August 11th, 2014, 07:22 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jeremy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250r Posts: 5
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Tire Upgrades
Hey, my first post here after reading for a while. I was considering getting some Michelin Pilot Powers, front and rear on my 08 250. On stock tires and sizes currently.
Front stock is 110/70ZR17 and a common upgrade is 120/70 that I see. It seems the diameter is raised considerably, whereas a 120/65 would be about 10% wider, while maintaining a closer diameter. Is there any pros or cons that I may be missing? Rear stock is 130/70ZR17 and the common upgrade I've been seeing is 150/60. This seems like the most rational choice for myself as it is about 15% wider while also maintaining a similar diameter. Again, any pros or cons I may be missing? |
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August 11th, 2014, 07:24 PM | #2 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
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Welcome Jeremy!
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August 11th, 2014, 08:11 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Visk
Location: Toronto Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 9
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I also just did tons of research into upgrading tires and I went with the Michelin Pilot Power Road 4s
After reading a ton of info on what size to upgrade to I went with 120/60/17 in the front and 160/60/17 in the rear and let me tell you I love it. Turning and cornering feels so easy and I personally don't feel like I have lost a single thread of flickability from the stock sizes. I have been ridding on stock tires for 3 years and wish I had of upgraded a long time ago. I feel glued to the ground, The bike dives into corners and stays there, I don't feel as many bumps in the road and no longer get stuck in tar snakes. I cannot stress how much I love how easy the bike takes a turn and holds it with ease. I am easily able to take corners at least 10 to 15km/hr faster and feel like I don't have to work nearly as hard as I did with the stock tires. I also noticed that it doesn't skip when going on and off on ramps over the metal temperature strips like it did with the stock tires. That was so scary to me.... taking a corner then hitting a bump and all of a sudden it feels like the bike has jumped out of the turn and closer to the side rail of the road. As far as speed goes I actually don't notice anything off of acceleration but I did gain overall due to the larger tire size my speedometer is off by about 5 to 10km/hr. I tested this by having my friend ride @ 60km/hr and tried to match him but when I got to 60km/h I was a good bike length and a half ahead of him. Hope that helps and oh yeah the bike looks dope with the new tires I am waiting for a nice day up here to clean it then I will post picks of my ninjette with everything I have done to it |
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August 11th, 2014, 08:17 PM | #4 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jeremy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250r Posts: 5
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Quote:
And with the rear, why did you go with 160/60 instead of 150/60? Does it seem fine fitment wise? Were you to ride two-up will there be too much flex and hit the swingarm/chain? |
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August 11th, 2014, 08:51 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Visk
Location: Toronto Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 9
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I did not have to do any mods to get either to fit...can't speak for two up haven't tried yet. I went with 160 instead of 150 because one of the guys on here did and I wanted to go as big as I could. He said that he had to remove the chain guard but mine still fit with tons of clearance.
Hope that helps |
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August 11th, 2014, 09:03 PM | #6 |
Freedom for Germany
Location: This World
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.
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Please take note when upgrading tires that each tire has a standard rim where it fits best and which is the recommended one (marked bold) while there are still others where it would fit also:
110/70 ---> 2.75 - 3.00 - 3.50 120/70 ---> 3.00 - 3.50 - 3.75 130/70 ---> 3.50 - 3.75 - 4.00 140/70 ---> 3.50 - 3.75 - 4.00 - 4.50 150/70 ---> 3.50 - 3.75 - 4.00 - 4.50 120/60 ---> 3.00 - 3.50 - 3.75 150/60 ---> 4.00 - 4.50 160/60 ---> 4.25 - 4.50 - 5.00 The oem-rims from the Ninja 250 are 2.75 front and 3.50 rear while the Ninja 300 got a 4.00 in the rear. |
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August 11th, 2014, 09:06 PM | #7 |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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I've literally never heard of any positive reviews of bigger tires on these small bikes. I'm glad it's been working out well for you, post up some pics, I wanna see that back tire on the little bike
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August 11th, 2014, 09:16 PM | #8 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jeremy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250r Posts: 5
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Quote:
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August 12th, 2014, 02:49 AM | #9 |
Freedom for Germany
Location: This World
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R-FI Posts: A lot.
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August 12th, 2014, 09:58 AM | #10 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jeremy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250r Posts: 5
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Quote:
I was hoping some more people who have done would be able to give their input. |
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August 12th, 2014, 10:04 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Visk
Location: Toronto Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 9
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I will post pics as I said I am waiting to cleaner up so she looks her sunday best.
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August 12th, 2014, 10:09 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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You need to take some of these reviews with a grain of salt. *Every* new tire that you put on a motorcycle feels like it is world-changing compared to the worn one that was just replaced. The shape goes flat, the rubber gets less pliant, and the performance and feel of any motorcycle tire generally gets progressively worse from day 1 until the day it is removed.
It's why most ad hoc tire reviews like this, especially with folks who haven't gone through dozens of prior tire changes to understand this phenomenon, always have such glowing reviews of every type of new tire that is put on their bike. Wrong size? Feels great. Touring tire? Still feels 10 times stickier than the old tire. It's not that those impressions are wrong, it's just not comparing apples to apples. That's why magazine reviews that compare a bunch of tires at one time, all new, can provide some valuable insights. It's why you need to learn more about the reviewer (How many other tires have they tried? What have they found different or better about each?)
