Radial Tires

[chrism40]

I am trying to find radial tires to fit my 86 FJ. Having 16 inch wheels really limits my choices. I am not going to 17 inch rims at this time. It currently has Avon, but the model and size don't appear to be available any more. I see that Avon makes a 130/70 X 16 vs the stock 120/80 X 16. Has anybody tried that tire? I am concerned that the recommended rim width for the 130/70 is 3.5 inches and the stock FJ is 3.25 (?). I have Pirellis on another 86 FJ and they are my plan "B". Any tire recommendations are appreciated.

[FJmonkey]

https://www.denniskirk.com/avon/rear-av66-storm-3d-x-m-150-80zr-16-tire-90000020762.p544543.prd/544543.sku

[Pat Conlon]

I think you will be fine with the 130/70 front. A slightly shorter sidewall, but not drastically smaller.
Mounted on a 1/4" narrower rim width should also not be a problem.

Tire Size Comparison
Specification  Sidewall  Radius  Diameter  Circumference  Revs/Mile  Difference
120/80-16         3.8in  11.8in    23.6in         74.0in        856        0.0%
130/70-16         3.6in  11.6in    23.2in         72.8in        871       -1.7%

I have not tried a 130/70-16 front Avon, but I have tried the 150/80-16 Avon Storm 3D and I was *very* impressed.
I can say that if the Avon 3D radial had been available 14 years ago, I would have never converted my bike over to the 17" rims.
That tire is that good.

Just my opinion.

[rktmanfj]

I am trying to find radial tires to fit my 86 FJ. Having 16 inch wheels really limits my choices. I am not going to 17 inch rims at this time. It currently has Avon, but the model and size don't appear to be available any more. I see that Avon makes a 130/70 X 16 vs the stock 120/80 X 16. Has anybody tried that tire? I am concerned that the recommended rim width for the 130/70 is 3.5 inches and the stock FJ is 3.25 (?). I have Pirellis on another 86 FJ and they are my plan "B". Any tire recommendations are appreciated.

IIRC (and it's been a while), but seems I recall that the 130/70/16 was made for the Honda CBR900RR.

If that's the one, other FJers reported issues with the profile when fitted to an FJ...  YMMV

[4everFJ]

Remember to check speed and load rating if you go for any tyre other than the recommended.

You will only be able to find a 16" radial tyre for the rear wheel. They don't exist in the standard FJ size for the front wheel.

However, you will be fine with bias-ply tyres even for spirited riding. Remember that the FJ was designed as a 146 mph sports bike with bias-ply tyres.

[red]

Chrism40,

AFAIK, there are three major 16" tire brands for the FJ: Avon, Metzler, and Pirelli.  I have nothing to say for Metzlers; the ones I had were old and maybe because of that, they were rather marginal.  Avons are radials, and Pirellis are bias-ply.  I realize that you asked about radials, but I tried a set of Pirelli Sport Demons on my FJ1100.  I am very happy with these tires.  They look fine, and handle very well.  If you do not find the right Avons, you might consider the Pirellis.  I think that you will find the Pirellis last a little longer on the road, and cost a bit less than radials.  With the Pirelli Sport Demons, I no longer see any real need to change my rims to 17" this year.

While you probably won't find this in 16" tires, there is now a GT spec (Michelin calls it 2AT) which combines radial and bias-ply tire technology in the same tire. 
Who'da thunk it?    
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi3x8sq7BaU

I would like to hear back later, if you buy Avons for the FJ, about handling and tire mileage.
Cheers,
Red

[4everFJ]

Chrism40,

AFAIK, there are three major 16" tire brands for the FJ: Avon, Metzler, and Pirelli.  I have nothing to say for Metzlers; the ones I had were old and maybe because of that, they were rather marginal.  Avons are radials, and Pirellis are bias-ply. 

Avon only has one radial 16" tyre for the FJ and that is the STORM 3D X-M which is for the rear wheel. The ones they have for the front wheel - in standard FJ sizes - are bias-ply.

I have always used Avon tyres and have Avons on my FJ (radial rear and bias-ply front). For my riding style, they have superior handling and mileage.

[chrism40]

I am trying to find radial tires to fit my 86 FJ. Having 16 inch wheels really limits my choices. I am not going to 17 inch rims at this time. It currently has Avon, but the model and size don't appear to be available any more. I see that Avon makes a 130/70 X 16 vs the stock 120/80 X 16. Has anybody tried that tire? I am concerned that the recommended rim width for the 130/70 is 3.5 inches and the stock FJ is 3.25 (?). I have Pirellis on another 86 FJ and they are my plan "B". Any tire recommendations are appreciated.

