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Old July 7th, 2020, 11:02 AM   #1
arthury
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Tires choice: radial or bias-ply for 2008 250R ?

I read in the Tire section of the Wiki in this website that Bias-ply is recommended because of the narrow tires the 250R have. But, I think this is for the Classic Ninja 250R. Mine is the 2008.

I have inadvertently made two orders for the same tires but different constructions (Michelin Pilot Street: radial and bias-ply).

Question:
Which one should I install: radial or bias-ply, for a 2008 Ninja 250R?

I'm planning to return the other pair.

Last futzed with by arthury; July 7th, 2020 at 12:30 PM.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 12:11 PM   #2
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I have that exact same pair in bias ply.

The difference between the two is going to be how to rubber contacts the road and price. A radial is going to have a wider contact patch and usually wear more evenly. They will also have a higher speed rating.

Bias ply have a lower speed rating because the tire will kinda form a cone shape at the top at higher speeds and have a higher load weight rating.

I found a video from Michelin.

I went with the bias ply because it's my daily bike and needed something better than the IRC but didn't want to spend too much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJxSlls-tA
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Old July 7th, 2020, 12:29 PM   #3
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Thanks, Emu.
I understand, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 02:27 PM   #4
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What's the price difference between the two? I'd go with the radials unless the price difference was huge. I wasn't aware that the Pilot Streets were available in identical sizes for the 250 in radial and bias ply. Revzilla has the radial version for $97 F / $102 R, I am trying to find pricing for the bias-ply. At the speeds and weights that these tires are handling (in all but trackday situations), any of these will work just fine. A worn tire or a tire that isn't inflated correctly will have a much larger negative effect on the ride rather than the differing constructions of two new high quality Michelins.

EDIT: Holy crap. Had no idea the bias ply's were so cheap. They are almost half price at Bikebandit compared to the radial versions. Has anyone compared them yet on their own bike here?
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Old July 7th, 2020, 02:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
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What's the price difference between the two? I'd go with the radials unless the price difference was huge. I wasn't aware that the Pilot Streets were available in identical sizes for the 250 in radial and bias ply. Revzilla has the radial version for $97 F / $102 R, I am trying to find pricing for the bias-ply. At the speeds and weights that these tires are handling (in all but trackday situations), any of these will work just fine. A worn tire or a tire that isn't inflated correctly will have a much larger negative effect on the ride rather than the differing constructions of two new high quality Michelins.
Bias-ply ones are around 1/2 the price of the Radials.
Looks like there are 2 versions of Bias-ply ones with differing Load Index.

BikeBandit has the Bias-ply ones ..
https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tub...e-tire/p/46046
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Old July 7th, 2020, 02:36 PM   #6
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Quote:
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EDIT: Holy crap. Had no idea the bias ply's were so cheap. They are almost half price at Bikebandit compared to the radial versions. Has anyone compared them yet on their own bike here?
I'm totally down to pick up a set and see report on my experience when both. I was already planning on getting a set of new wheels any way.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 02:45 PM   #7
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Actually, I'd prefer to get the Dunlop Sportmax GPR300F (radial ply) because of the manufacturer's reputation but CycleGear does not have it and buying it from others increases the installation fees by 100% with them.

Last futzed with by arthury; July 19th, 2020 at 10:07 PM.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 02:53 PM   #8
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Red face Tire installation fees

I want to get some idea from you guys about tire installation fees on loose wheels:
  1. CycleGear : $25 per wheel (if tire was bought from them)
  2. CycleGear: $50 per wheel (if tire was bought from others)
  3. Local dealer quote: $40 per wheel
  4. Install myself: buy equipment and absorb the pain of bruise knuckles and lots of swearings in between with torn skin (cost: intangible to the brain). This was based of an experience of removing and installing a tubeless tire from a dolly using two long flathead screwdrivers.

What are your thoughts?
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:03 PM   #9
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$50 a wheel is high. Wherever you go, make sure it includes mounting and balancing. $25 - $30 should be findable if you ask around to more local shops. There is some breakeven point where paying for quality equipment at home (like this) to do it completely yourself might make sense - but that breakeven point is dozens of tires/year.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:06 PM   #10
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I suggest getting radials if you can. Their longer mileage ends up about same cost per mile of usage.

If you can change bicycle tyre, you change motorcycle tyre. Only tool I use is 2 large motorcycle tyre levers and big C-clamp. Have done it between sessions at track. Lots of YouTube videos showing how. Helps to leave wheels out in sun for about 60-minutes to warm up an soften tyres.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:12 PM   #11
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Can confirm what danno says. I spent maybe $200 on tire changing equipment and am getting better and faster. My local shop quoted me $90 per tire if I bring the wheel in off the bike to do the whole process. You guys can see why I do my own work lol.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:20 PM   #12
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For those of you who are DIY tire changers, are you guys using the $1,200 pneumatic tire changers or the under $150 manual ones?

