Tires for 16" wheel?

[grannyknot]

84/FJ1100

front 120/80V16   rear 160/70VB16  That's what is on the bike at the moment but they 13 years old so gotta get a new set. I emailed Pete's Superbikes in Toronto, he's one of the biggest M/C tire guys around,
he said he could offer 4 different name brand tires for the front but couldn't find anything for the rear!
I really don't want to be changing wheels unless I absolutely have to. Any suggestions?
Does that rear number sound right?
Thanks,
Chris

[big r]

I went with Avon Azaros 120/80/16 for the front and a 150/80/16 for the rear. They seem to be pretty good although I haven't been able to put to many miles on them yet. I got them for $390 delivered to my door from Bayside Performance in Langley B.C. they are a bias ply tire and we had tough time mounting them as the sidewalls are pretty stiff. I do like they work so far. Big R

[Flying Scotsman]

I put a Dunlop on the rear of my 85 last year and it works great  at least when its warm its not so grippy when its cold out.
My 90 has a Michelin on it the Dunlop looks and rides better at least the 85 rides better than the 90 im not sure if its just the rear tire.
Dunlop is wider and has a more agressive tread ,its got 8000 miles on it and still going strong.I have a Maxis on the front mileage unknown but 8000 + miles its got a little life left in it.I have a Avon siting waiting and I have a used front wheel with a Metzeler thats in good shape on it I can try.Michelin Macadam is OK but seems skiny next to the Dunlop.

[eclipse3g]

Rear tire   150/80-16 (71V) Pirelli Sport Demon Rear Tire

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do;jsessionid=79B070C2C7D50BDE865204D6D075C51A?webCatId=8&webTypeId=229&navTitle=TiresandWheels&navType=type&prodFamilyId=19470&stockId=162925


Front Tire  120/80-16 (60V) Pirelli Sport Demon Front Tire 

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webCatId=8&navType=type&webTypeId=229&prodFamilyId=19193&listingId=&sizeAttr=5388

[fj11.5]

Using a dunlop sport radial on mine, wear well grip ok wet and dry , would rather a bridgestone, but the last bike shop i got the tyre fitted are wankers,

[moparman70]

I second the motion for the Azaros -- Azaro ST - I have one on the rear and I have the newer version Azaro Storm Ultra up front ( 17 in ).  I checked though they don't make the Avon Azaro Storm Ultras for 16 inchers so its the ST version that will work best.

http://www.avonmoto.com/products/sport-touring/azaro-st

stevec

[weymouth399]

I have azaros on the 86 now liked how they felt in all conditions but the mileage I think sucks, gonna get maybe 5000 miles out of a set. The front wears funny from the crown of the road and the rear looks like it was ridden on a cruiser.
I didn't like the small contact patch of this radial, but it does turn in quick though.
My 89 has metzler laser tecs on it I like them too, I need new rubber for the rally.
Could do the 17 fj front upgrade now, better brakes 
My 2 cents

Bob W

[Tuxracer]

Just got my rear 150/80 16" Avon Roadrider from http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca

Prices are decent, free shipping over $99 

[grannyknot]

Thanks guys, I gave them the smaller number of 150/80/16 for the rear and he offered five options with only the the Bridgestone BT-45 being a matching pair front and back. Now I'm old school, matching sets are what I have always gone for . I have no problem with an unmatched set as long as I'm not going to get the rude surprise in the corner when either the front or the back slides out because of design or compound incompatibility. This is what they have offered so far,
front,
-Bridgestone BT-45
-Avon AV45
-Pirelli Sport Demon
-Avon Roadrider

rear,
-Bridgstone BT45
-Bridgstone excedra G853
-Bridgstone G702
-Avon Cobra
-Dunlop D405

[bobmcc]

I just put a set of metzeler lazetec's on my 86. They cost me $350 mounted on the rims.I installed them on the bike,So far they seem great.
Bob Mc

[FJmonkey]

I have been running the Avon AV45/46 combo on my 86'. I get about 3K on the front and about 9K on the rear. I ride mostly canyons so the sides on the front are gone long before the tops. I think the 120 is too wide for the stock 3" front, a 110 would provide a better profile. The confidence is there with the Avons, the corners felt very neutral when new and the radial seemed to absorb some of the wear issues that happens with bias-ply tires. I have upgraded my rear to to 17" and hope to do the front soon and be rid of the 16" curse. Mike in San Dimas has put on a set of Prelli Diablos, he might chime in on his opinion. I almost went that way but the Avons were in stock when I needed them. Keep us posted, we like to hear how tire choices work out.... 

[E Double]

I run the avons and I have no problem getting over 10K out of a front.  Right now I have over 12K miles on the front running it at 37 psi (I replaced the rear at 9.5K) and its only beginning to cup.  And I don't have a fork brace on the bike (yet).  I haven't gotten anywhere near this mileage on the various bias ply tires I've tried over the years; My the front tire on my last set of Metzeler Lazetecs was unrideable by 7K miles.  But I guess YMMV.