Radial tires on an 89

[mick]

Has anyone tried radials on their bikes? If so, can you tell me what tires you used, and any comments about how they work on the FJ? I've been using Metzler ME 880's forever and just want to try something different. Gotta love those Marathons though, for me they are hard to beat. Thanks !

[rvnmaniac]

 No don't put radials on your bike. You will ride better and possibly faster. Will love the difference it makes the bike feel. Cost you more money. Then you have to figure out which ones to buy. Your choice may be limited if you still have the stock rims..... So why bother? Currently have Avon storms...

[FJmonkey]

I concur, do not put radials on your bike at any cost!!! You might feel more confident, cock sure, braver in scraping the pegs etc.....radials will....might....possibly make others seem inferior and force them to look at your back side....till the next turn....when you vanish from their sight.

Avons on stock 16" rims (stock 86'), the only radials for a poor fuc$ like me that has not modded to 17" yet. It's all good till someone on a HD passes you in a corner.

Go 17" and go crazy over the choice of radial rubber dude!

[andyb]

89 starts with 17" front, so you're halfway there.

Stick the YZF rear on and you'll be astounded, partially because it's better than the 16, but mostly becuase you can actually get some great tires to fit the kind of riding and feel that you prefer.

[FJ Flyer]

Once you go radials, you'll never go back to bias.   

[mick]

Thanks for the input! I don't really want to change wheels, but next set of tires I will try the radials. Compared to my Paso, which I can't find tires for , the selection of rubber for my FJ is pretty good.

[markmartin]

I'm running the AVON radials on stock rims--  AV 55 Storm ST 120/70-17 on front and an AV 46-ST Azaro 150/80-16 on back.   I put about 3500 miles on this summer and have been happy with them.  The front tire is holding up better (no cupping) than the Continental 'road attack' front tire that I ran last year.  Most of my miles are on the hiway, back and forth to work and home.

Mark M
'89

[waricle]

Can someone please tell me if a 160/80/16 fits on a standard rear rim?

Michelin pilot GT is the tire in question

[Harvy]

Waricle....it will fit, but is really 10mm too wide for OEM rim......consequence will be that when inflated, it will be slightly more rounded.....you will probably never reach the chickenstrips.   
Harvy

[waricle]

Will it make the tyre wear quicker?
After 25 years off two wheels chickenstrips will be safe!

[thuber3040]

chicken strips, hell on my last 85 I would drag the passenger pegs if I wasn't careful on the wrong corner, I think it sat a little too low.. should have joined the penske team on the last one I had I guess

[yamahopper]

I just put the Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the front of my 89. Hooks up really well. Ride a ton better than the POS I had on there since I bought the bike. The Dunlop 220 rode kinda rough. It was a radial also. The side wall stiffness was a bit much. Give me Michelins any time. I haven't even worn the little nibs off of the tire yet, but I love the way it handles.

[Arnie]

Waricle,

It will fit.  You may want to actually measure the inflated width of the tire, as different manufacturers seem to have differences of opinion on how wide a given number should be.  Dunlop are usually significantly wider than the tire marking.  Bridgestone are usually very close.  I think Michelin are a bit stingy with rubber compared to markings.

Cheers,
Arnie

Can someone please tell me if a 160/80/16 fits on a standard rear rim?

Michelin pilot GT is the tire in question

[waricle]

Thanks arnie.
If I haven't acquired a 17" rear wheel by the time it is worn I will go for the 160 on the 16".