New tyres without embarrassment?

**charlymelon** · 10th May 2010, 17:06

Hi,

I need new tyres on my Honda 250 CBF and have NO idea at all. Don't wanna be the girl that doesn't know shit, because that would just add to the cliche....
Where do I get cheap tyres?
front - 130/70ZR 16M/C (61W), rear - 180/55ZR 17M/C (73W) says Wikipedia, but fuck, I wouldn't have a clue^^
I'm sure some of you ladies know heaps more than me and can tell me what I'm looking for so I don't have to give any male the satisfaction of having a helpless little girl standing in front of him and telling her "yeah, sweetie, this is what you need...."

Argh.

Thanks!!!

**bikee chick** · 10th May 2010, 17:15

LOL...I don't care who knows that i don't know much, the guys in our group and i know are just so helpful without the attitude and giving the hard time, and they sometimes do the work for you......work it baby and learn it all along the way....

**varminter** · 10th May 2010, 19:31

You don't want cheap tires, you want good tires, or at least the best you can afford. Cheap tires don't stick especially when cold or wet. Ain't no sin to ask a bike shop for advice. I did and I'm a bloke.

**CookMySock** · 10th May 2010, 20:05

Do you really want cheap tyres? If it's just a little putt-around commuter learner bike, then yeah put cheapo tyres on it.

Just wander in there and ask to talk to the service manager. Ask her what your options are, for a.) cheapest tyres, b.) good tyres, c.) verrry nice tyres, or d.) gold plated tyres - and then they will tell you. Take the information away and think about it, or post here and again and ask. Don't feel obligated to make a decision right then.

Blokes feel just the same way as you do when buying stuff. You're doing fine.

Steve

**trailblazer** · 10th May 2010, 20:19

if your bike shop makes you feel like you are just a dumb ass chick then you need to find a new shop that will treat you just like another customer. Salesmen at bike shops are there to help and give advice not judge.

**karla** · 10th May 2010, 21:35

My bike shop graciously sent me to a nearby tyre shop; they were great, I didn't have to say a lot, just motioned to the bike (at the door) and said help. They had the tyre in stock, fitted it while I shopped, and quietly took my money off me. I love guys who just get on and do the job that is necessary, don't have to make a big song and dance about it, and look like they are going to be around the next time I need them.

**davebullet** · 10th May 2010, 21:44

Originally Posted by charlymelon

Hi,

I need new tyres on my Honda 250 CBF and have NO idea at all. Don't wanna be the girl that doesn't know shit, because that would just add to the cliche....
Where do I get cheap tyres?
front - 130/70ZR 16M/C (61W), rear - 180/55ZR 17M/C (73W) says Wikipedia, but fuck, I wouldn't have a clue^^
I'm sure some of you ladies know heaps more than me and can tell me what I'm looking for so I don't have to give any male the satisfaction of having a helpless little girl standing in front of him and telling her "yeah, sweetie, this is what you need...."

Argh.

Thanks!!!

Fair enough.

Firstly - you want to put the same size on as the manufacturer recommends. That's because the steering etc.. is designed to work with that size / shape tyre.

For your bike you need a 100/80x17 at the front and 130/70x17 for the rear.

I recommend you go with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45.

These might be a little more expensive, but we have a set on our Honda VTR 250 and a) they grip (= security and saftey when you are riding) and b) they seem to be lasting very very well.

PS: I think you can only get a BT45 for your rear. Not sure if the BT45 comes in a 100/80 profile for the front?

**hayd3n** · 10th May 2010, 23:18

how does a 17 fit on a 16 inch wheel?

**neels** · 11th May 2010, 08:59

Originally Posted by davebullet

Fair enough.
I recommend you go with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45.

+1, got them on my XJ and they stick good, even in pouring west coast rain.

Don't be too stressed about knowing what you need, I just rocked up to the bike shop and asked what the options were, and went with what they recommended.

**rachprice** · 11th May 2010, 09:14

Oh you are so cute!
That exactly how I feel....often its what you think of yourself or will happen but most the time the guys at the bike shop are all good, there are some dickheads for sure but majority aren't!

There is only one way you can learn, by asking!!

**p.dath** · 11th May 2010, 12:12

Originally Posted by varminter

You don't want cheap tires, you want good tires, or at least the best you can afford. Cheap tires don't stick especially when cold or wet. Ain't no sin to ask a bike shop for advice. I did and I'm a bloke.

+1 to that! If you are feeling embarrased then you are choosing to feel embarassed. I don't know much about tyres, so it's not a girl thing.

Just go into a place that specliases in motorbike tyres, and ask them what your options are.

**charlymelon** · 11th May 2010, 13:15

Ok, thanks to all of you. I wouldnt have posted this thread if I hadn't had bad experiences with bike shops.... They just told me that they recommend Pirelli and can order them for me and don't have the right size in stock. and since I'm travelling, I do not have ONE bikeshop that I always go to.

I don't really care what anyone thinks, I just don't wanna be the stupid one who pays too much for shitty tyres really...
And well, as for cheap... I'll have to sell the bike in 2 months or so and I don't really have much cash, whatever I spend on tyres will be missing^^

Bridgestone Battlax TB45... Thanks, gonna remember that.

So... What are your experiences with tyres off the internet?

Thanks for all the replies, very much appreciated!

PS: Do NOT call me cute

**Toaster** · 11th May 2010, 13:19

Originally Posted by trailblazer

if your bike shop makes you feel like you are just a dumb ass chick then you need to find a new shop that will treat you just like another customer. Salesmen at bike shops are there to help and give advice not judge.

Agreed. Considering the significant groundswell in female riders buying bikes and getting down to business, they are an important part of the market to target well.

**p.dath** · 11th May 2010, 13:28

Originally Posted by charlymelon

Ok, thanks to all of you. I wouldnt have posted this thread if I hadn't had bad experiences with bike shops.... They just told me that they recommend Pirelli and can order them for me and don't have the right size in stock. and since I'm travelling, I do not have ONE bikeshop that I always go to.

Which part of the country are you in at the moment, or will be in? Perhaps someone can recommend a reputable source that you can call in advance.

Originally Posted by charlymelon

PS: Do NOT call me cute

rachprice is a female, she didn't mean any harm.