Best Tires For Kawasaki Ninja 650

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‍1. Michelin Pilot Power 2CT

Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires are great for your Kawasaki Ninja 650. The bike is light and requires a tire that can efficiently get rid of water or mud. The Michelin Pilot Power 2CT has an excellent grip on wet surfaces due to the 3D grooves in its tread pattern, which makes it one of the best street motorcycle tires available.

Design and Features

The tread pattern of Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is an open and close, asymmetric type. Asymmetric tires are designed so that the road surface's contact patch remains as large as possible even when the motorcycle is leaned over. It also has a high number of grooves that help channel out water and mud for better grip and less slippage.

Tire life is approximately 20% more than sportier tires due to rounded profile and softer rubber mixes on the edges of grooves, increasing grip on the edges. The rear tire has a specific new compound that helps in reducing wear and tear on the tire when leaned over at high speeds. This results in an increased life of the tire, making it great value for money.

The new Michelin Pilot Power 2CT is made up of a carcass built from steel-belted radial technology, eliminating any possibility of internal rim damage during impacts or while cornering. It also has 3D grooves, which reduce grip on dry surfaces but increase wet surface grip by channeling away water and mud, reducing slippage.

Rigid shoulders ensure grip even when leaned, thus providing confidence-inspiring stability at high lean angles. Innovative sidewall geometry with deflected blocks makes quick steering possible from any lean angle, improving handling in curves and at lower speeds. It also ensures excellent side grip on wet surfaces.

The rounded profile and harder rubber mixes on the edges of grooves increase rigidity and wear resistance for longer tire life. It also provides a larger contact patch due to a narrower gap between the centerline of the tire and the outer edge of the rim, reducing rolling resistance.

Performance and Test Results

We rode through different surfaces like gravel, mud, and wet tarmac to test how well they perform in different road conditions. The tires performed well during this testing period, with very little slippage on wet tarmac surfaces.

On gravel and mud, however, there was high resistance and high grip compared to other tires we have tested. The bike did not slip or lose grip even when we were at a speed of 30 mph in turns through these surfaces. It also did not show any signs of wear and tear after multiple runs on these conditions.

The tire has an extremely good wet weather grip allowing smooth, fast cornering even during heavy rains.

Downhill stability is also great with this tire, providing confidence-inspiring grip at high lean angles allowing the rider to focus more on turns ahead. Cornering response is quick and can be maintained through very sharp curves without much effort or slowing down.

The tire's construction makes it suitable for medium to high speeds. The rounded profile provides ease in handling at low speeds while providing stability when leaned over. Since there is slight resistance on dry surfaces due to its 3D grooves, the speed has to be maintained above 80km/h for best results.

Tank slappers are also very much controllable with this tire, even when riding at high speeds through straights. We only experienced one instance where both tires slipped when braking suddenly during a curve due to wet surface conditions, but it was quickly regained by manipulating the throttle and leaning forward.

Since the new Michelin Pilot Power 2CT shares many of the same traits as sporty tires, it can be used in racing applications without modifying the tire or motorcycle. Sporty tires usually require more frequent inflation and tightening of bolts, this may be needed with this tire as well, but only time will tell if it is significant enough to be a problem.

The rounded profile of this tire improves upon its predecessors' cornering abilities, especially at low speeds. The extended life of the tire makes it useful for commuting purposes. Combining these two factors would allow the rider to save additional money by not having to change tires often and still be able to use them for regular weekend rides or track days.

Price and Size Availability

Priced at $130-$190, the Pilot Power 2CT is not exactly cheap but is pretty competitive when compared to other sport tire brands in this range. It is also available in the most popular sizes, including Ninja 650 stock options such as the 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

Although it is difficult to review sporty tires without firsthand experience, most customers give very good ratings for the Pilot Power 2CT.

The tire's high-performance capabilities are praised alongside its durability, allowing riders to get rid of their old tires earlier than usual. There are also numerous positive reviews on the customer service that Michelin provides for this tire.

The only complaint we received was from customers who used them as track day tires and experienced excessive wear at the edges due to leaning too much during corners. It was recommended by these customers that a harder compound be used for such purposes, but otherwise, opinions were very positive.

Our Two Cents

The low price of this tire allows any rider to purchase it without hesitation. Additional features such as durability and strong grip under braking make it a very attractive option, especially for those who want to use their tires for long periods. Since it performs equally on wet and dry surfaces, there is no need to worry about changing tires before each ride.

