What rear tyre to get?

[biketimus_prime]

Hi guys,

For my Suzuki GSX250 2004,

I have the option of (fitted):
Pirelli Sport demons $185
Bridgestone Battleax ~ $200
Shinko $126

What should I go for?
I plan to mainly commute and do the odd ride through country roads but nothing crazy.


Oh also if anyone knows any good tyre shops in auckland, preferably north shore where I can ring and ask for more prices of tyres that'd be great!

[sil3nt]

Either sports demons or BT45. BT45s have a hard center strip so won't wear out as fast when commuting.

I run some shinkos on my bike and they do the job but would run something else if I had the choice.

[ZeroIndex]

I'd go Sport Demon for a 250cc... I'd steer away from the Shinko's as I know they're not the best in the wet.

[Akzle]

Either sports demons or BT45. BT45s have a hard center strip so won't wear out as fast when commuting.


but very soft (sticky nomnom) on the sides. So will chew out with the application of testes.

[sil3nt]

but very soft (sticky nomnom) on the sides. So will chew out with the application of testes.They do grip nicely but they have good mileage. Perfect for a small commuter that hits the twisties in the weekend.

[Flip]

They do grip nicely but they have good mileage. Perfect for a small commuter that hits the twisties in the weekend.

+1 for the battleaxe.

Whats on the front?

[biketimus_prime]

+1 for the battleaxe.

Whats on the front?

The front was replaced on 29th of jan with Pirelli Sport demon according to receipts last owner gave

[ZeroIndex]

The front was replaced on 29th of jan with Pirelli Sport demon according to receipts last owner gave
Then you should definitely go with the Sport Demon:)

[biketimus_prime]

Then you should definitely go with the Sport Demon:)

Alrighty I suppose that is the wiser decision, keeping tyres same all round

[Akzle]

get a pair of metzler single compound and learn to not-ride-like-a-bitch.

[ZeroIndex]

get a pair of metzler single compound and learn to not-ride-like-a-bitch.
Hahahahahaha!!!

[speights_bud]

I would recommend the BT-45 from experience. I had them on my Ninja a few years back, I also ran the Sport Demon once but ended up changing it at the first opportunity. It just wasn't up to the track day work.

I did over 40,000km's on my Ninja250 during the time I owned it. I knew guys who raved about the sport demons but I have to disagree. I did track days (The sport demon rear let me down on one occasion :facepalm:) I also raced it once, finished 3rd place all day. The BT45's got the stick and they last well too, I would frequently Ride Napier to Wellington on them. I would recommend to put a BT45 on the front to match when you come up to replacement time. Seriously it's another $15... That's 2 visits to the pie shop ;)

[biketimus_prime]

I would recommend the BT-45 from experience. I had them on my Ninja a few years back, I also ran the Sport Demon once but ended up changing it at the first opportunity. It just wasn't up to the track day work.

I did over 40,000km's on my Ninja250 during the time I owned it. I knew guys who raved about the sport demons but I have to disagree. I did track days (The sport demon rear let me down on one occasion :facepalm:) I also raced it once, finished 3rd place all day. The BT45's got the stick and they last well too, I would frequently Ride Napier to Wellington on them. I would recommend to put a BT45 on the front to match when you come up to replacement time. Seriously it's another $15... That's 2 visits to the pie shop ;)


So you think it's ok that I have the BT45 on the back and it's mismatch to my front one as it is? Front is almost brand new still, probably less than 1000km. Not sure what the good/bad of having a grippier tyre on the rear will be.

[Akzle]

Not sure what the good/bad of having a grippier tyre on the rear will be.

:Pokey::killingme
:facepalm:

[speights_bud]

So you think it's ok that I have the BT45 on the back and it's mismatch to my front one as it is? Front is almost brand new still, probably less than 1000km. Not sure what the good/bad of having a grippier tyre on the rear will be.

Personally I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. I've ridden and raced mismatched with nothing that stands out as causing an issue.

I guess the question is how would a 'grippier' rear tyre cause your front tyre to fail? Unless you are drifting like Marc Marquez does I'm guessing you keep both wheels in sync with the ground...

Only if you out ride the performance capabilities of your front tyre would there be a problem... So keep in mind that the front tyre performance hasn't yet been upgraded to "choice as" and continue to ride as you have been. Even though the rear might feel O-for Orsum.

