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Need front tire help

Started by kustom71, June 03, 2012, 07:44:13 PM

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kustom71

I have an 89fj stock size wheels and it has an old maxxus tire on it that is cracking in the tread grooves so Im thinking its time to replace it(safe than sorry)
Heres what i did Ive read the front and rear should be matched so i look at the rear tire it has a shinko sr777 on it.The previous owner was cheap and put that on.I research and find out its really for a harley.I dont have the money to do both front and rear right now.Can anyone make a suggestion as to what I should do or go with for the front until I can get a rear.Im not a twisties rider i would say im a beginner.I know the rating is also wrong for the rear but for now i have to leave that one alone.
Any help is appreciated
Thanks

Arnie

While many say you should have matching f + r tires, I've never been willing to toss a tire with lots of tread left away.  It is probably more important that both tires are either radial or bias ply so they react similarly, though I have mixed these types in the past too.
I've read some glowing reports for the Shinko tires, you may want to give a matching front Shinko a try.
Otherwise, I'd suggest the Michelin PR3 for best front, but when you need to replace the rear, you won't find a match for that in a 16 inch rear.
I believe that the only radials still available for the rear of the FJ are Shinko and Avon. 
So, those brand radials will probably be your best choice, IMO. 
Others here will likely disagree with me. :-)

BTW from your description, "Im not a twisties rider i would say im a beginner." a harley tire will be ideal except for sustained high speed travel, which you're unlikely to be doing as either a beginner or a NJ resident.

Arnie

FJmonkey

I think the front tire is more important than the rear in safety and handling. Since you are not big into the twisties now, your needs are quite simple. Mixing bias ply and radials is a non issue if you are just commuting and light in the corners. For the best safety you need a front tire that will bite really well when you hit the brakes and keep your speed controlled. You don't need radials to do this but radials tend to have a slightly larger contact patch providing more rubber on the road. If you really are not into the corners then the Harley tires will work well for you and likely last way longer than the sportier tires that Corner Junkies like. Continue your research and find the price you like that matches your performance needs. Others may also chime in to offer their experience with different tires.
The glass is not half full, it was engineered with a 2X safety factor.

'86 Ambulance - Bent frame, cracked case, due for an overhaul
'89 Stormy Blue - Suits my Dark Side

Big_Big_Joe

i have metzler lazertechs for front and rear tires they have awesome tread and warm up quick so they are sticky quicker and i do all type of riding from just commuting to scraping peg and dragging toes
#Stupid Hurts
*1985 FJ 1100
*1985 Honda Big Red atc
*2005 Honda CRF 70

yamaha fj rider

Quote from: kustom71 on June 03, 2012, 07:44:13 PM
I have an 89fj stock size wheels and it has an old maxxus tire on it that is cracking in the tread grooves so Im thinking its time to replace it(safe than sorry)
Heres what i did Ive read the front and rear should be matched so i look at the rear tire it has a shinko sr777 on it.The previous owner was cheap and put that on.I research and find out its really for a harley.I dont have the money to do both front and rear right now.Can anyone make a suggestion as to what I should do or go with for the front until I can get a rear.Im not a twisties rider i would say im a beginner.I know the rating is also wrong for the rear but for now i have to leave that one alone.
Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Front tire #1. Some rear slide most people can handle but front wheel push most can't. Also 70 to 80% of  your breaking is on the front wheel. Buy the front tire you want then replace the rear when you can. Matching tires are the best. I like radials best, think AVON tyres. Pricey but you only have two. If you buy radials buy the set. hope this is helpful.   :unknown:
93 FJ1200
FJ 09
YZ250X I still love 2 strokes
Tenere 700
FJR1300ES

abh

     I have a similiar situation and looked to see what would match a Shinko sr777 rear. The only 17 inch front
I see are 120/90 - 17,  and  140/80 - 17.    If the current front is 120/70 - 17,  will either of these fit
properly ?   Thanks  abh

moparman70

second the motion for the AVONs -- Storms or Storm ULTRA -- you want your front tire to at least a sport-touring compound per the slide out reasons already mentioned in the previous post

If you do go with the AVONs -- and you have the 3inch standard 17 inch wheel I recommend going for the 110-70-17 as it fits better on the 3 in rim.  There are more posts on this if you research.

2.75-3in rim 110  3in-3.5 inch rim 120 is the manufacture recommends so basically the 110 is on the good side of the measurement while the 120 on the lower side and would be squeezed on.

Both will work one will be pinched more

stevecc
     

andyb

Quote from: Arnie on June 03, 2012, 08:44:28 PM

BTW from your description, "Im not a twisties rider i would say im a beginner." a harley tire will be ideal except for sustained high speed travel, which you're unlikely to be doing as either a beginner or a NJ resident.


I'm going to actually argue that one a little.  A newer rider will have less smooth inputs at the controls, and probably could use the extra grip of a more sporting tire, at the expense of tire life.  In particular, I'd look for the softest thing I could get my hands on when cold (obviously a racy tire won't work cold either, but some of the aggressive street ones work very well even when not up to temp yet).

Controlling a motorcycle is a learned ability, but it's damned hard when you don't have enough grip!


yamaha fj rider

I like what andyb posted GOOD ADVISE tires are cheap doctors are not! If you only have two get the best you can! :good2:

Kurt
93 FJ1200
FJ 09
YZ250X I still love 2 strokes
Tenere 700
FJR1300ES