Stock Bridgestones

[Bike Effects]

My only experience with Stones were the OE hoops on my Gixx 1k. Whatta nightmare. They were replaced at 1500 miles. I've NEVER had a tire slide so bad in my 25 years and 300K miles. Ever. Total crap IMHO.
The Feejer (I bought used) came with Pilot Roads on it. They are currently square from commuting, and give me fits in the local twisty bits.

Avons are en route right now.

FWIW, YMMV, Etc.....

Go figure. You had a bad experience with the stones on a Gixxer...my experience with the BT020's on an R1 is nothing but positive. I ran several types of Dunlops, as well as a set of Michellins before settling on the 020's. I'll buy them again.

I do run the Pirelli Strada's on my FJR and are very happy with them.

 

[Gleno]

Go figure. You had a bad experience with the stones on a Gixxer...

Are you talkin' dookie about my Gixxer(s). Izzat what I'm hearing??

Maybe you just need a good pimp-slappin'.

 

[Bike Effects]

Go figure. You had a bad experience with the stones on a Gixxer...

Are you talkin' dookie about my Gixxer(s). Izzat what I'm hearing??

Maybe you just need a good pimp-slappin'.

Dookie?? Whaz'at?

 

[Gleno]

Dookie?? Whaz'at?

Dookie. An oft used, oft abused word.

Example: My FJR handles like dookie, so, Ima order some dookie from your site this week, and then the wife is gonna slap the dookie outtame for killin the CC yet again.

h34r: h34r:

 

[shuswaper]

...here are mine, replaced with Avons. Any guesses on the mileage? :assasin:

Hint...I fixed the rear puncture (with the sticky string type) at 10,000 kms last April.The person who guesses the number within 1,000 kms gets a free pint. :clap:

 

[Bustanut joker]

AH I need a pint bout now, lessay 14379.7 km :lol: :lol: Can ya get it here cold?

 

[Gleno]

I've got no (reasonable) guess as to the mileage of those hoops, BUT, I will say that you're a maniac for runnin' 'em that long. Can you say.......ill-handling and bordering on dangerous??? :bigeyes: :bigeyes:

 

[shuswaper]

I've got no (reasonable) guess as to the mileage of those hoops, BUT, I will say that you're a maniac for runnin' 'em that long. Can you say.......ill-handling and bordering on dangerous???  :bigeyes:  :bigeyes:

...ill handling and bordering on dangerous :haha:

 

[DrEvil777]

I will go one the record both personally and professionally (BTW I'm a surgeon)

The stock 'stones' were crap. Hard, slow to warm,. squirmed and let go at the wrong times alot like dunlops. I know that I will catch flak for this but my opinion is my own. I have been riding since street since 1986. Tires have improved greatly over the years but the fact that major manufacturers still sell new bikes with crap tires is only a testament to two facts.

1) Crashed bikes generate tremendous revenue for repair shops. FYI, about 50% of all motorcycle dealer revenue is from service!

2) Corporate liasons exist and Mother Yamaha is in bed with Bridgestone and Metzler, who currently make tires that shred from the inside!

I have run literally every major brand on one bike or another over the years. I did love the Sportecs from Metzler for my R-1 but they wore out so damn quick.

I have enjoyed the Avons for sport touring on R-1s, FZ-1s and now the FJR. Little cold at first, which makes for a cool spinning tire down the street!. They stick well, wear like iron and I have never had a case of the dreaded "shakes" with them. BTW, I have owned bikes from all the major manufactures, but Yamaha has a special place in my heart. 2nd bike was a 1987 V-Max!

I will admit that the next pair for the FJR will be the Pilot Roads. Gotta try them out.

The stock 'stones' only lasted 2000 of spirited yet reserved riding, they failed to inspire confidence and slipped occasionally. The current Avons have 3700 and show some good wear, maybe another 1000 then they will be very dead.

Opinions are personal and if you don't agree with me, then that's fine. Every rider is different and this is an 'Open" forum. I also own an 05 K1200S which I do love.

Waiting to pay cash for a new FZ-1 in a few months. Wife wants me to make some room in the garage before I get yet another bike. So my Duc is being sold!

There's my 2 cents for the never-ending thread! :bleh:

 

[gr8eyes]

Another option, if grip in the twisties is more important than longevity, is the BT-014. I know several peolpe who really liked the grip they provide but they only lasted 3,000 miles.

Glenn

 

[SMC]

My '05 FJR came with the Stones.

From the sound of things, I'm not as "rad" a rider as some of you, but upon bringing the FJR into the shop for standard maintenance, technician did comment I had the bike over some from the scuff marks on the rear tire.

