So just wanted to know who has the bigger 150mm tire installed on their 3.5 rear whee

[a10forwar]

So just wanted to know who has the bigger 150mm tire installed on there 3.5 rear wheel. With all the flipping and flopping in all of the other post, I see that alot of people want to but I think they are detered from doing so. My biggest worry is the safety aspect of moving up in size. So who has done it and what negative effects "safety wise" have you encountered? The reason I am asking is I will soon head down that road. I know I will loose something in the end - power - flickability? So be it. I want the look. I have put together a few paint jpegs on all the tires I think are good quality plus looking the best. These are all radial tires btw. The Continental and Avon tires are really making it hard for me to choose cause I believe those are the absolute best looking. Price is really no big deal, but if I could get a better deal from different ones then so be it. The Metzelers were the cheapest but has anyone put those on? Like I said I am not so concerned with performance. I dont go to the track and really dont ride that aggressive except when going in a straight line down the road. I quess if it had a trunk it would be a grocery getter!!!!! JK I really want to here from those how have done this!!!!

[divingtigger]

have you looked at going with a 140 tire?? That is the way that I'm leaning

[Greg_E]

NEVER buy a tire based on how it looks! Always buy a tired based on how it performs.

[a10forwar]

Thanks, can I get one that performs and looks good.....please?

[a10forwar]

Just kiddin, I know that you need to get a good performer tire. I just wanted to see who went big and what they used, good or bad.

[JaeL]

Originally Posted by Greg_E

NEVER buy a tire based on how it looks! Always buy a tired based on how it performs.

I don't think you read the original post...

[adouglas]

Sorry if this rankles... but this is a vehicle, not a fashion accessory.

[Greg_E]

Yes I did read it! And again I'll say NEVER buy a tire based on the way it looks, whether pretty tread patterns or how it looks fat on the back of the bike. It must function before form as you only have two of the things keeping you from hitting the pavement! Just because the tire is fat and fits in the swingarm does not mean it will give increased grip on the road. Increased sidewall flex from the wide tire on the skinny rim could give you great grip right up to the point where the sidewall decides it has had enough and completely lets go of the road, and then you are down and sliding.

All that said, if you want to play with running things at their minimums (or maximums) be ready to deal with the consequences of those actions.

If you want a really fat tire, I think I remember reading a thread about a wheel swap from something like a 636 which allowed maybe a 180 rear to fit in the swingarm, and gives the proper rim width to allow the tire to work correctly. I think this was on the Kawi forums but there is a link in here somewhere.

[JaeL]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Sorry if this rankles... but this is a vehicle, not a fashion accessory.

Mayb for you. But if dude wants to put on a bigger tire because he thinks it, "looks cool", cut off his fender, or add hello kitty stickers who are we to judge.

[rockNroll]

Lots of people are racing these things with 150 series rear tires so I think the question as to if a 150 series rear causes problems or not is more than answered... go for it. As far as loosing flickability... well, from your post it doesn't seem that you would be able to tell and so I suggest you go and get that phat 150 rear tire and enjoy your bike!

[a10forwar]

Ok so it looks like no one, that has posted, has a 150 mm tire on their 250. I really enjoy all the comments, but that is not what this post is or was about. I am asking for actual ride experience of someone who has done this. Not my brother/cousin/friend did it. I will do this to my bike, eventually. Probably next year when the 130 on it needs to be changed. In the mean time I would like to enjoy reading about the success of others in this endeavor. I hope that everyone understands my position on this and stops reading into the thread like an old crabby english teacher.

[noche_caliente]

ask tim - he has a 160 on his

[a10forwar]

Yeah I think I talked to him over a new ninja. He said fuk it and went 160. Which makes me feel real good inside. So I have one confirmed..great.

[RaceBikeRentals]

Lots of people have 150s.... gotta be one of the more posted topics here. Do a bit of searching and you'll find all kinds of stuff

[Ken08Ninja]

Originally Posted by a10forwar

Yeah I think I talked to him over a new ninja. He said fuk it and went 160. Which makes me feel real good inside. So I have one confirmed..great.

He may have a 160 on , but ask him how many miles he's rode it. Last post I seen of his he had under 100 miles total on the bike. Ya it may fit but there is no good reason to stuff a fat tire on this bike.

[Shift250R]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=29050
Heres mine I have had no problems with my 150 and I feel as if the bike is more planted but I dont race or ride crazy aggressive only daily drive. I did wait a while (months) before i did this to see if anyone came out with any negative effects but i only heard how much people like their 150 and I barely notice the "flick difference" in normal riding.

[c717905]

I have an '09 Ninja and I did the swap a couple of months ago and have since put on 60 miles or so on the new tires.

I put a 120 on the front and a 150 on the rear, Bridgestone Battlax BT-021s. I love them. There is precious little room left in the swingarm, but it does fit and I personally think that it rides just fine and improves the ride. I did it to replace my crappy IRC stock tires, which is basically for the look as well as better performance. I haven't really felt too much difference, but I really only use my bike as an around-town vehicle. I don't do twisties too much and I only ever get it up to 65 mph or so. I did notice that I don't get blown around quite as much by the wind and that the bike seem much more stable overall.