[biketimus_prime]

:Pokey::killingme
:facepalm:

Ah come on man I'm just learning still. I've been into my cars and this is completely new for me!


Personally I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. I've ridden and raced mismatched with nothing that stands out as causing an issue.

I guess the question is how would a 'grippier' rear tyre cause your front tyre to fail? Unless you are drifting like Marc Marquez does I'm guessing you keep both wheels in sync with the ground...

Only if you out ride the performance capabilities of your front tyre would there be a problem... So keep in mind that the front tyre performance hasn't yet been upgraded to "choice as" and continue to ride as you have been. Even though the rear might feel O-for Orsum.

Alright thanks for the info. I don't think regular road riding will really show me the limits of each tyre anyway. I don't go that fast haha.

[speights_bud]

Alright thanks for the info. I don't think regular road riding will really show me the limits of each tyre anyway. I don't go that fast haha.

No problem, we were all new to this once!

Its nice to know you have the grip there when you need it though. Who knows how fast you might end up!

Cheers.

[Akzle]

Ah come on man I'm just learning still.

i can almost guarantee youre not going to wash a demon at the pointy end of a gsx250 unless you srsly srsly fuck up, and grab brake. While in a diesel slick. Learning stoppies. On cold tyres. Covered in tyre shine. And a moose in pillion.

[SMOKEU]

+1 to Sport Demons.

[biketimus_prime]

Went to cycletreads today and got BT45s put on $200 fitted. Happy with service :)

[skippa1]

. Covered in tyre shine. And a moose in pillion.
Why would you cover yourself in tyre shine?......better the moose is a pillion than a knuckle

[george formby]

Went to cycletreads today and got BT45s put on $200 fitted. Happy with service :)

A pair? Or just the rear?

If you got mix 'n' match just make sure the chicken strip on the front is bigger than the one on the back. That's your safety girdle.
I lean towards the BT45's, only issue I ever had on em was over ice rimed cobbles at about -15c. Found the back tram lines once it goes flat in the middle but that could be a bike thing. T'was an old shaftie.
Only had Sport Demons once & they were grippy enough but did not instill confidence once half worn. The front v'ed really badly, too. Well, quicker than other tires.
Your not looking for a fraction of a second a lap so I think they will be tickety boo whatever your rolling.

[speights_bud]

Went to cycletreads today and got BT45s put on $200 fitted. Happy with service :)

choice, how does it feel?

[pritch]

Alrighty I suppose that is the wiser decision, keeping tyres same all round

You suppose right. So why did you buy the BS?

[biketimus_prime]

I bought the bridgestone because it was a better tyre and a few people recommended it over the Sport demon at the front.

So far compared to my old tyre the feeling is great. On my old tyre when I leaned the rear would flick out a bit then come back in line, but on this one I lean even harder than I did before and it holds really steady. There's still a bit of lean to go before I hit the edge too but tyre pressure was at 34 when I checked today (pumped to it at cycletreads) and I dropped it down to 32 as per suzuki's recommendations, I'll see how it goes. I am by no means skilled enough to review bike tyres, however the difference between the old and new is pretty obvious!

[Akzle]

I bought the bridgestone because it was a better tyre and a few people recommended it over the Sport demon at the front.

So far compared to my old tyre the feeling is great. On my old tyre when I leaned the rear would flick out a bit then come back in line, but on this one I lean even harder than I did before and it holds really steady. There's still a bit of lean to go before I hit the edge too but tyre pressure was at 34 when I checked today (pumped to it at cycletreads) and I dropped it down to 32 as per suzuki's recommendations, I'll see how it goes. I am by no means skilled enough to review bike tyres, however the difference between the old and new is pretty obvious!

no fucking no.
34 on that little bitch. Id be inclined to 35 or 36.
Yes, theyre grippy as shit and slip predictably, but ffs, take it easy noob.
Mismatched profiles isnt the end of the world. But never, ever, dial off.

[sil3nt]

32 should be all good. I think Bridgestone recommends 36 but it doesn't seem that easy to find the info. I ran 32 rear with my GPX 250 with no drama.

[biketimus_prime]

no fucking no.
34 on that little bitch. Id be inclined to 35 or 36.
Yes, theyre grippy as shit and slip predictably, but ffs, take it easy noob.
Mismatched profiles isnt the end of the world. But never, ever, dial off.

