve ever experienced from changing tyres. Steering is lighter and more responsive. Agility is enhanced at all speeds, without a loss of stability. Trendy 3D sipes give sure-footed confidence in soggy conditions.”

Doug Ross, head of global motorcycle tyre sales for Avon Tyres, was pleased with the feedback: “In fact, so good was some of the commentary that selected journalists have requested the X-Ms on their long-term project bikes, all of which is very rewarding for us at Avon. We have worked hard to create a new product that marries stable handling characteristics and durability, two things at the forefront of any motorcyclist’s mind when selecting new rubber. To have such glowingly positive feedback about a product in a crowded and competitive market from our knowledgeable media is extremely satisfying.”

‘Higher mileage’ from British-made tyre

Manufactured in Melksham, the new addition to the Avon Storm Ultra family of sports touring tyres takes the technology found in the 3D Ultra sports tyre family and uses it to create a sports touring tyre which also delivers higher mileage, Avon says. The Storm 3D X-M features interlocking three-dimensional points hidden in the tyre’s grooves, which improve stability, grip and warm-up times, while limiting tread flex. These latest advances in tyre technology are married to a high-performance single and multi-compound silica-rich tread that enhances wet grip.

Avon characterises improved handling and stability characteristics as “essential on today’s hyperbikes”, such as the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, Kawasaki GTR1400 and Kawasaki ZZR1400. It is confidant that the Storm 3D X-M can “transform the performance” of older model hyperbikes, such as BMW’s K1300 series and Honda’s Super Blackbird.

The Avon Storm 3D X-M is available now in sizes 120/70-ZR17 (front) and 180/55-ZR17 and 190/50-ZR17 (rear).

• Avon welcomes delayed start to bike season with offer
• Avon launches Storm 3D X-M sports-touring bike tyre