I consulted with someone whom I consider EX500 expert regarding the installation of wide rear tires for my Ninja 500 and this is what he said to me:
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"The tire size 150 (low profile= 60/17) will fit, a high profile 70/17 will not. If you get the 150 rear, advantages are, higher rear end means better ground clearance, so pipes do not touch the ground when in full lean angle.

The 150 rear make the tire a "pointy" profile, so you can turn quicker and have more patch while in full lean angle. Again the 150 60/17 will fit good, just make sure you get 60 profile.
You get a much better tire for high performance ride...

Disadvantage: The center stand might be short with the higher tire. The chain guard might need to be removed (my race bikes do not have chain guards and never had, so I never experienced larger tires with chain guard). You get a much better tire for high performance ride... (yes it is a disadvantage too, as the higher performance tires takes a bit longer to warm up for street usage... so you have to be more careful until the tires are fully warmed/"
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I consulted another source and yes, indeed, the 150/60 -17 will fit but as the tire wears out, it expands and clearance issue might arise. So best recommended tire size upgrade is 140/70-17. That's the tire size I'm installing this week.
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For EX500 racers, or for one of those track days, however, exactly the 150/60-17 is recommended.

 

nice work, is this tire size that much more expensive??

 

Nah, it ain't expensive (here in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, with that tire (140/70) and installation labor, I paid the guys $140 (they also adjusted my chain tension and inspected my brakes as a courtesy service.) It gives the bike sporty rear look to it (also enhances your art of turning...)

 

hey that's cool, after you get it done, could you post some shots of it just to get an idea of how it looks like. that would be cool too. thanks

 

yes, pictures would be great!!!!

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how long do the tires usually last under normal riding conditions???

 

Here are the pictures: I'm away from home (to make long story short, I had to create emergency username/password for your guys to see. Rock on!




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Here is my bike (with sarachu systems, fender eliminator, zero gravity dark-smoke windshield, 140/70 tire.) I'll like my ride pimped up while in my possession.

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