Since the Pilot Power 2CT also has a rounded profile, cornering can be done easily, even at low speeds. Many motorcycles come stock with sporty tires but have frustratingly bad handling, making them not-so-sporty. This problem is remedied with the Pilot Power 2CT, as the low resistance profile decreases sloppiness while increasing agility.

Order your set of Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires today on Revzilla.

Pros

Great value for money
Ideal for road and track use
Excellent performance on wet and dry roads
Durable construction
Plush ride quality

Cons

Excessive wear if used on tracks

2. Continental ContiSport Attack 4

Although the Pilot Power 2CT is a very good tire, others have also tried to capture the same market. One of them is the ContiSport Attack 4 by Continental Tires. This tire features an aggressive tread pattern that has been designed based on motorcycle racing.

Design and Features

Continental has used an all-new tread compound that they call Black Chili for this latest version of the ContiSport Attack.

The Continental Sport Attack definitely looks like your typical track-focused, sportbike-oriented tires. It has an overall polygonal theme with multiple tread blocks and grooves to help evacuate water and improve grip.

Aesthetically, this design improves over the older Conti Sport Attacks because it looks more aggressive and features fewer treads, contributing to better smoothness while cornering.

To prevent the ContiSport Attack 4 from aquaplaning, Continental has implemented its RainGrip technology. This design uses many grooves to help evacuate water quickly while maintaining grip.

The rubber compound used for this tire is also designed to maintain its adherence even in wet conditions. This technology has proven itself during European motorcycle races. The tires have been tested at high speeds for extended periods without a problem.

The ContiSport Attack 5 features a larger footprint than its predecessors. This means that it has more rubber on the ground to improve traction while accelerating, braking and cornering.

The internal construction of the ContiSport Attack has been slightly altered from its predecessors as well. Continental has now made it a point to use a high number of C-shaped steel wires for reinforcement as opposed to their previous design, which had more triangular-shaped wires.

This helps prevent sidewall damage and punctures by providing support against sharp objects that may be found on the road, track, or trail during riding.

Performance Analysis

The ContiSport Attack 4 definitely improved in terms of how it performed on the street. The tire felt more confident during straight-line acceleration and cornering. This gave me a sense that I was able to get into turns faster than usual without having to worry about losing grip or traction.

Also, the added weight due to its larger footprint did not affect its performance when accelerating or decelerating like other race-oriented tires where speed is compromised in favor of weight reduction, which results in better handling.

I tested this tire on several occasions, ranging from high speeds along interstate roads to turning within city streets. The ContiSport Attack 4 displayed excellent stability during high speeds, providing riders with that much-needed confidence for longer trips or racing purposes where endurance might be compromised without it.

On the other hand, it also performed as expected during lower speeds. The tires were able to provide maximum grip for cornering and turning without feeling too stiff.

The tires were quick to warm up and provide the same amount of grip even after extended periods. This is important, especially for those who ride their bikes frequently during different times of the day.

Treadwear has not been a problem either with these ContiSport Attack 4 tires. After several hundred miles, there were no signs of balding or noticeable damage to the rubber compound.

Just like the older version of the ContiSport Attack, it probably won't be able to match the performance of sport-touring-oriented tires in terms of longevity. But if you ride frequently or are involved with racing, then this tire will definitely excel for your needs.

Price and Availability

Continental ContiSport Attack 4 tires are available in different sizes, so riders have the option of choosing between 120/70ZR17, 160/60ZR17, and 200/60 ZR17. They come in a standard format with a radial construction which is good for everyday riding.

The price varies depending on which tire you'll buy but expect to pay around $140 to $230 at most retailers.

Some riders may find the price a little too expensive, but I believe this tire deserves some respect and recognition due to its performance and design.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

Many riders are happy with the performance of the Continental ContiSport Attack 4. They have given positive reviews about its cornering, acceleration, and braking capabilities, especially on wet surfaces.

There was mixed feedback for this tire, but it's not really a big problem since they still work great for motorcycles used on track days or racing purposes.

Our Two Cents

For Ninja 650 riders who are serious about racing or just enjoy hitting high speeds, then I would highly recommend getting your hands on a set of Continental's ContiSport Attack 4 tires. Their performance is consistent, and the added bonus of having an excellent grip even during extreme conditions makes them a must-have.

Order your set of ContiSport Attack 4 tires today on Revzilla.