Haha I am taking it easy, but you can just feel the rear was a bit loose with the old tyre. I'm the posterboy of safety, learnt my lesson with cars and have matured much since then.

Well I went for a ride just before and it did feel better at 34. What does dial off mean?


32 should be all good. I think Bridgestone recommends 36 but it doesn't seem that easy to find the info. I ran 32 rear with my GPX 250 with no drama.

Cool I will try riding at 34 for a couple of days then pump it up to 36 and see how it goes. Then I'll be able to find a good pressure to suit the bike and my riding.
If I'm being honest though, the front tyre is lacking grip because it is the one that slips slightly now.

[Akzle]

Haha I am taking it easy, but you can just feel the rear was a bit loose with the old tyre. I'm the posterboy of safety, learnt my lesson with cars and have matured much since then.

Well I went for a ride just before and it did feel better at 34. What does dial off mean?



Cool I will try riding at 34 for a couple of days then pump it up to 36 and see how it goes. Then I'll be able to find a good pressure to suit the bike and my riding.
If I'm being honest though, the front tyre is lacking grip because it is the one that slips slightly now.

you? Notice front end slip? And dont bin it?
Learned Cars?
Shit. I give up.

[biketimus_prime]

you? Notice front end slip? And dont bin it?
Learned Cars?
Shit. I give up.

Don't be like that champ, I just felt the front slip a bit a couple of times. Perhaps it was the road surface and small rocks or something but I could feel it through my handlebars and the slight wobble

[biketimus_prime]

pls respond

[george formby]

pls respond

Que?
I'm guessing you went for the pair. T'is good. Not sure your reading the tire feedback right, though. Your on new tires, reasonably nimble ones at that. What you think is the tire is more than likely your input, or lack of, to controlling the bike. I'm not dissing you. If you close the throttle briefly mid corner then the bike will lean more in response & it feels like the front is tucking a tad, you give it a little gas & think, "oh, bit of a fronty moment". T'is not so. They will feel very different to your old square tires, too. If had a $ for the times I've heard somebody say "my new tires are fantastic" I would have spent them. New tires always feel different & betterer.
Bare in mind that new tires can be slippery as a greased eel before they get scrubbed in. Covered with mould release goo from the factory. Got to be smoove & gradual scrubbing them in. Some say 300k's or so is appropriate, I reckon less on our granite chip roads.
Enjoy, keep it rubber side down.

[biketimus_prime]

Que?
I'm guessing you went for the pair. T'is good. Not sure your reading the tire feedback right, though. Your on new tires, reasonably nimble ones at that. What you think is the tire is more than likely your input, or lack of, to controlling the bike. I'm not dissing you. If you close the throttle briefly mid corner then the bike will lean more in response & it feels like the front is tucking a tad, you give it a little gas & think, "oh, bit of a fronty moment". T'is not so. They will feel very different to your old square tires, too. If had a $ for the times I've heard somebody say "my new tires are fantastic" I would have spent them. New tires always feel different & betterer.
Bare in mind that new tires can be slippery as a greased eel before they get scrubbed in. Covered with mould release goo from the factory. Got to be smoove & gradual scrubbing them in. Some say 300k's or so is appropriate, I reckon less on our granite chip roads.
Enjoy, keep it rubber side down.

Oh sorry I forgot you asked before, I only got the new rear BT45. Front is a Sport demon with less than 1000km.

I think what you're saying about my input making me think it's a fronty moment but it isn't, is true (so Akzle was right, I am an idiot :yes:
) The way you describe what I would have done, is what I did... Let of the throttle mid corner, and it leaned more and cornered better and got back on the gas it felt like the front slipped.

I know nothing of bike suspension and dynamics, a whole new world to me. Still getting my head around how it should feel, and even just recently when I started really thinking about counter-steering as I'm cornering, my cornering has improved so much, but it feels so weird to do! I used to just lean a bit but go slowly around the corner and it felt like the bike didn't want to turn because I was fighting the feeling of counter steering all that time.

Cool, I will take it easy for a while and get them scrubbed in, thanks for your knowledge and input, I appreciate it.

[george formby]

Keep an eye on the wear front & back. The strip of unused rubber should be wider on the front than the rear. I may be repeating myself.

