I just installed the Avon AM-26's a few weeks ago and just got back from riding the twisties at the National in
Arkansas and they stuck like glue. And they did not have the heavy handling feel like the GT's did. Motorcycle superstore had them in stock sizes and the price was good to. Murph also carries them but he was out of stock when I ordered.
Jim, those tires sure did stick like glue. I am a witness to that as I followed you until my tires scrubbed down to bare wire and went flat. These were newly installed just before the rally.( Avon Ultra Storm 2's front and back) In Avons defense that was the 3rd day in a row of some really fun (slightly-->wink wink) aggressive riding.
I cant thank you enough for all the help you and others gave to get my bike back together last Friday. Coggers sure are a great bunch to hang out with and everyone was quick to jump to my aid in acquiring new tires and to have them installed in the parking lot of a hotel , and the instant oil change (another story).
SteveJ is correct. My front tire was a 110/80 and I installed a 120/70 which a fellow Cogger went out of his to get for me (thanks Mike). The 120/80 does not fit our 3" rim properly. I dont know why Kawasaki recommended that tire. The 110/70 I had on before handles much better and uses the whole tire when cornering aggressively.
The 120/80 has a smaller contact patch and wastes about 1/2 inch of tire (chicken strips) even in the most aggressive cornering and is V shaped (rim is too narrow) when mounted on our stock rim which makes it feel weird transitioning into turns. 110/70 is the proper size for our front rim and for handling, contact patch and wear.