Tire Recommendations?

Just picked up an 82 XJ650J Maxim and it needs new tires, both front and rear, something terrible! I'm on a pretty tight budget and just need something thats safe and reliable. A local shop said they could put Kenda's on for about $230 total. Good? Any recommendations on other options? Is it better to buy online and take to a shop to get mounted, balance, etc. or buy from a shop? Thanks for any advice!

 

Depends on the shop, where you are, etc. That price sounds a bit steep for Kendas.

I found a tire place local to me that "matches" most internet pricing, and then discounts mounting/balancing if you buy from them.

Most shops (at least around here, SE MI) get around $40 to mount/balance a tire you carry in.

You CAN mount/balance them yourself to save some $$$; personally I don't do it but then again I spend a lot of time at relatively high speed in freeway traffic.

As for the tires themselves, Bridgestone Battlax BT45s are quite good yet relatively inexpensive, as are Dunlop D404's.

 

I put Bridgestont Spitfires on my 400 for not much more than the Kendas,
Really glad I did, they feel great.... hot , cold and wet... had no traction issues at all

 

The most inexpensive i've been able to find here in VA is $90 for mounting if I bring tires in and $75 if I buy from the shop. Thanks ZaGhost for the rec. on the Bridgestones. Just checked them out at Motorcycle Superstore and they have them at a really good price. Think I might be picking some up! Thanks again for all the advice!

 

I bought a pair of Kendas from motorcyclewarehouse.com for about $100 delivered. I don't have any experience with other tires, but I like them. They feel fine and I've done some tight turns at speed, and they have never felt squirrely. I ride in the rain, too, and again, they feel fine to me. I put them on myself, and they were relatively easy to put on. The old Continental tires took me a couple of hours to get off (finally had to use a hack-saw), but I had the new Kendas on in only five minutes or so each. Went very well.

 

I've got the Kenda Challengers on and haven't had any problems with them. Run me about $150 for rubber and mounting.

 

I have gotten great use out of the Bridgestone Spitfires. They give great mileage with there dual compound and on two sport tours on My Seca I found there grip to be very confidence inspiring. I have also used the Dynamic Bead Balancing system with good results. Any one else used the balancing beads?
http://www.innovativebalancing.com

 

there. fixed it for you...

when Carl did my 900r with Kenda 657s i paid $100 for two. mounted...

did i get a good deal or a great deal? i dont know but ive been happy with them as long as its relatively warm outside...

i rode about 2 weeks ago (low 50s) and they didnt want to get very grippy for me. i dealt with them but i think if youre in the cooler climes, i would get something more supple at low temp...

with that in mind, i plan on putting them on the 750r...

 

funny you should mention that...

I've ridden to work a couple days in the last two weeks, when we had near 60 highs but it was certifiably NIPPY in the AM, and I noticed the Dunlops take some time to get to their full grip. Maybe it's because my D404's are down to the last 2000 miles or so of their useful life, I dunno. I know it wasn't inadvertent low tire pressure due to the temperature changes; I checked it as I do every cold morning.

On the other hand, it was downright COLD the last time I had the '83 out (upper 40s) and the Avons didn't seem to care. I was rompin' and stompin' too; maybe it's because they're brand new (1000 miles only.)

hmmm.

 

Oh, and you got a great (not just good) deal from Carl.

 

On the xs400 I am currently working on BIll put challengers on it. I think he said they were somewhere between $100-$200 mounted and balanced. They are good looking and good gripping tires to. If you are on a budget I would go with the challengers. They have a wide grip area and make me feel safe when I rode on them.

 

Went to the site. I'm sold. What a great idea. I mount my own and they can be used in tubes. No junk on the wheels! How easy is that?
Hmmmm...wonder if glass bead blast media would do the same thing? Probably too small.

 

Wow, I'd love to live in a place where "upper 40s" was "downright COLD."

It was 23F when I rode in yesterday - now that was pretty cold. My tires were great - but I'm a new rider and I drive like an old lady. :wink: