March 2nd, 2011, 10:05 AM | #1 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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Tire recommendations for commuters?
I travel 40 miles a day round trip and about 38 of those are freeway miles. I only have 1 bend which allows me to lean the bike. Otherwise, even the entrance and exit ramps are shallow turns. This has lead me to have a noticeable flat wear in the middle of the tire. Are there tires out there built for this type of riding that will fit our bikes? Grip in turns is always important, but I could give some of it up for a tire that won't wear out the middle too fast. I also don't ride in the rain, so wet traction can be minimal.
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March 2nd, 2011, 10:29 AM | #2 |
Sexy Beast
Name: Mat
Location: Tampa
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R, 2006 ZX-14, 2012 Ducati Monster Posts: A lot.
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darkside tires...
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March 2nd, 2011, 10:37 AM | #3 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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That helps me not at all.
I'm thinking of Michelin Pilot Activ Rear Tire. Anyone have experience with them? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx
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March 2nd, 2011, 11:01 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org Monkey Spank
Name: Kevin
Location: Illinois
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GT 501's or BT-45's would be a good choice also.
None of the tires will last forever but the harder compounds will last longer. these 2 are a little harder but still stick good in an emergency.
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March 2nd, 2011, 11:08 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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what tires do you have now?
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March 2nd, 2011, 11:08 AM | #6 |
I hate driving...
Name: S
Location: SW Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.
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I commute 70 miles a day so once the IRC's are gone I am picking up the BT-45's since they were recommended and offer better traction.
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March 2nd, 2011, 12:01 PM | #7 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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March 2nd, 2011, 12:07 PM | #8 |
Mid Life Crisis
Name: Ken
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (Passion Red); 1999 BMW K1200RS (Marrakesh Red) Posts: 81
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I commute 75 round trip and will go through the stockers in no time. This is good info. Are the BT-45's dual compound?
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March 2nd, 2011, 12:29 PM | #9 |
Ninjette CPT
Name: Vince
Location: jacksonville, fl
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 08 250r Posts: A lot.
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bt-45's no question. better grip than 501's, similar treadlife. i put 300+ miles on the bike a week - my bt-45's have 10k on them - still look good.
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March 2nd, 2011, 12:33 PM | #10 |
Mid Life Crisis
Name: Ken
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (Passion Red); 1999 BMW K1200RS (Marrakesh Red) Posts: 81
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March 2nd, 2011, 12:50 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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March 2nd, 2011, 01:52 PM | #12 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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The PO installed the new tires just before he sold the bike to me. I have about 4k on them.
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March 2nd, 2011, 01:54 PM | #13 |
Ninjette CPT
Name: Vince
Location: jacksonville, fl
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March 2nd, 2011, 02:17 PM | #14 |
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Name: Nick
Location: Occoquan, VA
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 518
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Where's the best place to buy BT-45's? When the weather warms up a little more I'll be commuting (110 miles round trip) on the bike occasionally. Gonna go through tires pretty quickly...
Edit: Oops, didnt see the previous post. Last futzed with by NJD022588; March 3rd, 2011 at 06:49 AM. |
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March 2nd, 2011, 02:47 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
my recommendation for a good radial tire is the bt016 in 110/70 and 150/60 sizes. It remains sticky, wears well and improves the grip level over the OEM bias ply tires. if you decide to stick with an OEM bias ply type tire in stock sizes, the 045s are a good choice as well as the Dunlop gt501s for a good mix of grip and longevity. btw, you are planning to change both tires, correct? it is not advisable to use mixed tire construction types between front and rear. (ie. radial front and bias ply rear) |
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March 2nd, 2011, 02:55 PM | #16 | |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
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Quote:
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March 2nd, 2011, 03:06 PM | #17 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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sorry, no info on the michelin, though I think I have seen them mentioned on ninjette. have you done a search to see if someone has provided feedback on these particular tires?
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March 2nd, 2011, 04:16 PM | #18 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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I read the wiki on tires on here, but that's about it. There's a lot of good reviews on it from MC superstore. I may go with the BT45's. I've had michelins on my car before and was pretty unhappy with them. Not sure if their philosophy of car tires also applies to their bike tires.
