tire suggestions?

[rktmanfj]

Any big differences between Bridgestone Battlax BT-023-GT 120/70ZR-17 and the Avon Storm 2 Ultra Sport 120/70R17 Front Tire?
Besides the Storm is $20 more at http://www.jpcycles.com/ Battle Ax $115, Storm $139.

These were the best prices I could find, and seem pretty good to me. Though what I was really looking for was a super sticky race tire that lasts about 50,000 miles for under a hundred bucks...

For my own money, it's well worth $20.   

I had 2 BT-45a and hated them. Loved the Avons, though.

[1tinindian]

  Though what I was really looking for was a super sticky race tire that lasts about 50,000 miles for under a hundred bucks...

That's a joke...Right?

Leon

[FJ MCC VII]

Thanks for the wisdom. I went ahead and ordered the Avon for $147, just to get back on the road. The tires were beyond wasted when I bought the bike, so it was a safety issue, with financial considerations thrown in. I'm going to get the 17 wheel as soon as I wear out this next set. Should be around the end of the year. My upgrade plan is back tire, front tire, seat, windscreen, new wheel, new exhaust, custom paint job.

Yeah, I'm gonna have my best friend (the one I gave my first 1100 to) who is a professional artist, paint my bike. There are few FJ's I've ever seen whose looks were improved by putting custom paint over the stock job, but it can be done. And having lived in Minneapolis, I just can't have a purple motorcycle. Somebody might think I was The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, and run me off the road. I'm not dissing the '93 with the purple paint, I just really like white.

My plan is to do a negative of the '89 white/silver scheme, with silver on top and bottom and white in the middle. Black stripes instead of red. I think it will look pretty cool. Then I'm going to have my artist friend paint Pablo Picasso's Don Quixote (minus Sancho Panza) on the air scoops. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote_%28Picasso%29. If my bro ever gets another FJ, he can paint Sancho on his. Then all I'll need is a vanity plate: RCNANT, and I'll be ready to tilt at windmills with one wheel in the air. Probably the front wheel, since I've got ABS, which makes the reverse wheelies pretty difficult. And speaking of ABS, I think I'm gonna keep it hooked up.

[andyb]

Any big differences between Bridgestone Battlax BT-023-GT 120/70ZR-17 and the Avon Storm 2 Ultra Sport 120/70R17 Front Tire?
Besides the Storm is $20 more at http://www.jpcycles.com/ Battle Ax $115, Storm $139.

These were the best prices I could find, and seem pretty good to me. Though what I was really looking for was a super sticky race tire that lasts about 50,000 miles for under a hundred bucks...

For my own money, it's well worth $20.   

I had 2 BT-45a and hated them. Loved the Avons, though.

The BT023GT is a good tire.  The BT45 is not. 

I too am looking for a super sticky tire that lasts for 50k and I'd even be willing to pay $200 for one.   

[red]

Yeah, I'm gonna have my best friend (the one I gave my first 1100 to) who is a professional artist, paint my bike.  My plan is to do a negative of the '89 white/silver scheme, with silver on top and bottom and white in the middle. Black stripes instead of red. I think it will look pretty cool.

FJ MCC VII,

Just had to check out your new color scheme, there.  Silver does not photograph well, but quick-n-dirty . . .
.



Cheers,
Red

[Pat Conlon]

....Though what I was really looking for was a super sticky race tire that lasts about 50,000 miles for under a hundred bucks...

I too am looking for a super sticky tire that lasts for 50k and I'd even be willing to pay $200 for one.   

Heck..I'd like a sticky gumball that lasts 25k and I'll pay $300 for one...

[rktmanfj]

Yeah, I'm gonna have my best friend (the one I gave my first 1100 to) who is a professional artist, paint my bike.  My plan is to do a negative of the '89 white/silver scheme, with silver on top and bottom and white in the middle. Black stripes instead of red. I think it will look pretty cool.

