Which rear tire?

[Redfish Hunter]

I wasn't complaining, I was just giving a gentle nudge in the right direction.

"Yes I know I could have and have searched the place for the answer but" means I am too lazy or I think my time is too important to look at what has already been done.

Good luck on your tire choice.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I like BT023, front and rear. Probably not the most hard wearing, but holds its feel throughout its life. To me that's worth much more than a long life that feels less good as it gets near the end. I like to enjoy my ride all the time.

That's a good point.

I am always looking for more life...but I want a good grippy tire as well.

I am currently happy enough with the PR2s, however, when I was on my Kali trip a couple years ago, 3/4 of the way through the trip, my front tire got the vaguest feeling right in the middle of a great twisty road. (Skaggs Spring Rd). It took some of the fun out of the rest of the twisty miles ( CA 136) getting a completely different, indefinite, feeling in the front tire. I didn't feel like i could charge into that corner where earlier in the trip that was no big deal.

Thanks for the suggestion of the BTs.

BTW, I have no problem with newbs asking repeat questions if they have given the Bin O Facts a look first. If they've atleast given it a looksie...then no problemo. I sometimes miss stuff the first time I look at something too. However, if someone is going to blow off looking for the answers to the most frequestly asked questions in the BIN O Facts...then they ain't tryin too hard on their own are they? I don't know of any Marines that like to be spoon fed...or any other branch of the services. God bless your service...hope you find what you need..

 

[mcatrophy]

I like BT023, front and rear. Probably not the most hard wearing, but holds its feel throughout its life. To me that's worth much more than a long life that feels less good as it gets near the end. I like to enjoy my ride all the time.

...

I am currently happy enough with the PR2s, however, when I was on my Kali trip a couple years ago, 3/4 of the way through the trip, my front tire got the vaguest feeling right in the middle of a great twisty road. (Skaggs Spring Rd). It took some of the fun out of the rest of the twisty miles ( CA 136) getting a completely different, indefinite, feeling in the front tire.

...

Got that feeling with the POS BT021 front after about half its life. In my experience the 023 is a very different animal.

 

[Semper Fi]

I wasn't complaining, I was just giving a gentle nudge in the right direction.
"Yes I know I could have and have searched the place for the answer but" means I am too lazy or I think my time is too important to look at what has already been done.

Good luck on your tire choice.

Well the first thing I want to do is thank all of you that have answered my question, you have all been a great help.

Second, for someone to tell me that I am "lazy" and "think my time is too important" is real Bul Sh>>. If that is the way attitudes are on this webpage, then I will not be back at all. Once again thank you for all of the answers to my, what I thought would be simple to have answered, question. May you all enjoy the fantastic motorcycle, the FJR 1300.

 

[Chuck35]

If that is the way attitudes are on this webpage, then I will not be back at all. Once again thank you for all of the answers to my, what I thought would be simple to have answered, question. May you all enjoy the fantastic motorcycle, the FJR 1300.

Don't take these guys to personally. Just be glad you didn't post this question on a Friday, or ask what the best oil is...

Ride safe!

 

[JamesW]

PR 3's,9000+/-, liked the 2's also. I change tires sooner rather than later, seldom run them way down. FJR seems a little harder on front tires, surprised when the original front 021 was wasted at 4000miles!

 

[escapefjrtist]

I like BT023, front and rear. Probably not the most hard wearing, but holds its feel throughout its life. To me that's worth much more than a long life that feels less good as it gets near the end. I like to enjoy my ride all the time.

My latest favorite as well, 023GTs. Mileage is decent with front at 10.5K and rear at 8.5K...depending on how you ride. My issue with the tires...they beg to be ridden hard!

--G

 

[Bustanut joker]

If that is the way attitudes are on this webpage, then I will not be back at all. Once again thank you for all of the answers to my, what I thought would be simple to have answered, question. May you all enjoy the fantastic motorcycle, the FJR 1300.

Don't take these guys to personally. Just be glad you didn't post this question on a Friday, or ask what the best oil is...

Ride safe!

