Hey FJ people, I commute about 80 miles round trip interstate 80+mph each day on my 89. Stock rims, It had new Avons, Azzaros, AV46 rear, AV45 front at 2500 miles this summer. I'm now at 9000 miles and while they are worn but not worn out they are severely cupped. I weigh in at 300 lbs. so I keep the air and suspension set to max pressure, spring and damping. Any one have any experience with a long wearing tire that will withstand the rigors of daily straight line high speed riding? The choices seem limited by the sizes. Metzeler me880's? Thanks and keep the shiny side up.
9k ?
Got your money's worth, IMO. That's awesome tire life on an FJ.
what i meant to say was 9k on the bike, got 6500 on the tires.
I got less miles on the same tires. I was also avoiding the vertical position.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=287.msg2088#msg2088 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=287.msg2088#msg2088)
Hope this helps...
Wait til you guys see what Chris P gets for mileage on his FJ.....
Okay Henry, I'll take the bait.
I was getting about 12-15K miles on the Dunlop D205s. But they say they're not making those anymore. I did get 20-22k miles on the old Dunlop K591s, but they are bias and not made anymore. Their replacements, the GT501s didn't do as well, about the same as the D205s.
I know some Beemer guys using the Metzler 880s and they get great miles out of them, I think in the 15-20k mile range, but they're running them on LTs, which are more straight line touring bikes.
I've got a Dunlop 660 on the front now. Wearing like iron, but I'm not a fan of the feel or handling, although they are pretty good in the wet.
Given the 16" rear, your options are a little limited.
Quote from: FJ Flyer on November 20, 2009, 07:46:22 AM
I've got a Dunlop 660 on the front now. Wearing like iron, but I'm not a fan of the feel or handling, although they are pretty good in the wet.
I'm liking the Dunlop Roadsmart on the front of my '93.
I think there are quite a few rear D205s left out there, but the fronts seem to have dried up. I still have a few rear 205s, but I'm getting a little concerned about the manufacture date. They're many years old at this point and that seems to make the tread wear rapidly. I only got about 3000 miles on my last front 205. It was some fun miles, though, I wore out the sides and still had tread in the middle. That's not easy to do around here.
DavidR.
Quote from: FJ Flyer on November 20, 2009, 07:46:22 AM
Okay Henry, I'll take the bait.
I was getting about 12-15K miles on the Dunlop D205s. But they say they're not making those anymore. I did get 20-22k miles on the old Dunlop K591s, but they are bias and not made anymore. Their replacements, the GT501s didn't do as well, about the same as the D205s.
I know some Beemer guys using the Metzler 880s and they get great miles out of them, I think in the 15-20k mile range, but they're running them on LTs, which are more straight line touring bikes.
I've got a Dunlop 660 on the front now. Wearing like iron, but I'm not a fan of the feel or handling, although they are pretty good in the wet.
Given the 16" rear, your options are a little limited.
How the hell were you getting that kind of mileage??? I was getting 3-4k miles per rear, ~6k per frt. w/591s. I got ~6-7k from the Avons....
Quote from: RichBaker on November 20, 2009, 06:50:07 PM
Quote from: FJ Flyer on November 20, 2009, 07:46:22 AM
Okay Henry, I'll take the bait.
I was getting about 12-15K miles on the Dunlop D205s. But they say they're not making those anymore. I did get 20-22k miles on the old Dunlop K591s, but they are bias and not made anymore. Their replacements, the GT501s didn't do as well, about the same as the D205s.
I know some Beemer guys using the Metzler 880s and they get great miles out of them, I think in the 15-20k mile range, but they're running them on LTs, which are more straight line touring bikes.
I've got a Dunlop 660 on the front now. Wearing like iron, but I'm not a fan of the feel or handling, although they are pretty good in the wet.
Given the 16" rear, your options are a little limited.
How the hell were you getting that kind of mileage??? I was getting 3-4k miles per rear, ~6k per frt. w/591s. I got ~6-7k from the Avons....
They were frozen much of the time... :shok:
Randy T
Indy
Quote from: RichBaker on November 20, 2009, 06:50:07 PM
How the hell were you getting that kind of mileage??? I was getting 3-4k miles per rear, ~6k per frt. w/591s. I got ~6-7k from the Avons....
