good inexpensive tires for my XJ

So I just picked up an 82 XJ 650 Maxim. On mtnbiker's suggestion I should probably buy tires as these are probably really old and dangerous tires to ride on.

What tires do I need for this thing and where is a good place to get them. I'm trying to keep it under 200 for both tires if possible (that's mounting and balancing as well)

Thanks! This site rocks!

Jim

 

I mean I know the sizes I need, I just don't know a thing about tires for bikes....

 

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/c/49/ ... ycle-Tires

 

Thanks Rick! Do I pick the cruiser tires or the sport touring motorcycle category?

 

I thought buying tires for my wrangler was a task, this is crazy!

 

Here is another place that you may like http://www.chaparral-racing.com/ . Both a set of Kenda Challengers from there for $120 shipped. Both the sport touring type. I am happy with them. Read many good reviews from others before purchasing them. There are few here that were not impressed by them. But for the price, I think they are OK for normal driving. But if you are planning on more spirited riding, I would invest a little more money and maybe go with a Avon. Rocky Mountain ATV Motorcycles is a great vender as well. Both a helmet from them.

 

XJO, thanks for the insight man! Spirited riding? Whatya mean by that exactly?

120 shipped is an extremely great price! Will any shop mount the tire for me or does it have to be a motorcycle dealer? whats the normal cost for a tire mount and balance?

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

my stock size is 3.25 H-19 on the front however, those challenger tires go by 100 90-19 etc... what does that 3.25 translate to?

 

I love the Challengers. But I also really like my S11 Bridgestones
Best bang for your buck is the Challengers

 

Straight-up that crosses to a 90/90-19. You can run a 100/90-19 if you want a tad more meat on the road and it will "fill up" the fender better.

For the rear, stick to the stock 130/90-16. You can run a 140 in some brands, but others may rub the swingarm.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... e-data.htm

 

By spirited riding I mean the type of rider that likes to lean fast and heavy into a the curves and test the limits of their machine on the curves. For that you will want the best rated tire with a soft compound. It is always a compromise. The softer the compound the better the grip, but the tire will wear down faster. But i you do mainly normal riding with the occasional twisty, then the Kenda's will be fine. And they should last at least 6000 to 8000 miles. I have a set on my KZ900. I don't like pushing this bike on curves because it has an inherit wobble due to a weak frame. On one of my cafe group rides, I made the mistake of not staying in the back of the pack. So when we got to some real twisty country lanes, the guys with the Speed Triples, Ducatti's, and Thruxton's kicked it up few notches. I was stuck in the middle and forced to push the limits (like being stuck in a Conga line). The tires performed well and I never lost confidence in them. The bike did pretty well too. No death wobble. I was at a disadvantage on the curves, but could make up it by running them down on the straights.

Local shops like you to buy tires from them. So they usually charge a higher price for mounting if you don't purchase the tires from them. In my case (I live in a small down with not many options) I was charged $40 per tire ($80 total), but that included the two inner tubes and rim locks for the rear tire. In your case, don't have to worry about those items so the price should be cheaper per tire.

 

Rim locks; now there's something you don't hear discussed much anymore. (My Norton has one.)

XJOE is right; most shops charge more if you carry it in than if you bought it from them. Going price in my neck of the woods is $30 per. Well worth it for not gouging up the rim plus a nice high-speed balance. Be sure you mark the wheel as to direction of rotation, the shop has no way of knowing for sure and it matters (the tires are marked.)

 

Wow thanks a lot guys! So as far as riding into the mountains the Challengers would be fine for that? There's a ton of turns and switchbacks but I don't plan on hitting them with much throttle. Probably just a tad above the speed limit at most. I'll put some lean on but not crazy amounts yet There's actually a lot of turns where I'm from. The drive to work is essentially a 12 mile straight shot but on the weekends I like to take it to the curvy roads in the mountains

I'll have to call some dealerships tomorrow and see what they'd charge. 30 isn't bad per tire, I can live with that. It has to be a moto dealer right?

EDIT; And Fitz, you're absolutely sure I can run the 100/19 on the front? I'm probably going to place my order later today. A little fatter front tire on the front would be great. Its an xj650 maxim. Thanks!

 

Soooo I think I'm going to order the challengers. They've got to be better than what I'm on now. Those things have to be old. The sidewalls are cracking everywhere.

Any disagreements on the challengers as my final decision. Money is tight but I need tires, that's why I picked the challengers. If anyone has an argument for a different tire, now is the time to speak up!

 

Can anyone look at this and tell me the year? This is the only DOT code I could find on the rear.

 

You need to look at the 11 or 12 digit code.

"Look for an 11 or 12 character serial number on your tire’s sidewall. No, you don’t have to de-code that entire long number, just look at the last four digits (for tires made since the year 2000). Those last four digits tell you the week number and year that the tire was made.

For example, if the number ends with 2103, the tire was made during the 21st week of the year 2003. This code works for tires that were made since the year 2000.

Before the year 2000, only the last 3 digits told you about the date. For example, if the last 3 digits were 508, then that means that the tire was made during the 50th week of year 8 of that decade. Was it 1998, 1988? There may be ways to determine which decade, but why waste time on that?"

From http://motorcycleinfo.org/2008/06/motorcycle-tires-age/

 

I got the correct answer on the tire pressure thread. These bad boys are from 1990. Lol, ordering new tires today!

 

My local dealer will charge $40 per tire if you bring in the tire and wheel off bike OR he will match your price and charge $20 mounting if you get the tire from him. May be worth checking.

 

Dano,


These tires are REALLY old. Im not gonna mess around. Just gonna order and pay the inflated fee to get em mounted. Problem is do I go with cruiser ST or the Challenger.... I need to decide like quick!

 

Motorcycles,Motorcycles factory shop, megamotormadness
http://www.megamotormadness.com

 

You wouldn't dare go back-woods hiking wearing flip-flops, ...

Don't put cheap tires on anything you ride!

Because the faster you're going when a cheap tire fails ...

The quicker you are hitting the pavement!

 

Good to see you out Rick!

 

I recently bought a set of Shinko (Yokohama) type 712's. Reviews on them are pretty good and $116.00 total for both delivered to my door. Haven't ridden on them yet but they are mounted and balanced ($30 each) and have a pretty nice sport tire type look.

 

I have Bridgestone Spitfires on my '83 750...I've been impressed, especially with how they've held up to the Wisconsin winter (this last one I thought for sure was going to kill them - my bike sits in our un-heated back shed over the miserable winter).

My signature is an old pic - the day I brought my bike home. The Qualifiers were horrible.