Thinking of doing a some track days, I would like to get an 08 250R but from a light search on motorcycle superstore and at the pirelli website they do not have the good rubber in the size for the 250. What are you guys that track your 250s using?

Some people are going very fast on Pirellis, using the 150 rear. I personally love Bridgestones. The 090 and 003RS are very good tires. 140 or 150 rear both work fine. You won't use all the tire on the 150 rear, however.

I have recently switched to Michelin Power One race tires and they are incredibly fast and sticky, but the rear is lasting me less than one day.

I've gone with Bridgestone and am quite happy so far. Currently I have a BT-090 on the front in a 110 and a BT-003r in the rear in a 140.

Some people are going very fast on Pirellis, using the 150 rear. I personally love Bridgestones. The 090 and 003RS are very good tires. 140 or 150 rear both work fine. You won't use all the tire on the 150 rear, however.

I have recently switched to Michelin Power One race tires and they are incredibly fast and sticky, but the rear is lasting me less than one day.

RaceBike, what size are you using with the Power Ones?

110 front, 150 rear

On stock rims with no clearance issues, RaceBike? If so, does Michelin make a 140? I'd like to stay as close to stock size as possible. Ride Power Ones and Power race on the Ducati at the track, and love them.

Yes, everything is stock. No clearance issues. They don't make a 140, unfortunately.

Can I get them over the internet? I'm in Florida and the site I normally purchase the Michelins from doesn't carry those sizes. Thanks much for the info, RaceBike.

I'll bet you can find them if you search around a little bit. I get mine at the track.

Thanks guys for the info :thumbup:

hey QTRLITER are you going down to Inde to race :D

Can I use a 150 on the rear of a pre-gen? Will I need a new wheel because I read somewhere that the 130 that came stock may already too big?

Can I use a 150 on the rear of a pre-gen? Will I need a new wheel because I read somewhere that the 130 that came stock may already too big?

The pre-gen has 16" wheels instead of the 17" wheels on the new model. 16" wheels are limited to old school bias-ply tires. A 130 width tire is the widest you would want to fit to a pre-gen.

I just got a pair of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas from John over at South Central Race Center. I'm hoping to try them out this Sunday. :thumbup:

Some people are going very fast on Pirellis, using the 150 rear. I personally love Bridgestones. The 090 and 003RS are very good tires. 140 or 150 rear both work fine. You won't use all the tire on the 150 rear, however.

Is this the case for all 150 tires, specifically, the BT016? Is it because the tire is pinched? Are you scraping pegs?

I just got a pair of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas from John over at South Central Race Center. I'm hoping to try them out this Sunday. :thumbup:

I've run the Dragon's and now have the Diablo Supercorsas on my '02 250 with very wide 17" wheels. Awesome tires. The bike feels like it is on rails with them.

I haven't tried to fit them to the narrower '08 wheels yet.

BTW, are the stock tires on the '09s (IRC) really bad to the point that they are dangerous? I have not pushed them yet. I'm going to upgrade but I'm not sure if I should upgrade now or wear the stockies first.

BTW, are the stock tires on the '09s (IRC) really bad to the point that they are dangerous? I have not pushed them yet. I'm going to upgrade but I'm not sure if I should upgrade now or wear the stockies first.

Yes, they are dangerous. Don't even think of using them on the track.

Is this the case for all 150 tires, specifically, the BT016? Is it because the tire is pinched? Are you scraping pegs?

Correct. All 150 sized rear tires will have a chicken strip on the sides. Worst I've seen are the Pirellis. They are so pinched, the side of the tire is parallel with the bike.

Yes, definitely scraping pegs. And boots. And legs. And toes. And the pipe. And the bodywork. Well, you get the idea. Everything scrapes on these things.

So Richard do you think that the bt-003rs or the bt-16 will be a better track tire since you have used them both just want to know as I will be doing my 1st track day in march and would like to get the most out of the bike thanks

Both are awesome tires. I feel the BT016 is adequate for high speed tracks, but falls short in tight corners. The BT003RS is better, because its softer. Now, this is from a racer's perspective. Either tire will be just great for track days and even novice to intermediate racers.

BTW, I should have Bridgestones in my store pretty quick here. Working on it now :)

Great your input is much appreciated

one more ??? are you using the 110 or 120 up front

Both are awesome tires. I feel the BT016 is adequate for high speed tracks, but falls short in tight corners. The BT003RS is better, because its softer. Now, this is from a racer's perspective. Either tire will be just great for track days and even novice to intermediate racers.

Thanks Richard.

