70/16 tires ?

[Vilike]

Hi !

I have to change both the tires and i wanna ask your opinion about it. So i tought to buy the NEW (better for touring than the older Sport Demon) 120/70-16 and 150/70-16 size Pirelli Sport Demons. Far-far the most cheap tires.

What do you think ?

[Alte Fahrt]

I wouldn't risk my life by riding the old beast on cheap tires.

[Vilike]

Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?

[4everFJ]

Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?

These:

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/fj-1100

Some of the best you can get for the old 16" rims.

[red]

Hi !
I have to change both the tires and i wanna ask your opinion about it. So i tought to buy the NEW (better for touring than the older Sport Demon) 120/70-16 and 150/70-16 size Pirelli Sport Demons. Far-far the most cheap tires. What do you think ?

Vilike,

I replaced my old Metzler tires with Pirelli Sport Demons, and it was like getting a much better bike. 
The improvement in handling was amazing.  They also stopped much quicker, and that improves your safety. 

If I had more money then, I would have tried the Avon tires, but I believe the Pirelli tires will run further, for less money. 
Either the Avon tires or the Pirelli tires will make your bike feel like it is new.

Cheers,
Red

[TexasDave]

Its not about the price, its about the size. What do you think about the 120/70 and 150/70 size for the 16" wheel FJ ?

I see no one is answering your question about size.  Yes that size should work good on 16" wheels and it is the same size I run on mine with16" wheels.  Dave

[Pat Conlon]

The FJ oem 16" rims are narrow by today's standards.
The taller sidewall of the 80 series fit the narrow rims better than the shorter sidewall 70 size. When you take a shorter sidewall and pinch it on a narrow rim, it changes the profile of the shoulder and contact patch.
Is it a problem? I don't know.

Check the tire manufacturers specifications on the minimum rim width for this size tire and decide accordingly.

Tires are important.

[Charlie-brm]

I acquired the Sport Demon tires 16 inch in 80 profile - 120/80-16 (60V) and 150/80-16TL (71V), going into my third riding season with them.
All I can share is that they are way way better than the Bridgestone Battlax I had for the previous 2 seasons. which feel wooden in comparison. Thanks to Tiger John for the recommendation.

Vilike, what is different about the new style Sport Demons?

[moparman70]

Roadrider AM26 (universal)   120/80V16   (60V)   MT2.75   2.50 - 3.00   126   5.0   601   23.7   5.6.  

This from the website - the 2.50 -3.00 is the recommended rim size for the Avon Roadrider.  They did not show a 120-70-16 tire to compare.  Pat is correct the 70 will be a lower profile thus wider tire.  It will fit your rim but maybe not optimal.  By optimal you are on the high end when it comes to rim size --- ie  while the above tire will fit on a 2.5in rim it will be pinched more than if on a 3 in rim.   Your FJ if not modified will be a 3 inch rim thus you are on the good side of the spec and the tire should perform well and not be hamperd by the profile changing due to pinching.

Check to see if the recommended Rim size is available for your make of tire and you can use that to help your decision

My recommendation is either Avons radials ( which I have ) or metzeler ( bias ply ) lasertec  --- If going the Avon the road rider is only front available but if you go metzeler  --they have your exact size you need.


sc2

[cclase]

For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s F/R (120/80 and 150/80 per fitment recommendations) and am very satisfied with them.  Great price, fairly easy to mount and probably the best part is the decelerating wobble I was experiencing is gone.

Chris

[FJ1100mjk]

For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s

Chris

I'm a fan of them too, as I have gone through a couple sets of them. However, the rears seem to evaporate, when compared to the wear of the fronts. I just shoed my wheels with set of Sport Demons. I think the wear rate on the rear tire of those, is better than the Avon AMs.

[4everFJ]

For what it's worth, not addressing your q about 70s, I just mounted Avon AM26s

Chris

I'm a fan of them too, as I have gone through a couple sets of them. However, the rears seem to evaporate, when compared to the wear of the fronts. I just shoed my wheels with set of Sport Demons. I think the wear rate on the rear tire of those, is better than the Avon AMs.

Yes, the Avon AM26 is very good as a front tire. But, if you put on the Avon STROM 3D XM on the rear, you get a radial tire (the AM26 is a bias-ply) with very good milage. The AM26 front is a very good match to the 3D XM rear.

[moparman70]

Yes, the Avon AM26 is very good as a front tire. But, if you put on the Avon STROM 3D XM on the rear, you get a radial tire (the AM26 is a bias-ply) with very good milage. The AM26 front is a very good match to the 3D XM rear.
[/quote]


AGGGG- i did not see that the AM26 was a bias ply --- I know its bad to mix on cars and I have to think it may be so on bikes as well.   I have always gone with similar brands on both front and rear --- at the very least make sure the rubber up front is stickier than the rear. 

Based on the above info -- I would go with the Metezler --- I ran those Lasertecs all the time on my 86 until they stopped making them for a bit ( when everything seemed to go radials ) --- now with them available again its what I will have to put on my 86 again when my present AVONS wear out.

sc2

[Bones]

I'm running mismatched tyres at the moment and don't have any issues with the handling. Put Avon Roadriders  on front and rear then not long after scored a gsxr rear wheel and fitted a Michelin pilot road 3 Radial on it. Wasn't sure at first how it would handle and wasn't too keen on buying a new front tyre as well as the Avons weren't that old, but after riding it found it actually handled better than before.

I read later somewhere that some model bikes come from the factory with a cross ply tyre on the front and a radial on the back, so if a factory is willing to do that then it must be acceptable. Not sure about a radial on the front and cross ply on the rear though, that could be another kettle of fish.

[4everFJ]

No problems whatsoever to mix different front and rear tires.

Some bikes even comes from factory with bias-ply front and radial back... I would however recommend to stay with the same brand.