track rubber for EX500

[DonJigweed]

2008 Ninja 500R

what tires would you put on this thing, if you want the stickiest you can get? (preferably no pirellis)

thanks!

 

[IBYS]

Bridgestone 120/165 is what I run on my 450 build (see avatar) and when I had my F3 two years ago. Apparently the ex500 racers of old would run the f3 rear wheel.

I am very happy with Bridgestone and had the dunlop 120/160 slicks prior. They were good too. Pirellis are very popular in the AFM but my bidgestones consistently outlast them and I haven't had an issue with grip yet (well except for losing the front at sears trying to keep Alan behind me on his sv500).

You have your choice in front profile as well with Bridgestone (120 or 125).

http://viets-performance.com/Home/Bridgestone-250cc-Slicks_3

 

[That Guy]

Bridgestone 120/165 is what I run on my 450 build (see avatar) and when I had my F3 two years ago. Apparently the ex500 racers of old would run the f3 rear wheel.

I am very happy with Bridgestone and had the dunlop 120/160 slicks prior. They were good too. Pirellis are very popular in the AFM but my bidgestones consistently outlast them and I haven't had an issue with grip yet (well except for losing the front at sears trying to keep Alan behind me on his sv500).

You have your choice in front profile as well with Bridgestone (120 or 125).

http://viets-performance.com/Home/Bridgestone-250cc-Slicks_3

X2 I'm running the BStones 125/165 slicks on my 450. Stickiest tire I have ever run and the wear is great. I have a set of Dunlop takeoff's slicks in 125/155 with a ton life left they are 09 production dates PM me if you are interested

 

[Old Bike]

Ok stock 16 inch wheels your screwed Dunlop GT501 110 front 130 rear Avon makes a race tire in 110 , 140 in 16inch I just found these and haven't tried them yet. Stock 17 inch rims run the same stuff as the new ninja 250s . We all have franken bikes to get 17inch wheels on them so we can use race tires. Pick your brand and run a soft slick the Ex doesn't have the power to hurt the tire and it will last forever. I think the Ex got 17inch rims in 03 not positive .They are really narrow though . Come by my pits next round and pick my brain.

 

[Old Bike]

Should have read that better if you don't want pirelli . I do beleave Dunlop makes a tire that fits close enough . Maybe with the popularity of the 250 other brands will make race tires for small bikes . At the moment though thats it .

 

[Mick-e]

Dunlop used to offer a 155 slick that was perfect for the 500.
I don't know if they still make those.
How wide is the rear rim on an 08 500?
The Bridgestones have been great for me this year on a 650

 

[brianbartlow]

well hands down Pirelli has the best tire. Pirelli is run on all the 500s in most countries and has won more club races in the US then any other tire combined.

 

[brianbartlow]

plus to get a sticky tire to work you need to push hard, that's with any tire though

 

[DonJigweed]

well hands down Pirelli has the best tire. Pirelli is run on all the 500s in most countries and has won more club races in the US then any other tire combined.

Yes, I'm sure they're light years better than the Bridgestones, and I'm sure you pay full boat retail to outfit the FLAP bikes with them, but I said "preferably no Pirellis." A guy can have a personal preference for or against a tire, right?

 

[DonJigweed]

thanks for the responses, i'll probably get some bridgestones from jeff.

stock rear only has a 130 or 140 on it right now mickey. not sure how wide the wheel is exactly.

 

[Old Bike]

It's a 3.5 I think . The stones aren't a race tire in this size . Just keep an eye on them .

 

[IBYS]

You will be happy with bridgestones and you have plenty of options for front and rear compounds as well as two different fronts (120 or 125). I don't know the offerings from Dunlop but years ago I ran the same size tire family (120/160) and was happy with them.

The 120/165 Bridgestone combo is a good deal and if you buy from Jeff you know you'll get top notch service plus he is still doing free shipping.

Ill be at the next AFM round if you'll be there, happy to help with any questions and I should have take offs too.

 

[Old Bike]

Thats the problem Eric hes got the stock rims same size as current 250. 120, 165 wont fit on his rims he would have to make all the mods I have to use those tires . They way things are heading makeing all those mods would not be a good idea . A ninja 300 is so much faster than a ex it would be silly.

 

[IBYS]

There are smaller race tires which Bridgestone markets as 125 class (still using 125, 250 GP nomenclature). I understand not everyone can do your swing arm swap, custom belly pan mods but I was under the impression a larger/wider rear wheel was a common straight forward mod for the 500ex.

 

[DonJigweed]

Clarification: this isn't my bike, i was asking for a friend who wants to do some trackdays, but uses it as a daily commuter bike, and probably won't be interested in doing any kind of mods on it for some time (if ever). so for now he's limited to what works best on the stock wheels, which I think come mounted with 110, 140 17s.

 

[Old Bike]

There are smaller race tires which Bridgestone markets as 125 class (still using 125, 250 GP nomenclature). I understand not everyone can do your swing arm swap, custom belly pan mods but I was under the impression a larger/wider rear wheel was a common straight forward mod for the 500ex.

You are right I had forgotten about those a few generations old but they do have them .in 17 not 16.5 too . It is a fairly straight foward mode but you are changing the swing arm making spacers etcetera .

 

[rob linders]

The 125 Bridgestone tires are great. Tyler ran those when he raced a 125. If those fit, I probably have a set of takeoffs for it if your friend is interested. I believe the stock rear wheel on a 125 is 3.5 inches.

Edit: Front is 2.5 and rear is 3.5 on a 125.

 

[Ironbutt]

I have Michelin radials.. but it's far from stock..