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March 2nd, 2011, 04:41 PM | #19 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
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Quote:
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March 2nd, 2011, 04:54 PM | #20 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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Thanks Sean. You have the Pilot Activ or a different model?
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March 2nd, 2011, 05:25 PM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Peter
Location: Deep South, USA
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kenda 671 is an inexpensive bias ply tire that comes in the right sizes.
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March 2nd, 2011, 06:04 PM | #22 |
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March 2nd, 2011, 08:29 PM | #23 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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Cool. That looks to be the size of my rear. Does anyone know if the BT 003's are radial?
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March 3rd, 2011, 04:06 AM | #24 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
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Yes. It is a multi-compound radial, with a different compound for center tread and shoulder, with a belt underneath. These should probably be thought of as track-day tires not designed primarily for street use and bad in the wet. They would make a bad every day tire, imho, even the 003RS. The BT-016 would be the better street tire and still offers excellent grip. KKim has the 016s and swears by them.
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March 3rd, 2011, 06:15 AM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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I LOOOOOVE my 016's....
My commute is approx. 50 miles round trip.
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March 3rd, 2011, 08:44 AM | #26 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.
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Thanks Floyd. Looks like I'll need to do both front and rear at the same time then. Jason, how many miles on them do you have and what's the wear like?
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March 3rd, 2011, 09:07 AM | #27 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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Quote:
Here is a baseline to start with. First couple is when I installed them. The 3rd picture was with about 500 miles.
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March 3rd, 2011, 09:09 AM | #28 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
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Is your commute mostly straight?
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March 3rd, 2011, 09:20 AM | #29 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
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Mostly...
The "Florida 9A" and I-95 are highway speeds. Like I said though, I prolly corner faster than most too. Every chance I get I have mine leaned as far as I can. I'm thinking this along with the 016's different compounds allows the tire to wear more evenly.
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March 3rd, 2011, 09:24 AM | #30 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
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Yeah, the leans that you get to have most likely help. It looks like you have 4 bends in your commute that allows you to get a lean. I get 1 and that's on my way to work. On my way home, I take a different route that doesn't even have 1 bend except for an exit.
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March 3rd, 2011, 11:07 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org Monkey Spank
Name: Kevin
Location: Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.
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Kudos to KKim for asking what tires you are riding now. I assumed you were on the stockers. I agree with the above comments and would go with the BT-16's. Great tire for track and street.(thats whats on my 250 now)
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March 3rd, 2011, 12:36 PM | #32 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
Location: St, Louis
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are the bt 16's better than the 45's?
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March 3rd, 2011, 12:40 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
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Define better...
Better for commuting?
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March 3rd, 2011, 12:54 PM | #34 |
ninjette.org Monkey Spank
Name: Kevin
Location: Illinois
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YES BT-16's are dual compound tires. Wont last as long, but much better grip. On top of that they are radials.
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March 3rd, 2011, 12:54 PM | #35 |
ModMy250.com
Name: Tri
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Yes. I'm not interested in track use.
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March 3rd, 2011, 12:57 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
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You need 016's then. Bottom line IMHO.
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March 3rd, 2011, 01:00 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org dude
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Really? The thread is started with a request for tires that are good for commuting, have long wear, and consistent handling, and the answer is the BT-016's? Color me skeptical.
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March 3rd, 2011, 01:02 PM | #38 |
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March 3rd, 2011, 01:03 PM | #39 |
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March 3rd, 2011, 01:06 PM | #40 |
ninjette.org Monkey Spank
Name: Kevin
Location: Illinois
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If your running the 003's the BT-16's are a little step down in traction and a big step up in tire life.
The BT-45's are a much bigger step down in traction (and safety IMO) but you will get longer tire life than the 16's The 16's are a dual compound radial The 45's are a single compound bias-ply. I dont know the mileage difference between the 16's and the 45's but I would assume that its not huge. Im sure the 003's wear mega fast because they are more of a track tire than a street tire. The 16's are the best of both worlds. Im sure someone here has a mileage total for the 16's, Im not that guy. I can say that I did 2 weekends on the track (in I-group, and I wasnt taking it easy out there )on my 16's and 2000 miles on the street and they still have tons of tread left. Best bang for the buck = BT16
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