The BT-003 comes in a 140 size, I think I'll stick with that one as it should fit our rims and not pinched, correct? Any experience with that size by any chance?

110 front. Yes, the 003RS in the 140 is a great choice. You'll use the entire tire.

Hey Richard I just had the 03rs put on my bike and we had to take them off I noticed when they were mounted and the guy was rolling my bike out side that the rear tire had a wave look to it so we all took a good took at it and found that all the way around the tire it looked wavy have you seen this before they told me they will order a new set and that it is a manufacture defect this was the 150/60 rear tire :mad:

Yeah, that doesn't sound right. You will see a straight line between the 3 compounds after many miles, but you shouldn't see anything when its new. Wavy doesn't sound good, either. Can you get a 140 rear?

i could get the 140 but i want the 150, i know that it works, i just have never seen somthing like it i wish i had been able to take a pic

ok the bt-003rs in the 150/60 is not working on the bike we put 2 diff rear tires on and they were both wavy on the edge of the tire the specs say only for a 4.5 in wheel so i ordered aa 140 so lets see what happends

the 140 fits great and what a great tire cant wait for the 20th to come

I sse a lot of talk of the Pirelli's and Bridgestones, what about Dunlop?

Fwiw, when I bought my 09 Ninja (used) it came with a set of Dunlop's 130/70/17 & 110/70/17. I may be finally doing a track day and am wondering if these tires will work better than the factory tires or not. Otherwise, I may have to I bite the bullet and buy a new set of Bt's.......the preferred choice for the new gen Ninja's.

I sse a lot of talk of the Pirelli's and Bridgestones, what about Dunlop?

Fwiw, when I bought my 09 Ninja (used) it came with a set of Dunlop's 130/70/17 & 110/70/17. I may be finally doing a track day and am wondering if these tires will work better than the factory tires or not. Otherwise, I may have to I bite the bullet and buy a new set of Bt's.......the preferred choice for the new gen Ninja's.

got no reponses, so I bit the bullet and have a set of Bt's on order for delivery. Doing my first BIG track day April 13th at BW, finally :D

So does anybody think they could spout a definitive full part number for the Bridgestone tires?
I need to order them and be sure it's right the first time so I don't waste money messing around.

Like, tire number and tire size all together instead of just saying "110 front and 150 rear" because that doesn't help me too much.

I have BT-016 and BT-003?

where do the BT 090 come in?

I'm afraid I need much more of an explanation before I purchase track tires. I find this thread rather confusing.

What numbers am I missing before I can finally decide on tire brand, type and size? I still feel like a 60 or a 70 is missing somewhere. Maybe someone can clear this up for everybody once and for all?

I'm sure this is not right, but for example..
If someone could type out the full part number and size all together I think it would help a lot of people.

BT-016 110/60 front? BT-016 150/???

@Ninja250 You should find your answers here:
http://mc.bridgestone.co.jp/en/products/category/onroad.html

agh,
that link and reviewing stock tire sized helped a lot.
Thanks..
signed,
-village idiot

crap so still confused a bit.

If I go with bt-016 the rear tire size will be 150/60/17? Isn't stock 130/70/17? How about with the front? 110/70/17 stock replaced by 110/70/17 bt-016?

crap so still confused a bit.

If I go with bt-016 the rear tire size will be 150/60/17? Isn't stock 130/70/17? How about with the front? 110/70/17 stock replaced by 110/70/17 bt-016?

Go with the 003 or 090. I would choose the 003

110/70R17 front
140/70R17 rear

These sizes fit the new-gen perfectly.

The 150/60ZR17 016 rear will fit but will be slightly pinched so that you will never use the extreme edges of the tire.

Thanks for clearing that up. Very helpful. :thumbup:
I've been trying to figure this out for a few weeks now for some reason.
I used to be a tire man (for cars) and still couldn't see what I was missing with this.

I think I was pretty confused when I did the tires each time on my old bikes too. :eek::confused::rolleyes:

Local shop quoted me $280 on a set of the 16's installed. I'll call back and see if they have the 003's and 090's.

Tire width doesn't mean much to me really if I'm getting the most from the tires. (will try for 140's)

Go with the 003 or 090. I would choose the 003

110/70R17 front
140/70R17 rear


I bought a set (003 & 090) through Motorcycle Superstore for $200 (and change) shipped and delivered to my door within a week. Just in time for my track day. Tires worked great :D

Currently BT090s, but thinking of getting 003s once these are done.
The 090s have been great.

Richard, is there a noticeable difference from the 090 to the 003s?
Thanks.

