he Avon Venom R has been a Harley rider’s “no-compromise connection with the road” for years. There’s been plenty to offer in that lineup, too, everything from cruising and touring tires to those giant rears. But huge tires like those aside, as awesome and inspiring as they are, that’s just part of what Avon can do for a Harley-Davidson. Have you ridden on Avons? Instantly they make a bike feel lighter and lots more nimble. That’s due in great part to the profile and construction of those Avon tires. Mounting Avons is a change that can be felt on all Harleys and it’s especially welcome on the bigger bikes. Road Kings and Ultras feel like they’ve just dropped a couple hundred pounds. The Venom AM41s and AM42s look great, too. They have that pure-custom appearance especially suited to a Harley.
     All that has just gotten a lot better. The Avon Cobras, the AV71/AV72s, are here. These brand-new tires are the next step forward after the Venom R, and it’s a giant step. You thought the Venom Rs were good? The Cobra takes everything Avon to the next level. First of all, there’s no mistaking a Cobra. A new “Snakeskin Sidewall” treatment is a tip-off, and so is the distinctive Cobra logo. Both are perfect complements to the Cobra’s new tread patterns. These tires look great. And they’re built to perform at a level matching those looks.
     The Cobra features Avon’s A-VBD (Advanced Variable Belt Density) construction. This manufacturing process utilizes a densely wrapped belt in the center of the tread for enhanced straight-up stability, improved wear and extended life. In the shoulders the belting is less dense giving the Cobra a huge and compliant contact patch during cornering. The Cobra also features Avon’s new LPE (Lifetime Profile Engineering). The payoff here is consistent handling and stability for the full life of the tire. The rounded profile of an Avon tire is what–to a large degree–makes a Harley feel so nimble with them mounted. The turn-in is quick, light and it’s effortless. With the Cobra’s LPE all that’s there for the life of the tire.
     The Cobras also come with EAF (Enhanced Aqua Flow) and Avon’s ES System (Enhanced Stability System), two more high-end features making an Avon an Avon. EAF tread patterns are designed to do a superb job in the wet, dispersing water out and away from the contact patch. Traction is sure-footed in all weather conditions.      The ES System is another Avon exclusive. This construction design reduces localized tire flexing. It improves grip and overall stability and helps let these tires run cool on the hottest summer days. The Cobra’s compounding is optimized for grip, too, and properly maintained an Avon Cobra will deliver great mileage.
     The Cobra is Avon’s very worthy successor to the Venom R. Cobras come in all the right sizes, too. There are 16-, 17-, 18-, 19, 21- and 23-inch fronts in a variety of widths and aspect ratios and there are 16-, 17-, 18- and 20-inch rears in widths ranging from the increasingly popular 180s and 200s right up to those big 240s, 250s, 280s and 300s. The Venom R was great. The Cobras are even better. Drag Specialties has them now.