J Tires
General notes
Wheel sizes on the J series are 2.75" front and 3.50" rear.
Stock tire sizes are 110/70-17 front and 130/70-17 rear.
Since no one has changed their tires and reported back on it yet, we're not sure that any sizes other than OEM will give enough clearance on the front fender. Many of the tires listed below come in (taller than stock) 110/80-17 and 130/80-17, but we won't know if they actually fit until someone has mounted them up and reported back.
Many of these tires have been used on the EX250F. Reviews can be found on the tire models page.
If you have any information to add to this page, please post it in the Next Generation forum.
Radials
Your editor checked all the major tire manufacturer websites and most of them didn't have any radials recommended for the (smallish) rim sizes on the EX250J, especially on the rear. There were one or two that said you could put a 110/70ZR-17 on the front, but none had a compatible rear. Do not combine one radial and one bias-ply tire.
- Exceptions
- Dunlop D205 is an OEM replacement tire. They're not very good, and you'd be better off with a performance bias-ply than this radial.
- Avon Azaro-ST AV45/AV46 are still being sold in sizes 110/80ZR17 front and 140/80ZR17 rear, but they are being discontinued and their replacement, the Storm-ST AV55/AV56 requires a larger rim than the EX250J has. The Azaro is an 80 profile tire, making it taller than stock, and, as noted above, we're not really sure if it will fit in the front.
- The Bridgestone BT090 is a DOT-approved race tire and should only be considered for the track. These are usually only available from racing-oriented distributors.
Sport bias-ply
Bridgestone BT45
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Metzeler Lasertec
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Pirelli Sport Demon
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Dunlop GT501
Note: The GT501s that were OEM on some 2008 bikes, in sizes 130/70-17 rear and 110/70-17 front, are only available if you live in Australia or Great Britain.
There are no recommendations for GT501s as of Feb 15, 2009. If you want to be our guinea pig, please do so. The closest sizes available are Front: 110/80-17 Rear: 140/80-17.
Touring bias-ply
Avon Roadrider
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Kenda K671
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Michelin Pilot Activ
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
IRC Roadwinner RX-01
Front: 110/70-17 Rear: 130/70-17
Don't put IRC tires on your bike. Just don't.