No idea. 90% of my riding is/was commuting. I'm fairly light, relative to most of the FJ community (at least that I know :sorry:). The 591s were awesome on mileage. Being my first 'sport bike', I didn't know any better and after two sets with similar miles, I thought it was 'normal'. The switch to radials woke me up, a bit.
The FJR eats tires faster, but it still appears I'm doing better than average, barring one Avon Storm front anomaly (chalk it up to Avon quality control, or lack thereof).
I think im gonna try the Metzeler Lasertecs. Anyone tried them yet?
Quote from: 1989FJ1200 on November 26, 2009, 11:00:13 AM
I think im gonna try the Metzeler Lasertecs. Anyone tried them yet?
I put a front Lasertec 120/70-16 on my '91 FJ when I bought it in July of this year. I've put 2,000 miles on it, mostly commuting to work, one 400 mile trip through the mountains. I've used the original front Lasers for years on other bikes with good results so I went with this new Lasertec. It works well, does get a little dancey on grooved pavement (like any other ribbed tire), sticks better than the Metzeler ME55A Metronic rear that is 4 years old (by the DOT#) and now worn out. Now I'm changing to a YZF-600 rear wheel to run radials. So I need to sell this front Lasertec-interested? Half price-$70.00 plus shipping.
Thanks for the info but no I'm gonna go with a new set. Is the FZR 600 wheel conversion a bolt on operation?
Quote from: 1989FJ1200 on November 27, 2009, 09:42:08 PM
Thanks for the info but no I'm gonna go with a new set. Is the FZR 600 wheel conversion a bolt on operation?
Not quite-http://www.btinternet.com/~fj1200mods/Project_FJ/YZFRear.htm this is for the rear-
For the front, most members go with a FZR1000 wheel.
The GSXR1000 90-92 is about as close to bolt on as one will get.
Takes about 2 hours to do the fit up . http://home.mysoul.com.au/rover/page02.htm (http://home.mysoul.com.au/rover/page02.htm) Bottom pix.
cheers
Quote from: roverfj1200 on November 28, 2009, 03:04:54 PM
The GSXR1000 90-92 is about as close to bolt on as one will get.
Hey Rover,
Can you give us any details, photos, ect on how one goes about mounting the GSXR wheel to the FJ? The rear wheel sure looks great. As well as your bike!! :good2:
Thanks,
Craig O
Craigo.....here is an earlier post with a pdf file for the GSXR rear wheel conversion.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=678.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=678.0)
Harvy
Thanks Harvey,
That all sounds to easy. No machining, just get some washers and it all bolts up. Wow, even I think I can handle that one. :biggrin:
Craig
Quote from: craigo on November 29, 2009, 09:47:49 AM
Thanks Harvey,
That all sounds to easy. No machining, just get some washers and it all bolts up. Wow, even I think I can handle that one. :biggrin:
Craig
Very easy.. If you get the whole brake set-up with the brake stay you can put a longer bolt in the right hand foot peg mount and put the brake stay on that. No welding, grinding or anything straight bolt on.
Quote from: craigo on November 29, 2009, 09:47:49 AM
Thanks Harvey,
That all sounds to easy. No machining, just get some washers and it all bolts up. Wow, even I think I can handle that one. :biggrin:
Craig
Craig, IF I remember correctly, the brake stay arm will need off-setting at the forward mounting point to clear the tyre. 8mm seems to ring a bell....I think both Arnie and Rover run this wheel, so they will know.
Harvy
The PDF stated that you could bolt the GSXR stay arm to the centerstand mount. Again, it all sounds too easy. Even for my limited skills. Now I just have to find a GSXR wheel and brake system.
Thanks again for all the guidance.
Craig
I have had Michelin Macadam radials cup badly up front in 4000 miles. Proper tire pressure always. I now have a Pilot up front and the Macadam in back (still fine). I am suspicious that radials may cup more easily than bias? Could this be aggrevated by the somewhat narrow 3.0 x 17 rim on my 89, which was originally intended for bias tires? I am putting an FZR1000 Genesis wheel up front over the winter (hopefully). I am hoping that the wider rim (3.5 in vs 3.0 in) will stiffen up the tire and maybe reduce the cupping. Also the front end should feel more rigid.
BTW, can I use the OEM FJ axel or do I have to get the GSXR? I didn't see that mentioned.