You mentioned the "c" word.:eek: As somebody on here says, you're all ready doing it otherwise you can't turn. But. When it becomes conscious it's easy to get stiff on the bike & fight against it, grip the bars to tight, muscle bars etc.
If you keep your head up & fully turn it to look through the corner you end up pushing the inside bar naturally, your body position does it. Stay flexible in ze hips. Where you look you go.
If you want to understand the dynamics of it go find an empty car park somewhere & practice a big slalom. Turn your head with each direction change & gently push the inside bar to instigate the weave, rinse & repeat. 30kmh or so should be safe & give you the feel for it. The bike should turn effortlessly, nay, magically. Keep your head up. Did I already say that?
For 99% of riding it should not be a conscious thing but a bit of practice to gain understanding won't hurt.

[biketimus_prime]

Keep an eye on the wear front & back. The strip of unused rubber should be wider on the front than the rear. I may be repeating myself.

You mentioned the "c" word.:eek: As somebody on here says, you're all ready doing it otherwise you can't turn. But. When it becomes conscious it's easy to get stiff on the bike & fight against it, grip the bars to tight, muscle bars etc.
If you keep your head up & fully turn it to look through the corner you end up pushing the inside bar naturally, your body position does it. Stay flexible in ze hips. Where you look you go.
If you want to understand the dynamics of it go find an empty car park somewhere & practice a big slalom. Turn your head with each direction change & gently push the inside bar to instigate the weave, rinse & repeat. 30kmh or so should be safe & give you the feel for it. The bike should turn effortlessly, nay, magically. Keep your head up. Did I already say that?
For 99% of riding it should not be a conscious thing but a bit of practice to gain understanding won't hurt.

The strip of unused rubber is wider at the front than the rear so that's good!

I know we do it naturally when we corner, but previously when I started, I was too heavy handed on the bars and I instead felt the need to turn into the corner rather than let the natural thing happen. Now I am more fluid and accepting of the steering behaviour and my cornering has improved a lot as a result.
Even the guy who assesed me for basic handling kept telling me to look where I want to go and I am doing it more now, however I do catch myself looking at the ground in front of me at times. I will try the slalom thing, hopefully I can attend NASS soon. I've also been able to look at certain things on the road and avoid them by pushing the bar for the way I want to go, before I'd just try lean over but it wouldn't be quick enough. Make sense? Anyway yeah I see my riding improving everyday as I go along, I just have to make sure I always remain alert and not get into a false sense of security.
But then again when all your non-biker mates say stuff like "did you know everyday you ride to uni is a day you cheat death?", "you fallen over yet brah?" you kinda hate them but it sits at the back of your mind as a warning...

[george formby]

Your mates are unimaginative, feelingless, fucktards. Cagers! No idea what swinging through a corner is. The scum you find in kitchen sink u bend. Afraid of liberty & freedom with eye watering acceleration.
Anyway.
Get some masking tape & stick it somewhere above your clocks. Write "Head Up" on it. I've been riding since flint was invented & happily discovered just that bit of tape on my bike after doing some training awhile back. Cheeky but effective.
Your just starting a life time thing, bikes are mint. Avoid learning bad habits.
See if you can get a mentor from this wondiferous forum & get out to NASS, pro rider, etc.
Get the skills & do the practice to be safe & handle your bike well & speed will become inconsequential. It just happens. Safely.
Sorry, I should have said pace. Might get me head kicked in! Speed is dangerous.:mad:
The quicker steering thing, jinking, comes from flexibilty in ze hips, shoulders, bits, anatomy etc. Relaxed & comfortable position. Use your head, none of this action man eagle eye stuff. Your U bend cager mates do that. The old scone weighs 4 or 5kg apparently, it's also right at the top of everything so when it moves from one side to the other it has a big leverage effect on everything. Google some moto GP pics. Those guys are like owls.
Enjoy.

[biketimus_prime]

Your mates are unimaginative, feelingless, fucktards. Cagers! No idea what swinging through a corner is. The scum you find in kitchen sink u bend. Afraid of liberty & freedom with eye watering acceleration.
Anyway.
Get some masking tape & stick it somewhere above your clocks. Write "Head Up" on it. I've been riding since flint was invented & happily discovered just that bit of tape on my bike after doing some training awhile back. Cheeky but effective.
Your just starting a life time thing, bikes are mint. Avoid learning bad habits.
See if you can get a mentor from this wondiferous forum & get out to NASS, pro rider, etc.
Get the skills & do the practice to be safe & handle your bike well & speed will become inconsequential. It just happens. Safely.
Sorry, I should have said pace. Might get me head kicked in! Speed is dangerous.:mad:
The quicker steering thing, jinking, comes from flexibilty in ze hips, shoulders, bits, anatomy etc. Relaxed & comfortable position. Use your head, none of this action man eagle eye stuff. Your U bend cager mates do that. The old scone weighs 4 or 5kg apparently, it's also right at the top of everything so when it moves from one side to the other it has a big leverage effect on everything. Google some moto GP pics. Those guys are like owls.
Enjoy.