IIRC (and it's been a while), but seems I recall that the 130/70/16 was made for the Honda CBR900RR.

If that's the one, other FJers reported issues with the profile when fitted to an FJ...  YMMV


Thanks, that is the type of information that I was looking for. By profile are you saying that the narrower rim changes the the contact patch to the point of being unhealthy?

[chrism40]

Chrism40,

AFAIK, there are three major 16" tire brands for the FJ: Avon, Metzler, and Pirelli.  I have nothing to say for Metzlers; the ones I had were old and maybe because of that, they were rather marginal.  Avons are radials, and Pirellis are bias-ply. 

Avon only has one radial 16" tyre for the FJ and that is the STORM 3D X-M which is for the rear wheel. The ones they have for the front wheel - in standard FJ sizes - are bias-ply.

I have always used Avon tyres and have Avons on my FJ (radial rear and bias-ply front). For my riding style, they have superior handling and mileage.

Have have radial/bias mix on my 89 FJ. Metzler radial on the front and Metzler bias on the rear. I can definitely feel the difference in the radial gripping better than the bias rear. So, that is why I am interested in your insight in using a rear radial and bias front. Thank you.

[FJmonkey]

Avon still makes a radial for both front and rear in 16".
http://www.revzilla.com/product/avon-av45-st-front-tires

[Flynt]

Avon only has one radial 16" tyre for the FJ and that is the STORM 3D X-M which is for the rear wheel. The ones they have for the front wheel - in standard FJ sizes - are bias-ply.

This appears to be true for Avon now, but you can still find closeout AV45 front tires that are radial.  These used to be the front of the AV45/AV55 F/R setup for 16" radials, but the rear was replaced with the 3D.  Sadly no 16" 3D front yet, but now that the AV45 is dead we may see one (wishful thinking, but there are a bunch of early "sport bikes" out there needing a 16" front radial with some stick).  I bought a few AV45s for inventory just in case...  They're very good tires for the early FJs on stock wheels.

Frank

[Flynt]

Avon still makes a radial for both front and rear in 16".
http://www.revzilla.com/product/avon-av45-st-front-tires

These appear to all be closeout at this point...  Chaparral already had a hard time getting them.  I ordered from Revzila (which clearly indicates Closeout status), so we'll see how that goes.

If you like and want to continue with AV45s, you might want to pick some up now.

Frank

[4everFJ]

Avon still makes a radial for both front and rear in 16".
http://www.revzilla.com/product/avon-av45-st-front-tires

These appear to all be closeout at this point...  Chaparral already had a hard time getting them.  I ordered from Revzila (which clearly indicates Closeout status), so we'll see how that goes.

If you like and want to continue with AV45s, you might want to pick some up now.

Frank

Yeah, Avon hasn't made those for a couple of years, so any on stock at dealers might be quite old?

[Flynt]

Avon still makes a radial for both front and rear in 16".
http://www.revzilla.com/product/avon-av45-st-front-tires

These appear to all be closeout at this point...  Chaparral already had a hard time getting them.  I ordered from Revzila (which clearly indicates Closeout status), so we'll see how that goes.

If you like and want to continue with AV45s, you might want to pick some up now.

Frank

Yeah, Avon hasn't made those for a couple of years, so any on stock at dealers might be quite old?

Could be a few years even, but as long as they haven't been heat cycled I'd still use them.  I recently bought two, one via RPM and the Chaparral sourced one.  The RPM had a CY15 date code, the other was CY14...  still acceptable for me.

I sent Avon a note about a 16" 3D front...  others might do the same and see if we can influence them.

Frank

[rktmanfj]

I am trying to find radial tires to fit my 86 FJ. Having 16 inch wheels really limits my choices. I am not going to 17 inch rims at this time. It currently has Avon, but the model and size don't appear to be available any more. I see that Avon makes a 130/70 X 16 vs the stock 120/80 X 16. Has anybody tried that tire? I am concerned that the recommended rim width for the 130/70 is 3.5 inches and the stock FJ is 3.25 (?). I have Pirellis on another 86 FJ and they are my plan "B". Any tire recommendations are appreciated.

IIRC (and it's been a while), but seems I recall that the 130/70/16 was made for the Honda CBR900RR.

If that's the one, other FJers reported issues with the profile when fitted to an FJ...  YMMV

Thanks, that is the type of information that I was looking for. By profile are you saying that the narrower rim changes the the contact patch to the point of being unhealthy?

That would be my supposition, but I clearly remember that (if that's the one) it definitely was a problem.

If you go HERE, select the Netpath list, and search 'fireblade tire', there's a bunch of stuff I didn't have time to weed through.