16 inch tires are getting hard to find!

[fjbiker84]

The first set of tires I put on my bike after getting it running back in 2006 were the Battleax and they performed well.  The tread pattern doesn't look as "sporty" but I never found anything to complain about as far as handling or wear.  Just got my Sport Demons delivered.  Really like the looks of them but still have plenty of life left in my Avons at the moment.

[FJ1100mjk]

I never liked the Battleaxes in the wet, so much so, that I took a set off before they were even close to being worn out. You get better mileage with them though, if you wear them to their limits.

I'm pretty much exclusive with the Sport Demons now. Avon Roadriders are a good tire, but the rear seems to evaporate, compared to the Sport Demons, that themselves, wear quickly, at least on the rear.

To each their own. Ride with what makes you happy.

[balky1]

No one uses Metzeler Lasertecs?

[X-Ray]

I just put a set of Sport Demons on the '94, not gong to do a wheel swap on this bike. So far, they have been good, although I haven't pushed them yet. As long as they are long wearing and provide the grip, I'm happy.

[Alf]

You can still get BT-45 battleaxe in 16"   Are these any good?

Bridgestone changed the carcass construction 4 or 5 years ago and those tyres suffer from odd wear: the front had the edges near disintegrated with only 4.000 kms. and the rear get completely squared at 10.000 in my CBX 750, 50 kg. lighter than any FJ.
Instead of steel belt, another metal compound were used in the new carcass, so the heat don't dissipate all over the tyre and the wear is not consistent, that's the info that a professional specialist tyre friend said to me

Try Dunlop StreetSmats: more rigid feeling and consistent wear in my Honda. Excellent tyres, give stability with a great flickability

[balky1]

You can still get BT-45 battleaxe in 16"   Are these any good?

Bridgestone changed the carcass construction 4 or 5 years ago and those tyres suffer from odd wear: the front had the edges near disintegrated with only 4.000 kms. and the rear get completely squared at 10.000 in my CBX 750, 50 kg. lighter than any FJ.
Instead of steel belt, another metal compound were used in the new carcass, so the heat don't dissipate all over the tyre and the wear is not consistent, that's the info that a professional specialist tyre friend said to me

Try Dunlop StreetSmats: more rigid feeling and consistent wear in my Honda. Excellent tyres, give stability with a great flickability

Yep, I'm running the Battlax. The wear is just like you said. Especially if you ride a lot on highways.

[whyzee79]

Can't find the 3D X-M avon for the front as of yet on Ebay.  Are they being made yet?  I think I will default to a sport demon. I agree with the other member and I will not outride the tire, I just want good grippy wet traction and am not worried about wear as it is a fun bike not a commuter machine. 

[Alf]

.... I think I will default to a sport demon...., I just want good grippy wet traction and am not worried about wear as it is a fun bike not a commuter machine.  

Grippy?... the Pirelli?....  

[Pat Conlon]

Can't find the 3D X-M avon for the front as of yet on Ebay.  Are they being made yet?   

Easy to look up...Here ya go....http://www.avonmoto.com/products/sport-touring/storm-3d-x-m

For the '89+ later model FJ's, sure....early FJ's not yet, probably never. Besides you really want those cool blue spots anyway...

[Old Rider]

I had the Pirelli sport deamons and the bike felt very unstable and felt like the frontwheel was going to loose grip in the corners ecpesally when the tire had wear abit.Did not feel secure with that tire.Also it got a strange cupping on frontwheel.I  mostly used the Metzeler lasertech and to me that tire is the best for fj.
I feel totally secure in high speeds in both wet and dry .

[whyzee79]

Ok, I guess the Pirelli tires suck.   It came with the  metzeler tires but they need replacement.  I see the choices as the avon older road rider, BT-45s or the sport demon that everyone thinks suck.  I probably can wait till this spring and hope the new avon tire comes out in a 120/16.  I'll check on replacement Metzelers.  Not interested in doing a 17 conversion at this time but I think the time is coming if finding tires is going to be a pain in the arse. Whats the blue spots? Nube question I think.  hahaha.

[JOMPPA10]

No one uses Metzeler Lasertecs?

ive use them now, not wery good but cheap they are for sure
as non radials, wont wear, pretty odd riding feel, rear woud make
odd jumps in cornering, always had to be aware in wet conditions.

btv.compound at tire is wery hard..
hope helps.

[Pat Conlon]

Whats the blue spots?

Blue spots are another name we use for the Yamaha monoblock brake calipers used on several Yamaha models, R-1, R-6, FZ-1, etc.

They are superior brakes vs the oem FJ calipers. These blue spots bolt right up to the 1989 and later FJ fork legs, which also uses the 17" front rim.
So....if you put the 1989+ FJ fork legs on your FJ (plug and play) you get both the 17" rim with better selection of tires and you get better brakes...
What's not to love?

Here's my '84 from 12 years ago:
 

[Old Rider]

No one uses Metzeler Lasertecs?

ive use them now, not wery good but cheap they are for sure
as non radials, wont wear, pretty odd riding feel, rear woud make
odd jumps in cornering, always had to be aware in wet conditions.

btv.compound at tire is wery hard..
hope helps.

How do you mean they are cheap ? i have never experienced odd jumps in cornering even at very high speeds, have you checked your suspension setup and tire pressure? Or mayby bendt rear brake disk ?

[aviationfred]

Whats the blue spots? Nube question I think.  hahaha.

There are also Gold dots and Silver dots. Very minor differences with the Blue dots. They will work on the '88 and later Non anti-dive foks.

My 1987 with 1991 forks and Gold dots.

Fred