GN250 tyres?

[Fumph]

I asked my local bike shop a couple of weeks ago about geting a set of better tyres for the GN250 as I was intending to keep it for a while longer. They and I agree that Bridgestone BT45s are good and so they ordered a set. Which is fine with me despite the price. But they have ordered for the rear a 130-90-16 for which the recommended rim size is 2.50 to 3.50 but the GN250 has a 2.15 rim. I am thinking that a 130 is too wide anyway and a 120 or 110 would be more suitable. Should I let them fit the 130??? Can I have confidence in a 130 on a rim which is not the recommended size?

[AllanB]

I'd stick with the stock size, whats on it now? Check the tyre sidewall the numbers will be there. If i is a say 120 - check if there is actually any clearance for a larger 130, ie is there room between the tyre and swingarm, tyre edge and chain and brake rod/arm and tyre edge for a larger section?

However as muffin tops are in at the moment maybe squeezing the 130 onto the 2.15 rim will give your rear a tyre muffin?

[Fumph]

Thanks Alan... it is 4.60 inches which is about 116mm so 110 or 120 would be about right. The 130 will fit in the space but what bothers me a that the rim size is smaller than that recommended.

[vtec]

Why don't people put second hand supersport front tyres on the back of their commuter bikes, pretty sure you could pick up these awesome tyres with tonnes of tread for $50 to $100. Just have to be careful on them when they are cold. Tyre size is pretty much always 120/70/17

[Fumph]

I ended up with Pirelli City Demons with a 120 on the rear. Very pleased with them, feel good and increased my riding confidence 100%.

[klingon]

I ended up with Pirelli City Demons with a 120 on the rear. Very pleased with them, feel good and increased my riding confidence 100%.

Excellent choice. Makes a huge difference doesn't it?

Before this recent change, did you still have the original tyres on that came with the bike? One of the first things people recommend when you buy a GN is change the tyres! The factory-fitted ones might as well be plastic.

Next you'd better get some knee sliders - you'll be cornering with such confidence!

[Fumph]

Yes huge difference... I never trusted the originals..... prob not the knee sliders but I am cornering with confidence now. However I have yet to ride in a real wet, but I guess that is going to happen sometime soon. You hear so much bad talk about the original tyres ...... I should have changed them months ago....
Talking about cornering... I have been exploring counter steering and that has also boosted my confidence.... Strange that it is emphasised so little to newbie riders like me... I wish I had been introduced to it from week one. But then there was no one to do it.. The basic skills people here dont do it... they just take the money and give you a piece of paper.

[klingon]

Yes huge difference... I never trusted the originals..... prob not the knee sliders but I am cornering with confidence now. However I have yet to ride in a real wet, but I guess that is going to happen sometime soon. You hear so much bad talk about the original tyres ...... I should have changed them months ago....
Talking about cornering... I have been exploring counter steering and that has also boosted my confidence.... Strange that it is emphasised so little to newbie riders like me... I wish I had been introduced to it from week one. But then there was no one to do it.. The basic skills people here dont do it... they just take the money and give you a piece of paper.

Very true about the basic skills. The truth is, you're really responsible for your own education from now on. The basic skills test really just proves that you can stay upright, make the bike go & stop. Anything beyond that is up to you to find out for yourself!

I have found this site to be a mine of information (once you learn who to listen to and who to ignore ).

Also if you get a chance to do any kind of further rider training, grab it! I did the RRRS course here in Auckland, but you might be able to find an experienced local rider who could mentor you, check your technique, give you tips, etc. Also there are some good books out there if you're into brushing up on the theory side of things.

You're obviously off to a great start. You've got an excellent learner bike, a good set of tyres and an attitude that you want to learn and practise. Keep it up!

[NOWOOL]

I may be wrong, but isn't the guideline that unless you are pushing a bike over 70% of capability you won't notice a difference in equal tyre types?

[klingon]

You will only notice a difference in the GN tyres if you are:
a) Riding in the wet or
b) Braking or
c) Leaning into a corner or
d) Riding in the dry or
e) Going in a straight line.

Apart from that, it really makes no difference what tyres you have on.

Seriously though, the tyres that come standard with the GN are made of some kind of hard compound that lasts forever, but seems to have very little traction on any kind of road surface. That little patch of tyre is the only thing that keeps you from coming in contact with the road, so you really do need to make sure you've got the best possible grip.

You certainly don't have to be deliberately pushing things to the limit to justify decent tyres. Just today I felt the rear tyre slip out as I rode over one of those nasty melty tar-snakes mid corner. I was very glad to feel my tyre regain its grip almost instantly. Hooray for tyres!

[NOWOOL]

Maybe it's just my memory fading as i'm getting old, but I think the stock Chinese tyres hold as least as well as my metzlers back in 93 on my bmw k75 (which were the greatest i had up to then).
maybe tyres have changed a lot or maybe past riding subconcious is compensating for the cheap stock tyres.

[Fumph]

Well what you say is interesting maybe the quality was better in 93. But the tyres I took of my 2006 model never gave me any confidence, though they never "let go" on me.
The surface appeared hard and not the sort of surface that would "grip" the road surface. The rear tyre had a profile that was more like a cage tyre. When it was removed it flatened out to look even more like that. Of course there are many myths about such things as tyres like there are about golf equipment etc. The tyre dealers and manufacturers are probably responsible for most of that. But it is logical that the manufacturers of a relatively cheap bike are going to match it with cheap tyres. What is a poor boy to do? You have to trust someone and the concensus appears to be that the fitted tyres are crap.....