Hi !
I have to change both the tires and i wanna ask your opinion about it. So i tought to buy the NEW (better for touring than the older Sport Demon) 120/70-16 and 150/70-16 size Pirelli Sport Demons. Far-far the most cheap tires.
What do you think ?
I wouldn't risk my life by riding the old beast on cheap tires.
Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?
Quote from: Vilike on May 17, 2016, 04:19:33 AM
Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?
These:
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/fj-1100 (http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/fj-1100)
Some of the best you can get for the old 16" rims.
Quote from: Vilike on May 17, 2016, 01:58:31 AMHi !
I have to change both the tires and i wanna ask your opinion about it. So i tought to buy the NEW (better for touring than the older Sport Demon) 120/70-16 and 150/70-16 size Pirelli Sport Demons. Far-far the most cheap tires. What do you think ?
Vilike,
I replaced my old Metzler tires with Pirelli Sport Demons, and it was like getting a much better bike.
The improvement in handling was amazing. They also stopped much quicker, and that improves your safety.
If I had more money then, I would have tried the Avon tires, but I believe the Pirelli tires will run further, for less money.
Either the Avon tires or the Pirelli tires will make your bike feel like it is new.
Cheers,
Red
Quote from: Vilike on May 17, 2016, 04:19:33 AM
Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?
I see no one is answering your question about size. Yes that size should work good on 16" wheels and it is the same size I run on mine with16" wheels. Dave
The FJ oem 16" rims are narrow by today's standards.
The taller sidewall of the 80 series fit the narrow rims better than the shorter sidewall 70 size. When you take a shorter sidewall and pinch it on a narrow rim, it changes the profile of the shoulder and contact patch.
Is it a problem? I don't know.
Check the tire manufacturers specifications on the minimum rim width for this size tire and decide accordingly.
Tires are important.
I acquired the Sport Demon tires 16 inch in 80 profile - 120/80-16 (60V) and 150/80-16TL (71V), going into my third riding season with them.
All I can share is that they are way way better than the Bridgestone Battlax I had for the previous 2 seasons. which feel wooden in comparison. Thanks to Tiger John for the recommendation.
Vilike, what is different about the new style Sport Demons?
Roadrider AM26 (universal) 120/80V16 (60V) MT2.75 2.50 - 3.00 126 5.0 601 23.7 5.6.
This from the website - the 2.50 -3.00 is the recommended rim size for the Avon Roadrider. They did not show a 120-70-16 tire to compare. Pat is correct the 70 will be a lower profile thus wider tire. It will fit your rim but maybe not optimal. By optimal you are on the high end when it comes to rim size --- ie while the above tire will fit on a 2.5in rim it will be pinched more than if on a 3 in rim. Your FJ if not modified will be a 3 inch rim thus you are on the good side of the spec and the tire should perform well and not be hamperd by the profile changing due to pinching.
Check to see if the recommended Rim size is available for your make of tire and you can use that to help your decision
My recommendation is either Avons radials ( which I have ) or metzeler ( bias ply ) lasertec --- If going the Avon the road rider is only front available but if you go metzeler --they have your exact size you need.
sc2
For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s F/R (120/80 and 150/80 per fitment recommendations) and am very satisfied with them. Great price, fairly easy to mount and probably the best part is the decelerating wobble I was experiencing is gone.
Chris
Quote from: cclase on May 17, 2016, 12:10:01 PM
For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s
Chris
I'm a fan of them too, as I have gone through a couple sets of them. However, the rears seem to evaporate, when compared to the wear of the fronts. I just shoed my wheels with set of Sport Demons. I think the wear rate on the rear tire of those, is better than the Avon AMs.
Quote from: FJ1100mjk on May 17, 2016, 01:53:49 PM
Quote from: cclase on May 17, 2016, 12:10:01 PM
For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s
Chris
I'm a fan of them too, as I have gone through a couple sets of them. However, the rears seem to evaporate, when compared to the wear of the fronts. I just shoed my wheels with set of Sport Demons. I think the wear rate on the rear tire of those, is better than the Avon AMs.
Yes, the Avon AM26 is very good as a front tire. But, if you put on the Avon STROM 3D XM on the rear, you get a radial tire (the AM26 is a bias-ply) with very good milage. The AM26 front is a very good match to the 3D XM rear.
Yes, the Avon AM26 is very good as a front tire. But, if you put on the Avon STROM 3D XM on the rear, you get a radial tire (the AM26 is a bias-ply) with very good milage. The AM26 front is a very good match to the 3D XM rear.
[/quote]
AGGGG- i did not see that the AM26 was a bias ply --- I know its bad to mix on cars and I have to think it may be so on bikes as well. I have always gone with similar brands on both front and rear --- at the very least make sure the rubber up front is stickier than the rear.
Based on the above info -- I would go with the Metezler --- I ran those Lasertecs all the time on my 86 until they stopped making them for a bit ( when everything seemed to go radials ) --- now with them available again its what I will have to put on my 86 again when my present AVONS wear out.
sc2
I'm running mismatched tyres at the moment and don't have any issues with the handling. Put Avon Roadriders on front and rear then not long after scored a gsxr rear wheel and fitted a Michelin pilot road 3 Radial on it. Wasn't sure at first how it would handle and wasn't too keen on buying a new front tyre as well as the Avons weren't that old, but after riding it found it actually handled better than before.
I read later somewhere that some model bikes come from the factory with a cross ply tyre on the front and a radial on the back, so if a factory is willing to do that then it must be acceptable. Not sure about a radial on the front and cross ply on the rear though, that could be another kettle of fish.
No problems whatsoever to mix different front and rear tires.
Some bikes even comes from factory with bias-ply front and radial back... I would however recommend to stay with the same brand.
Quote from: 4everFJ on May 18, 2016, 03:49:07 AM
No problems whatsoever to mix different front and rear tires.
Quote from: Bones on May 18, 2016, 02:05:03 AM
....... Not sure about a radial on the front and cross ply on the rear though, that could be another kettle of fish.
Before changing to a 17" rear I ran many combinations of radial front and bias rear. No problem except for just one combination. It was so bad I pulled up a number of times on the way home from the tyre fitters, firstly convinced they had forgotten to tighten the back wheel (it was that bad) and then to check for some major issue with the frame.
After gingerly riding home and thoroughly checking the bike over several times I could only conclude the tyres didn't like each other. I sort of learnt to ride around the problem once I new what to expect and what would set it off and in what direction it would lurch but changed the tyres over well before they were due and everything was good again.
I can't remember what the tyre combo was but it had never happened before and never happened after, so, as a rule I would say no problem.
I did many tens of thousands of km's on mixed tyres - track days, trips, high speed, rain, mountains, no problem.
Noel
Okay, thanks for all your answers.
I purchased a pair of a Sport Demons of a /70 size.
Pirelli website about the new Sport Demon :
" Uniform and progressive performance in all riding conditions thanks to the rear multi-radius profile.
High grip on wet and dry surfaces with excellent mileage.
A safe and reliable tyre in all riding situations, with a particularly favourable cost/quality ratio suitable for Sport
Touring Motorcycles."
Why do you want them in /70 profile?
As I can see, the load and speed index for their /70 profiles are waaaay to low for the FJ.
The front Sport Demon 120/70 - 16 M/C 57P is only rated up to 230 kg / 150 km/h.. and the rear 150/70 - 16 M/C 68S only up to 315 kg / 180 km/h..
If those are the ones you have bought, they are not to be used on an FJ!