Recommended tyre choice for GSX2fiddy

[Aaron]

The mighty GSX250 has just this week rolled over 10k on the clock and while inspecting the rear wheel I noticed that it's getting kinda thin through the centre, (lots of commuting).

There's about 0.5-1mm of tread down to the wear indicator and maybe another 1.0-1.5mm past that, so I'm thinking that it may not get a warrant in April at this rate.

Can anyone recommend a good tyre choice for what is an all seasons commuter with the odd spin out to Gebby's Pass or Sumner Road, (hilly)?

The tyres on it are IRC HS-230R.

Front: 110/70-17 54H
Rear: 130/70-17 62H

One thing is she's real slippery in the wet, the tyres are incredibly hard (is that what the H stands for?) so I'm looking for a softer compound, (but not too soft).

Can you put different compound tyres between front and rear? The front tyre looks like it could go another 10k before needing replacing so would rather not do both while I'm saving for a bigger bike.

Also, I've read that it's usually a good idea to change the rear sprocket and possibly the chain when you get a new back tyre. Is this a standard rule? The chain is lubed every two weeks and looks in pretty good nick. Have yet to inspect the sprocket properly. I cannot wheelie and don't hammer the rear end so hope chain wear won't be an issue.

[MSTRS:Me]

IRC tyres = GPR80's supposed to be be excellent, but haven't tried yet or know $$. Got Metzler Z6 B&F on the 1100 and they are brilliant, but don't know if they come narrow enough for 250 rims.
Shouldn't think your chain/sprockets will be needing replacement for ages yet. If looked after, they should go 30-40k. How far can you pull the chain away from the rear sprocket??

[SimJen]

You don't need to change sprockets when you change tires.
Could get costly if you had to, as I and lots of others only get 3-5000km for a rear tire.

Sorry can't tell you what tyres to get, I used to ride a NSR250SP with mods and used Dunlop GPR70SP's but they're no good for commuting, although very very sticky.

Often good to have a stickier front tire and a harder rear. That way you have the confidence in the front and the wearability in the rear.

[Devil]

Bridgestone BT45's. They'll do everything you want.

[quickbuck]

The tyres on it are IRC HS-230R.

Front: 110/70-17 54H
Rear: 130/70-17 62H

One thing is she's real slippery in the wet, the tyres are incredibly hard (is that what the H stands for?) so I'm looking for a softer compound, (but not too soft).

...
Also, I've read that it's usually a good idea to change the rear sprocket and possibly the chain when you get a new back tyre. Is this a standard rule? The chain is lubed every two weeks and looks in pretty good nick. Have yet to inspect the sprocket properly. I cannot wheelie and don't hammer the rear end so hope chain wear won't be an issue.

The 54 and the 62 are the compounds. I think the smaller the number the softer (could be wrong, often am). The H is the speed rating. H + up to 210 k. Yeah, I know the GSX does 160 at red line.

I would be a little joubious if the front lasted 20000k too. The traed might look okay, but the casing will be shot.

As for the book (or what ever you read) that says to replace the rear sprocket while you change the tyre... Chuck that away!
The origional chain and sprockets will last for about 30000 on one of those little machines if looked after. After market ones are never quite as good as the origional ones, but will still last a very long time. Chain and sprockets are worn together, and replaced together (and cost about $200 for a set for your bike, up to around 500 for the big HP bikes, with flash chains).

[Sparky Bills]

Pirelli Sport Demons!
$300 for a pair.
Have used them when i had a 250. Worked bloody well on the road (commuting) and the track.
Highly recomended.

[hXc]

Black ones

Pirelli Sport Demons seem to be the choice.

[Sparky Bills]

OHHHH!!!

Make sure they are round too.:spudflip:

[Slingshot]

Pirelli Sport Demons!
$300 for a pair.
Have used them when i had a 250. Worked bloody well on the road (commuting) and the track.
Highly recomended.

I agree...I had Pirellis on my old GSXR250, they were wicked!

[Aaron]

Thanks for the help and advice, all taken on board.

$300 seems pretty good for a set of tyres. Any thought on the Ks you'd get out of 'normal' use for a set of those Pirelli Sport Demons?

Also, the current rear tyre, (don't know about the front), is tubed, is this a feature of the bike/rim or can I go tubeless with the new rubber?

[sAsLEX]

Also, the current rear tyre, (don't know about the front), is tubed, is this a feature of the bike/rim or can I go tubeless with the new rubber?

modern bike should be designed for tubless.

On my 250 I ran GPR70s and got ok life out of them but comutting can square them up fairly quickly.

As to having diffferent compounds front and rear, for the last year I haven't had close to a matching set, I tend to buy nice and sticky front tires off some of the racers on KB and then buy a new rear, last one was a harder compound to get better distance comutting. I have had no probs with this setup at all.

ps make sure you run your tires at correct pressures as over or under inflating them can make the bike slip and slide round, especially in the wet