Avon Tyres says it has completed the full redevelopment of its iconic Cobra Chrome range, reclaiming its whitewall heritage and reviving one of the brand’s most recognizable motorcycle tires. The move comes four years after Avon was integrated into Goodyear’s motorcycle brand portfolio alongside Dunlop.
Cobra Chrome is Avon’s flagship tire for cruiser and custom motorcycles, and a key part of the brand’s updated product strategy. The range includes 77 SKUs, including 14 white-sidewall sizes, reflecting Avon’s heritage in the custom and classic motorcycle segments.
The redevelopment of the Cobra Chrome range follows a broader industrial upgrade across Avon’s motorcycle business. As part of this program, production of Avon’s premium motorcycle tires has moved to Goodyear’s motorcycle center of excellence in Montluçon, France, a facility that manufactures Dunlop premium road tires and championship-winning racing products.
To enable Cobra Chrome production at Montluçon, manufacturing processes had to be tailored to the facility. Many of the Cobra Chrome sizes were new to the French site, requiring extensive reengineering to meet Goodyear’s global standards for quality performance and consistency. This work has resulted in improved tire uniformity, higher yields, better operator ergonomics and production quality that is fully aligned with Goodyear manufacturing processes.
Dmitri Talboom, motorcycle product manager at Goodyear, explained, “To bring Avon production in line with Goodyear’s standards for quality and performance, the Cobra Chrome range has been extensively reengineered. Montluçon’s role in this revival has been crucial.”
The reintroduction of Cobra Chrome’s whitewall SKUs required specific technical updates at the Montluçon facility. The white rubber compound was reformulated to improve resistance to discoloration, the sidewall assembly process was further automated, and computer-assisted quality checks were introduced to ensure a consistent premium finish.
Talboom added, “Whitewall tires are a defining element of Avon’s heritage and remain a distinctive choice for riders of custom and cruiser-style motorcycles. We are proud to see this iconic design resume in full production.”
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