I feel sorry for today’s novice riders, what with the tougher bike tests, speed cameras everywhere, busier roads and everyone filming everything on their dashcam. You just can’t let yourself go like you could back in the 1990s.
But one of the times I really feel sorry for new riders is when I think about the grey import scene of the early ’90s.
I can remember going to Bat Motorcycles as a young lad and looking at all the exotic bikes on offer. Suzuki RGV250s, CBR400RRs, TDR250s, MC28 Hondas, the list went on and on.
Even if you were 33bhp restricted you could still afford to buy and own a serious exotic bike. Most of them were way cooler than the big officially imported bikes of the day too. An RVF400 or a 1997 ZX-6R? No contest in my book.
But those days are over. Those amazing factory pocket rockets have been replaced by the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R3 or KTM RC390. From a distance they look good but if you’ve had a grey import, you know these modern bikes are nowhere near as special.
Grey Import Tyre Sizes
Listed below are the popular bikes of the era. We’ve included their tyre size, which allows you to click the link and see all the tyres that would fit those rims. We’ve also put in a couple of recommendations for our best picks.
Honda NSR250
The gorgeous Smart Card NSR is the one everyone lusts after but truth be told, they’re all excellent bikes. No doubt the MC28 is going to be the one that continues to shoot up in value.
MC16 – 110/70 – 17 front tyre and 140/60 – 18 rear.
MC18 – 110/70 – 17 front tyre and 150/60 – 18 rear.
MC21 and MC28 – 110/70 – 17 front tyre and 150/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the NSR250: Bridgestone BT50 or if you run the 150/60 rear you could fit Bridgestone BT-090.
Honda CBR400RR
The bike that, I think, was the catalyst for the term ‘pocket rocket’, the little CBR400 was a genuine superbike-botherer back in the day.
Tri Arm NC23 – 120/60 – 17 front and 150/60 – 18 rear.
Gull Arm NC29 – 120/60 – 17 front and 150/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the CBR400RR: For the early version the Bridgestone BT-090. For the NC29 you could fit either a Michelin Pilot Power 2CT or a Bridgestone S21 or if you want sporty handling, we’ve saved the best for last; check out the Metzeler M9RR.
Honda CB-1
The every-day Japanese import, popular with commuters and couriers alike but now they have something of a cult following.
110/70 – 17 front tyre and 140/70 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the CB-1: Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 HR or the Anlas Tournee Sport if you’re a commuter.
Honda VFR400
We love the VFR400, a genuine exotic bike that just revved and revved. A mini V4 howler as your first big bike or a Ninja 400? Umm… no contest.
120/60 – 17 front tyre and 150/60 – 18 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the VFR400: Bridgestone BT-090.
Honda RVF400 R
Looking like an RC45 from almost every angle, the NC35 is an absolute beauty.
120/60 – 17 front tyre and 150/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the RVF400: Bridgestone BT-016 Pro or Metzeler M7RR.
Kawasaki ZXR400
The same paintwork as the ZXR750, the hoover tubes, that Kawasaki redline. This was the 400cc missile to be on.
120/60 – 17 front tyre and 160/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the ZXR400: Bridgestone S21 or the Metzeler M7RR.
Suzuki RGV250
Who hasn’t lusted after an RGV250? The later 95 models are now fetching serious money and if you can find a VJ23 tucked in the back of your garage, you’re onto a winner.
110/70 – 17 front tyre and 150/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the RGV250: Pirelli Supercorsa V3 SP.
Suzuki GSF400 Bandit
A mini muscle bike. The Bandit 400 had variable valve timing and revved to over 14,000rpm. This was my first ‘big’ bike. What a beast!
110/70 – 17 front tyre and 150/70 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the Bandit 400:Â Continental Conti Motion.
Suzuki GSX-R400
The bike for those who wanted to hunt down bigger bikes on the weekend. The GSX-R400 was the one that attracted head-bangers (who probably went on to SRAD 600s and 750s, then ’98 R1s and early ZX-10Rs). And they’re probably still riding sportsbikes to this day.
GSX-R 400 G, H (1986 – 1987) – 110/80 – 17 front and 140/80 – 17 rear.
GSX-R400R SP (1987 – 1988) – 110/70 – 17 front and 140/60 – 18 rear.
GSX-R400R K / RK SP L, M, N, P, R, S (1990 – 1995) – 120/60 – 17 front tyre and 160/60 17 rear.
GSX-R400R SP L, M, N P (1990 – 1993) – 120/60 – 17 front and 160/60 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the GSX-R400: Bridgestone S21 or Michelin Power 2CT or a Dunlop GPR300 if you want a budget option.
Yamaha SDR200
A weird little whippet that is something of a unicorn. Seriously hard to come by these days.
90/80 – 17 front tyre and 110/80 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the SDR200: Michelin Pilot Street.
Yamaha TZR250
Great little bikes but I don’t think the TZR250 was ever ‘the’ 250 stroker to be on. Reverse cylinder 3MA model still has almost mythical status.
100/80 – 17 front tyre and 120/80 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the TZR250: Bridgestone BT-46 or a Kenda K711 if you want an even stickier option.
Yamaha TDR250
The TDR250 was never as popular over in the UK as it was in Europe but over there they like the TDM, so the TDR was like a TDM for hooligans.
100/90 – 18 front tyre and 120/80 – 17 rear.
Our recommended tyres for the TDR250: Bridgestone BT-46, Avon Roadrider Mk2.
Have we missed your bike?
Drop us a line if your bike isn’t on this guide and we’ll gladly add it in.
