This is 100% correct. Also the bead could be a little stiffer than most from the manufacturing process which happens occasionally. I run across this more when mounting cruiser tires since the side walls are so much stiffer. I keep a large tube on hand that I put around the outside of the tire and give it a little air when I can't get them to seat. This forces the pressure to go more directly to the sides which seats the bead pretty quickly every time.
Yes, that's how you do it. The trick is to get the bead of the tire as close as possible to the bead of the rim, then put air in as quickly as possible.
Contrary to what some may believe, sport bike tires are fair game on the FJR, just don't expect to get as many miles as you would a sport touring tire. However, if performance is more important to you, you may want to consider it. I am currently running Pilot Power's front and rear and I ride the FJR almost exclusively 2-up. The feel, grip and the quick turn in of the PP's is phenomenal.
My PR2 lasted longer than my set of PR3s, and the shop indicated that is what should be expected. The extra grooves are supposed to allow for better rain traction, but at the cost of longevity. With so little rain in SoCal, I went back to PR2s for a higher mileage tire
Skoots right. I ran a set of the pilot powers once. They mounted up just fine by the dealer.
racer,
Hi, Wheaty! I wish I did. My buddy and I rode on the track and took turns taking pictures of each other, however, the pictures of me didn't turn out very good since I was going so fast.
We were all staged on pit row and this wasn't best place to get pictures. I did get a nice picture of my FJR in victory lane however. This was a charity ride and was five bucks a lap. We went out on the track in groups of five behind a pace car and told not to pass. We got to the track early and it had been raining. The large gate was opened down on to the track and no one was there except for a guy sitting on chair by the gate. I pulled up and asked him what was going on and he said we'd better get out on the track before the pace car got there. So off we went. Road about 25 laps and pulled off to go get some breakfast. We were laughing so hard at McDonalds, we could barely order. People there couldn't figure out what was going on. A couple old farts acting like little kids. It was so much fun. After breakfast we rode back over to the track and the officials were there and about a hundred other riders. We decided we had better keep our mouths shut on what we did. The track was still wet and the pace car driver said we would have wait until it dried out because it is REALLY SLICK WHEN WET! Hell, there plenty of traction out there, but I hadn't gotten the hang of track yet. The high banks are really tricky. Your on a 30 degree bank and leaning over even more, and you still feel like the bike is going to drift up the track. I really wasn't able to get up to speed until I down shifted to fourth gear and just nailed it coming off the banking. The last lap, I came down off the banking too soon and bottomed both front and rear suspension units and I have had the GP Suspension upgrade! Hurt my back too. I guess Bristol does car charity laps all the time, however this was the first time for bikes. It was a real hoot. Ted and I still laugh when ever we are reminded of this.
