Another tire thread - rain version

[tac12345]

Hello everyone,

I am planning to use my ninja 250 only when it's raining outside, and will use my 636 when the weather is great.


Anyway, I was wondering what tire would be the best under rain condition. I have ridden the sport demon alot, they are great! but I was wondering if the bt-45 would be better ? or any other brand?

I want to stay away from any rain race tire.

Thanks for you imput guys, always appreciated

I would like to stick with the stock size for front 110-70 17 and 130/140 -70 17 for the rear.

[Alex]

Michelin Pilot Streets advertise the best wet grip in the category.

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/ti...-street-radial

At last, there is a radial structure for 250 cc’s and over which combines good overall performance with optimal handleability over time². It comes out top of its category¹ for grip in the wet ensuring a safer ride and its sporty look is set to be a hit.

1 : Test conducted in September 2012 at the DEKRA test centre on wet surfaces comparing MICHELIN Pilot Street Radial tires vs Bridgestone Battlax BT92 Radial Bridgestone Battlax BT90 Radial tires in sizes 110/70 R17 54H - 140/70 R17 66H and Pirelli Sport Demon tires in sizes 110/70-17 54H - 140/70-17 66H. Results may vary depending on motorcycle type and operating conditions.

It's getting pretty solid reviews so far on this site, though I haven't heard much one way or the other about wet grip.

[Sirref]

I feel the same grip in my michelins in the rain that I do in the dry. It's astounding. They're set up very well for riding in the wet and they last forever, definitely the tire you're looking for.

[dino74]

I've ridden both the BT-45 and DR2s at the track in the rain. Both performed well and I'd vote for DR2 since they have excellent dry grip as well.

[Sirref]

DR2 has the best dry grip in the class and it's not close, I'm not sold on their wet grip though but if you tracked them in the rain successfully you can speak towards it more than me.

[cbinker]

go with tires that wick the most water.

[Alex]

Love the grip of the DR2's, but not a fan of their wear rate. Haven't played with them much in the rain, so can't comment on how well they'd work. The tread design of the DR2 hints that there is less drainage than less track-friendly tires, but sometimes compounds can surprise in how well they work.

[NevadaWolf]

Disclaimer - I am not a tire expert by any stretch of the imagination.

I've ridden Bridgestone BT-45s, Michelin Pilot Streets, and DRIIs in hard sustained rain. The Bridgestone front had maybe 8k while the rear was less than a thousand, the Michelins were both brand spanking new (well, couple hundred into their life), and the DRIIs had maybe 3k front and rear.

Of those, the only one's that stepped out on me were the DRIIs, caused while gentle braking and downshifting. Happened twice on the same ride, so may have been my technique combined with slick road.

The Bridgestones were ok, nothing overly noteworthy. I did slow down considerably given the sheer amount of water on the road but never had cause to question my tires. Navigating Eastern traffic and interstates felt neutral.

The Michelins, either through their ability or my supreme trust in them, felt glued to the road. I took them on I-5 north through California and once I reached the curves around Shasta, I felt planted enough to maintain a steady speed. My bike behaved to me as if it were on dry road, regardless of how much water was sheeting across.

The more I ride on them, the happier I am with the Michelins.