Radial Front Tire Option for 17x3 Rim

[melloncollie]

Shinko 006 Podium Radial
P/N: 87-4021
Size: 110/70R17
Speed Rating: V (149mph+)
Load Index: 54 (467 lbs)
Permitted Rim Size: 3.0-3.5

I came across this tire option the other day; had I not just ordered an 87 FZR front wheel I likely would have gone with one of these.  It stood out as a radial front with a V speed rating and a 3 inch rim listed in the spec sheet.  Thought I'd pass along this information to anyone that might be searching.

[fj1289]

In the real world of potholes and crappy roads, I'd highly suggest a 120 sidewall - 110 is getting pretty short and much more likely to bend a rim.  Mine happened a few years ago at a relatively slow speed ~ 30 mph ~ but was a nasty sharp edged hole at night.  Nearly crapped myself the next morning when I saw the damage to the rim I had ridden back home on!

I run 110 (or less!) on the race bike - but only 120 on the street bike now!

[FJmonkey]

FYI - A 110/70R17 is 110 MM wide with a side wall that is 70% of the width.

A 110/70xxx has a 77 side wall
A 120/80xxx has a 96 side wall

Actual measurements vary between brands.

[melloncollie]

Mine being an 89 has 120/70-17 as stock size.  So 84mm stock vs the 77mm of the 110/70xxx; give or take based off brand.  I hadn't thought about bending a rim (and luckily haven't so far).  I've been running a 110/70R17 for the last 24k miles with solid results.  I wanted a radial when I replaced my first set of tires 2 years ago. All of the 120/70R17 tires I saw listed 3.5in as max rim width and a lot of the bias ply have an H speed rating.  Not that I'm sustaining over 130 ever.  So I dropped down to the 110/70R17. 

All that being said, I am going back to 120/70R17 next week with an FZR rim.

[Millietant]

All the modern 120/70 radial tyres are designed to be fitted to a minimum 3.5" wide wheel

Both the 3CV and 3XW came as new with 120/70 cross ply tyres and a warning from Yamaha that radial tyres of the same size should not be used on FJ's, because the wheel was not suitable for the fitting of radials.  Most of us have ignored that for years without any issues on the roads though.

I think Chris has just gotten his wires crossed on the the numbers, although the principle of what he's saying is correct.  The options for us on the front were a 120/70x17, a 110/70x17 or a 130/60x17 in radial tyres. The 110 and 130 tyres have basically the same sidewall depth/height (77mm and 78mm), the 120 is slightly smaller (74mm).

It's just a personal thing, but I'd not use Shinko tyres on my FJ - it lives in the corners, so I go for more highly rated tyres like the Bridgestone BT023, Michelin Road (4,5 or 6 model) and Pirelli Angel, with a matching 170/60x17 rear.

[melloncollie]

The 120 will be a taller sidewall than the 110 of the same aspect ratio, the issue being that there's less sidewall with the 110/70x17 and therefore less travel/cushion (and the reason for Chris's bent rim).  I had read a warning similar to what you mentioned Dean, as well as saw the recommended rim size of no less than 3.5" rim width.  So I went with the 110 for the last two years.  Got the FZR rim a week ago and have a 120/70R17 now.

I was happily running Avon Spirits front and back but the rear (stock size) seems to be discontinued or between production runs.  I went with the Shinko Verge this time since the Avon wasn't available and the Verge was the only radial in the stock rear size I could find.  The plan is to get a different rear rim at some point, I don't see tire options for the rear becoming more available.  So far the Shinkos have held up.

[Millietant]

Yep, don't know why my brain went "7x12=74", when I know it's 84....... !!!!!!! .....old age brain-fart I guess.

Radials are definitely a problem for the rear and it will get worse now that Avon seem to be pulling out of the bike tyres market.

I think i'd probably stick with Bridgestone BT46 bias ply tyres if I was using stock wheels, but 17" rear wheel conversions for the FJ can be cheap and so easy to do with minimal parts, it makes sense to me - and the whole process is completely reversible if you ever want to put back the stock wheel.

[melloncollie]

That's a shame about Avon, I loved the Spirits.  I was getting about 12k miles out of a set.

For the sake of curiosity: what would you run on the front to pair with the BT46?  I don't recall seeing a bias ply front with a matching V speed rating, they were all H.

I'm leaning towards the YZF600 rear swap.  We'll see how long these Shinkos last, that'll likely determine when I make the swap.

[ajacstern]

Did the tire swap on front and rear after experimenting with a few options - totally worth it. Transformed the handling making the bike feel so much lighter and so many tire options now.

[Millietant]

Did the tire swap on front and rear after experimenting with a few options - totally worth it. Transformed the handling making the bike feel so much lighter and so many tire options now.

Sorry I missed this previously and it's probably too late anyway, but there's no issue using a 120/70x17 BT46 on the front of the FJ with the 3" wheel. It falls withi n the recommended wheel size range for cross-plies.

I have a FZR 3.5" front wheel and a 5" YZF 600R (Thundercat, not R6) rear wheel and have just put a 120/70x17 Michelin Pilot Road 4 front tyre and a 170/60x17 Michelin Road 6 rear tyre on.......and they're brilliant.

I loved my Bridgestone BT023 radials in the same sizes, but these Michelins are on a different level - mind you, they cost LOT more.

If I was on a budget, I'd still go with the BT 023's - they've served me well for Sunday afternoon rides, long distance touring (with and without a pillion) and even track day use.

[Pat Conlon]

I agree with Dean's choice. I have used 2 rear wheel sizes on my FJ's: 1) a 5.5" wide YZF1000 Thunder Ace rim with a 180/55-17 tire and 2) a smaller 5" wide YZF600 rim with a narrower 170/60-17 tire.

Solo riding, I prefer the 170 tire.

The FJ seems slightly more nimble, easy to change directions.....probably my imagination...or age....or both.