A few questions on maintenance for a "new" 93 FJ1200

[wirehairs]

Quick question on those ME880 tires: do most folks go with the bias or the radials?  I see pros and cons of each.  For application, I see more touring than scratching pegs. 

[Capn Ron]

On the stock rim widths, you'll want to go bias ply.  There are no radials in FJ stock sizes that are recommended by their manufacturers to run on the 3" front rim width or the 3.5" rear rim width.  Essentially, the tires in stock sizes are "pinched" too much changing their desired profile.  Some here do run radials, but they either step down a size to a 110/70-17 tire in the front...or as a LOT of folks here have done...change to some wider wheel option.

My earlier tire choice recommendation of Metzeler ME880's, Avon Roadriders or Pirelli Sport Demons was due to their availability in matching front and rear stock sizes and they're all in a bias-ply.

[wirehairs]

Well shoots.  My local place only has my stock tire sizes in radials (for the ME880).  I didn't see anything in my manuals about bias or redial recommendations, so I was unclear on that.

On the stock rim widths, you'll want to go bias ply.  There are no radials in FJ stock sizes that are recommended by their manufacturers to run on the 3" front rim width or the 3.5" rear rim width.  Essentially, the tires in stock sizes are "pinched" too much changing their desired profile.  Some here do run radials, but they either step down a size to a 110/70-17 tire in the front...or as a LOT of folks here have done...change to some wider wheel option.

My earlier tire choice recommendation of Metzeler ME880's, Avon Roadriders or Pirelli Sport Demons was due to their availability in matching front and rear stock sizes and they're all in a bias-ply.

[Pat Conlon]

Radials are fine

[copper]

Radials are fine Perfect

You forget how good radials are until you get back on a set of bias ply tires. I bought a bike a while back and it followed every crack in the road. I looked & looked for something loose as that is what it felt like. I put on a set of new radials and straight as a rail now.

[Dads_FJ]

http://www.fj1100.com/fj_gallery/fj053.jpg   But I'd imagine John has better photos if you are going want investigate futher.  

Always loved the Kenny Roberts RZ350, sort of the inspiration to my paint choice.



and I 2nd the radial tire choice.  They may not be correct, but they have proven themselves to work.

[Pat Conlon]

I have a '93 FJ I've been restoring. Trying to get ready for the WCR

I used the new Avon AV66 Storm 3D in 150/80ZR16 in the back, and in the front, the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT in 120/70-17.
The Avon manufacturers specifications list the minimum rim width for this tire at 3.5" so I'm good to go...
http://www.avonmoto.com/products/sport-touring/storm-3d-x-m

These tires feel absolutely wonderful on this bike.

[Capn Ron]

Not really doubting that radials are a nice improvement over bias ply tires.  If there was a radial *front* in the stock 120/70-17 size...that a manufacturer recommended to be mounted on a 3" front rim, I'd be running radials.  I'm weird that way.  ...and I don't want to run a 110/70-17 front.  

I did the digging about a year ago...out of  41 front tires in the 120/70-17 size, 6 were bias ply and their manufacturers "acceptable rim width" was either 2.75" - 3.75"  or  3.00" - 3.75".  Out of the 35 remaining radials in stock size, 30 of them had an "acceptable rim width" of 3.50" - 3.75".  Of the 5 radials that did have an "acceptable rim width" as low as 3.00", there was no match for the rear.

The Pilot Power 2CT:

Mfg:        Model:                Size               F/R     R/B         Infl. Width  On rim   "acceptable rim width"   Weight    Price
Michelin   Pilot Power 2CT    120/70ZR-17    Front  Radial     5.16             3.5         3.50 - 3.75                 8.95      $104.00

I don't doubt that they will mount up and feel just fine...even excellent or perfect!    Just not my thing is all and I'll patiently wait until I can get my ABS wheels "widened" to go to radials.

[Capn Ron]

Here's the Metzeler ME880 front available from Motorcycle Superstore:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6126/i/metzeler-me-880-marathon-touring-front-tire

Says there are 6 left in stock. (120/70VB-17)

And the rear:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/6127/i/metzeler-me-880-marathon-touring-rear-tire

Says they have more than 10 available.  (150/80HB-16)

Revzilla also has them in stock, but they're a bit more expensive there.



Before I left on my trip...and after a ton of research, this is the tire I wanted.  I called six local dealers and they all told me that Metzeler no longer makes the ME880 in my sizes.  They were wrong or lazy or just wanted to sell me what they had on hand...or all three.     In a seeming bind, I had them mount up Pirelli Sport Demons...as much as I liked them, they were worn out in TWELVE days of touring.   

[craigo]

Ron,

I heard of an outfit over in Germany that mods 17" XJR wheels fitted with antilock brakes. In fact, there is a non member of this group running one on his 93. If interested, I'll get more info to you.

CraigO

[Capn Ron]

Craig,

Yeah, I'd be interested in that!  There were a couple of leads a while back about folks here in the states who would modify stock wheels to either widen them, change their diameter or both.  I'm not sure what ever happened, but I think those leads all dead-ended.     I even spent countless hours with the Google...to no avail.

I have two factory sets of ABS wheels.  My ideal setup would be a stock-size set shod with Metzeler ME880's for touring and the other set re-rimmed for a 17x3.5 front hoop and a 17x5.5" rear hoop shod with some nice sticky radials.  One bike, two personalities...depending on my ride choice.  Oh...and ZERO fiddling around with axles, swing arms, brake hangers, shims/spacers and the like....Just a simple wheel swap.   

[Pat Conlon]

Radial vs bias...to each his own mon Capitan

I think before I would worry about a front rim that is 1/2" out of spec. I would worry about putting a back tire with a lower speed rating than what Yamaha put on the FJ.
A "H" rated back tire is only good for......?

......and how fast were we going while crossing the Nevada desert?

[Capn Ron]

Excellent point Pat!

H is rated for 130MPH...but I was running the Pirelli Sport Demon in the front and an Avon Roadrider in the rear on that trip.  They're both V rated for 149MPH.

...But we never cracked the 65 MPH speed limit.   

[FeralJuggernaut]

Avon Azaros on day 1 of switching both tires, a GLORIOUS day!   I just picked up an '89 with bias tires and it handles like a truck.   My MX-5 handles better...   My problem is I am such a cheap ass bastard and the tires are so new that I can't justify the expenditure for a new set of tires while these only have a few hundred miles on them...   Get the radials and if you are anything less than amazed, I'll buy them off of you and pay for shipping to Arizona.   Decide before your 2nd tank of gas.  I am confident you'll have decided before getting back into the driveway.   Don't believe me, but trust in Brother Pat!     

[Firehawk068]

Avon Azaros on day 1 of switching both tires, a GLORIOUS day!   I just picked up an '89 with bias tires and it handles like a truck.   My MX-5 handles better...   My problem is I am such a cheap ass bastard and the tires are so new that I can't justify the expenditure for a new set of tires while these only have a few hundred miles on them...   Get the radials and if you are anything less than amazed, I'll buy them off of you and pay for shipping to Arizona.   Decide before your 2nd tank of gas.  I am confident you'll have decided before getting back into the driveway.   Don't believe me, but trust in Brother Pat!     

Erich V.
Get your ass up here to Colorado!
Are you coming to the "Central Rally" this year?