I've always been a fan of Avon Storms but stopped using them when the 2-Ultras had an issue with the shoulders wearing too quickly so I switched to BT023s. I wasn't that happy with the way the Bridgestones handled from the start, my worn out Avons felt more responsive, but I got used to them after a few hundred miles.
Anyhow I had to replace both tyres last weekend and was looking at the new T30s from Bridgestone when I came across
this review of the new Avon Storm 3Ds. The fact that they were testing them on a track using a Gen2 Fazer grabbed my attention as did the extra mileage claim which leads me to hope that the wear issue with the front should be resolved, and lastly I was just in time to catch the tail end of a £15 off each tyre offer, so a pair fitted to loose wheels for £190 made my mind up and I bit the bullet.
I am so glad I did, my bike is back to feeling the way it was when I really enjoyed riding it, even my wife said she could tell that the bike was handling a lot better than usual after a Sunday ride through the twisties (not a euphemism). Whilst the Bridgestones were always fairly neutral the bike simply felt happier at 90 degrees, with the Avons the bike feels much happier to change direction and stay where you want it, it even seems to be telling you there's more tyre to explore if you want to.
I'm happy to accept that generally any pair of fresh tyres are going to feel better than the worn ones they've replaced, but this isn't the night/day difference I've found, I'm also happy to accept that some folks will prefer the more 'planted' feeling of a slower steering tyre. But from my initial few rides I can heartily recommend the new Storms to anyone who likes a great handling quicker steering tyre that promises decent wear rates.
I'll post back when I wear through a rear, just checked and my last 2 rear 023s lasted 2800 miles each
(front 6900) pretty sure I was getting about 1000 more from a rear on the old Storms.