FJ Tires

[fj11.5]

changed my own front tyre at home, first time ive tried it in 25 years of riding, easier than i thought it would be 

[DoD#663]

Good morning, I hope all are well on this beautiful fall day. I am in need of tires, after an extended time with the bike in storage. Yes, I know, awful.

Anyway, the last time I got tires was approx. 1998, so I'm not surprised that the rear is wearing out very quickly. I should take a photo of it, very bald, I expect to see wires soon. Maybe before I get home from work.

I've got K591 front and rear, as installed by Greg Spears back in San Jose, CA, whom I would ask again if I thought it wouldn't be seriously impolite. "I know it's been 15 years, but I want something from you now."

Anyway, Dunlop wants me to buy GT501, and several other threads have made other suggestions. I see the K591 is still for sale, and it's certainly predictable, but as someone else wrote in these very forums, "tire technology has advanced in 15 years".

I tend to wear out the middles, so suggestions gladly accepted. The K591 is labeled "Harley", but that seems to be true of all the bias-ply designs. Still, as I said, the center is worn out so maybe the K591 isn't for me.

I may need a new tire before I get home (in fact, anyone with a brain would say so), so if you have something to say say it quick. And thank you for the first post in a new (to me) forum. It's been a long time since rec.motorcycles...

[rktmanfj]

I tend to wear out the middles, so suggestions gladly accepted. The K591 is labeled "Harley", but that seems to be true of all the bias-ply designs. Still, as I said, the center is worn out so maybe the K591 isn't for me....

Hey, that's David's favorite tire!     

There's almost as many opinions on tires as there are on oil.   

Welcome to the forum.   

[FJmonkey]

Welcome to the club, I once rode on K591 when I did my iron butt rides every other week between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Now I ride in the twisty roads of Angels Crest and have switched to stickier sport tires and 17" wheels front and rear. You should be able to find some long lasting tires even with 16" wheels. Much of the tire tech has gone into the 17" but you can find better performance than the K591 tires. Not sure if any newer 16" tires will last you longer though. Others will have more info and should post soon. Now get your self over to the introduction section and say HI to everyone.

[SlowOldGuy]

Hey, that's David's favorite tire!     

Wrong!  Mine was the Dunlop D401 "Harley" tire.

Still a good tire.  Lasted long and held traction as well as anything else I've had on it.

DavidR.

[DoD#663]

Wrong!  Mine was the Dunlop D401 "Harley" tire.

Still a good tire.  Lasted long and held traction as well as anything else I've had on it.

Well, Dunlop's website lists K591, D401, D404 and GT501. So maybe it depends on which can be gotten "here and now". I miss having a mechanic whom I trust for advice.

Surely the GT501 is going to be available, it's the "new" one.

One word on having not had a change of tires since 1998, WOW! The mechanics want a $100 to do two tires? Ouch. Damned Greenspan/Bernanke and their printing press.

[FJmonkey]

One word on having not had a change of tires since 1998, WOW! The mechanics want a $100 to do two tires? Ouch. Damned Greenspan/Bernanke and their printing press.

Is that the price with wheels on or off the bike? I pay $20 per tire off the bike (mount and ballance). I am seriously thinking about changing and ballancing them my self soon.

[Tapartacus]

I've got a question. I'm looking at Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires The site doesn't have the same speed rating for both front and back. Front will be H rated and rear V rated. Can I mix the the different speed ratings. Stock rim sizes.
Andrew

http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire

[FJmonkey]

I've got a question. I'm looking at Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires The site doesn't have the same speed rating for both front and back. Front will be H rated and rear V rated. Can I mix the the different speed ratings. Stock rim sizes.
Andrew

http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire

I don't see why not, just don't exceed the speed of your lowest rated tire.

[rktmanfj]

Hey, that's David's favorite tire!     

Wrong!  Mine was the Dunlop D401 "Harley" tire.

Still a good tire.  Lasted long and held traction as well as anything else I've had on it.

DavidR.

I thought you just bought it because it said 'Harley'.   

I've got a question. I'm looking at Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires The site doesn't have the same speed rating for both front and back. Front will be H rated and rear V rated. Can I mix the the different speed ratings. Stock rim sizes.
Andrew

http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire

FWIW, I hated the two BT45 rear tires I had.

[DoD#663]

Is that the price with wheels on or off the bike?

Wheels on. Trying to find a cheaper mechanic. I should know not to go to the dealers.

[Alf]

I've got a question. I'm looking at Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires The site doesn't have the same speed rating for both front and back. Front will be H rated and rear V rated. Can I mix the the different speed ratings. Stock rim sizes.
Andrew

http://www.bikebandit.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire

FWIW, I hated the two BT45 rear tires I had.
[/quote]

I like a lot my BT 45s fitted in my CBX 750. The feeling and performance are similar to the BT 020s, that I liked a lot, but the 45s only last around 5.000 kms, so with 40 CV and 30 kg more I think those must not last too much in our FJs

[FJmonkey]

Wheels on. Trying to find a cheaper mechanic. I should know not to go to the dealers.

If you have some basic mechanical ability then you will be the most afordable mechanic. Plus you learn enough about your bike you will eventually vow to never let a mechanic touch your FJ ever again. Except maybe Randy at RPM. But I still perfer to do as much of my own work as possible. I can now remove and install the front and rear wheels (changed them both to 17"), replace wheel bearings, service the rear swing arm and related bearings, remove/replace rear shock, rebuild my forks and adjust the valves. Before too long I will rebuilding and syncing the carbs. Last weekend I pulled out the air box to fit UNI filter pods, with rebuilt carbs rejetted for them and slipped on some SupperTrapp AL pipes. Get yourself a manual and do some simple jobs first. Work on it when you can't ride it. Then ride it like you stole it.

[93fj1200]

I have them front and rear, be very, very careful in the wet.
BTW, why are you looking for feedback if you've already bought them?
Noel

I think you just answered your own question... Sometimes we pull the trigger and ask if we made the right choice.... After some miles we get to chose better options.... I need stick in the corners, others want mileage for distance, neither is wrong, we like our FJs for the wide style of riding they give us. 

I think you hit the nail on the head, it is up to your personal preferences and style of driving that will make or break your choice of tires.  Personally, I prefer the big sticky tires when possible but for long trips, a touring tire may serve better.  I went through 2 Harley tires driving from Ensenada, Mexico to Cabo and back and then to Panama....not really a whole lot of kilometers but the roads are not very good either....lot of unavoidable potholes and sub-standard pavement.  There are a lot of variables.

[DoD#663]

If you have some basic mechanical ability then you will be the most afordable mechanic.

One thing prevents me from doing work myself: I have no garage, I have no space for tools.

When I had a garage, I had Greg Spears of SpearsEnterprises.com at my beck and call, and if I lived within 500 miles of him I'd do so again.

(changed them both to 17")

Was there any problem with clearance doing that?

What was your experience with RPM/MPH? I have always disliked that the FJ didn't have a 6th gear. But then, with a speed limit of 55mph, why bother?