Rear tire width

[bugboy]

I just got an 87 FJ and it needs a new rear tire (the current one is worn and is a red colored Tomahawk).  I'm going to replace the front also as it is the same ugly-ass red!  The bike does have 17" front and rear.  The current rear is a 190 50 17 and there is almost no clearance to the disc brake "stiffener" (sorry my repair manual has not yet arrived).
Going through old posts it sounds like most are running a 160 or 170 on back.  Given that I currently have a 190, I assume that I would be OK with a 180 55 17. I'm open to your suggestions on size and maker/model. 
I'm 160 lbs., seldom ride 2 up, mostly "dicking around town", short day trips and some 0-100 stuff.  I do like corners but I'm 51 and have been "out of the saddle" for a while and am not looking to get to aggressive (given the "riding rust" and the fact that stuffs hurts a lot longer at 51 than it did at 25).
Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[ninjamuder]

180/55-17 will be ok.....you need to check your wheel tho..if its a 5.0" rim, you really need to run a 170/60....a 180 is designed for a 5.5" wheel......

as far as tires go, our"budget tire" at the shop is the motion from continental.....honestly, these tires hold up pretty well!!...bout 7-8k on a newer sportbike, depending on how many smoke-shows people put on!!.....fj is a bit heavier tho, so you might look at the pirelli angel ems.....its a dual compound tire meant for the heavier sport-tourers

[bugboy]

Thanks for the reply.  It is a 5.00 wheel so I'll start shopping for a 170 60 17. 

I'll take a closer look at the Conti Motions.  What I've seen so far is that people are happy with them.  Like I said, I'm not a very aggressive rider and in 35 years (off and on) of riding, I've never tried to put on a smoke show or do wheelies.

[andyb]

^ Not doing wheelies or burnous I understand.  Emergency braking requires a bit of grip as well.

Just sayin.

[SlowOldGuy]

I've got a set of Conti Motions ready for the FZ1 and the '85 FJ.  All the reviews on them are very positive, and they've got to be better than a Dunlop Harley tire.

They were on a pretty good sale as a set.  We'll see if I actually get what I paid for. 

DavidR.

[ninjamuder]

david,.......i think you will like em...really predictable, good feedback from the front, and they hold a line really well.....as far as rain goes, i personally havent rode in the wet with them, but a lot of my regulars at the shop who are running these say they feel really solid up until you get into the "monsoon-from-god" type rain

1 thing that will make a big impact on these tires mileage is pressure.....DO NOT inflate to the max psi unless you have the kitchen sink bolted to the bike!!.....id start out at about 36 in the rear, 34 in the front, and then see how much pressure increase there is when theyre hot, and adjust accordingly...

[Pat Conlon]

1 thing that will make a big impact on these tires mileage is pressure.....DO NOT inflate to the max psi unless you have the kitchen sink bolted to the bike!!.....id start out at about 36 in the rear, 34 in the front, and then see how much pressure increase there is when theyre hot, and adjust accordingly...

Hey Joe, I agree with you 1000% For solo riding, 34/36 are the tire pressures I currently run with my radials.
We know that our manuals call for 36/40 or 42 but those pressures are for bias ply tires. Radial tires run cooler therefore they can run lower pressures.
Lower tire pressures increase the size of the tire's contact patch which is helpful in heavy lateral loading.

Joe, it seems that you and I are alone on this forum, on the subject of running lower tire pressures in radial tires. Everyone else follows the manual.

[Flynt]

Joe, it seems that you and I are alone on this forum, on the subject of running lower tire pressures in radial tires. Everyone else follows the manual.

Not alone Pat...  I'm a 34F/36R guy myself (same on BMW).  A little experimenting will demonstrate the improved feel and stability you get with lower pressures (within reason).  The balance is strange/excessive wear and heat on the tires, but the advantages of lower pressure drive me to compromise on absolute lifetime of tires.

Frank

[Mark Olson]

Joe, it seems that you and I are alone on this forum, on the subject of running lower tire pressures in radial tires. Everyone else follows the manual.

Not alone Pat...  I'm a 34F/36R guy myself (same on BMW).  A little experimenting will demonstrate the improved feel and stability you get with lower pressures (within reason).  The balance is strange/excessive wear and heat on the tires, but the advantages of lower pressure drive me to compromise on absolute lifetime of tires.

Frank

whoa there . I mess around with my tire psi all the time depending on what kind of riding I am doing . It seems a lot of us do .  I was out riding with ol George B. last weekend and he was adjusting the psi in his radial tires on 17" fzr wheels. there was a 4psi increase after a spirited run just from the heat.

[bugboy]

I went ahead and ordered a set of the Conti Motions.  Seems like most folks have been happy with them.  Thanks for the help.

[JMR]

1 thing that will make a big impact on these tires mileage is pressure.....DO NOT inflate to the max psi unless you have the kitchen sink bolted to the bike!!.....id start out at about 36 in the rear, 34 in the front, and then see how much pressure increase there is when theyre hot, and adjust accordingly...

Hey Joe, I agree with you 1000% For solo riding, 34/36 are the tire pressures I currently run with my radials.
We know that our manuals call for 36/40 or 42 but those pressures are for bias ply tires. Radial tires run cooler therefore they can run lower pressures.
Lower tire pressures increase the size of the tire's contact patch which is helpful in heavy lateral loading.

Joe, it seems that you and I are alone on this forum, on the subject of running lower tire pressures in radial tires. Everyone else follows the manual.

Those lower pressures are what I use. Now there are 3 of us.

[srutherford]

i went with a dunlop gt 501 150/80/16 rear and 120/80/16 on my 86 1200. i run 36-40 psi in east TN. so far i cant complain. they are a bias ply tho yet have a nice modern look and cost friendly i like them. only have say 1500 miles on them so far

[craigo]

Joe, it seems that you and I are alone on this forum, on the subject of running lower tire pressures in radial tires. Everyone else follows the manual.

Not true Pat,

I run 34/36psi on my radials.  Rear is still in great shape after 4k (Dunlop Roadsmart) but the front is almost worn out. Just the sides on the softer compound, not the center hard compound section.

So I am in the market for a good all around front that's not going to wear out so fast. Glad to hear that Conti has made something that might work.

David, keep us posted on how those Conti's work for you.

Regards,

CraigO 

[The General]

+1. I too run 34/36 on my 93 FJ1 with Dunlop Roadsmarts and I expect a little cupping early. Run 37/39 on my 93 FJ2 with Pirelli Sport Demon and so far surprised at their handling and do expect them to last longer. I found the Roadsmarts to be confidence inspiring and unbelievable on poorly surfaced bitumen, especially with drive out of corners. (Wheels are stock of course) Note: The "unbelievable" comment was from a 600R trying to keep up. (had her loaded with camping gear at the time!!- )

[srutherford]

I luv wen a little 600 wants to play . The old fj just gives him some of that isn't enough It hits even harder lol