[Curve]

This is a real beginner's question :bslap: but this section of the site seems the most appropriate to ask. Would it be possible to change the skinny wheels on a Kawasaki Ninja 500R to a set thats provided on larger sport bikes? I understand it will add some weight and possibly make the bike a bit slower. If that's the case I can overlook that easy. Also would this affect the handling in a negative way? Below is what I'm looking for:

Stock
Front: 110/70-17
Rear: 130/70-17

What I'm looking for
Front: 120/65 or 120/70-17,
Rear: 180/55-17 or 190/55-17 or 200/55-17

 

[GsxrJack]

no real advantage going with a 120 vs a 110 on a ninja 500....i think even most of the 500 racers keep the 110 on the bike since it slows the hell out of the handling...on the street its not even worth the hassle....just my 2 cents on that.... :2cents: :cheers:

 

[f4ilapper]

Check out this link it is EX500 specific.

http://www.ex500riders.com/forums/

There is a whole section on tires (aka rubber). Alot of the guys that race them up in Jacks area are on this forum.

I put the 110 on the front and a 150 on the rear of my daughter to get Pilot Powers on the bike for track days and they worked great for her.

You have to be careful of what year you have because the +94 models have 17" rims and the old ones have 16" rims.

:luck:

 

[Gas Man]

I think F4i pushed the limit of the stock setup. I use to own a EX500 and a 150 is the biggest you can fit between the swing arm sides... the only way to get anything larger is to cut and modify the swingarm.

As they said, there will be no benifit to the larger front. Even in the rear, the only benifit for a larger tire would be appearance. The bike just doesn't have the power to justify anything larger...

But the question nobody else asked is why?

 

[SpeedWerks.com]

But the question nobody else asked is why?

Limited tire availability. That 130 rear is a bit tough to find in anything that doesn't have the compound density of your average rock

Keep the 110 front - plenty of good tires available in that size. You can put a 120 front on that rim, but it will slow down the handling (turn in) and not improve anything. The profile will be wrong on the narrow wheel.

The 150 on the rear will work. It's not right for the wheel width, but the fact you can get modern rubber in that size makes the slower turning worth the trade-off.

- Roach

 

[Gas Man]

I figured as much..like I said I owned one before and knew that but thought I would ask before jumping to conclusions...

 

[larryg]

I believe I have seen ZX6 wheels adapted to an EX500 but I am sure it took some fabrication to make it work right.

Larry

 

[Earlzach]

I believe I have seen ZX6 wheels adapted to an EX500 but I am sure it took some fabrication to make it work right.

Larry

I have road a 500 twin and to me that thing will be sweatin to the oldies with a piece of rubber that big back there. I just dont recall the ex-having any torque. It seemed to be all up top. It was the only bike I have ever ridin that recognized five additional pounds of weight on it. :scratch: Things sure must have changed a lot in a few years.

 

[jlozx750]

I think F4i pushed the limit of the stock setup. I use to own a EX500 and a 150 is the biggest you can fit between the swing arm sides... the only way to get anything larger is to cut and modify the swingarm.

As they said, there will be no benifit to the larger front. Even in the rear, the only benifit for a larger tire would be appearance. The bike just doesn't have the power to justify anything larger...

But the question nobody else asked is why?

whats power got to do with it? do you realize what the contact patch on a motorcycle tire looks like? a wider tire doesnt have a mutch wider contact patch, the tire is arched it just has a farther distance to travel to get to xxdeg. of lean angle. and as the diameter gets smaller the patch also follows but it increases the steering quickness.
go with the big tires if that is what YOU want! there are lots of 120/60/17's out there, the smaller diameter aught to make up for any slowness caused by a tire 10 MILLIMETERS WIDER !
:king: :gary:

 

[larryg]

Things sure must have changed a lot in a few years.

The EX500 has changed very little since it's introduction. The motor is essentially half of the old (1990 or so) ZX10 motor. Yes they are pretty slow, and no they don't need wider rubber, but that doesn't mean people won't try.

Larry

 

[Earlzach]

The EX500 has changed very little since it's introduction. The motor is essentially half of the old (1990 or so) ZX10 motor. Yes they are pretty slow, and no they don't need wider rubber, but that doesn't mean people won't try.

Larry

Well if it is a beginner bike they want then its a beginner bike they will get. I am sure that thing will be crying for power. If it ever gets it turning without new clutches every month. It just isnt worth the loss in power. Not Trying to sound neg, but if you want the Big 170 or 180 tire buy a 600 something. Even a 750 kat only has like a 150 tire stock. Or used to. The low end just isnt there to support it. IMO