I'm needing a new set of tires for my Ninja 14. I got about 5,000 miles on my current set of tires. Haven't been doing burn-outs and such just basic day to day riding. What type of tire will give me the best performance and longest wear?

Many Thanks

+1 Hub

The tyres seem to wear as a set, not just at the same time, but in a complimentary manner. When you break that set by adding one new tyre, neither perform to full potential. replace the pair and it seems to be a different story.

Personally, I have had bad experiences with OEM tyres (in Aus) that has resulted in avoidable damage to 3 new bikes when the OEM tyres let go when aftermarket tyres perfrm well. So as Hub says:

This is no bike to mess with and tires are one of them.

When I got this bike, I replaced the OEMs with a set of my favourite Pirelli Corsa IIIs.

I just watched a thread on the new gsxr 1000 . They talked a bit about the new brigestone Batt 16 that came stock on this bike. The tires outperformed their expectation . These tires are also stock on the wifes new kawi zx 600R. The bike has has only 20km on the clock, so I really have no opinion but seem OK .

I installed the Pirelli Diablo Stradas the High mileage tire they have and I have to said they are awesome , I put about 1000 miles on them and don't even look like they wear out at all, not to mention they grip like glue on the rain and I do also run the twisty mountain roads and they grip very awesome too, I have to said from now on I will stick to this tires !

Avon storms are a great all rounder, but have got a good deal on the old Azaro here in the u.k and find that a good rear tyre as regards mileage and the grip not bad either
B-A

Pirelli corsa III's for me.My 07 came with Dunlops hated them,tried Bridge stones they were pretty good .Then Corsa III's I loved them .Currently running Rossos.I like them but feel the Corsa III's are better.It would ,be nice to try super Corsa's but the 14 would eat them too quickly

We have lots' of tire threads. Now I am really confused

I'll get that tire poll set up probably tomorrow and maybe that can become the definitive source for tire suggestions. -bg

Diablo Stradas!!! best bang for your buck!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 5/15/2009 @ 8:24 AM *

BT 016's for knee-dragging!!!

It boils down to whether you want a hi-performance tire for grip, or a hi-performance tire for longevity. You cannot expect a tire designed to stick like glue and lateral grip, to outlast a tire designed for the long haul. The rubber used to make a sticky tire is alot softer and generates heat quicker than a tire designed for touring. A touring tire is made with a harder compound and therefore is going to last longer than the sticky soft tire designed for grip.

This is why multi-compound tires like the Bridgestone BT016, Michelin Pilot Powers, and Dunlop Sportmax GP's, too name a few, give you the best of both worlds, a harder longer lasting compound in the middle and softer, stickier rubber toward the edges.

A hi-performance sticky tire will never outlast a harder sport-touring tire!!! BUT
A long lasting sport-touring tire will NEVER stick as good as a hi-performance sport-tire!!!

So if you are rolling thru the canyons and never really pushing it too the edge then a sport-touring tire that lasts twice as long is going to do you fine.. BUT

If you are dragging-knees, and really laying into the curves, then a tire that doesn't last 1/2 as long but sticks, when leaned over twice as good is what you want...