Yamaha FJ1200 & FJ1200A (88-)

(updated September 99)

	Rim	Stock Size
Front	3.00 x 17	120/70-17
Rear	3.50 x 16	150/80-16

Manufacturers' Recommendations

Manufacturer	Year	Front	size	Rear	size
Avon		AV35 Azaro	120/70ZR17	AV36 Azaro	160/80ZR16
Bridgestone		G549	120/70V17	G550	150/80V16
		G549	120/70V17	BT17	150/80V16
Dunlop		K330A (OE)	120/70V17	K330 (OE)	150/80V16
		K591 Elite SP	120/70B17	K591 Elite SP	150/80B16
Metzeler (Germany)		ME-33 Laser CompK	120/70VB17	ME-99 A2	150/80VB16
		ME-33 Laser CompK	120/70VB17	ME-1 CompK	160/70VB16
		ME-1 CompK	120/70VB17	ME-1 CompK	160/70VB16
	88-90	ME-33 Laser	120/70V-17	ME-99 A2	150/80VB16
		ME-Z2	120/70ZR17	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16
	91-	ME-33 Laser CompK	120/70VB17	ME-55A	150/80VB16
	91-	ME-Z1	120/70ZR17	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16
Michelin		Macadam 50	120/70V17	Macadam 50	150/80V16
		Macadam XA	120/70ZR17	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16
Pirelli (Germany)		MTR 03	120/70ZR17	MTR 04	150/80ZR16
	91-	MT 09	120/70VB17	MT 08	150/80VB16

Martyn's Opinion

General Comments

This bike belongs on radials. Although it didn't come that way originally, the chassis can certainly handle the switch in construction, and the characteristics of possibly the finest sport-tourer ever made will be enhanced by taking advantage of more modern tyre technology. Now the question should be not "should I fit radials?" but "why go back to bias-ply?" These days, the radials are even less expensive!

The Best Selection

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Metzeler	ME-Z1	120/70ZR17	$101
Rear	Metzeler	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110

When it comes to radials, the Metzeler ME-Z1/ME-Z2 combination that's available for this bike is an acknowledged classic. They work superbly well on any motorcycle for which they are available, and it really is not possible to go against the well-earned reputation for consistent wet and dry traction, and confidence-inspiring linear profile. You just can't go wrong with these tyres.

A Tight Budget

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Michelin	Macadam 90X	120/70ZR17	$88
Rear	Michelin	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16	$116

I'm always wary about recommending Michelin Macadams, particularly for older bikes, because it's hard to predict whether they'll work for any given bike or rider. Still, they're the cheapest pair available for the later model FJ's, and at the price are certainly worth a try.

Martyn's Choice

	Brand	Model	Size	MAW
Front	Metzeler	ME-Z1	120/70ZR17	$101
Rear	Metzeler	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110

Like I said above, you can't go wrong with these.

The Full List

(from MAW and manufacturer web pages)

Exact matched pairs

Brand	Front	size	MAW	Rear	size	MAW
Avon	AV27	120/70ZR17	$131	ST23	150/80ZR16
Bridgestone	BT45 Sports Mileage	120/70H-17	$84	BT45 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16	$92
Dunlop	D205 Sport/Touring	120/70ZR17	$93	D205 Sport/Touring	150/80ZR16	$114
Metzeler	ME-33 Laser	120/70V-17	$90	ME-55A Metronic	150/80VB16	$139
	ME-33 Laser	120/70V-17	$90	ME-99A Perfect	150/80V-16	$116
	ME-33 Laser	120/70V-17	$90	ME-88 Marathon	150/80H-16	$134
	ME-Z1	120/70ZR17	$101	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110
	ME-Z2	120/70ZR17	$115	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110
Michelin	Macadam 50	120/70V-17	$106	Macadam 50	150/80V-16	$128
	Macadam 90X	120/70ZR17	$88	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16	$116
Pirelli	Dragon GT MTR03	120/70ZR17	$101	Dragon GT MTR04	150/80ZR16	$124
	Match MT09	120/70VB17	$96	Match MT08	150/80VB16	$130

Listing by Manufacturer

Avon

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
AV27	120/70ZR17	$131	exact	ST23	150/80ZR16		exact
Azaro AV35	120/70ZR17	$107	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	150/80V-16	$139	exact

Bridgestone

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
				BT17 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16		exact
BT35 Sports Mileage	120/70H-17		exact
BT45 Sports Mileage	120/70H-17	$84	exact	BT45 Sports Mileage	150/80V-16	$92	exact
BT50 Sports Perform	120/70ZR17	$89	exact
				BT53 Sports Touring	150/80VR16		exact
BT54 Sports Touring	120/70ZR17	$102	exact
BT56 Ultra Sports Perf	120/70ZR17		exact
BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf	120/70ZR17	$94	exact
BT57 Sports Perform.	120/70ZR17	$113	exact
BT92 Sports Mileage	120/70HR17	$65	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
Sport 2000	120/70V-17	$76	exact
Sport 2000 Radial	120/70ZR17		exact
				Tour TK-17	140/90H-16	$98	soft

Dunlop

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
				Cruisemax	150/80--16	$117	exact
D204 Sportmax II ZR	120/70ZR17		exact
D205 Sport/Touring	120/70ZR17	$93	exact	D205 Sport/Touring	150/80ZR16	$114	exact
D207 Sportmax	120/70ZR17	$111	exact
K177 Touring	120/80HB17		tall	K177 Touring	160/80HB16	$138	wide
K455 Radial	120/70VR17		exact
				K491 Elite II Touring	MU90HB16	$92	soft
				K491 Elite II Touring	160/80HB16	$107	wide
K510	120/70VR17	$98	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-410	140/90H-16	$87	soft
				Road Winner RW-010	140/90-X16	$61	soft
Wildflare WF-920	120/80H-17	$73	tall	Wildflare WF-920	140/90H-16	$88	soft

Kenda

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

Metzeler

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
ME-33 Laser	120/70V-17	$90	exact	ME-55A Metronic	150/80VB16	$139	exact
				ME-88 Marathon	150/80H-16	$139	exact
ME-880 Marathon	120/70VR17	$103	exact
				ME-880 Marathon	150/80HB16	$149	exact
				ME-99A Perfect	150/80V-16	$116	exact
				ME-99A Perfect	150/80VB16		exact
ME-Z1	120/70ZR17	$101	exact
ME-Z2	120/70ZR17	$115	exact	ME-Z2	150/80ZR16	$110	exact
ME-Z3	120/70ZR17	$118	exact
ME-Z4	120/70ZR17	$115	exact
ML2	120/80H-17	$97	tall	ML2 Plus	140/90HB16	$126	soft
ML2	120/80V-17		tall	ML2 Plus	160/80HB16	$137	wide

Michelin

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
Hi-Sport TX15	120/70ZR17	$150	exact
				Hi-Tour 79	140/90H-16	$143	soft
Macadam 50	120/70V-17	$106	exact	Macadam 50	150/80V-16	$128	exact
Macadam 90X	120/70ZR17	$88	exact	Macadam 90X	150/80ZR16	$116	exact
Macadam 90X	120/60ZR17		short

Pirelli

Front	size	MAW	match	Rear	size	MAW	match
Dragon GT MTR03	120/70ZR17	$101	exact	Dragon GT MTR04	150/80ZR16	$124	exact
Dragon GTS MTR23	120/70ZR17	$106	exact
Dragon MTR01	120/70ZR17	$112	exact
Match MT09	120/70VB17	$96	exact	Match MT08	150/80VB16	$130	exact
				Route 66 MT66	150/80H-16	$112	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!!!