2021 Tire thread

[PaleHorse]

Looking for a new set of tires for a the 95 250. I used the search function and only came up with tire suggestions / info that's over a year old.

Looking for tires that are stock sizes. Preferably not bias ply. I'm not concerned with wear but need a tire that works well for canyon carving. I run battlax S21's on my GSXR and love the way they hold in corners. I've been searching all the usual sites and am having a hard time finding something.

Front Tire: 100/80-16
Rear Tire: 130/80-16

Not interested in changing the swing arm, wheels, etc. my 95 is bone stock with 2300 original miles and about as flawless as you can get. Anything new out this year you are running? I see lots of 16" wheel tires that are listed as "scooter" tires. Anyone ever tried them?

[punishum808]

I know what you mean about finding good rubber for the 16s. I just did the newgen conversion to solve all those headaches.

[yardie]

Any luck with tire options available for us still running 16s

[PaleHorse]

Originally Posted by yardie

Any luck with tire options available for us still running 16s

I went with the Pirelli Sport Demon tires. There were mounted yesterday and I'll pick them up later today. I'll give an update on what I think of them after a few miles are logged.

According to the guys at the tire shop, our options are the Pirelli's, Shinko's or Dunlop's without doing any modification to the fender.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by PaleHorse

According to the guys at the tire shop, our options are the Pirelli's, Shinko's or Dunlop's without doing any modification to the fender.

That's silly. Bridgestone BT46 are available in 100/90-16 front and 130/90-16 rear. I've been using BT45s for years, and will go to BT46 as required.

I'll be interested in how the Sport Demons perform for you. I put them on my Moto Guzzi a few years ago and at first they were excellent. Then the front tire quickly got the usual triangular shape and handling suffered noticeably. The rear wore out at 3,800 miles. That was bald in the middle too, not just down to the wear bars.

[PaleHorse]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

That's silly. Bridgestone BT46 are available in 100/90-16 front and 130/90-16 rear. I've been using BT45s for years, and will go to BT46 as required.

I'll be interested in how the Sport Demons perform for you. I put them on my Moto Guzzi a few years ago and at first they were excellent. Then the front tire quickly got the usual triangular shape and handling suffered noticeably. The rear wore out at 3,800 miles. That was bald in the middle too, not just down to the wear bars.

Well that sucks, for me. Just picked up the Pirelli's mounted and balanced.

The whole purpose of this thread was to find out what is out there in a 16 and does not require any modification to the fender. I'll run the sport demons and see how they do. The BT46's will most likely be the next set put on.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by PaleHorse

Well that sucks, for me. Just picked up the Pirelli's mounted and balanced.

The whole purpose of this thread was to find out what is out there in a 16 and does not require any modification to the fender. I'll run the sport demons and see how they do. The BT46's will most likely be the next set put on.

You may find that the Sport Demons are great tires for a Ninja 250 and my problems were due to a 500 lb. motorcycle.

Have you read the tire section of the FAQ? It's getting old, but some of the information may still apply: https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_t...fit_the_250%3F

[PaleHorse]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

You may find that the Sport Demons are great tires for a Ninja 250 and my problems were due to a 500 lb. motorcycle.

Have you read the tire section of the FAQ? It's getting old, but some of the information may still apply: https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/What_t...fit_the_250%3F

Yes, I started there. It hasn't been updated in a long time. I was looking to the most current info on what's available.

I'm a big fan of Bridgestone tires. Currently running the Batlax SP21's on my Suzuki. That tire has an incredible amount of grip. Going to give the Pirelli's a shot and put them through their paces in the Santa Cruz mountains. Hope they can handle it.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by PaleHorse

Going to give the Pirelli's a shot and put them through their paces in the Santa Cruz mountains. Hope they can handle it.

If they behave like mine did, you'll be very happy with them while they're new.

Keep in mind that you originally asked about 80 aspect ratio tires and the Bridgestones I posted about are 90.

[Ghostt]

I have Kenda on both my 250, and 91 EX500, have them for many years, it's a good all around tire, and wet weather performance is great.

I've had the BT45s good tire, but didn't last as long as the Kenda.

