FJ Tires

[FJmonkey]

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?

The 17" wheels use lower profile tires and end up with nearly the same diameter, so no changes in RPM vs MPH. Get the right wheels and they just bolt on, easy to do. Then you get a much better supply of rubber and you can upgrade your brakes and forks at the same time. I love my RPM fork valves. If you want a 6th gear consider changing to an 18 tooth front sprocket. The FJ has plenty of grunt so move some of it to the top end if you spend enough time in the higher RPMs.

[weymouth399]

You live a lot closer than that to some REAL smart FJ guys. You should try to use your local contacts, come to the NEFJR and meet some people. This is a very helpfull community.

Bob W

[93fj1200]

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.

Last Saturday, here in Panama, the mechanic and I installed my brand new pre-tuned carbs from Randy at RPM. (beautiful to behold, wanted to put them on the mantle)  Changed the oil and filter, fuel filter, new plugs and wire ends, new rubber on shifter pedal.  Started it, tested it, good to go.  I bought all of the parts and asked the mechanic how much I owe him.  One hour and forty minutes and $15.00 plus $5 tip.  It is nice to get a break once in awhile since shipping costs are very high here in Panama.  The dealers here in Panama are the most useless motorcycle people I have ever had the displeasure to talk to.  Totally unknowledgeable and will only tell you that it will take as much time as it takes.  One guy told me to adjust the valves, he would need need my bike for 2 weeks and I buy everything and he wanted $200 down to start.  I did it myself for the first time in one day, checking, double-checking and triple-checking everything.  There are some real talented mechanics down here in latin america considering they have basically no training at all, but you need to be careful, all it takes to be a mechanic or a carpenter or an electrician is to put a sign up saying you are.

[DoD#663]

but you need to be careful, all it takes to be a mechanic or a carpenter or an electrician is to put a sign up saying you are.

I wouldn't be much of an anarchist if I objected to -that-, but I agree that there has to be attention paid to whose doing the work.

But then, considering the kind of experience I've had with "licensed" shops here in the USA, it's just as much of a crap-shoot.

Oh, BTW, I found a Harley guy across the street from where I work, he's had excellent experience with the D401, so I've contracted with him to do the work. I'll write back about how the D401 feel after I've put a few miles on them.

[FJ Flyer]

K591s came stock on the bike from the factory.  Dunlop replaced the 591 with the GT501. Then I think they rebranded the 591 with the Hardley moniker.   

I used the GT501s for one go around.  They weren't bad.  Didn't last as long at the 591s.  Then I went radial and discovered what its like to ride a real motorcycle.  Once you go radial, you never go back.

[DoD#663]

K591s came stock on the bike from the factory.  Dunlop replaced the 591 with the GT501. Then I think they rebranded the 591 with the Hardley moniker.   

Yes, that's how it looked to me as well.

I used the GT501s for one go around.  They weren't bad.  Didn't last as long at the 591s.  Then I went radial and discovered what its like to ride a real motorcycle.  Once you go radial, you never go back.

The mechanic across the street priced the GT501 and said they were $100 more per tire than the D401.

That wasn't a hard choice.

[zz28zz]

Now that my FJ is back on the road, I'm in desperate need of some new rubber. I currently have a home-made slick on the back and a very tired doughnut up front. Both Dunlaps. I want to eventually get a 17" wheel on the back, but I'm wanting to get some riding in before it gets too cold so that mod is going to have to wait.

I have a 87-88 FZR front wheel (17") up front.

I'd like to try the radials and it appears Avon is the only choice with the 16" rear.

Has anyone ran the Avon's with a 17" wheel up front and a 16" in the rear?

Did you like it?

What sizes did you go with?

[FJmonkey]

Now that my FJ is back on the road, I'm in desperate need of some new rubber. I currently have a home-made slick on the back and a very tired doughnut up front. Both Dunlaps. I want to eventually get a 17" wheel on the back, but I'm wanting to get some riding in before it gets too cold so that mod is going to have to wait.

I have a 87-88 FZR front wheel (17") up front.

I'd like to try the radials and it appears Avon is the only choice with the 16" rear.

Has anyone ran the Avon's with a 17" wheel up front and a 16" in the rear?