Yeah I know they are, to anyone who doesn't ride bikes, it's a world they know nothing of but love to have opinions on. Annoys the hell out of me! I've not talked to him since he's said it.

I have recently stopped looking at my gear indicator and tried to remember and shift without looking at it as I've heard it's a bad habit to get into as other bikes don't have the indicator. I'll attend the training courses and stuff for sure. Got one coming up next sunday too.
Tried actively looking out of the corners and where I want to go, relaxing my riding position and using my hips today when I rode around, feel very stable and more confident now :D Can't believe I went from fearing and sometimes avoiding (took different routes) tight corners to absolutely looking forward to them! Thank you for your advice :)

By the way for seating position, should I sit up against the tank or space my butt out a bit further back? Bike seems to be more stable and comfortable at high speed when I space my butt a bit further back but around town the natural position feels to be sitting further up towards the tank. Felt a bit odd cornering around a roundabout when I sat further back though, but maybe because I'm used to sitting closer to the tank.

[george formby]

Your seating position should be the most comfortable which gives you the best contorl of hand & foot controls. I tend to travel sat in the main part of the seat & move forward slightly on "interesting" roads. Again flexibility is key. Bikes are dynamic so you can move around to a certain extent in anticipation of what your going to do next, not in reaction.. We're on the road so exaggerated body shifts like hanging off the seat are pointless, potentially dangerous & only impress 4 year olds. Same with moving mid corner, not good. Your braking & any body shift should be done before the corner.
As your time on the bike builds up things like sitting position, gear change etc will become second nature.
Again, practising bike handling in a safe environment will develop your feel & skills quite quickly.

[biketimus_prime]

Your seating position should be the most comfortable which gives you the best contorl of hand & foot controls. I tend to travel sat in the main part of the seat & move forward slightly on "interesting" roads. Again flexibility is key. Bikes are dynamic so you can move around to a certain extent in anticipation of what your going to do next, not in reaction.. We're on the road so exaggerated body shifts like hanging off the seat are pointless, potentially dangerous & only impress 4 year olds. Same with moving mid corner, not good. Your braking & any body shift should be done before the corner.
As your time on the bike builds up things like sitting position, gear change etc will become second nature.
Again, practising bike handling in a safe environment will develop your feel & skills quite quickly.


I have downloaded Twist of the wrist 1 and 2 and am currently watching the Twist of the wrist 2 video on youtube, my riding has already improved after taking on some pointers from the first half I watched last night! Keith Code looks like some old Jedi master haha
Cheers, all good advice and matches what I've been reading/watching so far :) :clap:

[george formby]

I have downloaded Twist of the wrist 1 and 2 and am currently watching the Twist of the wrist 2 video on youtube, my riding has already improved after taking on some pointers from the first half I watched last night! Keith Code looks like some old Jedi master haha
Cheers, all good advice and matches what I've been reading/watching so far :) :clap:


Twist of the wrist is not necessarily road focused. And it's really, really cheesy. Get your basics right, maximise your observation & enjoy riding your bike. Your upcoming training & ongoing (hopefully) practice will do far more for you than Keith Code. Not knocking him just trying to keep an open perspective.

I guess a good example would be the t bone thread, Suzuki meets Toyota, Toyota wins. Niorra lot from Keith on that scenario. IYKWIM.

Any hoo. Open minds & onwards & upwards.

[biketimus_prime]

Twist of the wrist is not necessarily road focused. And it's really, really cheesy. Get your basics right, maximise your observation & enjoy riding your bike. Your upcoming training & ongoing (hopefully) practice will do far more for you than Keith Code. Not knocking him just trying to keep an open perspective.

I guess a good example would be the t bone thread, Suzuki meets Toyota, Toyota wins. Niorra lot from Keith on that scenario. IYKWIM.

Any hoo. Open minds & onwards & upwards.

Thank you for all your advice. Onwards and upwards for sure :yes: