Question about tires

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 04:59 PM

Hello everyone!
I am looking at buying a ninja 250 from craigslist, and I found a black ninja that I like, but the tire looks semi-worn in the picture. I texted the owner this weekend but he hasn't gotten back to me about it.
I wanted your guys opinion on whether it looks absurdly worn or not, because I have no idea what I am looking at.

And i don't need you guys telling me to go see the bike, because it is an hour drive and I am trying to decide on two bikes within my budget, and replacing the tires could make the difference.

Thanks!

Joshorilla · June 23rd, 2013, 05:02 PM

See the bike.

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

See the bike.

Asspire · June 23rd, 2013, 05:04 PM

see the bike

because I can't tell from the big high quality picture

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asspire

because I can't tell from the big high quality picture

Yeah I thought the same thing.

tfkrocks · June 23rd, 2013, 05:07 PM

You really shouldn't settle for a bike before you've seen it. It could seem fine in pictures but not be so good after all. Yeah you might save yourself a few bucks now on gas or maybe even the tires, but it might cost you so much more because you settled on something that wasn't well maintained.

On the flip side, maybe it's just the tires and everything else is fine with the bike. Paying for tires is cheaper than paying for a full service.

Joshorilla · June 23rd, 2013, 05:07 PM

As did it, ****** image.

I also thought an hours drive isn't unreasonable for such a big purchase, in fact that's nothing, so grow a pair and stop telling me what not to say because i'll just go ahead and say it anyway.

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

As did it, ****** image.

I also thought an hours drive isn't unreasonable for such a big purchase, in fact that's nothing, so grow a pair and stop telling me what not to say because i'll just go ahead and say it anyway.

You dont have to be an asshole about it.

Joshorilla · June 23rd, 2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driddle

You dont have to be an asshole about it.

Yes I do.

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Yes I do.

But you really dont. And you know it.

Asspire · June 23rd, 2013, 05:12 PM

don't say that

Joshorilla · June 23rd, 2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driddle

But you really dont. And you know it.

If you hadn't of been an arsehole as to reject someones help based on something you didn't want to hear because of no good reason I wouldn't have picked up on that, and I wouldn't have taken your original dismissive arsehole comment and turned it around.

You may not like to hear you have to see the bike, you may want to pretend you don't have to, but to tell me not to tell you something you don't want to hear? No, I will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, because that's ultimatly a much nicer thing to do, don't like it? You have the right not to like it, not the right to tell people not to say it.

Brother Michigan · June 23rd, 2013, 06:09 PM

Hey. Children. Cool it.

The tires don't look ridiculously worn, but you DO need to really look at them to tell, or at least get a better picture. Good advice you don't want to hear is still good advice.

Driddle · June 23rd, 2013, 07:05 PM

I'll ask another question then, when going to see the tires, what is a good rule of thumb for tread left/wear that I should assume is good/bad?
If that makes sense.

tfkrocks · June 23rd, 2013, 07:49 PM

Tires have wear bars on them. If the tread is down to the level of the wear bars, its about time to replace them. Also should check the manufacture date of the tires. Tires are usually good for up to about 5 years. I believe its in the form of a 4 digit number; first two indicate which week of the year, and the last two are the year. Cracking hard rubber is a sign to replace the tires.

csmith12 · June 23rd, 2013, 08:41 PM

Long story short....

Tires are a consumable item when it comes to riding. If your basing your idea to buy a bike based on tires then you need to rethink some things. I do understand not wanting to put tires on a bike you just bought but if the deal is right.... then buy the bike and replace the tires.

EDIT: The tires are fine by what I can see from the pic.

menikmati · June 24th, 2013, 10:23 AM

What kind of riding do you plan on doing? Those tires look decent for everyday commuting, but I can't give a solid answer without having a high-resolution picture of the tread and where the wear bars are.

I spot a Two Brothers can = do not wantttttttt.

...unless you want to be brap brappin' all day.

As @csmith12 said, tires are a consumable item and you'll be expected to eat through sets of tires for the entire duration of your motorcycling career. There are plenty of tires that fit the new-gen (either stock or different sizes), but it really depends on the application of those tires, rather than just getting uber sticky tires. Choose tires that fit your particular needs. Personally, I only run radials that are proven to provide adequate grip in all conditions, regardless of the mileage-expectancy of the tire. "Where the rubber meets the road" is literally the contact patch of your tires, remember that.

