Tires, MPG, old age, blah blah

[madmax-im]

Thanks Nate...I did a searcch on the 712 and 777...didnt find the 777 in my size but did find the 712...I'm not sure i like the tread pattern on the 712...and its only a little less than the 230...I'm leaning towards the 230

[natemoen]

Thanks Nate...I did a searcch on the 712 and 777...didnt find the 777 in my size but did find the 712...I'm not sure i like the tread pattern on the 712...and its only a little less than the 230...I'm leaning towards the 230

The 712 has both 130/90-16 and 130/90-17. Unless it is for your ST I guess.

[BA80]

Has anyone run a Shinko rear tar???
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Harry runs the 712s on his F, Tod likes the 712s also. I have run them and they are sticky, I sill run the 712 on the front. That's what I had on the front of my bike when I started out for the Iron Horse last year. I killed it in Arkansas an the only thing the dealer had in the size I wanted was a Kenda Challenger. I don't like it. Put another 712 on when I got home.

I tried a set of Tour Masters and didn't like them much.

The Shinko's wear out on the rear too quick for me but are a good tire for the price.

[madmax-im]

The 712 has both 130/90-16 and 130/90-17. Unless it is for your ST I guess.

nope not for the ST....my tire size is 130/90/17...

[madmax-im]

Harry runs the 712s on his F, Tod likes the 712s also. I have run them and they are sticky, I sill run the 712 on the front. That's what I had on the front of my bike when I started out for the Iron Horse last year. I killed it in Arkansas an the only thing the dealer had in the size I wanted was a Kenda Challenger. I don't like it. Put another 712 on when I got home.

I tried a set of Tour Masters and didn't like them much.

The Shinko's wear out on the rear too quick for me but are a good tire for the price.

Interesting comment on tire wear...My XS is not my main ride...so it wont see but maybe 2000 miles in a season. Might go with the 712 afterall...but it just looks like a cheap tire compared to the 230...I still like the looks of the 230 better...things to consider...
BTW I'm not a penny pinchin cheapo...and i dont believe cheapest is always the best...its more like you get what you pay for.....but that would fit my nature...i bought my XJ in '83 paid full price for it...how many folks here have paid full on retaill for their XJ/XS? When I did the tranny gears on the '82 I didnt do the dremel fix...i opted to buy brand new factory backcut gearsets...that tranny will never break again...

[bikerphil]

The 712 rear for the standard is a good choice, they last 6-7K for me usually.

[MaximPhil]

The 712 rear for the standard is a good choice, they last 6-7K for me usually.

Well this is encouraging. I took a short ride with some SOXS on Sunday
and upon closer inspection my rear Spitfire 11 is down to the wear bars
Phil with my fat arse and all the luggage would the 712 still be the better choice vs the 230 ?
Greg what did you not like about the 230 ?
I have a Metzler 880 on the front with hardly any wear so the rear will need to play nice with it.

I do a lot of Interstate (from necessity not choice ) so a dual compound would be nice.

Phil

[BA80]

I've never gotten good wear from the Shinko 712. That is my ONLY complaint with them.

The 230 rear only lasted 3000 miles for me, the 712 will go twice as far. Also, the 230 seemed to follow every groove in the road. I rode back from OKC in the dark with one and I had to grit my teeth and tell myself that the bike wasn't gonna slide out from under me. Sure felt like it though.

[MaximPhil]

I just checked my log. That Spitfire has done just over 8,000 km or 5,000 miles and the Metzler has done 6,500km so over 4,000 miles and looks good.
I better give it a really close look.

Phil

[bikerphil]

Phil with my fat arse and all the luggage would the 712 still be the better choice vs the 230 ?

I have never used the 230 on the rear, just on the front. The 230 is V rated and the 712 is H rated. The 712 suits me fine, the price you can't beat (about $60)and since I change my own tires, no repeated labor costs. They grip very well, even on wet roads IMHO.

[BA80]

They grip very well, even on wet roads IMHO.

Yes, they do. But, the sidewall has a tendency to roll a bit on hard turns. It's not as stiff as some of the other higher priced/quality tires

[madmax-im]

thinking i'll give the 712 a try...

[madmax-im]

Yes, they do. But, the sidewall has a tendency to roll a bit on hard turns. It's not as stiff as some of the other higher priced/quality tires

that must have felt interesting...
gonna have to recant my penny pinching cheapo comment if I buy this tire...heh heh

[BA80]

It's not that bad really but I can feel it and I can see it on bikes in front of me. Especially when a big guy dives in hard.

But then, I watched Ivan smoke his front tire on every turn on his FJR. He had rubber dust all over the side of his bike when we got back from the ride. I think he was running Pirelli's then. Not everyone rides that hard though. Actually, most don't.

[jetmechmarty]

I just checked my log. That Spitfire has done just over 8,000 km or 5,000 miles and the Metzler has done 6,500km so over 4,000 miles and looks good.
I better give it a really close look.

Phil

Why not match it with another Metzeler? It's a strong tire that went over 7k for me. You know very well how hard I ride it and with a load. Were I you, I would do that.