The chain guard needs to come off. Actually if you don't want your chain guard off you can cut your chain guard to give your back tire more clearance. I think the 150/70 MIGHT not fit. 150/60 is the one that doesn't require that much.

Plus there's a pretty good selection of 150/60s. I just bought some Metzeler Sportec M3. They're good so far, plenty of grip.

I have 120/70/17 and 150/60/17 they fit fine, just needs chain guard modification or completely off.

Hans

PS. i have a 2nd generation EX500 (94+)

 

The chain guard needs to come off. Actually if you don't want your chain guard off you can cut your chain guard to give your back tire more clearance. I think the 150/70 MIGHT not fit. 150/60 is the one that doesn't require that much.

Plus there's a pretty good selection of 150/60s. I just bought some Metzeler Sportec M3. They're good so far, plenty of grip.

I have 120/70/17 and 150/60/17 they fit fine, just needs chain guard modification or completely off.

Hans

PS. i have a 2nd generation EX500 (94+)

I've got a second generation bike too, which is good. Looking at the chain guard I can see what needs to be done. I think I'll break off the mounting tab on the inner edge of the swing arm, cut back the chain guard and maybe rivet some mechano onto the chain guard to give it some rigidity along it's length.

So you think that the 150/70 tyre might rub on the swing arm? I'm guessing that the 150/60 is already quite close then? As much as I like the look of something like the Metzeler Sportec M3 pair, they are a bit out of my price range. I'll keep looking around though.

Another question, how might these over sized tyres effect the fuel economy? I'm quite proud of my 50mpg+ fuel economy (that's the imperial 4.55 litre gallon), will it take a real pounding if I go for a larger pair?

Thanks a lot by the way, I appreciate the help.

 

um, i can't tell you much about the fuel economy but i think for sure the 150/70 will rub because the smaller profile is to compensate for the larger size. I didn't take off the tab though i just cut the the chain guard. 150/60 is pretty close to touching, i read in another thread that 150/60 is the maximum safe size for the wheel width.

The Metzelers are pretty pricey but there are other options for that size too. 140 would fit just fine also without ANY modifications. I went with a larger size just because the 130's were so limited to just a couple of brands and compounds.

i'm guessing (wild guess) that the larger tire won't affect it THAT much but it is more weight to lug around than the 130s.

Hans

 

the avon comes in a 140 fits fine no mods and i did not notice any difference in mileage. next set will be the bt45's though the tire wears fine and i am doing lots of freeway so its ok but it does not corner as well as the stock tire did. i have felt it slip several times not bad but enough that i have changed the way i ride.

 

So getting bigger tires such as mentioned, with no modifications n such, isn't the tire too wide for the rim? I don't understand that. Help???

 

you need a 4.25 or 4.5" rim for that size tyre. on the standard 3.5" rim the tyre is pinched and it's not recommended.

stick with the stock sizes, just get a better make.

michelin pilot activ or pirelli sport demon for example.

 

Both the 140/70 and 150/70 sizes have traditionally been sized for a 4.0" rim and that is generally specified as the preferred rim width for these tires. Some variance in rim widths is approved by the tire makers and that is generally 3.5-4.5" for 150/70 bias tires and 4.0-4.5" for 150/70 radials. Some tire makers do approve fitment of 150/70 radials on 3.5" rims and others don't. None of them approve fitment of the 150/60 radials on 3.5" rims in this country but many are running them on the EX500 and GS500 3.5" oem rims.

I've run Lasertec and Roadrider bias and a RoadAttack radial in the 150/70 size on my GS500s and all were approved for this fitment by their makers. It been said here that a 150/70 won't fit a EX500 but a 150/60 will and a quick look at the EX500 at the dealers showed this to be true.

Things change as time goes on and both the 140/70 Demons and 140/70 Roadriders are now sized for a 3.75" rim so they are an equally good fit on either 3.5 or 4.0" rims. The 140/70 Pilot Activ has a preferred rim width of 3.5" according to data published my Motorace, this info is not available from the Michelin site like it is from the other tire makers sites.

http://www.motorace.com/pdf_downloads/06catalogs/Mich Active_Macadam50_06.pdf

 

I guess I'll go for the 120/70 + 140/70 combination then. I'd rather not risk getting a 150/70 and then finding it doesn't fit properly.

 

Now that I've made that post I've remembered I was going to ask one more thing.

Anyone ever used a brand of tyre called Shinko? I can get a pair of Shinko 006 (a 120/70 and a 150/60) for a good price at moto-tyres.co.uk and I was wondering if anyone has ever used them? It's unlikely I know but I thought I'd throw the question out there before I buy the 120/70 + 140/70 Avon Roadriders.

 

Actually I'm fairly familiar with Shinko tires. they're very good tires for the price. I find them to be inexpensive, but very nice in grip/handling.

 

Now that I've made that post I've remembered I was going to ask one more thing.

Anyone ever used a brand of tyre called Shinko? I can get a pair of Shinko 006 (a 120/70 and a 150/60) for a good price at moto-tyres.co.uk and I was wondering if anyone has ever used them? It's unlikely I know but I thought I'd throw the question out there before I buy the 120/70 + 140/70 Avon Roadriders.