Did you like it?

What sizes did you go with?

I did the opposite, ran a 17" wore out Bridgestone radial rear (16" Avon radial front) for the WCR 2011 (wet riding sucks), then went 17" front by the next rally. No issues, if you are worried then keep the tone gentle till you have a feel for the tires. Mixing tires won't toss you off if you ride them to get the feel first. Balls out on untested mixes scares the hell out of me. Ease into new stuff till you have a feel for it.... Worse case is you find the mix is bad and ride like your grandma going to church on Sunday.... Then change your tires ASAP....

[DoD#663]

Ok, a few days in and no problems at all. The D401 feel just fine, although the extra rubber has me feeling like I'm sitting on a much taller bike than before.

That "new tire roundness" also took a moment to get used to, after having that comforting flat back tire for so long. Also, although they're both 16 inch stock wheels, he couldn't find a 120 front, so he put on a 130 front instead. It fits fine, and I can't tell the difference while moving, but maybe that's party of why it feels so much taller.

No slips, no errors, and they're scuffing in nicely. The last set lasted 15 years. I wonder how long these will last? 

[FJmonkey]

Ok, a few days in and no problems at all. The D401 feel just fine, although the extra rubber has me feeling like I'm sitting on a much taller bike than before.

That "new tire roundness" also took a moment to get used to, after having that comforting flat back tire for so long. Also, although they're both 16 inch stock wheels, he couldn't find a 120 front, so he put on a 130 front instead. It fits fine, and I can't tell the difference while moving, but maybe that's party of why it feels so much taller.

No slips, no errors, and they're scuffing in nicely. The last set lasted 15 years. I wonder how long these will last? 

Modern front tires in the 120 width are a little pinched, a 110 would have been better IMO. The stock 120 was said to be narrower by today's standards. I now have a 3.5" wheel and a 120 looks proper. Stay cautious and get a feel for the front. Mopar Man Steve put a 110 on his stock front and it looks less pinched when compaired side by side when I had a 120 on my stock front end.

[jscgdunn]

I had Avon Azros on my 92 1200 and I felt they were great.  There was a noticable difference in handling compared to the 84 with a battleax bias on rear and 17 inch 120 metzler (radial) up front.  The 84 was fine, the 1200 just felt better.   I just picked up a 92ABS with a Michelin Mcadam on the rear.  It say "radial" on it.  I havent verified but I assume the ABS rear is still a 16 inch.  Replacing ABS wheels with Thundercat 17's this winter.

[DoD#663]

Modern front tires in the 120 width are a little pinched, a 110 would have been better IMO. The stock 120 was said to be narrower by today's standards. I now have a 3.5" wheel and a 120 looks proper. Stay cautious and get a feel for the front. Mopar Man Steve put a 110 on his stock front and it looks less pinched when compaired side by side when I had a 120 on my stock front end.

Thank you, I will watch it. I'll also see how it feels a touch under-pressured, to give it a little bit more contact patch.

Seriously, though, I don't ride hard enough to expect any problems. I'm not a canyon carver.

[FJ Flyer]

I had Avon Azros on my 92 1200 and I felt they were great.  There was a noticable difference in handling compared to the 84 with a battleax bias on rear and 17 inch 120 metzler (radial) up front.  The 84 was fine, the 1200 just felt better.   I just picked up a 92ABS with a Michelin Mcadam on the rear.  It say "radial" on it.  I havent verified but I assume the ABS rear is still a 16 inch.  Replacing ABS wheels with Thundercat 17's this winter.

All FJs had the 16" rear wheel.

Michelin doesn't make anything that's not a radial. 

[chocker]

Hi,
Michelin does make bias ply tires. They are the Pilot Activ sport touring bias ply.

Mark

[Bozo]

FYI, I have michlens front (V rated) and rear (H rated) on my J. The front is fantastic, the rear appears to last for ever (I believe they are duel compound) but the rear only worked in the dry after it was half worn, lets put it this way if I didn't ride MX in my younger years I'd be collecting bits of the road six times now. In the future I'll get a V rated tyre (Oz spelling)no matter what type it is.

Mileage means nothing if the bike drops.