enduro or on off road tires

[beanbagsj]

I am daring to put some dot approved on / off road tires on my 1986 fj1200 has anyone out there every tried this? I need some input before trial and error. I just want to ride down some dirt roads. Obviously not the best use of fj 1200.

[T Legg]

I've never put knobbys on my fj but I live off a fairly rough dirt road and ride a mile or two every day back and forth.The fj handles fine with pirelli sport demons at the speeds I'm willing to drive on a dirt road I prefer to have the traction on the paved road.The biggest problem is bottoming out your suspension.On the dirt the front brake should be used gingerly and sparingly.

[Millietant]

I doubt you'll be able to get 16" off road tyres appropriate for your FJ, bit if you do, be wary of using them "at speed" on the roads. Off-roads tyres will have a maximum speed rating well below what your FJ can achieve and even if you don't ride at those speeds, if you have an accident on the road and your bike is inspected, maybe your insurance company could use them as a reason to invalidate your coverage.

Over here in the UK, it would certainly invalidate your insurance cover and if they found out, your insurer would leave you high and dry and you'd likely be prosecuted by the Police for riding without insurance (fine and penalty points on your licence), even though you've paid for it and have a policy in place - simply because you didn't declare to your insurer that you weren't using tyres of the correct type and speed rating appropriate to the design of your bike, that would invalidate your policy.

If you do tell them you're going to use tyres that are not approved (even though they may be "DOT LEGAL") for the speed rating of your bike, you likely won't get insurance cover anyway as their risk assessment would prevent them from accepting your changes/modifications.

[Pat Conlon]

Let us know what you decide. Take some pictures for us.
The only FJ's I've seen with dirt tires were hill climbers with paddle tires.

[Tuned forks]

Let us know what you decide. Take some pictures for us.
The only FJ's I've seen with dirt tires were hill climbers with paddle tires.

Seriously Pat?  You've seen paddle tire hill climbers based upon a FJ?  Just the engine or the whole machine?

Joe

[Pat Conlon]

Both, a FJ engine in a dirt bike frame, and FJ engine in a FJ perimeter frame.
Of course, by today's standards they are considered old school.

Let me try and find some pictures for you....



Oops, grandkids just showed up....Papa's gotta go....later gator.

[RPM - Robert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bSd4vXUdhA

[ryanschoebel]

Impressive climb!

[Tuned forks]

Would it be the FJ engine's torque that makes it a hillclimb engine?

Joe

[ryanschoebel]

Would it be the FJ engine's torque that makes it a hillclimb engine?

Joe

I dont know the exacts, but that would make sense to me. Same concept as shifting to a lower gear to help climb a hill, the amount of torque available with an FJ would make it great for climbing. I know I've taken some ridiculous grades (like the switchbacks coming out of the Tonto Natural Bridge here in AZ), and never had an issue wishing it had more power to climb.

[PaulG]

I doubt you'll be able to get 16" off road tyres appropriate for your FJ, bit if you do, be wary of using them "at speed" on the roads. Off-roads tyres will have a maximum speed rating well below what your FJ can achieve....

I did a quick check of an online supplier I use and the quick answer is you won't find the size you need.  Of the 11 brands they sell none come in 16". Rears are 17"-19", while fronts are 17"-21".

When you say "dirt" roads I'm assuming you mean rural gravel roads.  I do this without worries many times.  The FJ's weight keeps it planted. You just have to be careful with the turns so the front end doesn't wash out.

Once Noel resurfaces he'd be the one to ask, from his experience with his many Outback adventures.

[scotiafj]

You can get dualsport tyres in 17'' sizes Im running a metzler tourance on the back of my 3xw this is the 2nd one Ive had on it grips great ,I might add thats why I swapped the rear 16'' to a 17'' wheel for better choices of tyres also has a pirelli scorpion trail front tyre fitted in the pic

[Millietant]

I did the same and swapped my rear wheel to a 17" for the availability of better tyres.

I just guess Scotia, that we have a different interpretation of what constitutes "better" 

[scotiafj]

I did the same and swapped my rear wheel to a 17" for the availability of better tyres.

I just guess Scotia, that we have a different interpretation of what constitutes "better" 

Ok a wider choice of tyres then ...

[PaulG]

You can get dualsport tyres in 17'' sizes Im running a metzler tourance on the back of my 3xw this is the 2nd one Ive had on it grips great ,I might add thats why I swapped the rear 16'' to a 17'' wheel for better choices of tyres also has a pirelli scorpion trail front tyre fitted in the pic

Now that's authentic!     Only thing missing is a Jerry can and a Tommy Gun with holster.  Looks like it's right out of Metalstorm in 3D.  Truly a best-of-worst classic