Kawasaki Ninja 250 Tyres

[blairh]

Hi all

I've just ordered a 2008 Ninja 250 (blue), should have it next week! Sat my handling test today and will get my license on Monday.. can't wait!

Anyway, the only thing I've heard against the Ninja is that the stock tyres are pretty average.. from people who've ridden them, what are your thoughts? Should I upgrade the tyres to something a little better? If so, what?

Cheers =)

[Little Miss Trouble]

I think you should be fine with the stock tyres, at least to start off with (I'm assuming here that you are completely new to riding, correct me if I'm wrong) then you can upgrade once you start riding harder. Though if you have the spare cash Bridgestone BT45's are a good choice, harder compound in the centre for commuting, stickier at the sides for good grip through the corners;)

[cowboyz]

I would avoid putting anything you consider to be "sports tyre" tyres or "better handling" tyres on the bike that may lead you to a false sense of security. Just ride the bike and worry about things like that later on. The stock tyres are just fine for responsible road riding.

[Delphinus]

What are the original tyres on there? Brand model etc?

[blairh]

Yeah.. I can't really see myself pushing the bike for a while but figured if I was going to change the tyres in the near future I might as well do it straight away so I can sell them as new (or trade them with the dealer).. wouldn't think of it normally, but have seen so many reviews of the Ninja 250 that specifically mention the tyres are "like wood"

[blairh]

What are the original tyres on there? Brand model etc?
not sure.. anyone know?

[cowboyz]

I have been chasing a 250R round the countryside for the last few months (monie)
The way she gets that little bike up and running I cant see why the tyres should be of any great concern.

[blairh]

Cool, that's what I needed to hear =) Cheers

[Monie]

Hi you will love it i have done just over 10 thousand ks and the tyres are fine ......

[Monie]

I have been chasing a 250R round the countryside for the last few months (monie)
The way she gets that little bike up and running I cant see why the tyres should be of any great concern.

now i like that you bee hind me .........

[cowboyz]

Hi you will love it i have done just over 10 thousand ks and the tyres are fine ......

look at that. 10,000km and its not even green!

[Slyer]

Hey how did you get a blue one? I thought only green/red/black were available in NZ?
Blue would be the only other colour I would consider besides green, the red looks icky IMO.

[cowboyz]

pretty sure that is not actually his bike. Just a pic of one.

[Slyer]

He says blue in his post.

[blairh]

Yeah it's a bit weird, I thought blue wasn't available here but I really wanted it.. the NZ Kawasaki website doesn't mention the blue one.. but dealer recons one is coming... so either he's wrong, or I'm getting one.. guess I'll just have to wait and see. I really want the blue though!

[Slyer]

Yeah, I've loving the green with blue coming in close second.

[brendonjw]

Yeah i didnt think Blue was coming to NZ either. Mine came with dunlop tyres on, cant remember what sort but ill have a look tomorrow for you. Im a newby to riding but have found them fine so far (and tyres are something i dont skimp on on my cars)

[Monie]

look at that. 10,000km and its not even green!

ahhhhhhhhh we all know red goes faster .... and its me riding it so what would you expect me to pootle ...........

[blairh]

Dealer seems certain they're getting their first lot of blue ones in now.. but guess I'll find out next week when it arrives....

[brendonjw]

Mine had dunlop Arrowmax rubber on it.

[fatzx10r]

Hi all

I've just ordered a 2008 Ninja 250 (blue), should have it next week! Sat my handling test today and will get my license on Monday.. can't wait!

Anyway, the only thing I've heard against the Ninja is that the stock tyres are pretty average.. from people who've ridden them, what are your thoughts? Should I upgrade the tyres to something a little better? If so, what?

Cheers =)

welcome to kb

think you will find the stock tyres will be just fine. if this is your first bike, im guessing you will be wanting to take it easy for a while to get used to the bike. and the stock tyres should be more than up to this task. just remember that all tyres when new, dont grip very well till they have a few kay's on them. so that would be something to watch out for

nice choice of bike by the way:2thumbsup are you getting it from spv?

[blairh]

Cheers man, I think you're right.. the tyres will be just fine for starting on. Sounds like other people here who are pretty advanced find them fine anyway. Yep getting from SPV hopefully some time this week.. have paid the deposit to secure it, can't wait!! Now to get studying the road code... ;)

I was looking around at the other dealers and only other bike I was interested in was a Honda 250, was a 2002 model and had 25,000 k's on it... $5995... so for $1k more I'm getting a brand new bike with warranty... can't go wrong!