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August 12th, 2014, 10:46 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Jeremy
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250r Posts: 5
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August 12th, 2014, 11:43 AM | #14 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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I would advise against mounting a 120 tire up front. It noticeably increases turn in effort and makes the bike feel less nimble. I'm running a 110/70-17 up front and a 150/60-17 in the rear on my 300.
I like the combo but honestly the rear is a little pinched and has some tread on the edges that can't be used. I would have gone with a 140 in the rear if it that size was available in the tires I wanted. Bigger tires aren't an upgrade IMO.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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August 12th, 2014, 11:46 AM | #15 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Is that how it made you felt? Interesting... I ran a 120 front for 2yrs and felt is was fine enough. Sure, it takes a tad more turn in push but nothing that kills the bike. In fact, I prefer it when bouncing back and forth between the r6 and 250 as it helps things feel similar, well... as far as tuning goes.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 12th, 2014, 12:04 PM | #16 | |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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Quote:
Wider does not necessary equal better, as some general rule. When an overly wide tire is put on a narrow rim, all it does is squeeze it so much that the last inch of the tire is unusable anyway as it is completely perpendicular to the road. In some cases the remaining profile is still perfectly usable, In others, not so much.
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August 12th, 2014, 12:14 PM | #17 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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It was actually not on a ninjette that I mounted a 120 tire up front, but on the klx250sf when I had that bike, and yes on that bike it made a noticeable difference. Sure the bike still handled good, but turn in just wasn't as quick. I also didn't like how big the tire looked. In the end I regretted going with the bigger tire.
Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks bigger tires aren't better. I remember a review of the CBR 500 vs the Ninja 300 where the criticized the CBR for having bigger tires than it needed. From motorcyclistonline: " Honda, for some inexplicable reason (styling, perhaps?), picked tires big enough for an SV650—a 120/70ZR-17 front, 160/60ZR-17 rear, happily common sizes for the tightwads among us—and they doubtlessly slow the 500’s steering."
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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August 12th, 2014, 12:31 PM | #18 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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I see Ryan, it must be contextual or something? Having counter steered hard enough to cause front chatter on 250's and 600's (no 500's), I am not sure that it applies to all riders as a blanket statement though.
And for full disclosure, I am running a 110 on my 250 now. Do I like it better than 120? Not really, do I like a 120 any better? Nope, it's t it for t at and up to the rider. I still will take your input as a decision factor going forward, different bikes feel well... different and different strokes for different folks.
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 12th, 2014, 01:13 PM | #19 | |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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Quote:
Even so, I just don't think that there is any advantage to a larger tire. Except for straight line stability, which I don't see as a problem with these bikes, or like in your case where you're switching between a 600 and a 250 where the consistency might be what you're looking for. If there were no good options for a 110 front tire, then I'd say go with a 120, but that isn't the case as there are several good choices in the 110 size. For the rear I wouldn't recommend anything bigger than a 150, and 140 is the better option... But like you said,"different strokes for different folks", that's just what I prefer.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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August 12th, 2014, 09:24 PM | #20 |
EX500 full of EX250 parts
Name: Bill
Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI
Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot.
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Check out the Pilot Street Radials. They're available in stock sizes and seem to perform quite well while still being pretty durable. They seem like a good way to get a modern tire without having to worry about sizing or mods.
I upgraded to the wider VRossi wheels and went with a 150/60 for a slightly wider tire without having to worry about fitment issues due to a much larger tire. I stuck with the stock 110/70 in the front to maintain the steering quickness. I was originally looking at the 120/70 and 120/65, but when I realized the front wheel was the same width as stock, I just stayed with the stock size.
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August 12th, 2014, 10:33 PM | #21 | |
Wannabe racer
Name: Brady
Location: SLC, UT
Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2010 ninja 250 race prepped, 2009 Zx6R Posts: 96
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Was thinking the EXACT same thing when I read this thread. It's why guys who buy shinko's give them good reviews lol.
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August 14th, 2014, 04:48 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Larry
Location: Youngstown, Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 KLR 650,12 250 Ninja, 86 DR 125, 07 CRF 100, 09 Tomos Streetmate LEL Record Holder, 88 K100 RT Posts: 434
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bigger tires
Tires bigger than allotted rim sizes may not keep tire shape. My experience with mounting a larger aspect ratio tire on the front is that it hampers/hinders my turn in. The bike felt more sluggish. I did this on a 500 NINJA I had years ago and regretted it till I could get it off. Wardie JMO
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August 14th, 2014, 06:49 AM | #23 |
Que Buenos Son!!!
Name: Ryan
Location: Grovetucky, OH
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Nov '14
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You ever actually tried shinko tires? I've ran em on a few of my bikes, and have recommended them to friends. Never seen a bad tire from them. Might not be a tire that you take to the track, but plenty capable of anything you should encounter on the streets.
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Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!! |
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August 18th, 2014, 06:53 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Visk
Location: Toronto Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 9
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As promised pictures with my new tires... Michelin pilot road 4's 120/60/17 in the front and 160/60/17 in the rear. Tires still have their shape and still not sluggish or anymore difficult to turn. I also have a zero gravity double bubble wind screen, shogun frame sliders, bar ends, graffix rim stickers and a hotbodies smoke undertail. I want proton flush mounts in the front and plan on making my own rear tire hugger then I think and I say this cautiously I will be done lol
https://www.dropbox.com/s/69cekaydqi...2017.56.57.jpg https://www.dropbox.com/s/v9oeost8kf...2017.56.20.jpg https://www.dropbox.com/s/l3qmiko92k...2017.57.19.jpg https://www.dropbox.com/s/wx7qv2c1et...2017.56.30.jpg |
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