Yamaha FJ1200 (-87)

(updated September 99)

	Rim	Stock Size
Front	2.75 x 16	120/80-16
Rear	3.50 x 16	150/80-16

Manufacturers' Recommendations

Manufacturer	Front	size	Rear	size
Avon	(no data)
Bridgestone	BT17	120/80V16	BT17	150/80V16
Dunlop	(no data)
Metzeler	ME-33 Laser	120/80V16	ME-99A	150/80V16
	ME-33 Laser	120/80VB16	ME-99A2	150/80VB16
	ME-33 Laser Comp-K	120/80VB16	ME-1 Comp-K	160/70VB16
Michelin	Macadam 50	120/80V16	Macadam 50	150/80V16
	Macadam 90X	120/80ZR16	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16
Pirelli	MTR 03	120/80ZR16	MTR 04	150/80ZR16
	MT 09	120/80VB16	MT 08	150/80VB16

Martyn's Opinion

General Comments

The 16" front wheel of the older FJ1200 makes this a very different prospect from the later models. Oddly enough, while it limits options in terms of the newer radials, it does open up some of the more classic (and very fine) bias-ply choices. The radial/bias ply decision is a tough one for this bike. As you'll see, my leaning is towards the radials, although it's not at all as clear-cut as it usually is. The pre-88 FJ sits right at the transition from one generation of litre-class sport-tourers to the next, and as such can pretty much take advantage of new or mature tyre technology -- after all, the manufacturers are investing in bias-ply development too, and not just limiting better compound chemistry to the radial lines.

The Safe Bet

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Metzeler	ME-33 Laser	120/80V-16	$88
Rear	Metzeler	ME-55A Metronic	150/80VB16	$139

While there are better choices, certainly considering the price, the conservative fitment to an older sport-tourer is undoubtedly the classic ME-33/ME-55A combination. While the Dunlop K591's are cheaper, for this bike I'd go with the Metzelers -- call it a hunch, if you like, but I just feel that they work better on a powerful large machine. In any case, I'd choose one of the selections below, so it's a moot point.

A Tight Budget, General Purpose, Touring, Sport-Touring, Sport-Riding

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Metzeler	ME-Z2	120/80ZR16	$88
Rear	Metzeler	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110

What to do, what to do... If there were an ME-Z1 in this size, the case would be closed. As it is, for sport-riding do you want to go for top-notch bias ply tyres (Avon Super Venom) or sport-touring radials? In my book, the radials win. The Z2 might not be as sticky as you'd want on the front, but the advantages of radial construction far outweigh that in the real world of uneven pavement. Likewise for touring or sport-touring the radials have big advantages in terms of the traction vs. tread life trade-off and highway comfort. The other tricky choice is whether to pick the Metzelers, or to go for the Avon AV27/ST23 combination; while I really like the Avons, I think for this bike the Metzelers win -- especially since, oddly enough, at present the Metzelers are also the cheapest.

Martyn's Choice

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Metzeler	ME-Z2	120/80ZR16	$88
Rear	Metzeler	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110

Definitely radials, and in view of the current prices, the ME-Z2 pair is a real winner.

The Full List

(from MAW and manufacturer web pages)

Exact matched pairs

Brand	Front	size	MAW	Rear	size	MAW
Avon	AV27	120/80ZR16	$129	ST23	150/80ZR16
	Super Venom AM18	120/80V-16	$95	Super Venom AM18	150/80V-16	$139
	Super Venom AM20	120/80V-16	$98	Super Venom AM18	150/80V-16	$139
Bridgestone	BT17 Sports Mileage	120/80V-16	$94	BT17 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16
	BT45 Sports Mileage	120/80V-16	$68	BT45 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16	$92
	BT53 Sports Touring	120/80VR16		BT53 Sports Touring	150/80VR16
Dunlop	K591 Sport Touring	120/80V-16		K591 Sport Touring	150/80VB16	$135
Metzeler	ME-33 Laser	120/80V-16	$88	ME-55A Metronic	150/80VB16	$139
	ME-33 Laser	120/80V-16	$88	ME-99A Perfect	150/80V-16	$116
	ME-33 Laser	120/80V-16	$88	ME-88 Marathon	150/80H-16	$134
	ME-Z2	120/80ZR16	$88	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110
Michelin	Macadam 50	120/80V-16	$103	Macadam 50	150/80V-16	$128
	Macadam 90X	120/80ZR16	$89	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16	$116
Pirelli	Dragon GT MTR03	120/80ZR16	$98	Dragon GT MTR04	150/80ZR16	$124
	Match MT09	120/80VB16	$96	Match MT08	150/80VB16	$130

