Avon 3D Ultra Radial Tires

Avon Tires produced its first motorcycle tire in 1911, and a century later, the small yet highly specialized U.K.-based company remains one of the most prominent names in the business. Avon has always been at the leading edge of technology, and its new 3D Ultra sportbike tire proved this once again in incredibly hostile conditions this past March at the Almeria Circuit in southern Spain.

3D Ultra is a catch all for three grades of performance-oriented tires: Sport, Supersport and Xtreme. 3D refers to the interlocking, three-dimensional “siping” that Avon uses to improve grip, stability and warm-up without inducing tread distortion common with larger, deeper grooving.

First of the three models is the 3D Ultra Sport, a performance road tire that utilizes a special silica tread compound in three different grades: harder at the center, softer at the sides, plus a third layer, applied between the tread and carcass, which exists to prevent the tire from overheating. In addition, Avon has developed “variable-belt density” technology for a more-rigid central section and more-flexible sides. Thus, the tire is more stable at the center for less heat buildup and longer life, and more compliant on the sides for higher working temperatures and a wider contact patch that is said to generate more grip. These features are common to the entire 3D Ultra line, only difference being the tread compound.

3D Supersport is a softer-compound version of the 3D Sport, conceived for road and track use. In addition to silica, the compound also includes nano carbon fibers for higher-yet grip characteristics. 3D Ultra Xtreme is a track-only tire featuring a single compound and high nano-carbon-additive tread. The tire looks like a hand-cut slick, with very few grooves for optimal traction on track days.

Almeria is a tricky but very nice track, and I was looking forward to flexing my right wrist muscles. Problem was that the whole area was hit by a really hard storm during the night, with hail down by the sea and snow capping the hills surrounding the track. And in the morning, it kept raining until 11 a.m. We were about to call it a day when the wind turned, the sun broke the siege of the clouds and we all got into our leathers.

The track never completely dried out, but we were able to put in a few laps on the 3D Ultra Supersport. Applying due care with the throttle, since over-exuberance caused the rear tire of my borrowed Yamaha YZF-R6 to kick out of line, I found the Supersport was otherwise able to generate excellent traction in those treacherous, mixed conditions. While the rear tire was working hard to put the exciting power generated by the R6’s inline-Four to the wet tarmac, the front Supersport returned a reassuring feeling of solid grip.

Furthermore, the Supersport appreciably enhanced the quality of the R6’s chassis, especially its agility and steering response. Despite all of the water on the track, the R6 was very responsive, quick into the turns, precise and neat into line. I easily exceeded 130 mph down the longest straight, heading into the chicane entering the shorter start/finish straight.

While Avon’s 3D Ultra Supersport proved consistent beyond my most optimistic expectations, a true test of the Ultra Xtreme will have to wait for another day. And a dry racetrack.