[Idealhobbies]

I have Metzeler FeelFree tires on my '07. about 3k miles so far and still doing good. I would buy again at this point...so far....

[yardie]

Originally Posted by PaleHorse

Well that sucks, for me. Just picked up the Pirelli's mounted and balanced.

The whole purpose of this thread was to find out what is out there in a 16 and does not require any modification to the fender. I'll run the sport demons and see how they do. The BT46's will most likely be the next set put on.

Did you have to do any modification for the 90 vs 80 aspect ratio?

I can only find Dunlop K630 in 100 80 16 and 130 80 16.

I can find the Pirelli's in 100 90 16 and 130 90 16 but cost a bit more.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by yardie

Did you have to do any modification for the 90 vs 80 aspect ratio?

I can only find Dunlop K630 in 100 80 16 and 130 80 16.

An 80 aspect ratio tire is less tall, but not wider than a 90. The width is fixed by the first number, 100 or 130 in this case.

[yardie]

Do you need to modify the fender for the 90 since it's taller?

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by yardie

Do you need to modify the fender for the 90 since it's taller?

No. Check out the wiki: https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Tires

[memphisninja]

Ive been using the Michelin City Grip tires in a 100/80 front and 120/80 rear and it has been great! Just switched to the City Grip 2's last week (supposed to be even better water tires, and longer life than previous tires). I get about 2000-4000 out of a rear and 6000-8000 with a front. Just a pro tip, the bike does better with a 120/80 rear. On average a 120 rear is about 3-5 lbs lighter than the stock (City grip 120 is 4lbs lighter!!) Dunlop 130 or other 130's. I've had 130/90, 130/80, 130/70, and 120/80 of different tire brands, on the rear of the ninja 250, and all in all, the 120/80 performed the best in the corners and at higher lean angles and braking and acceleration felt better.

[memphisninja]

Originally Posted by PaleHorse

Looking for a new set of tires for a the 95 250. I used the search function and only came up with tire suggestions / info that's over a year old.

Looking for tires that are stock sizes. Preferably not bias ply. I'm not concerned with wear but need a tire that works well for canyon carving. I run battlax S21's on my GSXR and love the way they hold in corners. I've been searching all the usual sites and am having a hard time finding something.

Front Tire: 100/80-16
Rear Tire: 130/80-16

Not interested in changing the swing arm, wheels, etc. my 95 is bone stock with 2300 original miles and about as flawless as you can get. Anything new out this year you are running? I see lots of 16" wheel tires that are listed as "scooter" tires. Anyone ever tried them?

I know I suggested the City Grip 2's, which I think is a great overall tire and I still recommend them... But

I re-read this again, and saw how you mentioned you like the Battlax series... Well, it looks like Bridgestone came out with a performance scooter tire call the Bridgestone SC! I'd love for you to get a pair and let me know how they work out! They look good and so does the price!
https://www.bridgestone.com/products.../detail/pr036/

Or a third option, is the Pirelli MT75's. I have owned the Pirelli tires before, and while the grip is outstanding, they only lasted 3,500 miles before having to get a new front and rear (ran through 2 rears in 3,500 miles). So I would say they are WAY to soft. Also, I did experience overheating and sliding, if the tire was kept at high speeds (85-100 mph in high speed sweepers, for 2 hours straight) it starts to get a little greasy, but if i drop my speed for a few minutes, and ease of the corners, they cool back down within a few minutes.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by memphisninja

II get about 2000-4000 out of a rear...

That's not a lot of miles. I realize miles isn't necessarily the primary feature of tires, but I'd hope to do better than that on a light motorcycle like a 250.

[memphisninja]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

That's not a lot of miles. I realize miles isn't necessarily the primary feature of tires, but I'd hope to do better than that on a light motorcycle like a 250.

Well a little about me and my riding... I am a tool when I ride, so I push the outer limits of the bike, pretty regularly... I carry saddlebags and luggage on my bike (on average about 20-30 lbs of luggage, and up to 50 lbs when traveling far).. I also ride at a fast pace while on back roads, and a lot of the roads around where I live are built for 90-120 mph speeds in the corners, so I am regularly keeping the bike up towards 90+ mph pretty much all the time when I'm riding in my normal spirited mode and my tire pressure is usually kept in the high 20's front and rear (when 2up I up it to 40 in the rear and 30 up front)... When I ride 2 up with my wife, which I do frequently on the 250 when we go grocery shopping, I usually keep the average pace closer to 80 mph... Now when someone whos normal rides the 250, like my wife for instance, she can get 5000-7000 out of a rear and 10k plus on a front...