Craig
Quote from: craigo on November 30, 2009, 05:47:25 PM
BTW, can I use the OEM FJ axel or do I have to get the GSXR? I didn't see that mentioned.
Craig
[/quCraiote]
Use the FJ axle. Depending on year, the GSXR wheel may be 4.5 - 5.5 inches wide. (actually the latest GSXR's use a 6" wheel). If you get a 4.5" wheel you can use a 160 or 170 tire. With the 5.5" wheel, you'll have to offset the c/s sprocket and be careful with your choice of 180 wide tires. Some (esp Dunlop) makes are significantly wider than the nominal size.
Cheers,
Arnie
I run the Pilot Power up front on the stock 3x17 FJ wheel (89+) and have no cupping issues. I ran my last Power down to the wear bars and it still looked great. I think a couple of others run the Powers also and haven't had any cupping issues either.
Quote from: capitanoinsano on November 29, 2009, 11:01:04 PM
I have had Michelin Macadam radials cup badly up front in 4000 miles. Proper tire pressure always. I now have a Pilot up front and the Macadam in back (still fine). I am suspicious that radials may cup more easily than bias? Could this be aggrevated by the somewhat narrow 3.0 x 17 rim on my 89, which was originally intended for bias tires? I am putting an FZR1000 Genesis wheel up front over the winter (hopefully). I am hoping that the wider rim (3.5 in vs 3.0 in) will stiffen up the tire and maybe reduce the cupping. Also the front end should feel more rigid.
Just out of curiosity... Everyone talks about the Pilot Power and Road, but I hardly hear a peep about the Pilot Sport, although the Michelin site positions it between the first two and it comes in sizes for the 3.5/5.5 and 3.5/6.0 setups. Is there something I missed?
The pilot sport is an older and outdated design. It worked well if you had the time to wait for it to heat up. You didn't need anything fancy to time it. a sundial would do. Odd that it didn't last any longer than tires that worked well within a few minutes of the start of the ride, but once it worked it was as good as anything else out there at the time.
Quote from: craigo on November 30, 2009, 05:47:25 PM
BTW, can I use the OEM FJ axel or do I have to get the GSXR? I didn't see that mentioned.
Craig
Yes you use the stock axle. Will put up some pixs later..
Cheers
Quote from: the fan on December 01, 2009, 09:12:24 PM
The pilot sport is an older and outdated design. It worked well if you had the time to wait for it to heat up. You didn't need anything fancy to time it. a sundial would do. Odd that it didn't last any longer than tires that worked well within a few minutes of the start of the ride, but once it worked it was as good as anything else out there at the time.
OIC... Thanks, Bill.
They're now selling the Sport HPX - maybe a new compound, or maybe just a new marketing gimmick.
Happened to run across this rather amusing post on a 'Busa forum:
"I run the power 2ct's and am in love with them. ...on the grip side, a friend on a yammy proposed he could burn better than i. i burned off once, pulled forward, tried to burn again and got drug all the hell over the parking lot."
Now I'm not one to go wasting good rubber, but imagine the look on that dude's face... :rofl2:
Quote from: capitanoinsano on November 29, 2009, 11:01:04 PM
I have had Michelin Macadam radials cup badly up front in 4000 miles. Proper tire pressure always.
Which Macadam were you running? I've run them since I got my FJ and while cupping was definitely something to watch for, they got progressively better later in the series. The 100x I ran before my wheel swap, was down to the wear bars before there was any cupping and that was only minor. I found that being on the high side of proper tire pressure helped a lot too.
Quote from: craigo on November 30, 2009, 05:47:25 PM
BTW, can I use the OEM FJ axel or do I have to get the GSXR? I didn't see that mentioned.
Craig
Yes you use the stock axle. Will put up some pixs later..
Cheers
Thanks a bunch for that. I have been on the look out for a GSXR wheel on ebay w/ no luck. I did see a pretty worn brake system. I still have a pile of tread on my D205 and winter is here. I know I am in SoCal but I am no longer the died in the wool rider I use to be. If it's cold in the mountains, I stay at home.
I am sure that over the winter, I will pick up the parts needed for this project. Then I will dig into this deeper.
Thanks again for all the info, you guys are a great help in this. Hope to hook up on the West Coast Rally next year.
