2009 Ninja 250r with a wider tire

[schultzy808]

I have a 2009 with stock 130 on the back I know I can go to a 150 60 on the back my question is will this 150 help me with being blown around I was told it would and told it wouldnt Im 5ft 9 225 and just doing 55 60 Im getting blown all over

[Alex]

No.

[Slono]

Originally Posted by schultzy808

I have a 2009 with stock 130 on the back I know I can go to a 150 60 on the back my question is will this 150 help me with being blown around I was told it would and told it wouldnt Im 5ft 9 225 and just doing 55 60 Im getting blown all over

If you're being blown all over, you should try going into tuck position. If you don't want to do that, get an aftermarket windscreen. That's a hell of a lot cheaper than getting larger tires that won't do too much.

[schultzy808]

thanks I think Imma go with a 140 70 i tried the tucking in the new wind screen maybe it just i need to get use to a smaller bike

[killermase]

I agree. Invest in one of those double bubble or sport touring windscreens. I recently got the double bubble zero gravity and it definitely helps on the highway.

[Todd250]

the only thing I noticed going to the wider tire was stability, but getting blown around doesn't have much if any connection to tires.

[schultzy808]

I just upgraded my tires night and day difference I went to a duro 120 70 front and a 140 70 back ride is alot better seems to hold better in wind could be just me cornering is way better all around great upgrade

[etiainen]

1. n00b asks typical n00b question
2. experienced members answer question
3. n00b ignores advice and does it anyways
4. n00b has gained nothing

Not to be too horrible sounding, that's what you just did...

Like other's have said, getting wider tires didn't help anything. Getting blown around in the wind is something that happens on a motorcycle and it is just something you have to either deal with.

All you've done is put tires that are too wide for the rim. And you've compromised some level of handling for little benefit.

Why ask a question to ignore the answers?

[Klondike1020]

Wider tyres look cooler dude . Wind respects that !

[schultzy808]

see my gsxr and cbr I have no issues with wind or anything Im not familiar with small bikes I asked the question for some input this is the 1st ninja I ever delt with and it seems to have issues with being so light and having skinny tires put a 929 or a 1000 under you and its a world of difference especially when you run a 180 instead of a 130

[choneofakind]

There are many more variables that are different between a 250 with a 130 rear and a GSXR with a 180 rear. Yes a supersport is less effected by the wind at freeway speeds, but that's due to many more things than simply the width of the tire. Look at how many things are the same from a 250 to a 600 or 1000. I can likely list those parts on my fingers and toes.

Sure, the rim is wide enough to physically hold a 140. Ok, not a big deal; the cbr250 has a 140 rear as well. If you want a wider rear tire, whatever it's your bike. But justify it as wanting larger tires, not highway stability.

Tire compound has a much larger effect than tire width. The only reason it might be more stable is because there is more mass rotating around on your wheels and it doesn't want to lean over as quickly because of the larger moment of inertia of the wheels. The same effect could be attained with a 130 tire by adding weights to the wheels...

[MikeCG23]

Wouldn't wider tires help with cracks. I have gotten in some cracks and deep grooves on the freeway and scares the sh*t outta me every time! Wouldn't a wider tire help you when encountering things of this nature? I would like to move up to a 150 for looks and for stability, pending if it helps, if its safe, and if I can find somewhere that will mount it. So far no one wants to mount a 150 for me.

[choneofakind]

Following the cracks in the road is due to tread pattern and tire compound. When I changed from stock tires to stickier tires that are a different pattern, they don't follow every crack in the road nearly like the stock tires did.

[etiainen]

Get sticker tires. Stick with the stock sizes. You'll feel a lot better with them/

[leed]

Actually part of the problem with putting a wider tire on a thinner rim is it tends to stray away from the original profile of the tire. Instead of being round (close to a circle) it becomes more steep on the corners and sharper on the center line. This would actually make your bike less stable and even more eager to fall into turns, and most importantly, without a smooth transition. The difference is probably small from a 130 to 140 or even 150, but that's what the difference is.

[broilmebk]

Issues about tire width? All I got from this post was issues with punctuation.

[Miles_Prower]

Originally Posted by broilmebk

Issues about tire width? All I got from this post was issues with punctuation.

I wish there was a like button. I was reading the OP's posts and had such a hard time trying to figure out what he was saying lol. Good spelling and grammar go a LONG way in this world.

[etiainen]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

There are many more variables that are different between a 250 with a 130 rear and a GSXR with a 180 rear. Yes a supersport is less effected by the wind at freeway speeds, but that's due to many more things than simply the width of the tire. Look at how many things are the same from a 250 to a 600 or 1000. I can likely list those parts on my fingers and toes.

Sure, the rim is wide enough to physically hold a 140. Ok, not a big deal; the cbr250 has a 140 rear as well. If you want a wider rear tire, whatever it's your bike. But justify it as wanting larger tires, not highway stability.

Tire compound has a much larger effect than tire width. The only reason it might be more stable is because there is more mass rotating around on your wheels and it doesn't want to lean over as quickly because of the larger moment of inertia of the wheels. The same effect could be attained with a 130 tire by adding weights to the wheels...

I find the CBR gets pushed around as much, just differently. The shape of the bike and the fairings cause a different reaction to a strong gust than my Ninja did. The 140 width doesn't really make a difference, @choneofakind is right here. The CBR is also just a hair lighter.

