Buying tyres

[neats]

Hi, looking to get some tyres for the FXR150. Does anyone know what I need?

Don't know much about motorbike tyres ... what sort of Q's do you ask?

The tyres i have are quiet skinny, can i get fatter ones or ones with more traction etc.

How do I know whether i'm getting better tyres or just an more expensive version of the one i have?.

Input please.

Thanks.

[Ixion]

The most unsquelchable delusion in modern motorcycling. That "fat" tyres are somehow better than skinny ones.So many times I ave written this and still it comes back like a bad dream.

Firstly the skinnier the tyres on a bike the better. That's what gives you sharp precise handling. Why the FXR handles well

Secondly the FXR doesn't have "skinny" tyres. I've looked at 'em. They're damn near as wide as a Manx Norton!

Check your manual for sizes, or look on your existing tyres, it'll be on the sidewalls. Then call up your friendly local bike shop and ask what they can do in those sizes. . I imagine some mother FXR riders will chip in with their experiences of different brands, but with an FXR they're all good.

But whatever you do, stick with the stock sizes.

[Madness]

May I reccomend TSS motorcycles in Alicetown. Their tyre prices are the same as anyone else's in Welly & they are a friendly bunch to deal with. I just put a set of Conti's on this week & want to go out & scrub 'em up (Brrr)

[neats]

Ok. I only wanted "wider" tyres as everyone seems to say that i need them. I don't actual know. I wrote my GN off last week so i haven't actually been very far on the FXR.

[Gremlin]

If you're buying from a bike/bike tyre shop, then use their expertise and experience if you want. Naturally, tyre choice is not quite as dependant as on bigger bikes, but there will still be a choice.

I went into Botany Honda, almost convinced I was going to have pilot powers. I told them what sort of riding I do, what weather (all) etc etc, and then they usually give you a shortlist of your best options. I ended up coming out with z6 instead.

Then its up to you going on cost, features, perhaps profile etc. Or if you didn't like your tyres from before, you get something else...

[Gremlin]

Wider tyres...

they will give better stability, but the cost of that is flickability. Thinner tyres will allow the bike to change direction more easily, while wider ones would hinder that.

I run a 190 rear, which is stock for the bike, but 10mm larger than current sportbikes. Their tyre profile would allow them to lean over further, but because I have such a big surface on the tyre, I would have more tyre touching the road until getting into more extreme lean angles.

At that point, I would be off the edge of my tyres, while they would still have grip.

edit: stock sizing on the fxr should be fine for it, it is a little bike.

[kickingzebra]

Just don't buy IRC tyres, the stock ones. They aren't the stickiest rubber our there, and not superb milage either.

The best tyre i had on my FXR was actually a lower profile than stock, but really sticky (it was actually a front tyre from a sprotsbike.)

That made the already pretty mint handling positively zenlike. Unfortunately, i can't remember the brand.

[Madness]

I think a lot of people her would agree that in respect to tyres, as with just about everything, you gets what you pays for. Should you have options, consider the type of riding you do, the conditions that you ride in and of course, how much moolah you can afford to lay down (literally).

[Zapf]

oh you mean those plastic rubber blow up things? I know you can get them with pattens... :innocent:

[bobsmith]

Give me a yell (PM) if you find a shop with decent tyres for fxr will ya? I've been trying to find a half decent set of tyres for fxr but all the shops around here only have irc tyres.... Good luck!

I heard that pirelli MT75 or dunlop t900s are good and they make sizes for fxr but haven't been able to find any in size (ie in stock) for fxr.

[kevie]

I had to experement a bit with tires for the Virago.
Was recomended a tire shop in Wanganui, the tire was good but only lasted 14,000 km and the second one about 12,000
I was yakking to a Harley guy and he told me to try KING tires as thats what a lot of Harley mates and himself was using.

Last 4 rears have been kings and I seem to be getting about 20,000km out of them. And Im only paying $114 each for the rears and $105 for the fronts, riding in all sorts of weather and im told that 20 thou km is dam good for a Vtwin shaft drive bike

I dont have any tire wear on outsides of tires just lose all the centre tread (think I need to change my riding style :shutup: ... might even keep up with the big boys then eh ):nya:

[Ixion]

Petal has a "King" tyre, can't remember off hand if it's front or rear. I glare at it with immense suspicion , but I must admit so far it hasn't done anything nasty.

[kevie]

Yeh I was a bit suspicious too when I was quoted $114 for a rear..... but so far im pretty happy with them.

[madboy]

I vote to stick with stock tyre sizes, unless someone with knowledge (as opposed to opinion) says you shouldn't. On an FXR you're probably not going to be cranking the thing right over and power sliding out of corners, so I don't think you need to be getting too technical on what tyres you're getting. Get a quality brand at a good price. I second the opinion on TSS, they know their shit. Richard is always good value.

Oh, and is there a story on here about how you managed to write off the GN? Or is that coming??

[slimjim]

:argue: why is it always checking out the bike shops,, has anyone else tried firestone/bridgestone for tires ,, i do on must of my bikes,, get same as in wet or dry, however do get a bloody good price in paying cash,, and then getting bike shop only to balance and fit,,:wari: they don't just do car,bus,truck,tractor tires

[wendigo]

The Fxr is fairly light bike, so hence putting on oversize tyres is a waste of time. In fact it may be detrimental because the tyre wont be worked hard enough to get it up to working temperature.

Third the TSS opinion.

One tyre you might ask them about is a Dunlop GPR 70 or Dunlop GPR 80. Used them on my CBR 400 back in Ireland, which weighs in at 160kg. Yours might be a bit light for them though. The 70 was sport while the 80 was a sport tourer. Really liked the 70. The 80 was exactly the same compound, but with more treads. In Ireland they had a distinct advantage over the Pirelli/Metzler/Bridgestone competition: They were a truckload cheaper. Not sure about over here though. If nothing else it gives you another option to ask about.

My 2c.

Ps. They were really grippy. Or in other words, they didn't last to long...