-Joel

Yes, definitely. 003s feel softer, not as rigid as the 090s. 003s seem to last a bit longer. For me personally, the 003s are very "twitchy" due to the multi-compound. I don't like that, but could probably get used to it if I had to. Maybe I'm too heavy with the controls on the bike, but they really move the bike around and cause me to make mistakes.

I really hate running 090s, so the 003s, even with their twitching, are a big improvement for me. 016s are much better.

Bridgestone is going to be the spec tire for the ninja 250 series here in Ontario. We'll be riding on BT-003s. Looking forward to trying them out! :D

Just tracked at Buttonwillow the other weekend with a BT016 150 width rear. Granted, you'll never use the entire surface of the 150 width. I was grinding kickstand and my custom tucked away exhaust (which I was positive could never hit) and still had some chicken strips. Anyway, the tire is pretty dope. Very predictable. Only times the rear slid was under hard braking and downshifting, but I think that's normal.

Recommended!

Yes, definitely. 003s feel softer, not as rigid as the 090s. 003s seem to last a bit longer. For me personally, the 003s are very "twitchy" due to the multi-compound. I don't like that, but could probably get used to it if I had to. Maybe I'm too heavy with the controls on the bike, but they really move the bike around and cause me to make mistakes.

I really hate running 090s, so the 003s, even with their twitching, are a big improvement for me. 016s are much better.

Interesting feedback. What do you not like about the 090s? To me they seem to work great, but then again I'm a newbie at this and the 090s are the only tires I have run.

Bridgestone is going to be the spec tire for the ninja 250 series here in Ontario. We'll be riding on BT-003s. Looking forward to trying them out! :D

Keep us updated on your progress.:thumbup:

BT003 pro soft front

BT003 RS rear

BT003 pro soft front

BT003 RS rear

Where do you get the BT003 race front? How long do your tires last?

After reading this thread, I'm decided on getting a BT003RS 140 rear. I'm debating what to run on the front. This is for track days. I have been VERY happy with a Metzeler K1 front tire...I might stick with that in the front.

(I run 120 front because I've got a GSXR fork swap)

Try this: http://motorcycle.motorcycle-superstore.com/search#w=bt003

You guys out west love your 110 fronts from what I gather. Why is that?

I just ordered 120/130 GT501's for my old gen, even though everybody says that the 110 front is the way to go.

I'm thinking about upgrading to 17" wheels, and when I asked the fast guys over here what they run, it's 120 front and 140 rear.

You guys out west love your 110 fronts from what I gather. Why is that?

I just ordered 120/130 GT501's for my old gen, even though everybody says that the 110 front is the way to go.

I'm thinking about upgrading to 17" wheels, and when I asked the fast guys over here what they run, it's 120 front and 140 rear.

On the new-gen bikes 110 is the proper size tire for the front. Bridgestone does not make a 110 in race compounds. The 120 isn't a bad fit, it just isn't optimal. The Bridgestone 140 rear tire is just about the only tire that fits the new-gen properly. It doesn't come in a race compound either but running it at a low ~22psi pressure makes it stick fairly well.

Try this: http://motorcycle.motorcycle-superstore.com/search#w=bt003

that's the Race/Street tire, not the Race. The race tire is a softer compound.

You guys out west love your 110 fronts from what I gather. Why is that?

I just ordered 120/130 GT501's for my old gen, even though everybody says that the 110 front is the way to go.

I'm thinking about upgrading to 17" wheels, and when I asked the fast guys over here what they run, it's 120 front and 140 rear.
The 110 front tire is allows for better side to side movement and flickability.

Any old gen racers know the circumference of the Gt501 110/90 front tire?

Also, what's the difference between the GT501 and the GT501F, if any? I've seen a GT501G for sale, but never an F, but that's what the sticker says on my new tire. What's the difference between the 501 and the 501G for that matter?

thanks!

Also, when you old gen guys put the Dunlops on, did you modify the front fender brace to accomodate the larger tire, or did you just junk the brace and drill holes lower in the fender?

I tossed the brace and drilled new holes in the fender. I don't know anyone who tried to keep the stock type brace.

Also, when you old gen guys put the Dunlops on, did you modify the front fender brace to accomodate the larger tire, or did you just junk the brace and drill holes lower in the fender?

Drilled holes in the fender, junked the brace.

Drilled holes in the fender, junked the brace.

You gonna be at the GNF? I'm in for V5 and ESS Thurs. and Fri.

You gonna be at the GNF? I'm in for V5 and ESS Thurs. and Fri.

E-SS and LWT-SB Thurs and Fri. Never did any vintage this year.