FJ MCC VII,

Just had to check out your new color scheme, there.  Silver does not photograph well, but quick-n-dirty . . .


Cheers,
Red

Looks like a negative of tRoy's '86:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=203

[jscgdunn]

I have these:

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/bt57.html

on my '92...seem really good but I do not think they will last 10KKms (YZF 600 Wheels) .  On stock wheels on the other 92, we got about 7500 KMs out of a set of Avons.  Front is still ok but back is right down.


Jeff

[FJ MCC VII]

Red, Thanks for the comment and interesting pics. Food for thought. Maybe all white, with black accents, like my previous custom paint job...

Jeff, I looked at the Battleax too, but will probably go with the Avon for the front as well. You eat those up in 7,500 klicks? That's about 4,500 miles or so, right? I usually try to get a year or around 8,000 miles out of a set of tires, but I probably don't ride as hard as you do. But I'll bet you get your money's worth of fun out of your tires! Ride on, Brother!

I am also going ahead and ordering the spin on oil filter adapter from RPM, put it on next oil change in about another 1,00 miles.

I am really stoked to be a part of this forum. Everybody seems really cool, and I'm getting a real education from reading the archives. I'm gonna have to pitch in a few bucks to the site. Thanks to everyone.

[oldktmdude]

Heck..I'd like a sticky gumball that lasts 25k and I'll pay $300 for one...

I'm happy to get 8,000km's out of a sticky one and we ALREADY have to pay $300 for it
.

[FJ MCC VII]

Actually, I really AM looking for a sticky race tire that lasts 50K miles and costs $100.  Been looking since 1990. Still haven't found it, but I'm still looking. Also looking for a 25 year old millionaire supermodel nymphomaniac with a fetish for old men. (Who likes FJ's, of course.)  Still looking in that department too, but I'm still looking!

[craigo]

Ain't gonna happen. There is no such beast that fits on a bike that'll get you that kinda mileage and be sticky too. Forget about that kinda mileage altogether....

But I still love it when I get new tires and clean up her rear wheel hub. Can't wait to start shredding these babies up!!! New Conti Motions 120/70-17 on the front and a 180/55-17 on the rear. They shipped the wrong front as I ordered a 120/60-17. But I mounted it anyway...



CraigO

[FJmonkey]

But I still love it when I get new tires
CraigO

I just pulled the old rubber off the rear today and mounted a new one, no dealer or mechanic. Cut the old one off and with some cable tiles and soap slipped the new one on. I need to check the miles as I don't need to swap out the front yet. Too many miles on the slab to square off the rear. The Motions held up well with minor cupping on the rear, I like these tires. Way better wear that my old 16" Avons and they feel planted. Thanks Craig for the suggestion on these gems ($185 a set delivered).   

[craigo]

I got mine @ Americanmotorcycletire.com.  I paid $165 for the pair (roughly) and paid Vey's to mount them. $35 for both.

Yeah, I love these tires, especially at these prices. 

Here's the front:

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4847

And the rear:

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33_108_869&products_id=4851

Can't wait to take 2 brand new tires out. Can't remember the last time that happened... 
Bike at 42,790 miles. I expect to see over 4000 miles on this set, the way I ride.

May you have the best ride of your life every time you throw a leg over your FJ. 

CraigO

[FJ MCC VII]

FJmonkey, you DO inspire me, along with the whose ever signature it is that says "I am my own service department." Truly inspirational! Still, I'm pretty superstitious about not having a "professional" work on my bike. On the other hand, I know I can cook a better steak at home than I can get at any restaurant in town. Probably the same with wrenching on bikes, with the major difference that if I screw up cooking a steak, I have to chew more beef, but if I screw up on my FJ, I might have to end up chewing more street.

Craigo, thanks for the link. The rear Avon is already paid for and on its way, but the front is still open for consideration. That picture of your new tire actually made me salivate. I know what ya mean by "FJ porn".