Hahahaha there's a thread that was just made recently on purchasing the Shinko tires.... from the reviews I've read they're an outstanding tire for the price!!

 

Why are you even asking instead of just getting stock size tires?

You want 20 inch rims, don't buy a Honda Civic.

 

My buddy runs Shinkos on his 2008 GSX-R1000, believe it or not, and says they are a great tire for the price and he gets about 7000 to 8000 on them mostly commuting. They should last forever on a 500!

 

The liter bikes running the Shinkos are probably using the Raven 009 sport touring long distance tires to get that milage, quite a few are using them over at sport-touring.net. The smallest rear 009 is a 160/60 not suitable for a Ninja 500 without extensive mods.

The Podium 006 with sizes to fit the EX500 or GS500 on oem wheels is a sticky high performance radial that will give greater performance but won't match the life of the Ravens doing it.

 

I am in need of new tires on my 07 EX500R, I would love to go with a wider tire, but even more importantly, I would like to have a stickier tire. I have been reading about some of you going with some larger tire sizes and I wondered about power change and speedo accuracy based upon some of your choices. Maybe someone can help me decide what to buy. Based upon the comparison below, the best two bets would be either to go back with stock tire sizes or a rear 150/60-17 front 130/60-17 combo if wider is wanted.

Stock tires size on an EX500 is 110/70-17 front and 130/70-17 rear, correct? Is the front and rear rim width 3.5 inches on a stock 2007 gen 2 rim?

Rear Tire Comparison:
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
130/70-17 3.6in 12.1in 24.2in 75.9in 835 0.0%
140/70-17 3.9in 12.4in 24.7in 77.6in 816 2.3%
140/60-17 3.3in 11.8in 23.6in 74.2in 854 -2.3%
150/70-17 4.1in 12.6in 25.3in 79.4in 798 4.6%
150/60-17 3.5in 12.0in 24.1in 75.7in 837 -0.3%

Front Tire Comparison:
Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
110/70-17 3.0in 11.5in 23.1in 72.5in 874 0.0%
120/70-17 3.3in 11.8in 23.6in 74.2in 854 2.4%
120/60-17 2.8in 11.3in 22.7in 71.2in 890 -1.7%
130/70-17 3.6in 12.1in 24.2in 75.9in 835 4.8%
130/60-17 3.1in 11.6in 23.1in 72.7in 872 0.3%

 

.... those stock sizes are correct, not sure about the rim width

 

hmm i don't know about the 130/60 up front my 120/70 is really tight. Unless that lower profile compensates for the width. I like my Metzeler Sportec M3.. they're grippy even in the cold. I might go up to the twisties this weekend or next week and i can tell you what it's like.

Hans

 

..........Is the front and rear rim width 3.5 inches on a stock 2007 gen 2 rim?............

Front rim is 3.0" and rear is 3.5".

 

hmm i don't know about the 130/60 up front my 120/70 is really tight. Unless that lower profile compensates for the width. I like my Metzeler Sportec M3.. they're grippy even in the cold. I might go up to the twisties this weekend or next week and i can tell you what it's like.
Hans

Hans, thanks for the info. I have about decided on the Metzelers myself. I wondered how they handled, but did not know anyone who had a set. That is also good to know about the 130/60 size being too wide.

What sizes do you have? Where is the best place to buy the sportec M3's?

 

i replaced my stock tires with pirelli sport demons in 110/70 in front and the 140/70 in the rear. what a huge improvement in the ride and handling with my bike. and the price wasn't that bad either

 

I know that I am being somewhat of a pain, but my bike is due for its first set of replacment tires and I was not satisfied with what was on it stock. have never bought street bike tires before and I want to go with something a little stickier, and I do not have many options in the stock tire sizes. I see a lot of posts about going with certain sizes that give better options of tires, but all of these require slight modifications or will barley fit. Can anyone post a couple of pictures of their bike with a 150/60 rear and a 120/70 front? Also, does anyone have a picture whay id required in chain guard modification?

 

i replaced my stock tires with pirelli sport demons in 110/70 in front and the 140/70 in the rear. what a huge improvement in the ride and handling with my bike. and the price wasn't that bad either

Do what this guy did. The 140 is approved for our sized rim so if you want oversized tyres with more grip, this is the way to go.

 

Can anyone post a couple of pictures of their bike with a 150/60 rear and a 120/70 front?

150/60 and 110/70:

http://www.classicbikes.com/ex500racing.html

 

http://www.classicbikes.com/ex500racing.html

Huh, that's kinda funny. For all that money, I bet he's going hardly any faster than a good rider on a stock bike. All that work amounts to fluids control, aesthetics, and safety wiring. The only things he did, amongst all those mods, that could really be said to affect performance, are suspension and brake pads/lines.

'tis a sweet looking bike, though.

 

i replaced my stock tires with pirelli sport demons in 110/70 in front and the 140/70 in the rear. what a huge improvement in the ride and handling with my bike. and the price wasn't that bad either

Do what this guy did. The 140 is approved for our sized rim so if you want oversized tyres with more grip, this is the way to go.

Where have you been researching that the size is approved for our rim? I'm curious and want to put a 140/60/17 on my rear tire and would love to read more about it!