I like the change and I am very glad that I did it. Hope this helps.

[zev42]

Which brand do you guys think is best for traction? I currently have Dunlop which came with the bike when I bought it last year, and some friends are insisting on Pirelli 150 for the rear, and Pirelli 120 for the front.

[kkim]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...663#post103530

[a10forwar]

I have the crappy IRC tires too. Everyone tells me to get better ones even if they are OEM size.

[650cat]

I raced the stock tires one weekend. No traction, I was sliding around a lot, these had about 4k miles on them and had been sitting around for a while, they were pretty dry.

I tried the 090s. I liked them a lot. I used them for 3-4 race weekends and a few track days. No chicken strip front or rear. They felt really solid.

Right now I am running the 016s that Richard suggested... swiped them away from him at the last race weekend. I'm not sure I like them but then again most of what goes on is in your head/mind/brain anyway. There is a big chicken strip on the back tire and a little on the front. I don't mind having them... it means you have a little lean angle to spare!

I don't run anywhere near as fast as Rich and the top 250 dogs at WSMC. I think I'll try the 090s again and then some Pirelli big (150) tires to compare (team sponsor/rider support).

[empire00]

i have a set of 090s setting here but i dont have any way of taking the front tire off the bike. i have rearstand and spools but no front. any cheap easy way to support the bike without a front stand?

[g21-30]

With the bike on the rear stand, take the front fairings off and use a jack (either floor or bottle) under the engine (oil filter housing). Place a block of wood between the jack and the engine. Jack it up and leave the jack in place. Remove the front wheel and replace the tire. Reverse the procedure. Voila!

[empire00]

that looks like it will work great. thanks

[DEXSPEED]

i installed 150/60-17 metzeler m3 awesome tire looks and performance

[Snake]

Originally Posted by DEXSPEED

i installed 150/60-17 metzeler m3 awesome tire looks and performance

Can you please post a pic so we can so how it looks? Thanks.

[noche_caliente]

:yeahthat: and can you tell us more about the performance with it? I've always been a metzler fan, but was wondering what they're like with our babies

[DEXSPEED]

here it is.very tacky awesome feel while riding.

[almost40]

stock size front 150/60 rear BT-16's. Works great at the track. Will do just fine on the street.
Go for it. I LOVE THEM.

[Rayme]

The visual difference between 130 and 150 is so marginal I wouldn't do it just for the look at at. It really doesn't look wide/fat like largers CC's bikes.

[DEXSPEED]

The more rubber u can use when riding the better
Posted via Mobile Device

[2WheelGuy]

Originally Posted by DEXSPEED

The more rubber u can use when riding the better
Posted via Mobile Device

Which is why a narrower tire will often work better. The 250 has very narrow rims. When you install a very wide tire on a narrow rim the tires profile gets pinched. The added curvature of the tires profile decreases the size of the contact patch. The edges of the tire often become unusable; no matter how fast you ride or how far you lean there will be permanent chicken strips of unused rubber on the edges of your tire.

[Cedilla]

Originally Posted by 2WheelGuy

Which is why a narrower tire will often work better. The 250 has very narrow rims. When you install a very wide tire on a narrow rim the tires profile gets pinched. The added curvature of the tires profile decreases the size of the contact patch. The edges of the tire often become unusable; no matter how fast you ride or how far you lean there will be permanent chicken strips of unused rubber on the edges of your tire.

That must explain my chicken strips then, im running a 150mm tire, and I have had the bike down to the peg feelers on both sides, and I still got about 1/4th inch of unused rubber on my rear tire.

[jonthechron]

.

[Betlog]

Originally Posted by Cedilla

That must explain my chicken strips then, im running a 150mm tire, and I have had the bike down to the peg feelers on both sides, and I still got about 1/4th inch of unused rubber on my rear tire.

Can this bike corner lower if rearsets are used?

[whylee]

You will have more room to lean with the rear sets, but you are pretty much at the limits. I run the 150 on my bike, even with the rear sets I will cant see leaning enough to use the last bit of tire that the 150 has on this skinny wheel.

[ninjaplease!]

i had my knee down on the stock tire in not so safe conditions. you would be suprised what these tires can do.

[vollrathdude]

Originally Posted by Cedilla

That must explain my chicken strips then, im running a 150mm tire, and I have had the bike down to the peg feelers on both sides, and I still got about 1/4th inch of unused rubber on my rear tire.

take the feelers off. It still has a little bit of room to lean

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by vollrathdude

take the feelers off. It still has a little bit of room to lean

The stock pegs will grind (without the feelers) too soon. Get some rear sets.

[vollrathdude]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

The stock pegs will grind (without the feelers) too soon. Get some rear sets.

the exhaust pipe will hit the ground before the pegs do (sans feelers)

if you don't believe me, get a buddy and grab good hold of the bike and lean it all the way over. You'll see the pipe touching, which would then leaver the tire off the ground before the actual peg touches. If your peg is touching, that means your tire isn't, and you're in for some trouble. On the exhaust side anyways...