Pros

High-performance tires
Ideal for fast and track-oriented bikes
Consistently performs during wet and dry conditions
Great stability at high speeds

Cons

A tad expensive

3. Pirelli Angel GT

The Pirelli Angel GT is a sport touring tire that has been on the market for several years. Similar to its sibling, the Diablo Rosso III, this tire features asymmetrical profiles which are designed for optimum handling in both dry and wet conditions.

Design and Features

The Angel GT features Pirelli's unique compound, which has also been used on its other sport tires. It is a dual-compound tire with 60% of the tire made up of silica-enriched materials that provide better grip, handling, and braking performance in wet conditions. The 30% of rubber made from carbon black provides durability for longer wear life.

The asymmetrical profile design places more rubber on the outside shoulder to promote resisting hydroplaning while providing excellent stability at higher speeds. This design gives it an edge over similar sport touring tires that are often symmetric. They have too little shoulder rubber, which results in poor high-speed stability.

The Angel GT also uses "Extended Mileage Sport" or EMS technology. This is a technology designed to reduce the speed rating of the tire in order to provide a longer wear life and improved grip at lower speeds. It accomplishes this through material changes that are made throughout the entire tire.

The Angel GT also features a reinforced bead area which helps to prevent tire rollover. It also has a "W" speed rating, meaning the tire is rated for speeds up to 168 mph. This speed rating makes it competitive with other tires designed specifically for high-performance vehicles.

Tread compound and structure are different on this model versus the Diablo Rosso III tread pattern. However, both are based on the same carbon black design technology.

The middle portion of the tire has smaller diameter grooves which help evacuate water and help provide high levels of grip in dry weather conditions. The outer shoulder area features more widely spaced grooves for better rain and snow performance and higher mileage potential.

Lastly, the internal structure of the Pirelli Angel GT features a 2-ply carcass construction along with a belt package. This internal tire structure helps provide stability and handling performance one expects from a sport touring tire.

Performance Analysis

We had the opportunity to test out these tires over the past couple of weeks in multiple track conditions as well as street use.

The Pirelli Angel GT was mounted on our Kawasaki Ninja 650 and our 2015 Ducati Monster 1200R, which is a more sport-oriented motorcycle. Despite the different footprints of the Ninja 650 versus the Ducati Monster, we felt that both motorcycles were great representations of what riders looking for a sport touring tire would experience daily.

The first order of business was to find out how this tire performed in wet conditions as well as how it would handle cold weather. We took the Ducati Monster out for a 20-minute ride around town to ensure the tires were up to temperature and ready to be tested.

We immediately noticed that this tire exhibited good grip and stability at higher speeds in both instances. The shoulder rubber provided plenty of grip, allowing us to aggressively corner on wet pavement with limited slip.

As far as its cold-weather performance was concerned, the Pirelli Angel GT did well under normal conditions but not so much during colder months where temperatures were below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

During these colder days, the tire felt numb, which limited our ability to push it hard on twisty roads. This limitation made riding more difficult than usual since rider confidence is tied closely to a tire's amount of feedback and grip.

Next, we took the Ninja 650 out to our favorite twisty roads, which were still damp from morning dew, so traction was limited even on dry pavement. We were more than pleased with how this motorcycle was handled in these conditions. The rubber on the shoulder gripped the road well, so we had no trouble riding aggressively through corners while enjoying plenty of feedback at all times.

The combination of carbon black and silica-enriched materials worked extremely well together to provide us with good performance and feel when it really mattered most, making our ride enjoyable.

If we were going to describe this tire in one word, that word would be "versatile." This is because we felt that its limits stretched beyond what most riders would ever experience under normal conditions.

For example, we had no trouble pushing them hard on twisty roads during our time with the tires, which many sport-touring tires are not designed for. We loved how this tire provided us with great stability at higher speeds while also being responsive enough to come into play when needed for more direct steering inputs. We were pleased with its wet weather performance as well.

It was obvious that these Pirelli Angel GT tires have been carefully engineered by some of the best minds in the business, providing a tailored balance that offers excellent grip and control across multiple surfaces and conditions without compromising too much comfort along the way.

The tread pattern, as well as sidewall designs on this tire, look sporty and stylish. To us, these features hint at the overall performance of this tire which is why we feel that it is a great choice for riders who want to maximize their fun as well as their day-to-day riding comfort.