Craig
No shame
For the first time in my life I am beginning to see the value a nasty winter brings to motorcycling. I've never really experienced an "off season" before - I think I'll get more done (mods wise) during this one winter than I've managed to accomplish in years!
Winter - just another excuse for moditis!!! And and even louder "KOOKALOO" come spring!!! :yes:
Well I have retired the Avon Azzaro's at 8000 miles, they were well worn and severely cupped. Installed the Metzeler Lasertec's and even though I know what a huge difference new tires make I can see a real change in the way the bike rides. The Avon radials always since new wanted to straight line and I always had to yank it down in the curves. The Metzelers just fall into the curves like butter. I'm still getting used to the sudden change in steering ease, I have a theory that it might be the bias ply tire which was what the bike was designed around... I will let you know in about 6 months or 10000 miles. First impression is "amazing".
Anytime you go from worn out tires to new tires, the difference is astounding. It's hard to remember back to when the prior ones were new!
Keep a notebook (or a file on the computer say?) and log your impressions every oil change or so (and this way you track your oil changes as well!).
It helps to tell you how they wore from impressions that were fresh at the time. The big thing I notice is a rounded tire tends to be more stable in a straight line, unsteady when leaned a bunch; a triangular profile tire feels horrible in straight lines but gives you hands off stability at max lean. The triangular fronts also flat spot down the middle super easy though.
Quote from: 1989FJ1200 on November 26, 2009, 11:00:13 AM
I think I'm gonna try the Metzeler Lasertecs. Anyone tried them yet?
Hey there, New to the site........... but I'm running metzlers me88 lasertec and marathon front and back and there Awesome!!!
I'm from New Zealand and I believe that our road surfaces are alot harsher then what you have there.I've run Avon's and Bridgestone BT's and they've all chewed up pretty quickly.
This is apparently what a lot of the fj riders in the u.k use, I pretty much followed there lead, hope this helps!!!
Cheers
just me i love the BT45's great feel back through the bars, had metzler lasertechs on the zed and EVERY corner felt like it was not there so im a bit biased, got a bt 45 on the front at the moment and a dunlop on the rear, thats what it came with when i bought it, the front is wearing ok, bit scolloped on right hand side and is prone to headshake if tyre pressure not right but doesnt lose any "feel" back through the bars, the dunlops ok, bit squirmy when cold and im down to wear blocks on that have done 18 000 KILOMETRES on it will replace in another thousand or so. i beleive in getting my moneys worth, and harvey? theres a fellow at goodna (mick) who does tyres real cheap and fits them but you will be there all day, he loves a chat and only does bikes on weekends if he s still there i think the business is called mcm? its on a back street at goodna ride past the cop shop to intersection keep going straight and hes the first st on the right. you will be there a while quickest ive got out is 6 hours, so take coffee, lots of bikes go there and its a good chance for a laff and a chat with fellow bike riders, met a bloke there with an original 1967 NSW ex police BMW still in original paint!!! was awesome
Quote from: 1989FJ1200 on December 23, 2009, 01:49:32 PM
Well I have retired the Avon Azzaro's at 8000 miles, they were well worn and severely cupped. Installed the Metzeler Lasertec's and even though I know what a huge difference new tires make I can see a real change in the way the bike rides. The Avon radials always since new wanted to straight line and I always had to yank it down in the curves. The Metzelers just fall into the curves like butter. I'm still getting used to the sudden change in steering ease, I have a theory that it might be the bias ply tire which was what the bike was designed around... I will let you know in about 6 months or 10000 miles. First impression is "amazing".
16973 miles replaced rear tire down to wear bars and out of tread in the middle, got 6500 miles out of the Metz Lasertec, put another one on just like it. I still love the way the Metzelers handle, new or worn, it just turns better than with the Avons. It does tend to follow the grooves more, but no so bad it matters much. At this rate though 90mph 70 miles a day I wish I could find something that would last longer.
ok got em changed you do the conversion to miles. i got 22 000 k's out of my last tyres, front was slick on the right hand side and the reaer was nicely squared off. put new bt 45's on and am looking forward to another 22 thousand. i beleive in getting my moneys worth :scratch_one-s_head: i ride every day clock up about 1500 to 2000 k's a week
23450 miles just changed to second lasertec on rear, that's two of em I got 6500 miles each. the front lasertec has 13000 on it and still looks good. I put a bridgestone spitfire on the back (on sale) gonna try that now.