Front tire: 110/70x17 tubeless
Rear tire: 130/70x17 tubeless

That's the specs for the Ninja EX500R tires, but can I go bigger, or wider or anything like that, on the existing rims?

The sizes seem to be kinda rare, and the more I look, the more I theorize that Kawasaki would like to forget it ever made this bike. Like they are embarrassed or something! (The EX500R is not listed on the Official Kawasaki Page)

Any Help would be awesome! Im due for tires very soon, and I HATE the stock tires, I want something a little more, uh...MANLY....=)

 

hahaha, since the EX500 is not produced anymore....that may be a reason it is not on the front page on Kawi's site.

I have heard that a 120 front tire is just abit too much for the front fender and to stay with the 110. I use the pirelli sport demons front/rear on mine....er ie the "wifes" 110/140 X 17 tires on the 2005 model.

 

Depending on rim width you might get away with a 140 on the back. (Edit: Obviously they do work since that is what Dragone#19 is running.) Check the Bridgestone site by picking the type of tire (they recommend the BT45 Battlax) and then click on details on this tire to see what they say the rim width requirement is. I've used a tire recommended for a 3.00 rim on a 2.75, and it probably isn't horribly bad when the tire is a bias tire like the BT45 is. I wouldn't do it with a radial though. They're more sensitive to the rim requirements.

I would stay with the 110 since going bigger will slow turn in and make the handling feel more truckish. That is one reason I went to a 110/70 over the recommended 110/80 on the front of my Zephyr - to quicken turn in and handling. My 550 runs a 140 on the back and it isn't more powerful than the EX so I think it might work if the rim size is suitable. It will affect handling, but no where near as radical as a wider front. You can bring back the handling up a bit by raising the fork stanchions in the triple clamps maybe 5-10 mm if you do go larger on the back. That would make up a bit for the wider tire's increased effort for turning due to the wider tire requiring more leverage to lean it.

For what it's worth they list the BT45 in a 140/70 with a recommended 3.50-4.50 rim and a 140/80 calling for a 2.75-3.75 rim width. I'm thinking you could do the 80 for sure, but it's going to be about 1-2" larger diameter (.5-1" radius) than the 130 depending on if it is a 70 or 80 profile. They list the inflated width on a specific rim if you look.

There ya go.

 

The 110 with 1000 road miles and lowered tire pressure for the last half day of track time.

A little bit of view of the rear tire. the 140 fits well, do not go any bigger though. this is all on stock suspension. As you can tell by the ground down side fairings and of the tire wear, suspension needs tuned for any aggressive riding. Here is a pic of the ride after the return ride back home and up on the lift for inspection. Not sure if the 140 rear was a cause of the first lap pushing or not. But once the tires warmed up, the other laps were actually not bad except for the suspension issues and my lack of experience on the this ride.

 

Thank you so much man, I really appreciate it. I think Im gonna go with the Battle-Axe

 

Hey thank you dude, i appreciate the time, and advice. I replied on accident via quote...I AM a noob afterall....=) Im gonna get the Battle-Axe

 

I just recently bought a '97 500r and it has a 140/70 on the rear. The previous owner got a flat while on a long trip and had to make due with what the nearest shop had available. It fits fine except the chain guard had to be removed.

 

A good rule of thumb is MOST of the time you can definately go up atleast 1 size on front and rear. I've never had a prob doin that on my ninjas.

 

Of course it should also be noted that going larger on the front will definitely very noticably slow up the turn in and require higher effort to initiate a turn (aka slower handling). The larger rear will also slow turn in and increas effort. Part of that is due to the leverage factor increase due to tire width, slowed turn in due to larger diameter, and part is because there is more rotating mass to change course. That rotating mass also takes a bite from the available power when accelerating and in higher speeds.

If none of that bothers you, have at it.

I actually went down in profile on my bike, from a 110/80-17 to a 110/70-17 to quicken the turn in as well as raising the rear end about an inch and a half or two inches. I like the quick handling, similar to that of my dual sport, but would be considered "a bit nervous handling" to most.

Fat tires may look cool, but if it cuts into performance I won't do it. Neither my 550 nor my 650 need more than the 140 or even a 130 for that matter. I would like the look of a bit wider tire, but just can't sacrifice better performance. If it was a 1000 supersport with 130+ hp it would be different.

 

I'll probably go back to a stock size on the rear once my existing tire wears down. I just can't rationalize tossing out a good tire.