Radial Tires

[chrism40]

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

Thanks I had not seen that option. Hopefully when the supply of the old AV45 is exhausted they will make some 3D front tires. Still shopping.

[TexasDave]

Just ordered a new front from revzilla for $90 on closeout. Thanks for the heads up Frank.   Dave

[moparman70]

I am guessing the 120-60-16 they show in the pull down box is wrong and its really 120-80-16 ---- as the 60 would be to much width.

steve

EDIT --- never mind -- I see that it says "80"   my eyes are getting worser and worser ( and yes Worser is a word ..... wrong but its a word)

[Pat Conlon]

I am guessing the 120-60-16 they show in the pull down box is wrong and its really 120-80-16 ---- as the 60 would be to much width.....

Hey myopic home boy, the 120 is the width.....the 80 is the sidewall height.

[balky1]

There is also Bridgestone Battlax BT45, at least in Europe.
I have my second set on now. Fantastic handling, but they suffer I think from being too soft. Rear one gets a flat spot pretty fast if you ride it on highway a lot, but I must say I didn't feel any influence of it in corners. I got some 12000 kilometers on the rear. Front pretty much like new.
As for Metzeler, a friend of mine uses only Lasertecs on his FJ1100, on which he, by the way, got 1 300 000 KILOMETERS! I have heard from others that Bridgestones give much better feel.
For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe. 

Ivan

[4everFJ]

For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe. 

Ivan

Meaahh...., AVON is a UK company..... Having made tyres for more than 100 years, I am sure there are a few around in Europe... 

At least I have them..., but maybe I am the only one in Europe... 

[balky1]

For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe. 

Ivan

Meaahh...., AVON is a UK company..... Having made tyres for more than 100 years, I am sure there are a few around in Europe... 

At least I have them..., but maybe I am the only one in Europe... 

Well it was somewhat of a sarcasm me saying that, but I haven't seen them in a long time on a motorcycle.
Since UK is leaving EU, I bet even less people will have them when the prices go up. 

[chrism40]

There is also Bridgestone Battlax BT45, at least in Europe.
I have my second set on now. Fantastic handling, but they suffer I think from being too soft. Rear one gets a flat spot pretty fast if you ride it on highway a lot, but I must say I didn't feel any influence of it in corners. I got some 12000 kilometers on the rear. Front pretty much like new.
As for Metzeler, a friend of mine uses only Lasertecs on his FJ1100, on which he, by the way, got 1 300 000 KILOMETERS! I have heard from others that Bridgestones give much better feel.
For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe.  

Ivan

I saw some good reports from Europe about the Battlax and decided to try a set. I am looking for good grip and feel. I spread my riding over 3 FJs + a Honda 750 so none get ridden excessively. The tires will probably age out before they wear out. Hopefully radials will become available again in the future.

[balky1]

There is also Bridgestone Battlax BT45, at least in Europe.
I have my second set on now. Fantastic handling, but they suffer I think from being too soft. Rear one gets a flat spot pretty fast if you ride it on highway a lot, but I must say I didn't feel any influence of it in corners. I got some 12000 kilometers on the rear. Front pretty much like new.
As for Metzeler, a friend of mine uses only Lasertecs on his FJ1100, on which he, by the way, got 1 300 000 KILOMETERS! I have heard from others that Bridgestones give much better feel.
For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe.  

Ivan

I saw some good reports from Europe about the Battlax and decided to try a set. I am looking for good grip and feel. I spread my riding over 3 FJs + a Honda 750 so none get ridden excessively. The tires will probably age out before they wear out. Hopefully radials will become available again in the future.

Like I said, they really give you a nice feel, but I noticed some strange cracks on both of my rears I had. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures. Without any effect on the handling, though.

[chrism40]

There is also Bridgestone Battlax BT45, at least in Europe.
I have my second set on now. Fantastic handling, but they suffer I think from being too soft. Rear one gets a flat spot pretty fast if you ride it on highway a lot, but I must say I didn't feel any influence of it in corners. I got some 12000 kilometers on the rear. Front pretty much like new.
As for Metzeler, a friend of mine uses only Lasertecs on his FJ1100, on which he, by the way, got 1 300 000 KILOMETERS! I have heard from others that Bridgestones give much better feel.
For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe.  

Ivan

I saw some good reports from Europe about the Battlax and decided to try a set. I am looking for good grip and feel. I spread my riding over 3 FJs + a Honda 750 so none get ridden excessively. The tires will probably age out before they wear out. Hopefully radials will become available again in the future.

Like I said, they really give you a nice feel, but I noticed some strange cracks on both of my rears I had. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures. Without any effect on the handling, though.

The new Battlax tires on the bike do feel good. They feel gripper than the Pirellis that I have on another 86 FJ. I have not been able to try them on twisty roads yet. Not many twisties here in Florida. I will keep an eye out on tread cracks and splits. A friend tried Avons on his 84 Honda and he had tread splits on the front tire, got it replaced, happened again, got it replaced. So I guess that can happen on just about any tire.

[FJmonkey]

When cracks appear in what should be a new tire, check the date code. In fact, always check the date code when putting on new tires. You might find some shop is selling you an old tire that has been sitting on the shelf. Or was given an old tire from the supplier. 

[balky1]

There is also Bridgestone Battlax BT45, at least in Europe.
I have my second set on now. Fantastic handling, but they suffer I think from being too soft. Rear one gets a flat spot pretty fast if you ride it on highway a lot, but I must say I didn't feel any influence of it in corners. I got some 12000 kilometers on the rear. Front pretty much like new.
As for Metzeler, a friend of mine uses only Lasertecs on his FJ1100, on which he, by the way, got 1 300 000 KILOMETERS! I have heard from others that Bridgestones give much better feel.
For Avons I have no idea. Simply no one uses Avons in Europe.  

Ivan

I saw some good reports from Europe about the Battlax and decided to try a set. I am looking for good grip and feel. I spread my riding over 3 FJs + a Honda 750 so none get ridden excessively. The tires will probably age out before they wear out. Hopefully radials will become available again in the future.

Like I said, they really give you a nice feel, but I noticed some strange cracks on both of my rears I had. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures. Without any effect on the handling, though.

The new Battlax tires on the bike do feel good. They feel gripper than the Pirellis that I have on another 86 FJ. I have not been able to try them on twisty roads yet. Not many twisties here in Florida. I will keep an eye out on tread cracks and splits. A friend tried Avons on his 84 Honda and he had tread splits on the front tire, got it replaced, happened again, got it replaced. So I guess that can happen on just about any tire.

I think you'll enjoy them.  

[Neoday2]

Might be a little late here and I have stock rims on my 89.

I put Avon Storm 3-D XM tires on my bike this spring.  I was also only looking at Radials. 

I haven't taken a thread depth gauge to the tires but they look about 40-50% gone after almost 7,000 miles so far this year.

Of those miles, in one trip I covered 6,500 miles were in snow, rain, hail, sun, 100+ degree heat in AZ... basically all conditions with an extra 50 or so pounds of gear on the back of the bike.

Even about 25+ miles of gravel roads.

overall, they have been good.  I don't have any issues- partly because these are my first new set of motorcycle tires I have ever purchased.  But with their longevity and how well they have handled so far, I would not hesitate to buy them again.