[EastnMike]

After all the good things most people say about the 230 after they are grooved versus stock, I ordered a new Avon 230 this morning, and a new groover tool. I am kinda worried about grooving the tire, with no experience, but from the reading I have done here, most say it is easy. I sure hope so, or my wife is going to be very mad at me if I mess up a 200.00 new tire...
Her and I rode over the Smokies last Saturday, and when we got home and put the Boss in the garage, I saw the outline of the tire threads showing through the rubber in the center...so I figured this was a good time to try out the grooved tire. I will let you know how is goes after I get finished with it. You know an old Tennessee ******* has trouble in the most unexpected places sometimes...so...if you guys have any additional info or tips on the grooving task, please let me know...thanks!!! (By the way, I got about 7700 miles out of this tire, does this sound about right?)
Mike

 

[Boss Man]

Mike,
Here's a pic of my grooved 230. It's pretty easy to do. I practiced a bit on my old tire first to get the feel of the groover. Then I drew lines on the new tire to follow.
You might want to get the tire balanced after you groove the tire, as you'll be removing quite a bit of rubber. Just a thought.
7700 miles?????????? You haven't been doing enough burnouts! Ha Ha!

 

[EastnMike]

Thanks Don for the pic. That is the best shot of a grooved tire I have saw, looks like you did a fantastic job, I only hope mine comes out nearly that nice! I hope to tackle the task on Friday (if the tire and groover make it in). Have you noticed any difference in the handling/wet road characteristics since the grooving? I never had any problems with the stock tread, but I just don't like the looks of no rain/water dispersion grooves from the factory. What I have planned to do, is remove the wheel, practice a little on the old tire (not much left there to practice with), take the tire and have it mounted, bring it home and groove it (looks like it would be easier mounted on the wheel), then when I am finished, polish up the wheel, and take it and have it balanced.

 

[Zenbiker]

Mike..once you start you'll see that it is so easy! I never tried on an old tire first and it turned out great. No need to rebalance afterward since you are removing the same amount of material around the entire tire.
I have grooved 3 Avons and the difference in wet weather is amazing!
Two points: Let the groover really heat up (15 full minutes) before beginning the grooving. Also, make sure you set the blade to the full depth of the existing tread before starting. Use steady moderate pressure without pushing the groover aggressively. Keep the goover absolutely perpendicular to the tire surface.
I had to regrooove one tire because the tread wore out before the deepest portion of the original tread was reached...groover expert, Joe
PS...easier burnouts due to reduced contact area is a bonus!

 

[Boss Man]

Mike,
Haven't been caught in the rain yet, and hope not to!
No difference to me in handling, except that the new tire is round and I could feel the difference between it and the old "flat" tire right away. I do think the tire "sings" a bit more than the ungrooved one. Maybe it's just me. Good luck, and as Joe mentioned, be careful on the depth of cut!

 

[EastnMike]

I wanty to thanks all of you for the info on the grooving of the @30 Avon. It is so easy! I am amazed how easy it was to groove the tire, and it looks excellent! We rode about 200 miles on Saturday after I got the new grooved tire on, and the ride was better than it ever has been! I lined up the tire with one of the Craftsman laser levels (thanks to you guys suggestions here online), and it feels perfect. The way I lined up the tire was I placed the level in the dead center of the rear tire (made sure), and lined up the frone tire perfectly in the center, and using the laser level (which also goes around corners), lined the laser up with the center tread groove on the front Avon. It seems to have worked perfectly. I hope this coming weekend will be nice..I can't wait to get out on the Boss again...it seems like a new bike! By the way, I got the tire through DMTAonline.com for $182.00, and the grooving tool at daymotorsports.com for $59.95. Thanks again,
Mike