new tire, 160 , but i had a 170 before

[miller]

I just bought this bike used (An 87) and never really worried about tire sizes, but my fizzer has the chain guard removed and a 170 rear tire, Dunlop Sportmax 170/60z18 the tread is like new, but the bike sat and the tire is cracking from sitting I guess. Or maybe its the RAW power I have a receipt from the tire from the second owner, and it was put on the bike in 99 The stock size was a 160 though, the last owner went up a size..


Anyway, I bought a new tire on ebay last night..Any thoughts? was it a good deal?.. also keep im mind I am new to FZR's and really just commuting and cruising around with the occasional speed burst, never wheeli-ing and not getting crazy.. So this is fine to go back to the stock size right? And was this a good deal? I have a small local shop who will mount and balance for cheap.. Her was the snag:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0244053242

[Luke-a-Tron]

You should really check the age of the tire when you get it but it's got to be better than what you've got. As long as it's not ancient and rock hard, it looks like a sweet deal.

[miller]

Thanks, Also I have gleaned that they do not make this tire anymore...and the tread pattern is way different than the sportmax on my bike now. My current tire has a lot of small cracks inside the tread groove , nowhere else, is this normal?

I thought the close-up shot of the tread looked great and since it was a from a tire place i figured it was stored in a good environment, at least out of the sun and milder temps... thanks

[csofos]

You said your bike is an '87. As far as i know, '87s have rear rim 4.00X18 which makes the original tire size 140/60/18. Unless your rear rim been changed into 4.50X17, i don't think 160 or 170 will be the right sizes. You better check out and make sure the dimensions you must have.

[miller]

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/ ... 000_87.htm

this is the bike...
and Im pretty sure its the stocker, this thing has 23,000 original miles and not al lot of upgrades to the chassis
i guess motorcyclespecs.com may not be the most correct or definitive source, but the rim i have says: j 18mt 4.50

could it be that you have me confused with a 600 owner? Dont short me on cc's ! I paid for 1000cc braggin rights! j/k

[csofos]

Ooops...sorry man. I thought you had the 400cc, not the 1000cc . And yes the motorcyclespecs isn't the best for correct infos, but at least for your rims and tire sizes those it says are the correct ones.

[miller]

yeah..my owners manual is what I went by... 160/60/vr/18 v270 or 160/60/zr/18

no problem dude..

[haunter]

I had a 160 on my old 88....

as long as its not hardened it should be alright

[miller]

ANy thoughts on the small cracks inside the tire grooves? Normal for an old tires, the sidewalls are perfect and look safe..

[haunter]

not sure about that one but Ive been known to ride on really unsafe tires

[Luke-a-Tron]

The cracks are signs of dry rot. Not a good tire to be riding on. For one thing it's way harder than it used to be. You also have to start worrying about it chunking out or the carcass separating.

[miller]

yeah..not good..ill guess ill just have to keep it under 120 mph till i get the new one on

[95FZR600]

Its a good price for sure. I picked up a 150 tire brand new on a rim for $50. It just depends on whats selling on ebay.

[chefen2006]

Be carefull whit old tyres. If it has small cracks then I would not use it. It is a sign that the tyre is very dry and not as flexible as it should be. When this happens a lot of the grip is lost. Pay a bit more and get some good tyres.

[PIMPMYFZR]

I've read this post and still .. Do you have 18 rim 4.5 isn't that a fzr6 rim ?