Yeah don't take offense Semper.. They are all just old Air Force, Army, and Navy Goofs.

Oh I did rather like the Old Avon Azaros Too bad that particular model isn't available anymore.

 

[willboe]

PR3. The B version if you are over 250, and/or you ride two up or lots of baggage. Both tires are 'Load Range' B, and both are 73W, < 'safe' at 805 pounds load at 167+ mph, and they get about the same mileage. The B version has an extra ply in the sidewall, and costs about $33 more. Actually, I just wore out my first B version & am starting on a regular but carrying 43 psi. I drive fairly aggressively, and get about 6K miles from PR2s or PR3s. LOTS of rubber left when the wear strips are worn, middle & sides. At least my hacksaw says so. I am about 1/16 of an inch down, in the center & have seen no steel yet. Compare Metzlers: 'a little worn, a little worn, STEEL all around!'

 

[Semper Fi]

Well so far only one of you have said anything about the Avon tires.I think the one I have is called a V-46, or something like that. I have only had the FJR since around September of last year, so I don't know how how the tires are going to wear on it. After reading all of the post on here, there is only 3 tires I have to chose from. The PR2, PR3, and the 023BT. So which one is better? I ride it almost everyday to work and then everywhere I need to go, sometimes with my wife on the back. I am not the slowest rider but, I am not carving around turns either. We will do plenty of rides with the guys on the Harleys also, they all wish they had a bike like mine Anyway, I am still undecided what tire to get for the rear. Do I just get an Angel to match the front or what?

That is why I asked this question. And yes I did the search and could not get a answer to my question so, I thought I would ask it on here and see what you guys think after having some miles on the tires you have now.

 

[mcatrophy]

Well so far only one of you have said anything about the Avon tires.I think the one I have is called a V-46, or something like that. I have only had the FJR since around September of last year, so I don't know how how the tires are going to wear on it. After reading all of the post on here, there is only 3 tires I have to chose from. The PR2, PR3, and the 023BT. So which one is better? I ride it almost everyday to work and then everywhere I need to go, sometimes with my wife on the back. I am not the slowest rider but, I am not carving around turns either. We will do plenty of rides with the guys on the Harleys also, they all wish they had a bike like mine Anyway, I am still undecided what tire to get for the rear. Do I just get an Angel to match the front or what?
That is why I asked this question. And yes I did the search and could not get a answer to my question so, I thought I would ask it on here and see what you guys think after having some miles on the tires you have now.

There's no need to "match" the Angel.

Apart from that, it's down to personal choice. There is no one "best" tyre, your best bet is to try different ones and see how you like the cost/wear/performance of each.

BT023GT by the way, the GT suits heavier bikes.

 

[pcarnut]

Here's my .02. Tried the PR2s on a Guzzi Norge. Thought something was wrong with the bike the ride was so harsh. Took them off after about 3k miles, only tire I've ever done that, just hated the ride, handling was okay but nothing special. For consistent ride, handling and wear the Avons and Pirellies seem to be a close match, both excellent. I get about 6500 miles out of either on the rear, a little more on the front. Tried Metlzer Z8s last summer for a ride to Banff, they were fantastic the first couple of thousand miles, but once we hit colder wet weather they are not great at all. Just ordered a set of the Angel GTs. Supposed to wear about 15% better so if they handle as good as the old STs then I'll be a happy camper.

Seems to be mostly good feedback on the 023GTs, a few negatives. I've generally not had the best experiences with Bridgestones but might try a set next time. I've thought about a rear PR2 with an Angel front, might be the best of both worlds.

 

[Spud]

I had a set of Avon Storm 2 Ultra's and liked them a lot. Some people have had balance issues with them but mine balanced fine. They are pricy though. However, right now there's a $40 rebate if you buy a front/rear set. Chaparral has the best price I've found for the set. I may order before the promo ends (in May).

 

[Semper Fi]

I have been thinking of just getting another Avon to place on the back of the bike but, I wasn't sure how they would work. I have put about 3000 miles on the bike since I have gotten it. I haven't heard much about a tire named after a perfume. What do you guys think of them?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Avon A45/46 used to be the darling tire of the FJR world...then they started having QC issues with balance.

