hey guys i havent posted in forever but i once again need your wisdom. do ninja 500s use bias ply or radial tires? which one is better? i seem to see them both used and i thought bias ply wernt used anymore. but i guess all my tire know how is about car tires. by the way, im thinking of getting the bridgestone Battlax BT45's. are those good? i want a very safe yet affordable tire. thanks guys!!!

 

This is just a general observation, but any tire available that fits the 500 is golden.
It's a pity that Dunlop stopped selling to us the same front tire that they still sell to Kawasaki for installation on every new 500. IMO, that is best.

Every tire available for this bike is adequate. The only earnest input I can offer is to take it easy on the corners until those tires are scrubbed-in.
-CCinC (with three broken ribs and a totalled '02 that looks like it's been chewed up and spit out by a Tyrannosaurus-Wrex.)

 

I have the BT 45's on my 500. I Just bought a new rear to match the front and I could really tell it needed scrubbed in. Felt really unstable at first, but after a few miles I am having good luck with it, and cornering at high speeds isnt unstable anymore.

 

I love my BT 45's.

 

I bought my 96 Ex500 with Maxxis Pro Max on the front and rear. I feel very confident with these tyres in the twisties. Got a nail in my rear last month so I had to get a new tyre which took two weeks as they had to put it on back order. Took it easy for a while but is now scrubbed in well.

 

I just ordered new BT45's for mine - I'll be picking them up this week. I have had BT 45's on it the last two years and I have no complaints about them! Great tires in my opinion!

 

I see several types of "BT45's" for sale. Please comment on exactly what you have and what you think works best on dryvs. wet road.Here are the different BT45 models I've found. These all seem to be the same size (width and radius), and differ only in speed rating and "profile". I notice there is one V-rated tire; does that give any performance advantage? Also, what do the profile differences mean to performance?

BT45 - 130/90V17
BT45 -130/70H17
BT45 - 130/80H17
BT45 - 130/80H17 TT

Also, my bike currently has Bridgestone Exedra G550, 130/70H17 on the rear. I assume it came with the bike since the bike had 2k miles when I bought it. I am interested to know if you think any of the BT45's have any advantage over these. thanks!

 

i got the metzler lasertecs and love em

 

Avon Vipers, work for me...

 

not to sound to completely noobish...how do u "scrub" a tire? is this like breakin it in or?...lol