FJ TIRES AND COMMUTING

[craigo]

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

[fj1289]

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!!!

[1989FJ1200]

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".

[andyb]

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.

[H00dz]

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

[Kopfjaeger]

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

[1989FJ1200]

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.

[Kopfjaeger]

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 i ride every day clock up about 1500 to 2000 k's a week

[1989FJ1200]

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.