Great price on Continental Motion tires

[ribbert]

I found that with my OEM 3" front, the 180 caused some handling issues. The bike felt twitchy no matter what ride height I adjust my shock (Penske). I went back to the 170 and that problem is gone. I recommend that if you go with the larger rear, you really need the 3.5" front rim.

CraigO

Hey Craig/Mark,

Just getting to understand the 17" wheel and tire sizes.  Are you running a 17x5.5" rear wheel?

And I'm gathering the following?

190/50ZR-17  Mark says may interfere with the chain so...Mark runs a:

180/55ZR-17  ??  And you are saying that it was a bit wonky with a narrow front rim so you are running a:

170/60ZR17   

Did I get all that right?

I'm also seeing that a tire calculator puts the 190/50 at -.97" smaller in diameter than stock, the 180/55 at -.65" and the 170/60 at -.42"...is getting closer to stock tire diameter what you attribute the difference in handling?

Thanks!!

Cap'n Ron, if you were snow bound I could understand this post but it sounds like an unnecessary amount of over thinking is going into the process.

I have a 3" front. I have run 180/55's and 120/70s' since day one with just about every tyre and every combination out there. It is hard to imagine there are any conditions and configurations I have not ridden extensively over 90,000km and have had no issue with the fat rear and "skinny" front and we are not talking about about tootling down the freeway.

If Craigo's bike was that sensitive to the combination, something else must be going on.

Noel

[the fan]

I'll have to take a close look at your swingarm setup and clearance.  Maybe Sat/Sun ride?  It's gonna be almost 80!!!   

Not this weekend, I hope to meet up up with Pat if he is free on Sat, then off to the Abilities Expo in LA for the day. I need some polish training and then getting current with my industry. Make no mistake, I really want to ride....

Wait... Pats Polish?

[craigo]

Maybe it's just me that is that sensitive.    But I do have nice suspension on the bike. Racetech emulators and a fork brace up front along with a Penske track shock built by Ed Sorbo.

CraigO

[TexasDave]

I have an extremely fat rear and skinny front on my Hardley as do most of the cruiser riders and no problems. Unfortunately I have the same set up on my women.  Dave.

[Mark Olson]

Maybe it's just me that is that sensitive.    But I do have nice suspension on the bike. Racetech emulators and a fork brace up front along with a Penske track shock built by Ed Sorbo.

CraigO

You are not the only one 
Some riders are just not that in tune with their Fj and notice differences.

With the 3" rim 120/17 tire and a 180/55 rear combo you have to adj the front tire psi lower to balance out your ride.  I found 36psi front and 38psi rear worked to remove twitchy ride feel.

After I changed to a 3.5" front wheel I was able to add air to front tire to a more common psi . 38-40 depending on where I was riding.

DISCLAIMER;  This is based on experiences from myself and other FJ riders . Your experience may differ.

Flame away.

[ribbert]

Some riders are just not that in tune with their Fj and notice differences.

Very true, maybe some of them will join in and and share their experiences.

Noel

[FJ Flyer]

Picked up a set for the FJR a month or two back off Amazon, as well.  Ridiculous prices.  Never used them before.  Got a horizontal cut on the rear PR3 and wanted something on hand.  Then got the front so I can change them out as a set. 

Curious to see how the handle and how long they will last.  Hard to beat the mileage I get out of the Michelins.