wider front tire on 85 xj700n

ok, maybe this has been asked B4 but it didnt come up in a search, ive got to replace the front tire on my 85 xj700n it has a bridgestone 100/19 that may very well be factory OEM, its dryrotted and is pretty worn, it looks like there is more clearance than needed and I wouldnt mind going bigger.... what will fit? I may be buying a cheng-shin due to being dirt poor right now but ive heard they are making a decent tire these days, although if the difference in price is like $20 I would go name brand... any suggestions? TIA!!! ChiliD :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

100/90-19 is the stocker I think.

People have reported on the mailing list that handling really suffers when a wider one is stuffed onto the stock rims. Some have gone up one size and report that the handling is not too adversely affected if you choose the right brand of tire. YYMV

 

Hi, I installed a KENDA Cruiser S/T on the front of my XJ750. Handles fine. Size is 100/90-19 and cost was NZ$88 (approx US$60). I also could not afford to spend too much.

 

A larger than standard tire on either end of these bikes will result in spooky handling. The rims are really skinny compared to the current wheel widths, and the few decent tires that are still available to fit our bikes are almost too wide for the wheel width as it is. Persuading a bigger tire onto the rim just makes thing worse.

In this situation, a bigger tire = more weight, more $, and degraded handling. Bigger, in this situation, isn't better.

I'd recommend a Metzler Lazertech 3.25H 19. They're ~$100.00 online.

 

I agree that rim is a skinny minny, back in 85' this bike was a real looker and the small front bigger rear thing was what they were pimpin'....ive found some skins online, ebay etc..... will keep lookin, thanks guys!!!

 

The wheel size should be engraved in the side of the rim. My Seca uses a 1.85 (19) front and 2.15(18) rear. The stock front tire I believe was the old 3.25 /19 designation. I replaced it with a 100/19 and it handles and rides great. My only gripe is that I should have sprung for the Pirelli Sport Demons I wanted, instead of the IRC's I got.

 

well i bid on this one, dont intend to go any higher than starting bid, its a used dunflop... HD "logoed" though so it should be overpriced and leak right?!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 379&rd=1,1

...and my indy quoted me about $65 mounted/balanced for a 110 cheng-shin.... should be all good in the long run.

 

I put a pair of Cheng-Shin Barracudas on my JX650 Maxim and have had no complaints. They seem to be very uniformly constructed. I used 1 1/4 oz weight to balance the rear tire. The front was so good that a 1/4 oz weight on the light spot was way worse than nothing at all.

 

factory specs call for a 100/90-19 front and 130/70-16 rear. Ive seen people putting 110/90-19s on the front with no ill affects, but thats as large as I'd go. As far as a cheap reliable and decent performing tire, I went with the Kenda cruizers myself and like them so far. I bought front and rear for only $ 105.00 bucks. I believe the front was only ~$45.00. I went through americanmotorcycletire.com

 

well sometimes we live n learn, i got the dunflop off ebay and after paying for mounting with a new stem im out about $5 less than i coulda got the new cheng for and the dunflop already has some slight cracking....oh well...its not real bad and i dont feel its unsafe to run but i will keep my eye on it, and my friends all think since its a "HD" branded tire that the XJ will start to leak oil....

 

If there' is any visible cracking anywhere, the tire's JUNK, and should not be used on anything going faster than 5 kph.

When a tire fails due to the age symptoms you've described, it's a sudden loss of all your air pressure, not just a little leak. Even if you "keep an eye on it", you're putting your budget at a higher priority than your life.

How old is that tire anyway?.


Tires aren't like wine...they only get worse with age.