Please share your equipment types. I'd be interested.
HarborFreight has one that I saw in YouTube sometime ago for like under $100.

And, equipment for Balancing, too.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:32 PM   #13
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Thanks to Alex, could we use the 3 spoon technique with a Harbor Freight tire changer?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRc2zyiH9mI

The only good thing about the above one is that the tire tire is secured onto the frame of the device so it is secured.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:32 PM   #14
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Radials!
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:37 PM   #15
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Radials!
Thanks!
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Old July 7th, 2020, 03:56 PM   #16
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Motion pro tire irons
Motion pro rim protectors
Harbor freight motorcycle wheel balancer
Harbor freight rear stand (no spools yet)
8" C clamp and thin piece of wood (to break bead)
Assortment of 10, 20, 30, and 40 gram clip on wheel weights.

I'm set to do my wheels for life and friends wheels for $15 each on the side
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Old July 7th, 2020, 04:03 PM   #17
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Quote:
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[...]
Harbor freight motorcycle wheel balancer
[...]
Is it this one ?
https://www.harborfreight.com/search...ancing%20stand
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Old July 7th, 2020, 04:11 PM   #18
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Yup, that's it.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 04:17 PM   #19
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Man, he made it look soooooo easy. I'm very tempted now ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpL6-3u6Ct0
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Old July 7th, 2020, 04:28 PM   #20
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If I am ever going to upgrade to something more extensive I am just gonna splurge and get this one

https://youtu.be/04qyOFcnMJI
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Old July 7th, 2020, 04:41 PM   #21
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If I am ever going to upgrade to something more extensive I am just gonna splurge and get this one

https://youtu.be/04qyOFcnMJI
Under 350 Euros (if I'm reading it correctly).

Besides, it is Deutsche made?

I wonder if it can work on car tires, too.

Cool, thanks for sharing, Emu!
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Old July 7th, 2020, 06:11 PM   #22
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go radials

any stock size radial tyre ! bias ply tyres don't compare. pilot street radials seem to roll better than the bias , handle better than bias.. go radial , you will never think bias ply again .
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Old July 7th, 2020, 06:42 PM   #23
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any stock size radial tyre ! bias ply tyres don't compare. pilot street radials seem to roll better than the bias , handle better than bias.. go radial , you will never think bias ply again .
Yes, I was in favor of Radials until I read the wiki page in this website stating that the Radials don't do well with narrow tires.

And, yes, the ones I got are stock size radials.
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Old July 7th, 2020, 11:24 PM   #24
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Yes, I was in favor of Radials until I read the wiki page in this website stating that the Radials don't do well with narrow tires.

And, yes, the ones I got are stock size radials.
Just to be clear, that wiki isn't on this website - you're linking to the wiki over on a completely separate pre-gen ninja250 site. Tons of information over there, but much of it is quite dated, and I wouldn't take everything as gospel (not that I would here either )
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Old July 8th, 2020, 12:54 AM   #25
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Man, he made it look soooooo easy. I'm very tempted now ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpL6-3u6Ct0
No, that's auto tyre and much, much harder to do than moto tyre. If you can replace MTB tyre without pinching tube, you can do moto tyre with just 2 spoon levers. I'll make video next time I swap tyres.
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Old July 8th, 2020, 01:06 AM   #26
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Originally Posted by arthury View Post
Yes, I was in favor of Radials until I read the wiki page in this website stating that the Radials don't do well with narrow tires.

And, yes, the ones I got are stock size radials.
They'll work fine in stock sizes. Yea, they'll work even better on 0.5" wider rims. But unless you take them to absolute limit regularly (no good idea), you'll never notice diference.
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Old July 8th, 2020, 07:50 AM   #27
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Quote:
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Just to be clear, that wiki isn't on this website - you're linking to the wiki over on a completely separate pre-gen ninja250 site. Tons of information over there, but much of it is quite dated, and I wouldn't take everything as gospel (not that I would here either )

Oops, sorry about that.
Associated the two wrongly in my head.
I apologize.
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Old July 8th, 2020, 07:52 AM   #28
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They'll work fine in stock sizes. Yea, they'll work even better on 0.5" wider rims. But unless you take them to absolute limit regularly (no good idea), you'll never notice diference.
Got it.
Thanks, DannoXYZ.
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Old July 19th, 2020, 07:20 AM   #29
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+1 to Street Radials. I put a set on about a week ago and the difference is Unreal. Corner speed only increases grip. I had to re-learn all my favorite routes because the bike was just so much more on rails in the twisties.
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Old July 19th, 2020, 07:30 AM   #30
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Cool, thanks, for the confirmation with real life experiences.
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