[thedrewski86]

Originally Posted by memphisninja

Ive been using the Michelin City Grip tires in a 100/80 front and 120/80 rear and it has been great! Just switched to the City Grip 2's last week (supposed to be even better water tires, and longer life than previous tires). I get about 2000-4000 out of a rear and 6000-8000 with a front. Just a pro tip, the bike does better with a 120/80 rear. On average a 120 rear is about 3-5 lbs lighter than the stock (City grip 120 is 4lbs lighter!!) Dunlop 130 or other 130's. I've had 130/90, 130/80, 130/70, and 120/80 of different tire brands, on the rear of the ninja 250, and all in all, the 120/80 performed the best in the corners and at higher lean angles and braking and acceleration felt better.

Thanks for this, you just described the tires I'm looking for! I dig that you can run a smaller 120 on the back and feel the improvement, I like the direction you're going.

[memphisninja]

Originally Posted by thedrewski86

Thanks for this, you just described the tires I'm looking for! I dig that you can run a smaller 120 on the back and feel the improvement, I like the direction you're going.

No problem man! I hope you enjoy them! They are fantastic in the rain, and you can brake and lean almost as good as if it were dry outside. Excellent performance tires!

[thedrewski86]

Originally Posted by memphisninja

No problem man! I hope you enjoy them! They are fantastic in the rain, and you can brake and lean almost as good as if it were dry outside. Excellent performance tires!

I'm glad to see that 16" is a common enough size in the scooter market. I hadn't thought of them, but there is quite a selection of performance tires there. It's fortunate too as our 16" first-gen wheels are getting rare and the 17" new-gen retrofit looks wrong to me.
Not to mention, going narrower is way cool to me. My main bike is an SV650 and so many kids who get one as their first bike want to make it look like a supersport by fitting a 180 rear tire. What a pointless effort; they just make the bike turn slower and the 160 gives you all the cross-section you need for the lean that bike can reach. I can't wait to get ripping on Palomar or Ortega with this 250 and a 120 rear should be fun with all the Ducatis and R1s.

[shspvr]

You all do know you can go with 70 series tires there should be enough room for up to 110 front and up to 140 rear as it only tab bit smaller unlike the 90 series which 10mm taller over the 80 series vs 3mm shorter with 70 series that center difference

[Artruck]

Originally Posted by shspvr

You all do know you can go with 70 series tires there should be enough room for up to 110 front and up to 140 rear as it only tab bit smaller unlike the 90 series which 10mm taller over the 80 series vs 3mm shorter with 70 series that center difference

Doesn’t 140 rear rub the swing arm and the center stand?

I’m running 130 90 rear and 110 on the front of one bike, and 130 90s front and rear on the other. The 130 90 just fits in the back and front.

[shspvr]

Originally Posted by Artruck

Doesn’t 140 rear rub the swing arm and the center stand?

I’m running 130 90 rear and 110 on the front of one bike, and 130 90s front and rear on the other. The 130 90 just fits in the back and front.

It shouldn't being it only 5mm wider from centerline per side rumor has it that a 150 fit but I check this tomorrow on side clarence

[shspvr]

I check the center stand it has lot of room between the tire, but plastic chain guard will have to be remove as there only has about 2mm with stock 130 on

[DannoXYZ]

Issue I've had with wider-than-stock tyres on pre-gen is it slows down handling. Wider flatter profile makes bike lazier to respond and takes some fun out of riding.

Earlier his year, I bought front ContiScoot tyre in stock 100/80-16 size. Put on about 4K-miles and it'll look like I'll get at least 15K-miles out of this tyre. It also works really well in rain!

[Artruck]

My scrambler 250 has the wide tires, but I found the taller rear made up for the width by changing the front steering angle. Plus I live in Kansas so there are a lot more straight roads than twisty ones.