FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

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squish
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FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#1 Post by squish » Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:25 am

I'm running the FZ swingarm conversion with an FZR wheel. My current tire, Bridgestone Battlax BT014R in size 150/60ZR18 is not made anymore... and I've got a slow leak. Searches for other brands have been coming up very sparse in that size as well.

Any suggestions?

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Off Road
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#2 Post by Off Road » Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:35 am

The BT014 was discontinued and replaced with the BT016.

I've been running the 150/70ZR18, BT016 on my FZR400 rim, and it's awesome.

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... bt016.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Unfortunately, NONE of the Canadian Parts Suppliers are selling it anymore.
I don't know if they just stopped bringing it in, or if it is still being manufactured or not.

I've also been looking for a replacement and so far I've only found a couple of options.

The Metzeler Z8. But, it a Sport Touring tire, and I want a Sport tire.

The Bridgestone Battlax T30. But again it's a sport touring tire.

The Bridgestone BT45. But I really don't want to go back to Bias tires, I like the radials.


http://www.metzeler.com/site/com/produc ... eract.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... x/t30.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... /bt45.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#3 Post by Off Road » Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:56 am

Hey, forget everything I just posted.

While I was looking up info, I found a Bridgestone website that I hadn't seen before.

According to Bridgestone, they make a sticky BT016 Pro, and the make an even stickier tire, the BT090 Pro.

Both these tires come in the correct size for my 4" wide, 18" wheel.

I need to find out where I can buy these.

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

nzminis
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#4 Post by nzminis » Fri Mar 06, 2015 6:07 am

i have a dunlop sports max 13h 150/60 18" on the fzr400 rim on the back of my Rzv500

great tyre stickey as hell they class it as a track day tyre . very similar in feel to my bridgestone bt003 also classed as a racing street

if you can find them thats another option

solo 2
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#5 Post by solo 2 » Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:30 am

Unless you're doing track days I never understood the need for ultra sticky tires for older bikes. I have the bridgestone bt23 on my RZ500, great tire,good wear. My ZX12 which was ridden hard had Continental Road Attacks and never as much as budged. Better mileage and more stick than you can use on the road. The other plus is they absolutely rock in the rain or on cold days, no worries.

You can read real world reviews on these tires here:

http://www.canyonchasers.net/reviews/#tires" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#6 Post by KR-RZ350 » Fri Mar 06, 2015 10:36 am

I have the same problem with the FZR400 and the TZR250 as they use 140 or 150/60-18s. The cheap Shinko Podium are the only tires available in the USA(gotta meet DOT regulations :smt011 ). I saw the BT090 Pro in the 150s but they are not available to US consumers so you'll have to order them through Europe.
REI
1985 RZ350
1984 RZ350
1989 TZR250 3MA
1988 FZR400
2003 R1
2008 WR250R

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kpke
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#7 Post by kpke » Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:31 pm

On my thrasher bike, after wearing out the Bridgestone's that were on the wheels when I did my conversion, I am now on my second set of

“The cheap Shinko Podium are the only tires available in the USA” :smt042

If I remember right, they were less than $200 shipped to my doorstep for both front and rear from here

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/61 ... -rear-tire

They are not quite as sticky as the Bridgestone's that came off but they work fine. I will buy them again.

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#8 Post by KR-RZ350 » Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:44 pm

Good to know you like them. I'll try a set when the need arises.
REI
1985 RZ350
1984 RZ350
1989 TZR250 3MA
1988 FZR400
2003 R1
2008 WR250R

mouth
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#9 Post by mouth » Thu Apr 02, 2015 12:58 pm

my advice is to do the 17inch wheel conversion then your options open right up :smt002

bitzz
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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#10 Post by bitzz » Thu Apr 02, 2015 1:17 pm

If you do want sticky tires check out the Dunlop Alpha13's or Heidenau Ks.

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#11 Post by Off Road » Wed Nov 16, 2016 8:48 pm

Wore out my Bridgestone BT016 and have been looking at new tires.

Found the Dunlop Sportmax Alpha 13 tires, and they look pretty good.
They are available in a 140/60R18 and a 150/60R18.
Unfortunately, I can't find anyone in North America that is selling them. :smt011

http://www.motorcycletyresplus.com.au/m ... -13h-rear/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


The other tires that I found are the Metzeler Z8's.
These are labeled as a Sport/Touring tire and are available in a 140/70ZR18 Rear, and a 110/70ZR17 Front.
I bought a set and will give them a try next Summer.

https://www.metzeler.com/site/uk/produc ... logue.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Read a dozen articles on the Z8, and they get good reviews.
This review compares the Z8 (Sport/Touring) to the M5 (Sport), and the K3 (Race).

http://www.cycleworld.com/2011/04/12/me ... first-ride" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#12 Post by kpke » Thu Nov 17, 2016 12:24 pm

Off Road

I am doing a 17 inch rear conversion due to nonavailability of the 18 inch rear, except for as I said above the only one I could find was the Shinko.

I tried to find what you said Metzeler Z8 140/70ZR18 Rear. I can't find it.

Can you post a link?

Thank you.

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#13 Post by Off Road » Thu Nov 17, 2016 8:48 pm

Hey kpke.

I was thinking of using a 3.5 x 17" rear wheel from a Suzuki GXS600F, but if seemed like a lot of work, sourcing parts and getting it all to fit.
So, when I found the Z8's I decided to go that route.

I did a quick search, and it looks like you can get the Z8's from Revzilla.

140/70ZR18 Rear for $148.00 US.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/metz ... rear-tires" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

110/70ZR17 Front for $114.00 US.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/metz ... ront-tires" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: FZR wheel users - Need rear tire

#14 Post by kpke » Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:06 pm

Thank you!!!

current Shinko rear is
150/60-18 25.09 inches tall

proposed Metzeler rear
140/70-18 25.72 inches tall .4 inches narrower (if the 140 and 150 numbers are mm???)

Pretty close. The 140 would raise the rear .31 (5/16"). I would have guessed it would have lowered it. What do I know.

Good to know but the 17" wheel is due to arrive Monday so I will continue on the conversion on the ugly bike but may go with the 140/70-18 on the other one since the wheels are painted all nice and shiny black.

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