Pirelli Sport Demons - reviewed by a novice rider

[Sabex]

So I'd figure I'd give a review of the Pirelli Sport Demon tires. I've had them on long enough.
I have them on my GS500F right now in stock sizes (110/70 front, 130/70 rear)


In the cold it takes a serious jolt of the throttle to cause any slippage (last night taking a left from a light after bike was sitting for a bit, got a bit throttle happy and the rear only slid out a very tiny bit)

Tire is friggen amazing in the rain also. Last night, very hard downpour (couldn't see infront of me) for about 3-5km stretch, rain on the road was about 4-5mm high at the time. Going about 140, not a single slip. Went over painted lines, and even a section of construction and the tires stayed gripped hard. had the privilege to try them out on wet tracks in Toronto a month or so ago also; they felt very safe and didn't slip.

Got about 6000km on them right now, looks like I'll get at least another 6-9000km on the rear and 12-16k from the front.

I've taken it off road no problem also. Loose gravel will make it slide (as it will ANY tire) but somewhat packed gravel they'll stick just like asphalt.

Cornering on dry, warm pavement is like a dream. I have never had the tire slip out on the turn unless it was either cold or wet with a huge chop of the throttle, or there was gravel mid corner. Maybe if I get better, and start going faster, they might. But at a novice level I've had no grip issues.

They don't get squirrely when you run over small animals. I've hit a number of squirrels, 2 rabbits, some mice and a few other very small game animals. Tires stay on track. Blood of the fallen doesn't affect it, tires just drink it up and grow stronger.
The thread design also looks pretty awesome.

Now for a few bad things.
These tires are hard to get; I got lucky and the place I ordered (Pete's) from had them in stock when I did. Everyone else I've talked to have said when they tried to order the Demons, they were back ordered for months. Understandable; a lot of people want these tires.

Going on lines/grooves in the road; like tar snakes or that horrible grated pavement before fresh stuff is laid down in construction areas; these tires experience a bit of manipulation. The groves causes the bike to feel slightly unstable.


So far I've had the BT45s and these. Compared to my experiences with the BT45s, the Sport Demons are way better.
DISCLAIMER: I am a beginner/novice rider who rides at a beginner/novice level. I use my bike mostly for twisty, pleasure riding. With about a 70/30 pleasure/commute split. This review is based off of my personal experience with the Sport Demons.

 

[Gryphon]

That's a pretty good review. Nice tires!
This is another bike (like 250 Ninja) that could also use Pirelli's Diablo Rosso II tires, in their little tiny radial sizes.
Other than that, I like the Avon Roadrider AM26 as a top-quality Bias-ply tire, the Sport Demons are good, and I like the Battlax BT-45 okay (but they're expensive).
You can get V-rated AM26 for less money than H-rated BT-45...

 

[Sabex]

That's a pretty good review. Nice tires!
This is another bike (like 250 Ninja) that could also use Pirelli's Diablo Rosso II tires, in their little tiny radial sizes.
Other than that, I like the Avon Roadrider AM26 as a top-quality Bias-ply tire, the Sport Demons are good, and I like the Battlax BT-45 okay (but they're expensive).
You can get V-rated AM26 for less money than H-rated BT-45...

I haven't tried a Radial tire but it will be my next. Someone else with a GS500F has them on their bike (bt 003rs.) She said they work wonderfully. my only concern with them was reading in a few place they have a pretty low lifespan. Next tire I try out will probably be a radial.

It's also important to note that 2007 and earlier Ninja 250's have 16 inch rims (and tire sizes of 100/80 and 130/80). The rosso ii looks like it only comes for a 17 inch rim. So I don't think they'll fit on a pregen Ninja. On an 08+ they'll fit fine in 110/70-17 and 140/70-17
A lot of pregen users are swapping to the 17inchers from newer, but it takes a bit of modding; grinding; spacers and bending.

Also, the ZZR250 (bastard twin of the Ninja 250. little brother of the zzr600) comes stock with 17 inch in all years. They also come stock with 100/80-17 front and 140/70-17 rear.Shouldn't have a problem fitting a 110/70 in the front though.. They also produce a little more horsepower if you're into min/maxing.

Sadly my GS died (motor...) but I'm looking at the Ninja 500 as a next (want to remain with a 500 for insurance+not skilled enough for higher, and feel like trying a new bike) so I should be able to fit some radials onto that.

 

[silverbullet132]

Sadly my GS died (motor...) but I'm looking at the Ninja 500 as a next (want to remain with a 500 for insurance+not skilled enough for higher, and feel like trying a new bike) so I should be able to fit some radials onto that.

My buddy put s20's on his ninja 500, they work quite well.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sabex]

My buddy put s20's on his ninja 500, they work quite well.

Did they last a decent amount of km?
looks like the smallest rear they have is a 150/60. I know it'll fit, but it should be pinching a small bit. Not sure which is better. 250/500cc racers seem to be divided.You have those that swear by a 140/70 and those that swear by a 150/60. I'll probably try out a 140/70 radial and then a 150/60 radial (considering the rear should get about half the life of a front it'll work out okay.) and see how each feel.

 

[silverbullet132]

Did they last a decent amount of km?
looks like the smallest rear they have is a 150/60. I know it'll fit, but it should be pinching a small bit. Not sure which is better. 250/500cc racers seem to be divided.You have those that swear by a 140/70 and those that swear by a 150/60. I'll probably try out a 140/70 radial and then a 150/60 radial (considering the rear should get about half the life of a front it'll work out okay.) and see how each feel.

He still has not worn them out. The rear had no problems going on, but the front did. Forgot what sizes he bought, but I do think he did the 150 rear.

 

[NealT]

I have the bt-016's(110's front 150's rear) on my 250 and like them. The ride feels more supple than the IRC's and of course the traction is better, haven't got the chance to try them in cold weather though. The bt-016's are a narrow tire for a 150 so they fit better than other brands. That being said they still have a portion that will not get used as the profile is a little too vertical at that point.