My reply was it is a sport-touring bike!

Have about 8400 miles on the Stones, and looks like there is still good amount of tread left.

Be interesting to see which comes first, selling the bike before the 'O6 arrives or replacing the tires with Avons.

 

[Coyote]

...here are mine, replaced with Avons. Any guesses on the mileage? :assasin:

My guess is you did all of riding in Florida. Take em somewhere with curves and double that mileage. :haha:

 

[shuswaper]

...here are mine, replaced with Avons. Any guesses on the mileage? :assasin:

My guess is you did all of riding in Florida. Take em somewhere with curves and double that mileage. :haha:

LOL...Coyote...if the cat isn`t already out of the bag, those stones of mine saw just over 20,000 kilometers, many of which were ridden in the mountains of B.C. :assasin:

 

[radman]

Well, thats about the best cupping pic I've seen of the frt. As far as mileage, I would guess you average 41.......

And smc, there's only one rider here as "rad" as me, and that would be........me.

 

[wagman]

12,800 on stock stones.

Anyone else notice the front Avon looks backwards on the wheel?

Wagman

 

[C&C]

9500 plus on the stock Bridgestones so far, rear still looks great (no where near the wear bar), the front has moderate cupping (grrrrrrrrr) but still servicable. Probably going to go to Avon when these finally wear out.

 

[InsaneK9]

Speaking of Avons...

Any particular model that is recommended for FJR?

Is there a good online source for these tires?

Thanks!

 

[SkooterG]

Speaking of Avons...
Any particular model that is recommended for FJR?

Is there a good online source for these tires?

Thanks!

Azarro AV-45(front) and AV-46(rear) Do NOT get the AV-46 "B" spec version.

For online sources, I would go with one of the following:

FJRGoodies.com

Southwest Moto Tire

 

[MrT]

I noticed someone mentioned a Pirelli tire for the FJR. The tire of choice on my last bike became the Pirelli Sport Demon which stuck great, but had to be replaced regularly at just over 3,000 miles, front and back. My experiences with the 'preferred' Metzelers on that German bike led me to switch.

Traction always beats false economy, especially on a tight bend. I'll always lean toward traction tires instead of long wearing tires. From what I've picked up reading through various threads here, the Avons seem to be numero uno with the Mich Pilots running second. Another thread deals with tire pressure, and my conclusion from it and the factory manual is 38F / 42R.

 

[exskibum]

My only experience with Stones were the OE hoops on my Gixx 1k. Whatta nightmare. They were replaced at 1500 miles. I've NEVER had a tire slide so bad in my 25 years and 300K miles. Ever. Total crap IMHO.
The Feejer (I bought used) came with Pilot Roads on it. They are currently square from commuting, and give me fits in the local twisty bits.

Avons are en route right now.

FWIW, YMMV, Etc.....

You know, Gleno, I was thinking something kinda similar re: the Stones (Battlax BT57) that are OEM on my new used '03 XX. (That's a really different impression from what I have with the BT020 OEM skins on the FJR.) At 3000 miles, there is a lot of tread left, esp. compared to the other tires I'm gonna mention here, but as familiar as I am with an XX (owning the '97 version before buying this one), I feel like I can't get completely comfortable with the tires for exactly the same reason: the rear sliding too often under partial power on a curve where my other skins would be rock solid.

By way of comparison, I have the OEM Stone BT020 on the FJR and really like them, though the rear was DEAD at 5000 miles, and the front doesn't look like it's going to last nearly all the way through the second rear, mostly due to a tendency toward cupping. I have a pair of Pilot Roads ready to go as the next set on the FJR.

All three of my bikes have the same rear and front tire sizes. On my '97 XX, I've lways run Michelin Pilot Sports or Powers. Comparing the feel of the Pilots (Sports and Powers) to the Battlax, esp on the rear, the Pilots are far and away more secure, predictable and better gripping, though they sure don't last as long. The BT020 on the FJR compares favorably with the Pilots on the XX, with similar wear life and predictable, confidence inspiring grip. Haven't run Pilot Roads yet, but maybe I'll learn the same lesson as with the Stones -- the stickier short lived tires are the only thing I feel I can trust in twisties with this much rear wheel horsepower. All I know is that the Battlax BT57 on the 138 RWHP Bird is too little grip. Not sure an 020 would be the same. I'm betting your liter Gixxer was making you feel like my '03 Bird makes me feel -- any chance you had the same OEM Stones on that as I have on the '03 XX?