Avon Launches Viper Bike Tyre Range
HSR1 Steer Tyre is Best Choice for Low Noise

Avon Launches Viper Bike Tyre Range

Cooper-Avon is to launch Viper, a new range of motorcycle tyres to meet the demands of sport and supersport machines. The new range is being launched in three versions - Viper Sport, Viper Supersport and Viper Xtreme.

Viper Sport comprises 11 sports bike sizes, including a new 120/65R17 front tyre for bikes such as the Kawasaki ZX636/ZX-6R. A 200/50R17 rear is also available for the ZX 12R. Drawing on Avon's years of experience in road racing, the new Viper Sport pattern has been designed to reduce localised flex points in the tread, improving high speed stability.

The Enhanced Aqua Flow [EAF] pattern rapidly clears away surface water to increase confidence in the wet. Viper Sport also boasts a brand new Advanced Tread Arc Combination [ATAC] profile which varies the tread profile across the tyre for the ultimate in handling and stability, whatever the lean angle. The ATAC profile results in neutral contours, ensuring smoother transition on lean angle changes, and noticeably increases stability, especially under heavy braking.

The tread compound features a new 'high dispersibility' silica formulation [SIO2-HD] which ensures rapid warm-up times and maximum grip in both the wet and dry.

In addition, Viper benefits from Avon's unique Advanced Variable Belt Density [A-VBD] technology, specifically for rear tyres. This is a jointless belt of ultra-strong Aramid fibres running round the tyre's circumference. At the centre of the tread, the fibres are closely packed for maximum stability and wear resistance. The closer to the edge of the tread, the further apart the fibres are positioned, broadening the tyre's footprint under cornering loads.

Finally, all components are fine-tuned by Avon's Enhanced Stability System [ES-System] to deliver a tyre in which the carcass, sidewalls and tread pattern work together to reduce localised flexing within the contact patch to optimise grip, durability and warm-up capabilities.

Viper Supersport shares the same pattern and core technologies as the Viper Sport, but with the addition of a softer compound [Race-C]. Viper Supersport is available in popular hypersport sizes; 120/60R17 55W & 120/70R17 58W on the front and 160/60R17 69W, 180/55R17 73W & 190/50R17 73W on the rear. Both Viper Sport and Supersport feature an aggressive snake's head logo on the tread and sidewall of the tyre.

Completing the three tier Viper range is Viper Xtreme. Available in a 120/70R17 58W front and 180/55R17 73W & 190/55R17 75W rears, this is aimed at dedicated track day specialists. As well as benefiting from the Viper core technologies and Race-C compounds, Viper Xtreme's tread pattern is aggressive and minimal, delivering the stickiest possible contact patch and best wear properties of any tyre in its class.

The new 190/55R17 75W Viper Xtreme rear has a slightly taller sidewall than the standard 190/50R17, allowing it to exploit to the full the benefits of the ATAC profile. In addition, a Spiral Belted Carcass [SBC] is positioned beneath the Aramid A-VBD pack to absorb stresses associated with exceptional grip levels.

HSR1 Steer Tyre is Best Choice for Low Noise

The Continental HSR1 tyre has added to its package of benefits by being confirmed as the lowest-noise steer-axle tyre available in the market. In coast-by tests, the HSR1 (Heavy truck, Steer-axle tyre, operating in Regional traffic) generated a sound pressure level of just 69 dB(A) at a reference speed of 70 km/h. As each 3 dB(A) increase is equivalent to doubling the sound pressure level, this result means that the HSR1 is seven times quieter than the legal maximum value.

"HSR1 achieves its low noise properties through Continental's specially-designed straight-groove geometry," explained Arthur Gregg, Continental Truck Tyres' Business Director in the UK. "Apart from the obvious benefits of reduced noise to residents living alongside or near busy haulage routes, bus and coach operators in particular appreciate the reduced interior noise for passengers." Optimised noise characteristics have not detracted from the tyre's other properties; it offers significantly more mileage and has outstanding wet grip. HSR1 has received technical approvals from truck OEMs DAF, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes, Renault, Scania and Volvo.