Tire question for 2006 250R

[Nu2Street]

Hello. I am new to the forums, and new to street riding as of this past summer. I picked up a 2006 Ninja 250 with less than 10,000 miles on it that is in excellent condition. The previous owner replaced the tires, and the rear is a Pirelli MT75 120/80-16 60T. The stock rear tire for this bike is listed as a Dunlop 130/80-16 64S.
I am 5'-6'' and 145 lbs. if that matters, the bike hardly knows I'm on it I am wondering what the performance difference would be going back to the larger stock tire size.

Thanks for the help.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Hello. I am new to the forums, and new to street riding as of this past summer. I picked up a 2006 Ninja 250 with less than 10,000 miles on it that is in excellent condition. The previous owner replaced the tires, and the rear is a Pirelli MT75 120/80-16 60T. The stock rear tire for this bike is listed as a Dunlop 130/80-16 64S.
I am 5'-6'' and 145 lbs. if that matters, the bike hardly knows I'm on it I am wondering what the performance difference would be going back to the larger stock tire size.

Thanks for the help.

The tires you have on it now are significantly better than the stock tires in many ways. The rear is lower-profile so it makes the seat height lower, the rear size (120) is actually better for the rim width, and the compound is much softer (for more traction).

There are a few choices for tires for the '06, but what you have is much better than what was originally on there.

[Nu2Street]

Thanks for the reply. The guy I bought the bike from told me the Pirelli's would be a softer compound than the stock Dunlop tires and probably also better in the wet. The front tire is a Pirelli as well, stock size.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Thanks for the reply. The guy I bought the bike from told me the Pirelli's would be a softer compound than the stock Dunlop tires and probably also better in the wet. The front tire is a Pirelli as well, stock size.

Yes - he did you a favor.

[HoneyBadgerRy]

I run the MT75s and they are worlds better than the Dunlop's. I would reccomend raising the rear or lowering the front of the bike for a little more clearance, but stock with the MT75's is a great bike.

[Nu2Street]

Do you mean the MT75's you use are the same dimensions as mine? (120/80-16) Sorry but I'm just getting back into bikes and don't remember if the MT75 refers to only one size tire.

[HoneyBadgerRy]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Do you mean the MT75's you use are the same dimensions as mine? (120/80-16) Sorry but I'm just getting back into bikes and don't remember if the MT75 refers to only one size tire.

There is only one size mt75 that fits the ninja 250.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Nu2Street

Thanks for the reply. The guy I bought the bike from told me the Pirelli's would be a softer compound than the stock Dunlop tires and probably also better in the wet. The front tire is a Pirelli as well, stock size.

The date stamped on those Pirelli tires can tell you how good they are now.
Copied from
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_lon...o_replace_them

"Finally, tires also have an "expiration date," after a fashion. Tires which are more than a few years old (particularly tires exposed to lots of sunlight or ozone) tend to harden and crack, making them much less grippy, and less safe. Tires have a date code molded into the sidewall, which is four numbers long. The first two numbers are the week-number, and the second two are the year-number. So the code 0206 would mean the tire was made in the second week of 2006. If you're looking at a used bike, remember to factor in the cost of tires if they're more than 3 years old."

Welcome, Karl !!!

[HoneyBadgerRy]

Originally Posted by Motofool

The date stamped on those Pirelli tires can tell you how good they are now.
Copied from
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_lon...o_replace_them

"Finally, tires also have an "expiration date," after a fashion. Tires which are more than a few years old (particularly tires exposed to lots of sunlight or ozone) tend to harden and crack, making them much less grippy, and less safe. Tires have a date code molded into the sidewall, which is four numbers long. The first two numbers are the week-number, and the second two are the year-number. So the code 0206 would mean the tire was made in the second week of 2006. If you're looking at a used bike, remember to factor in the cost of tires if they're more than 3 years old."

Welcome, Karl !!!

I always replace my tires when they are a year old weather they are worn or not, fresh rubber is more important than what tire you are running or how worn it is (unless its an a extreme).