Radial vs. Bias Ply Tires

StealthESW · May 30th, 2010, 08:11 PM

Just curious, on the EX250R, is it best to use radial or bias ply tires?

What are the pros and cons of each?

This is the list of tires I have considered to replace the IRC RoadWinners on the bike now. Currently leaning toward the Avon AV55s myself. The Sport Demons are a hard second.

Looking for your opinions.

Matching Sets front and rear (110/130)/70-17

Avon AV55 Storm ST Radials

Pirelli Sport Demons

Bridgestone Battlax BT-039

Continental Conti Go

Alex · May 30th, 2010, 08:16 PM

Some info here:

http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Category:Tires

The Avon 130/70/17 is a front, not a rear; the smallest rear in the AV56 is a 150. I'm partial to the Sport Demons in stock sizes. Those who have run wider tires seem to have good luck with the Bridgestone BT-016's in 150/60/17. Many tire threads on the site already, some should show up in the similar threads right at the bottom of this page. If not, a search on "tires" will come up with a whole bunch of background for you.

StealthESW · May 30th, 2010, 08:27 PM

I have read that people have used the Avon on the rear of the bike. Is that frowned on?

Alex · May 30th, 2010, 08:42 PM

I'm sure they have, but there are much better choices out there. The Storm is a S/T tire meant for a much heavier bike, and relies on putting a tire designed for the front of the motorcycle on the rear.

ithaca00 · May 31st, 2010, 10:47 AM

A front tire on the rear will not last as long unless flipped around backwards due to the different forces seen by the tires. When flipped around the wet weather handling will be dramatically decreased.

maglin · May 31st, 2010, 11:21 AM

Here is a good article to campare the two patterns.

http://www.michelinag.com/agx/en-US/...ias_radial.jsp

headshrink · May 31st, 2010, 01:03 PM

I just put my second set of Sport Demons on. My only other experience is with the OEM tires (the nicer ones, forget what they were though), so I don't have any real qualified advice..... just limited personal experience. Granted, I have a lot more confidence in my bike since I now have more riding experience, but I do believe the SDs still had a lot to do with it..... I can't answer anything about Bias vs. Radial. For a car I always go with Radial, but am just learning with MCs. I went with the SP (bias) origionally because of all the great reviews.
I'll list the milage I got below (mostly commuting miles with 50% freeway):

OEM
Front = 12K+ miles (this tire was somwhat scalloped, due to slight under pressure the first 6K miles. Since it was corrected scalloping didn't worsen and subsequent tire has not scalloped. This may have shortened the life of the tire.)
Rear = ??? (Replaced at 7K miles due to a nail. It looked like it had up to 1/2 it's life left)

First round of Sport Demons
Front = ??? (have 4,800 miles on the tire with lots of life left)
Rear = 9,800 miles ( I changed on the early end of the "replace me window).... estimate another 500-1000 miles possible without unreasonable risk)

This is just my data, and a bit incomplete, but I hope it helps.

Tigerpaw · June 19th, 2010, 12:54 PM

^^ +1 on everything headshrink said ^^

Just got my Pirelli Sport Demons(stock sizes for flickability).

from http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/ti...fCatId=&mmyId=

Mine were $213.89 shipped to my door in two days.

Very impressed. Stickier and more predictable than my stock gt501s.

Ridden once in the rain. Felt good, but I was being VERY gentle.

I hope the tread life is 8,000+ miles(We'll see).

mikecronis · June 21st, 2010, 01:40 PM

Bridgestone BT-003 RS

BoBO · March 20th, 2014, 12:37 AM

Recently got a set of Sport Demons, their not bad but a bit stiff though. Next will be a DR2.

DaBlue1 · March 20th, 2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthESW

....Just curious, on the EX250R, is it best to use radial or bias ply tires?

What are the pros and cons of each?

What kind of riding do you do and what do you want out of the tire?

Out of the list you have, I've had 2 sets of Conti Go's. I loved both sets, but I wanted to go a little bigger than stock size. A long distance, Dragon and Diamondback tested tire, I don't have any bad thing to say about them, other than they ride much better nicely warmed up. Definite improvement over stock.

EsrTek · March 20th, 2014, 06:51 AM

Also note that the bike suspension is old and designed for Bias Ply tires...a good read is http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...?TOPIC_ID=6102

I had Sport Demons on mine and loved the performance both dry and wet.

NevadaWolf · March 20th, 2014, 06:54 AM

Whooo necro thread. *pokes the zombie*
@DaBlue1 doubt you'll get an answer based on the post date and count of the OP.

DaBlue1 · March 20th, 2014, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Whooo necro thread. *pokes the zombie*
@DaBlue1 doubt you'll get an answer based on the post date and count of the OP.

Oh I know.
However, there's bound to be 100 more with this same damn question who hopefully read this thread and we won't have to repeat the same thing 200 times.

Riding season is here, don't you know?

NevadaWolf · March 20th, 2014, 08:48 AM

True true, good point.

Oh yes, I know. Needing to look at tires myself, which is why I clicked on the link. Though I think I've settled on getting Bridgestone BT45s.... or Dunlop GT501s... Or....

Okay enough threadjack.