However, putting BT-45s on my Ninja did affect my ride. Look at better tires. You will actually feel that difference.

[trevor_shiggs]

What is the stickiest tire? I don't ride in the rain if I don't get caught in it and I do a mix of highway and city driving.

[folky15]

Originally Posted by MikeCG23

Wouldn't wider tires help with cracks. I have gotten in some cracks and deep grooves on the freeway and scares the sh*t outta me every time! Wouldn't a wider tire help you when encountering things of this nature? I would like to move up to a 150 for looks and for stability, pending if it helps, if its safe, and if I can find somewhere that will mount it. So far no one wants to mount a 150 for me.

A wider tire would definitely help lessen the impact of cracks on the road, but it might only be a small difference. Seems like the only smart way to get a wider tire on these bikes is to also get a wider rim.

[Jiggles]

There is no benefit to getting a wider tire other than making you feel better about your penis size

[NathanUc]

150 on a stock rim is so pinched that you negate all the benefits of a wider tire.

Go with the 110/140 pirelli rosso II. The 140 mounts extremely well and will fair better in a full lean.

As for stability in a straight line/wind/cracks, you won't notice a difference between a 110/120 or 130/pinched 150

[TheJimmyEnglish]

I have the 150/60 Michelin Pilot Power on mine with no issues and no "pinching" quarter inch clearance on each side too.

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

There is no benefit to getting a wider tire other than making you feel better about your penis size

So... any cons?

[Jiggles]

You need to modify some stuff to do a 150

[etiainen]

Large chicken strips.

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

You need to modify some stuff to do a 150

But it will still make me feel better about my penis size right, RIGHT?!

[choneofakind]

another con:

more rubber = more weight and rotational inertia. This means it will be a little less easily flicked from side to side. Not huge, but noticeable.

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

more rubber = more weight and rotational inertia.

that's what she said.

Originally Posted by choneofakind

it will be a little less easily flicked from side to side

that's what she said

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Not huge, but noticeable.

that's what she said



Still don't see a single con here

[choneofakind]

[etiainen]

If there's no "she" to speak of....you can't use it on me.

[TheJimmyEnglish]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

You need to modify some stuff to do a 150

No you don't. I have the 150 rear with no mods to fit it.

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by etiainen

If there's no "she" to speak of....you can't use it on me.

You have a CBR, your argument is invalid!

[etiainen]

Woah woah....

has nothing to do with the bike.

Don't hate that there's 250 competition now.

[edxmon]

Originally Posted by etiainen

Woah woah....

has nothing to do with the bike.

Don't hate that there's 250 competition now.

that them there be fightin' werds!

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

another con:

more rubber = more weight and rotational inertia. This means it will be a little less easily flicked from side to side. Not huge, but noticeable.

Very noticeable. I switched from 110/130 sport demons to 120/140 rosso II. Even with only about 20 miles I can feel the difference.

I wouldn't say it lost any of it's flickableness, it just takes more force to throw it around.

[EsrTek]

Originally Posted by NathanUc

Very noticeable. I switched from 110/130 sport demons to 120/140 rosso II. Even with only about 20 miles I can feel the difference.

MY SD's are going to need change soon enough, would love to see a full review between these 2 tires.

Originally Posted by NathanUc

I wouldn't say it lost any of it's flickableness, it just takes more force to throw it around.

Uhmm... If it takes more force, it has lost flickability... the real question is 'how much' has it lost? I sometimes think I would prefer a bit less, at times, maybe just the way I ride.

[etiainen]

Originally Posted by NathanUc

Very noticeable. I switched from 110/130 sport demons to 120/140 rosso II. Even with only about 20 miles I can feel the difference.

I wouldn't say it lost any of it's flickableness, it just takes more force to throw it around.

Any particular reason you went to the 120?

Why change the front if not needed?

[flynjay]

One of the main reasons a SS is less effected by the wind than the 250 is rider position. If you fully tuck on the ninja while still being light on the bars, there is a noticable reduction is reaction to crosswinds.

Wider tires are only negatives for the ninja.

[fordendk]

My experience with wider tires on a 2012 Ninja 250 is that they are 100% better than the stock cheese cutters. I have read many comments by people saying that Kawasaki really think about the right size for tires etc.. That is complete poppycock. They think about profit first and the quality of the stock tires is a testament to that.

I put a set of Bridgestone Battlax BT92's on (160/60/17 rear and 120/60/17 front). I have put these on standard rims and they sit very well with no pinching or other problems. The clearance is around 3mm off the swing arm at the rear and you have to remove the crappy plastic chain guard (which you would want to do anyway when you get a rear hugger).

The difference in stability, grip and cornering is huge and I could feel the whole bike become far more controlled and road-worthy immediately. Riding with the stock tires was actually quite horrible in comparison. I am not sure what Kawasaki throw on the Ninja stock in other countries but the stock tires in Indonesia are lousy and have very poor wet performance to the point of being dangerous.

I'm not racing the bike, just using it for a fun sports bike on the road around town because big bikes here are poisonously expensive (actually I have a love affair with the Aprilia RSV4 but they cost about 45K to own here). So far the Ninjette has been very good with the wider tires.

The bikes I have owned before this one were much bigger bikes (GSXR 1100, Fireblade 900, R1 and a few others going back many years to the very first road bike I had which was a Honda Supersport 400). No comparison obviously but this is a fun little bike to ride and I think it benefits from the meatier tires tremendously... at least on the road.