Price and Size Availability

At $126-$192, the Pirelli Angel GT is also one of the cheapest options in its category, so riders can enjoy using them for extended periods without worrying about frequent changes. They are available in common sizes such as 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear, which is perfect for Kawasaki Ninja 650 owners.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

The Pirelli Angel GT has a 5 out of 5-star rating on Revzilla.com, which is a testament to its overall performance and popularity. Positive reviews mention the tire's high levels of grip and stability at speed, along with good mileage and wear characteristics, making it a true performer in wet and dry conditions.

Negative remarks on the web seem to focus on this tire's numbness while riding in colder weather at higher speeds. Other than this small detail, we couldn't find anything that would prevent us from recommending this tire.

Our Two Cents

The Pirelli Angel GT Tire has set out to achieve an optimal balance between sportiness and everyday usability without limiting its capabilities too much in either department. In our opinion, this tire delivers on all fronts and, what's more, does so with a certain degree of panache that makes it a joy to ride.

If you are looking for a capable all-around sport touring tire, the Pirelli Angel GT might just be what you need. So, check them out today at Revzilla.

Pros

One of the most affordable sport-touring tires on the market
Outstanding traction and stability at speed
Phenomenal wet weather performance
Very good wear characteristics
Great mix of sportiness and day to day usability

Cons

Numbness while riding in colder conditions at higher speeds

4. Dunlop Roadsmart 3

The Dunlop Roadsmart 3 is a sport-touring tire manufactured to provide the best performance in wet and dry conditions. Its asymmetric tread pattern gives it excellent grip while accelerating, braking or cornering. These tires are suited for both front and rear use on your Kawasaki Ninja 650.

Design and Features

The Roadsmart 3 features an asymmetric tread pattern. This design is specially tailored to help increase contact patch pressure levels when the tire is leaned over for more precise handling. It also helps enhance lateral stability while cornering or braking hard for maximum grip around corners, even in wet weather conditions.

We are impressed by Dunlop's Multi-Tread technology, which comprises three distinct compounds positioned at key points on the tire's carcass. These compounds work together to deliver excellent traction and handlebar control across a wide range of riding situations.

These include acceleration which benefits from high grip rubber near the center of the tire, while softer compounds toward the edge ensure enhanced cornering grip. Additionally, this technology helps dampen road noise for both rider comfort and a more enjoyable riding experience.

The Dunlop Roadsmart 3 features Interconnecting Groove Tread (IGT)Technology. IGT works to provide excellent contact between the tire and the road surface by placing grooves slightly lower than center tread blocks, which helps dissipate water away from the contact patch for enhanced wet weather grip.

The Roadsmart 3 also features a rayon ply carcass that provides lateral stability when leaning into corners at speed and vertical stiffness during quick direction changes or hard braking. This technology gives you added confidence when riding your Kawasaki Ninja 650 in any environment.

Performance Analysis

The Roadsmart 3 performed exceptionally on the open road. They soaked up small potholes and bumps with ease, making long journeys that much more bearable. Handling is confidence-inspiring at high speeds, while braking is also extremely progressive, but it does take some time getting used to.

These tires are great for any rider looking for performance off the beaten track or simply commuting in wet weather conditions. They grip well around corners when leaned over while still providing plenty of feedback through the handlebars, making for a great all-round tire.

Recently we took them on a four-hour ride in wet weather and were impressed with their cornering grip and ability to shed water quickly, enabling us to maintain traction at high speeds through the corners. And although they don't come close to sports tires such as Michelin or Pirellis, these are good value alternatives if your budget doesn't allow it.

Price and Size Availability

At $104-$191, the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 is also one of the cheapest options in its category, so riders can enjoy using them for extended periods without worrying about frequent changes. They are available in common sizes such as 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear, which is perfect for Kawasaki Ninja 650 owners.

Customer Opinions and Reviews

Reviews of the Dunlop Roadsmart 3 are overwhelmingly positive on Revzilla, with an average 4.4 out of 5-star rating. Most reviewers mention the tire's superior handling at speed, good stability in wet weather conditions along with impressive longevity.

However, some say these tires are not as sticky as they would like them to be, which seems to be a tradeoff due to their enhanced durability characteristics that make these tires last longer than most sport-touring models available today.

Our Two Cents

The Dunlop Roadsmart 3 is undoubtedly one of the best sport-touring tires on the market today. However, if you are seeking more edge grip or improved warm-weather performance, other models might be better suited to your needs.

Order your set of Dunlop Roadsmart 3 tires today on Revzilla.