Kawasaki Ninja 500 (94-)
a.k.a. GPZ500S(D)
(updated September 99)
|
Rim |
Stock Size |
Original Tyre |
| Front |
2.50 x 17 |
110/70V17 |
Bridgestone Excedra G549 |
| Rear |
3.00 x 17 |
130/70V17 |
Bridgestone Excedra G550 |
Manufacturers' Recommendations
| Manufacturer |
Front |
size |
Rear |
size |
| Avon |
AV27 |
110/70R17 |
AV281 |
140/70VR17 |
| Bridgestone |
G549 |
110/70H17 |
G550 |
130/70H17 |
|
BT35 |
110/70H17 |
BT35 |
130/70H17 |
|
BT45 |
110/70H17 |
BT45 |
130/70H17 |
|
BT90 |
110/70HR17 |
BT90 |
140/70R17 |
| Dunlop |
(no data)
|
| Metzeler |
ME-33 Laser CompK |
110/80V17 |
ME-1 CompK |
130/8VH17 |
| Michelin |
Macadam 50 |
110/80V17 |
Macadam 50 |
130/80H17 |
| Pirelli |
MT 09 |
110/80V17 |
MT 08 |
130/80V17 |
Martyn's Opinion
General Comments
When Kawasaki replaced the EX500 with the Ninja 500 in 1994, perhaps the
single most significant change was the shift to wider 17" wheels and 70-series
tyres. The 2.50" front still doesn't allow a 120, though, and oddly
enough the range is even more severely limited than for the EX. A
grand total of five matched pairs in the right size does not give a whole
lot to choose from.
The Best Selection
|
Brand |
Model |
Size |
MAW |
| Front |
Bridgestone |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
$81 |
| Rear |
Bridgestone |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
$89 |
Fortunately, Bridgestone have chosen to make their new BT45, as well
as the proven BT35, available for the bike. Both of these work very well
on small light motorcycles, and the Ninja 500 should be no exception.
Although I'd really like more to choose from, if there was more of a choice
I'd probably still go with the BT45's anyway. They're that well suited
to the machine. Even for a tight budget, the difference between these
and other acceptable tyres is so low as to be insignificant.
Martyn's Choice
|
Brand |
Model |
Size |
MAW |
| Front |
Bridgestone |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
$81 |
| Rear |
Bridgestone |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
$89 |
I'd go with the BT45's, no question. Until radials or Super Venoms
become available for this sort of bike (I'm not holding my breath), that's
the best tyre for the job.
The Full List
(from MAW and manufacturer
web pages)
Exact matched pairs
| Brand |
Front |
size |
MAW |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
| Bridgestone |
BT35 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
|
BT35 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
|
|
BT45 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
$81 |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
$89 |
| IRC |
Durotour RS-310 |
110/70H-17 |
|
Durotour RS-310 |
130/70H-17 |
|
| Metzeler |
ME-1 |
110/70H-17 |
|
ME-1 |
130/70H-17 |
|
| Michelin |
Macadam 50 |
110/70H-17 |
$88 |
Macadam 50 |
130/70H-17 |
$109 |
| Pirelli |
MT75 |
110/70H-17 |
|
MT75 |
130/70H-17 |
|
Listing by Manufacturer
Avon
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| AV27 |
110/70ZR17 |
|
exact |
AV281 |
140/70-R17 |
|
wide |
| Azaro AV35 |
110/70ZR17 |
$133 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
Bridgestone
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| BT35 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
|
exact |
BT35 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
|
exact |
| BT45 Sports Mileage |
110/70H-17 |
$81 |
exact |
BT45 Sports Mileage |
130/70H-17 |
$89 |
exact |
| BT50 Sports Perform. |
110/70ZR17 |
|
exact |
|
|
|
|
| BT56SS Extreme Sp/Perf |
110/70ZR17 |
$109 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
| BT57 Sports Perform. |
110/70ZR17 |
|
exact |
|
|
|
|
| BT92 Sports Mileage |
110/70HR17 |
|
exact |
|
|
|
|
Continental
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| Sport 2000 |
110/80V-17 |
$72 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
Dunlop
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| D205 Sport/Touring |
110/80ZR17 |
$88 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
| K505 |
110/80V-17 |
$92 |
tall |
K505 |
140/70H-17 |
|
wide |
| K510 |
110/70HR17 |
$85 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
| K591 Sport Touring |
110/80V-17 |
|
tall |
K591 Sport Touring |
140/70VB17 |
|
wide |
IRC
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| Carapace RS-320 |
110/70H-17 |
$69 |
exact |
Carapace RS-320 |
140/70H-17 |
$84 |
wide |
| Durotour RS-310 |
110/70H-17 |
|
exact |
Durotour RS-310 |
130/70H-17 |
|
exact |
Metzeler
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| ME-1 |
110/70H-17 |
|
exact |
ME-1 |
130/70H-17 |
|
exact |
| ME-33 Laser |
110/80H-17 |
|
tall |
|
|
|
|
| ME-33 Laser |
110/80V-17 |
$86 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
| ME-Z1 |
110/70ZR17 |
|
exact |
|
|
|
|
| ME-Z2 |
110/80ZR17 |
$107 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
| ME-Z3 |
110/70ZR17 |
$110 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
Michelin
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| Hi-Sport TX15 |
110/70ZR17 |
$145 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
| Macadam 50 |
110/70H-17 |
$88 |
exact |
Macadam 50 |
130/70H-17 |
$109 |
exact |
| Macadam 90X |
110/70ZR17 |
$84 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
Pirelli
| Front |
size |
MAW |
match |
Rear |
size |
MAW |
match |
| Dragon GT MTR03 |
110/80ZR17 |
$98 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
| Dragon HR MTR01 |
110/70HR17 |
|
exact |
|
|
|
|
| Dragon MTR01 |
110/70ZR17 |
$108 |
exact |
|
|
|
|
| Match MT09 |
110/80V-17 |
$90 |
tall |
|
|
|
|
| MT75 |
110/70H-17 |
|
exact |
MT75 |
130/70H-17 |
|
exact |
Key:
| Exact |
Precisely matches original spec |
| Excellent |
Precisely matches a recommended alternate |
| Good |
An exact or alternate in a different sizing system |
| Short |
Exact or excellent width, lower profile. Consider these both
ends to lower the bike |
| Soft |
Similar diameter by using a taller profile and narrower width; used
on the rear only |
| Tall |
Taller profile, stock width; similar in effect to "soft", but for
the front only |
| Wide |
Same profile, wider tyre. This MAY NOT FIT your rim.
BE CAREFUL!!! |