View Poll Results: Which set would be the best on the EX250R?
Avon AV55 Storm ST Radial	1	4.55%
Pirelli Sport Demons	15	68.18%
Bridgestone Battax BT-039	5	22.73%
Continental Conti Go	1	4.55%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

May 30th, 2010, 08:11 PM	#1
StealthESW ninjette.org member Name: Eric Location: Oklahoma City Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ducati Monster 696 Posts: 10	Radial vs. Bias Ply Tires Just curious, on the EX250R, is it best to use radial or bias ply tires? What are the pros and cons of each? This is the list of tires I have considered to replace the IRC RoadWinners on the bike now. Currently leaning toward the Avon AV55s myself. The Sport Demons are a hard second. Looking for your opinions. Matching Sets front and rear (110/130)/70-17 Avon AV55 Storm ST Radials Pirelli Sport Demons Bridgestone Battlax BT-039 Continental Conti Go

May 30th, 2010, 08:16 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Some info here: http://www.ninjette.org/wiki/Category:Tires The Avon 130/70/17 is a front, not a rear; the smallest rear in the AV56 is a 150. I'm partial to the Sport Demons in stock sizes. Those who have run wider tires seem to have good luck with the Bridgestone BT-016's in 150/60/17. Many tire threads on the site already, some should show up in the similar threads right at the bottom of this page. If not, a search on "tires" will come up with a whole bunch of background for you. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 30th, 2010, 08:42 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I'm sure they have, but there are much better choices out there. The Storm is a S/T tire meant for a much heavier bike, and relies on putting a tire designed for the front of the motorcycle on the rear. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

May 31st, 2010, 11:21 AM	#6
maglin ninjette.org member Name: xaris Location: greece Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): what else? Posts: 121	Here is a good article to campare the two patterns. http://www.michelinag.com/agx/en-US/...ias_radial.jsp __________________________________________________ -This signature rocks!!!

May 30th, 2010, 08:27 PM	#3
StealthESW ninjette.org member Name: Eric Location: Oklahoma City Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ducati Monster 696 Posts: 10	I have read that people have used the Avon on the rear of the bike. Is that frowned on?

May 31st, 2010, 10:47 AM	#5
ithaca00 ninjette.org guru Name: Ryan Location: Sacramento, CA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 (street), 1994 EX250 (Race), 2008 250R (Race), 2000 250 (project), 1991 EL250 (a cruiser!) Posts: 287	A front tire on the rear will not last as long unless flipped around backwards due to the different forces seen by the tires. When flipped around the wet weather handling will be dramatically decreased.

May 31st, 2010, 01:03 PM	#7
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	I just put my second set of Sport Demons on. My only other experience is with the OEM tires (the nicer ones, forget what they were though), so I don't have any real qualified advice..... just limited personal experience. Granted, I have a lot more confidence in my bike since I now have more riding experience, but I do believe the SDs still had a lot to do with it..... I can't answer anything about Bias vs. Radial. For a car I always go with Radial, but am just learning with MCs. I went with the SP (bias) origionally because of all the great reviews. I'll list the milage I got below (mostly commuting miles with 50% freeway): OEM Front = 12K+ miles (this tire was somwhat scalloped, due to slight under pressure the first 6K miles. Since it was corrected scalloping didn't worsen and subsequent tire has not scalloped. This may have shortened the life of the tire.) Rear = ??? (Replaced at 7K miles due to a nail. It looked like it had up to 1/2 it's life left) First round of Sport Demons Front = ??? (have 4,800 miles on the tire with lots of life left) Rear = 9,800 miles ( I changed on the early end of the "replace me window).... estimate another 500-1000 miles possible without unreasonable risk) This is just my data, and a bit incomplete, but I hope it helps.

June 19th, 2010, 12:54 PM	#8
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	^^ +1 on everything headshrink said ^^ Just got my Pirelli Sport Demons(stock sizes for flickability). from http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/ti...fCatId=&mmyId= Mine were $213.89 shipped to my door in two days. Very impressed. Stickier and more predictable than my stock gt501s. Ridden once in the rain. Felt good, but I was being VERY gentle. I hope the tread life is 8,000+ miles(We'll see). __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

June 21st, 2010, 01:40 PM	#9
mikecronis ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Colorado Springs, CO Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R-J, 2005 Honda Superhawk VTR1000 Posts: 95	Bridgestone BT-003 RS

March 20th, 2014, 12:37 AM	#10
BoBO ninjette.org guru Name: Genesis Location: Paradise Valley Village, AZ Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): SC28 Fireblade Posts: 463	Recently got a set of Sport Demons, their not bad but a bit stiff though. Next will be a DR2. __________________________________________________ 94 900RR 04 BMW Z4 2.5 M Package 01 R170 AMG Sport Package

March 20th, 2014, 06:51 AM	#12
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	Also note that the bike suspension is old and designed for Bias Ply tires...a good read is http://www.msgroup.org/forums/mtt/to...?TOPIC_ID=6102 I had Sport Demons on mine and loved the performance both dry and wet. __________________________________________________ My replies are intended for street riding only, plz do not provide track only replies. Visit my new MotoVlog Channel !!

March 20th, 2014, 06:54 AM	#13
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Whooo necro thread. pokes the zombie @DaBlue1 doubt you'll get an answer based on the post date and count of the OP. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

March 20th, 2014, 08:48 AM	#15
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	True true, good point. Oh yes, I know. Needing to look at tires myself, which is why I clicked on the link. Though I think I've settled on getting Bridgestone BT45s.... or Dunlop GT501s... Or.... Okay enough threadjack. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

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