Ktam · June 25th, 2013, 01:19 AM

Check the 4 digit code on the side walls. If it's 4-5 years or has been sitting for some time during the bike's life, it's likely to develop side wall cracking if it hasn't already.

Corona · June 25th, 2013, 03:36 AM

maybe the owner sold it and thats why it has not answer. you live in murrieta, is the bike in sd area or where?

Driddle · June 25th, 2013, 03:15 PM

I texted him again a few days ago.
I am going down to San Diego to look at two different bikes tomorrow morning. And Im going to Torrance Thursday morning to look at a third. I'll be making a decision after that.

Thanks for the help guys!

June 23rd, 2013, 05:04 PM	#4
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	see the bike because I can't tell from the big high quality picture
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

June 23rd, 2013, 08:41 PM	#16
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Long story short.... Tires are a consumable item when it comes to riding. If your basing your idea to buy a bike based on tires then you need to rethink some things. I do understand not wanting to put tires on a bike you just bought but if the deal is right.... then buy the bike and replace the tires. EDIT: The tires are fine by what I can see from the pic. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

June 24th, 2013, 10:23 AM	#17
menikmati crash 250, get supersport Name: Richard Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R SE (Sold 6/9/14), 2009 ZX-6R (Sold 6/25/14), Subaru BRZ Posts: A lot.	What kind of riding do you plan on doing? Those tires look decent for everyday commuting, but I can't give a solid answer without having a high-resolution picture of the tread and where the wear bars are. I spot a Two Brothers can = do not wantttttttt. ...unless you want to be brap brappin' all day. As @csmith12 said, tires are a consumable item and you'll be expected to eat through sets of tires for the entire duration of your motorcycling career. There are plenty of tires that fit the new-gen (either stock or different sizes), but it really depends on the application of those tires, rather than just getting uber sticky tires. Choose tires that fit your particular needs. Personally, I only run radials that are proven to provide adequate grip in all conditions, regardless of the mileage-expectancy of the tire. "Where the rubber meets the road" is literally the contact patch of your tires, remember that. __________________________________________________ Last futzed with by menikmati; June 24th, 2013 at 08:32 PM.

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June 23rd, 2013, 05:02 PM	#2
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	See the bike.

June 23rd, 2013, 05:07 PM	#6
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	You really shouldn't settle for a bike before you've seen it. It could seem fine in pictures but not be so good after all. Yeah you might save yourself a few bucks now on gas or maybe even the tires, but it might cost you so much more because you settled on something that wasn't well maintained. On the flip side, maybe it's just the tires and everything else is fine with the bike. Paying for tires is cheaper than paying for a full service.

June 23rd, 2013, 05:12 PM	#11
Asspire Fix It Till Ya Break It Name: Asspyre Location: T.Dot Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 250RRrrrr Posts: 623	don't say that

June 23rd, 2013, 06:09 PM	#13
Brother Michigan ninjette.org sage Name: Aaron Location: Winder, GA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 718	Hey. Children. Cool it. The tires don't look ridiculously worn, but you DO need to really look at them to tell, or at least get a better picture. Good advice you don't want to hear is still good advice.

June 23rd, 2013, 07:05 PM	#14
Driddle ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Murrieta, California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 288	I'll ask another question then, when going to see the tires, what is a good rule of thumb for tread left/wear that I should assume is good/bad? If that makes sense.

June 23rd, 2013, 07:49 PM	#15
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	Tires have wear bars on them. If the tread is down to the level of the wear bars, its about time to replace them. Also should check the manufacture date of the tires. Tires are usually good for up to about 5 years. I believe its in the form of a 4 digit number; first two indicate which week of the year, and the last two are the year. Cracking hard rubber is a sign to replace the tires.

June 25th, 2013, 01:19 AM	#18
Ktam ninjette.org member Name: Kelvin Location: Vancouver Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 15	Check the 4 digit code on the side walls. If it's 4-5 years or has been sitting for some time during the bike's life, it's likely to develop side wall cracking if it hasn't already.

June 25th, 2013, 03:36 AM	#19
Corona ninjette.org member Name: Carlos Location: Mo Val Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R (Crashed/Unexistent) / 11 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 83	maybe the owner sold it and thats why it has not answer. you live in murrieta, is the bike in sd area or where?

June 25th, 2013, 03:15 PM	#20
Driddle ninjette.org guru Name: David Location: Murrieta, California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 288	I texted him again a few days ago. I am going down to San Diego to look at two different bikes tomorrow morning. And Im going to Torrance Thursday morning to look at a third. I'll be making a decision after that. Thanks for the help guys!