Listing by Manufacturer

Avon

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
AV27	120/80ZR16	$125	exact	ST23	150/80ZR16		exact
				Elan HL30	160/80HB16	$152	wide
				Elan II HL30	140/90HB16	$138	soft
				Elan II HL30	160/80HB16	$165	wide
				Roadranger HL26	140/90H-16	$133	soft
Super Venom AM18	120/80V-16	$95	exact
Super Venom AM20	120/80V-16	$95	exact	Super Venom AM18	150/80V-16	$139	exact

Bridgestone

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
BT17 Sports Mileage	120/80V-16	$94	exact	BT17 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16		exact
BT45 Sports Mileage	120/80V-16	$68	exact	BT45 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16	$92	exact
BT53 Sports Touring	120/80VR16		exact	BT53 Sports Touring	150/80VR16		exact
				SE11	140/90H-16	$111	soft
				SE27	MU90H-16		soft

Continental

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
				Blitz TKH-24	140/90H-16	$92	soft
				Milestone CM2	140/90H-16	$91	soft
				Tour TK-17	140/90H-16	$98	soft

Dunlop

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
				Cruisemax	150/80--16	$117	exact
				D205 Sport/Touring	150/80ZR16	$114	exact
				K177 Touring	160/80HB16	$138	wide
				K491 Elite II Touring	MU90HB16	$92	soft
				K491 Elite II Touring	160/80HB16	$107	wide
K591 Sport Touring	120/80V-16		exact	K591 Sport Touring	150/80VB16	$135	exact
				K627	140/90H-16	$108	soft

IRC

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
Durotour RS-310	120/80H-16	$49	exact	Durotour RS-410	140/90H-16	$87	soft
				Road Winner RW-010	140/90-X16	$61	soft
				Wildflare WF-920	140/90H-16	$88	soft

Kenda

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
K657 Sport Challenger	120/90H-16	$53	tall	K657 Sport Challenger	140/90H-16	$65	soft

Metzeler

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
ME-33 Laser	120/80V-16	$88	exact	ME-55A Metronic	150/80VB16	$139	exact
ME-33 Laser	120/80VB16		exact	ME-99A Perfect	150/80V-16	$116	exact
				ME-99A Perfect	150/80VB16		exact
				ME-88 Marathon	150/80H-16	$139	exact
				ME-880 Marathon	150/80HB16	$149	exact
ME-Z2	120/80ZR16	$88	exact	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110	exact
				ML2 Plus	140/90HB16	$126	soft
				ML2 Plus	160/80HB16	$137	wide

Michelin

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
Hi-Tour 79	120/90H-16	$135	tall	Hi-Tour 79	140/90H-16	$143	soft
Macadam 50	120/80V-16	$103	exact	Macadam 50	150/80V-16	$128	exact
Macadam 90X	120/80ZR16	$89	exact	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16	$116	exact

Pirelli

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
Dragon GT MTR03	120/80ZR16	$98	exact	Dragon GT MTR04	150/80ZR16	$124	exact
Match MT09	120/80VB16	$96	exact	Match MT08	150/80VB16	$130	exact
				Route 66 MT66	150/80H-16	$109	exact

Key:

Exact	Precisely matches original spec
*Excellent*	*Precisely matches a recommended alternate*
Good	An exact or alternate in a different sizing system
Short	Exact or excellent width, lower profile. Consider these both ends to lower the bike
Soft	Similar diameter by using a taller profile and narrower width; used on the rear only
Tall	Taller profile, stock width; similar in effect to "soft", but for the front only
Wide	Same profile, wider tyre. This MAY NOT FIT your rim. BE CAREFUL!!!