[fatzx10r]

Cheers man, I think you're right.. the tyres will be just fine for starting on. Sounds like other people here who are pretty advanced find them fine anyway. Yep getting from SPV hopefully some time this week.. have paid the deposit to secure it, can't wait!! Now to get studying the road code... ;)

I was looking around at the other dealers and only other bike I was interested in was a Honda 250, was a 2002 model and had 25,000 k's on it... $5995... so for $1k more I'm getting a brand new bike with warranty... can't go wrong!

yeah for sure, my flat mate got a new 250 from there. cost not much more than most the 2nd hand stuff in the other shop's. great looking we bike's the new 250 ninja:2thumbsup have you seen the yoshi muffler they have down there for them, that would look bloody cool and give it a bit of sound to. good luck with the road code and may see you on the road at some stage or at spv, im there alot, lol

[Slyer]

There are comments about the tyres in this video:
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqDzeCVkX0
These are pro guys remember... most people won't pushing it anywhere near as hard as these guys.

[fatzx10r]

There are comments about the tyres in this video:
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=WkqDzeCVkX0
These are pro guys remember... most people won't pushing it anywhere near as hard as these guys.

i would'nt be worrying about what they say, they would of been pushing the bike's. if your just taking it easy and getting into the ridding thing it will be all good. when i first started riding i could only afford the cheapest nastiest tyre's you could get, they worked ok, i did'nt start crashing till i got into the bigger bike's with good tyre's on them, lol

[blairh]

yeah for sure, my flat mate got a new 250 from there. cost not much more than most the 2nd hand stuff in the other shop's. great looking we bike's the new 250 ninja:2thumbsup have you seen the yoshi muffler they have down there for them, that would look bloody cool and give it a bit of sound to. good luck with the road code and may see you on the road at some stage or at spv, im there alot, lol

yeah have been looking at a few of the exhausts, looks pretty awesome... I think I'm spending enough for now but will definitely put it on down the line! Also want to get the sports back for it to cover up the pillion seat.

[blairh]

i would'nt be worrying about what they say, they would of been pushing the bike's. if your just taking it easy and getting into the ridding thing it will be all good. when i first started riding i could only afford the cheapest nastiest tyre's you could get, they worked ok, i did'nt start crashing till i got into the bigger bike's with good tyre's on them, lol
Yeah I'm sure they'll be fine, will definitely just stick with the stock ones. I can always upgrade them in a few months time if I don't like them.

[Ripperjon]

Ummm... so at the risk of sounding unpopular... I've put 5500Ks on mine and am thinking that i could do with different tyres.
They're pretty plasticy as opposed to rubbery and i dunno but it feels like the profile of them is not very confidence inspiring when leaning over. It feels like you reach a certain point where the tyres feel like they're gonna give up. And i don't mean extreme lean by any means.
Having trouble finding the right sizes though.

[Jerry74]

I just replaced my tyres on the Kawasaki with Pirelli Sport Demons, has transformed the whole way it handles etc.....

Try the Pirellis they are bloody good tyres

[Ripperjon]

I was looking at those actually. They look like they have a more gradual profile on them.

Did you put the same size as stock on them?

I've heard of people putting on 140s or 150s instead of a 130 on the rear.

Where did you get them from, btw?

[Jerry74]

I was looking at those actually. They look like they have a more gradual profile on them.

Did you put the same size as stock on them?

I've heard of people putting on 140s or 150s instead of a 130 on the rear.

Where did you get them from, btw?

Same size as stock... 140/70/17

Trevor Pierce, Ferry Rd, Christchurch $179 fitted to rim....

[Ripperjon]

Cheers for that.

Do you know if they come in 130s too?

[Jerry74]

Cheers for that.

Do you know if they come in 130s too?

Hmmm unsure sorry they 140 goes good does not stuff the gearing up etc

[Ripperjon]

Cool, sounds like the go then. I'll have to have a word with kawasaki in invervegas to see if they can get them in for me.
Get them fitted when i get my next service.

[FrozenTree]

Scrub in brand new tyres VERY carefully. Stocks are fine for general purpose. Once you change your tyres the Bridgey BT45 is an excellent choice! Wears for ages....just make sure you do some corners to rub the sides also.