Many people have already given you the good scoop on a much discussed topic. I would buy a sticky tire that's round...one of the above choices is good.

If you want to put an Avon on your bike just because it had an Avon brand when you bought it, wtf did you ask us for our opinion for?

Buy a tire, use it up....if you don't like that one....choose something else.

 

[Spud]

Go with the Bridgestones. What other company is so cool it actually uses the FJR as its model bike for the gateway webpage for all its motorcycle tires?

https://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/

 

[Fred W]

I'm really liking the 023GT front. The rear, not so much. It went away faster than any of my prior PR2's did and didn't deal with wet conditions quite as well as the Michelin (nor the front 023GT for that matter). That said, I was not a big fan of the front PR2. It has those funky curved sipes that wear into sharks teeth, undoubtedly help the wet performance, and cause the front to vibrate like crazy on dry turns. I've never had any actual front wheel slippage, but I am of the opinion that much of the (limited) negative feelings about PR2's is regarding that front hoop.

I currently have the second half of an old 023GT (complete with normal tread scalloping) on the front with a relatively new PR2 rear. So far this combo feels pretty good to me. The front GT is wearing at a very similar rate as the PR2 did, but with none of the vibro-drama of the Michelin. My opinion could change when the post winter sand clears the roads and I'm willing to lean a tad more, but so far so good.

And FWIW I've hit the edges of the rear PR2 if that helps gauge (though I don't put much credence into chicken strips)

I am not the least bit concerned about buying tires in "matched" pairs or staying with one brand of tires as I have come to realize over the years that this is all a bunch of hooey aimed at getting the poor riding shlubs to change their front tires prematurely. The front tire of any brand is always designed to be stickier than the rear. Haven't found one yet that wasn't so, unless you are trying to run some stupid tires like Metz Marathons or something.

 

[NickBrewer]

Although I do not have them mounted on my FJR (yet), I have been very pleased with the Continental Road Attack 2's on my 2003 Yamaha FZ1. I have a set of the Road Attack 2's with the GT rating ready to be mounted on the FJR once we get rid of our snow and ice.

The Road Attack 2's warm up quickly, offer great traction dry or wet, inspire confidence and seem to wear well.

Worth a look.....

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'm really liking the 023GT front. The rear, not so much. It went away faster than any of my prior PR2's did and didn't deal with wet conditions quite as well as the Michelin (nor the front 023GT for that matter). That said, I was not a big fan of the front PR2. It has those funky curved sipes that wear into sharks teeth, undoubtedly help the wet performance, and cause the front to vibrate like crazy on dry turns. I've never had any actual front wheel slippage, but I am of the opinion that much of the (limited) negative feelings about PR2's is regarding that front hoop.
I currently have the second half of an old 023GT (complete with normal tread scalloping) on the front with a relatively new PR2 rear. So far this combo feels pretty good to me. The front GT is wearing at a very similar rate as the PR2 did, but with none of the vibro-drama of the Michelin. My opinion could change when the post winter sand clears the roads and I'm willing to lean a tad more, but so far so good.

And FWIW I've hit the edges of the rear PR2 if that helps gauge (though I don't put much credence into chicken strips)

...

Thanks for your post. I think I'll try a pair of 023s....then when I see for myself that the rear goes away quickly, I'll probably do the same combo. It's the front PR2 that gets all viby and such. I think the heavy FJR is tough on front tires. I think I am worse on the rear than some because when the goin' is twisty I tend to keep the revs up and use a lot of engine braking.

 

[Fred W]

Thanks for your post. I think I'll try a pair of 023s....then when I see for myself that the rear goes away quickly, I'll probably do the same combo. It's the front PR2 that gets all viby and such. I think the heavy FJR is tough on front tires. I think I am worse on the rear than some because when the goin' is twisty I tend to keep the revs up and use a lot of engine braking.

Heh, heh... Tell me about it Mark.

I do not get these guys wearin' out the middle of their tahrs.