Do I need tires?

shortyg83 · July 9th, 2015, 10:30 PM

Ok so I bought a 2011 ninja 250r. It was an R-title due to fairing damage. The bike has IRC road winner tires. The front tire looks to be in good shape, though I can't see the tread wear mark anywhere. Is there even on on these?
The rear tire looks like the previous user never took a turn. It is pretty flat in the middle, and the tread on the outside of both front and rear still have the little rubber things coming off from when the tire was new. To me the rear tire doesn't look safe, but to some other riders I have asked they stated it looks good for another year or so of riding.
Only issue is the bike is due for an inspection this month as well.
Here are pics of rear tire. Do I need a new one?
And should I just buy new diablo pro ii for both the front and the back?

cbinker · July 9th, 2015, 10:32 PM

it would improve handling greatly.

Sirref · July 9th, 2015, 10:43 PM

Put some michelin pilot street radials on there, you'll love how they feel in comparison to that. I question if the rear would get past inspection since it's beyond the wear bars, though you could maybe get 500-1000 more miles out of it before hitting cords

cadd · July 9th, 2015, 11:27 PM

I vote for new tires as well. What did the previous owner do? Burn outs everyday? How does the front look? Is it wearing evenly?

shortyg83 · July 9th, 2015, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadd

I vote for new tires as well. What did the previous owner do? Burn outs everyday? How does the front look? Is it wearing evenly?

The front looks like it is semi new. The only wear is in the center of the tire but not nearly like the rear.

jkv45 · July 10th, 2015, 06:54 AM

Even if they are not "worn out" it's still a good idea to replace tires every 4 or 5 years - no matter how much tread is left. Rubber dries out and get harder with age, and traction is reduced.

The tires on it now were most likely produced sometime in 2010, so it's about 5 years.

A squared-off rear tire will also mess with your handling as you transition from the flat center and over the ridge to the rounded sidewall as you are cornering.

I would say it's a good time to replace both tires. You won't believe the difference in handling and confidence you will get.

InvisiBill · July 10th, 2015, 06:55 AM

Also check the date code on the side of the tire. Rubber deteriorates as it's exposed to UV and heat cycles. It's possible for an old tire to be bad regardless of how much tread is left.

I generally hear a limit of 5 years. If those are the original 2011 tires, you're approaching that lifespan and would probably want to consider new tires anyway.

95PGTTech · July 10th, 2015, 07:55 AM

I used to be a PA state inspector before I became a nurse.
That rear tire will not pass any legit inspection.

DmbShn41 · July 10th, 2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirref

Put some michelin pilot street radials on there, you'll love how they feel in comparison to that. I question if the rear would get past inspection since it's beyond the wear bars, though you could maybe get 500-1000 more miles out of it before hitting cords

Wut he said! Pilot Street Radials are amazing. Tire life is great, handling is great, and they can stand to wet weather also. Many here can speak to the life, some are 10k miles in with good tread. I have around 1500 miles on mine and looks new still.

As far as your front, they say it's good to have matched tires. You can stay with stock 110/130 or go to 120/140, or a mix of those easily on stock rims. Are you doing any track riding?

shortyg83 · July 10th, 2015, 05:48 PM

I did order new tires. Went with Pirelli Diablo rosso II
Got the normal from 110 and then a 140 for the rear.

Nope to the track.

Sirref · July 10th, 2015, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DmbShn41

Wut he said! Pilot Street Radials are amazing. Tire life is great, handling is great, and they can stand to wet weather also. Many here can speak to the life, some are 10k miles in with good tread. I have around 1500 miles on mine and looks new still.

Yeah, I have around 7500 on mine and I've mostly killed off the tread. They lasted much longer than my IRCs and had better grip, definitely a fantastic all around set of tires

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortyg83

I did order new tires. Went with Pirelli Diablo rosso II

Good tires, weak on life but the grip is phenomenal for street oriented tires. I've given mine a good shredding and love them.

July 9th, 2015, 10:30 PM	#1
shortyg83 ninjette.org member Name: Greg Location: carbondale pa Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ninja 250r Posts: 19	Do I need tires? Ok so I bought a 2011 ninja 250r. It was an R-title due to fairing damage. The bike has IRC road winner tires. The front tire looks to be in good shape, though I can't see the tread wear mark anywhere. Is there even on on these? The rear tire looks like the previous user never took a turn. It is pretty flat in the middle, and the tread on the outside of both front and rear still have the little rubber things coming off from when the tire was new. To me the rear tire doesn't look safe, but to some other riders I have asked they stated it looks good for another year or so of riding. Only issue is the bike is due for an inspection this month as well. Here are pics of rear tire. Do I need a new one? And should I just buy new diablo pro ii for both the front and the back?

July 9th, 2015, 10:32 PM	#2
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	it would improve handling greatly. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

July 9th, 2015, 10:43 PM	#3
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	Put some michelin pilot street radials on there, you'll love how they feel in comparison to that. I question if the rear would get past inspection since it's beyond the wear bars, though you could maybe get 500-1000 more miles out of it before hitting cords __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

July 9th, 2015, 11:27 PM	#4
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	I vote for new tires as well. What did the previous owner do? Burn outs everyday? How does the front look? Is it wearing evenly? __________________________________________________ Riding it like I financed it.

July 10th, 2015, 06:55 AM	#7
InvisiBill 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. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	Also check the date code on the side of the tire. Rubber deteriorates as it's exposed to UV and heat cycles. It's possible for an old tire to be bad regardless of how much tread is left. I generally hear a limit of 5 years. If those are the original 2011 tires, you're approaching that lifespan and would probably want to consider new tires anyway. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

July 10th, 2015, 06:54 AM	#6
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Even if they are not "worn out" it's still a good idea to replace tires every 4 or 5 years - no matter how much tread is left. Rubber dries out and get harder with age, and traction is reduced. The tires on it now were most likely produced sometime in 2010, so it's about 5 years. A squared-off rear tire will also mess with your handling as you transition from the flat center and over the ridge to the rounded sidewall as you are cornering. I would say it's a good time to replace both tires. You won't believe the difference in handling and confidence you will get.

July 10th, 2015, 07:55 AM	#8
95PGTTech ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: Bordentown, NJ Join Date: Jun 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 102	I used to be a PA state inspector before I became a nurse. That rear tire will not pass any legit inspection.

July 10th, 2015, 05:48 PM	#10
shortyg83 ninjette.org member Name: Greg Location: carbondale pa Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2011 ninja 250r Posts: 19	I did order new tires. Went with Pirelli Diablo rosso II Got the normal from 110 and then a 140 for the rear. Nope to the track.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tires tires tires '90 250	mr2peak	General Motorcycling Discussion	4	April 4th, 2014 08:53 AM
What exactly am I looking at? ( tires)	2fidyswag	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	30	September 25th, 2013 06:25 AM
Tires...	JBizzle	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	6	August 6th, 2013 11:36 AM
Tires Tires Tires (ZZR)	mohns6062	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	20	June 15th, 2011 11:57 AM