Tires... anyone have any experience with this brand?

**jetmechmarty** · 01-05-2012, 07:23 PM

If the rims are stamped "SUITABLE FOR TUBELESS" then that's the way to go.

I can't comment on the tires.

**ddragon63** · 01-05-2012, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by jetmechmarty

If the rims are stamped "SUITABLE FOR TUBELESS" then that's the way to go.

I can't comment on the tires.

I remember asking my dad when I was younger why he always put tube tires on it and he told me "you can patch a tube" Made sense @ the time i patched many dirt bike tubes on the trail as a kid. Now I think there's no way I wanna wrestle a tire off the bead of this beast on the side of the road somewhere to patch a tube! I'd rather plug a tubeless and find a new tire as soon as possible.

**TopCatGr58** · 01-05-2012, 07:36 PM

Hey Dragon,

Tire, OIL, and spark plug threads are the BAIN of our existence!!

Opinions abound, and you can find lots of them from just a simple search using tire....then find some of the more recent threads to peruse. The SHINKO brand or Chen Shin are CHINESE imports...but Shinko is a little different..quote from their website:

The SHINKO Company of Japan and SHIN HUNG Company of Korea(CHINA neighbor) have joined together to form the SHINKO TEAM, dedicated to bringing you the finest tires and tubes.

We combined advanced Japanese Technology and Superior Korean workmanship to produce a quality product which received the KS(Korean Standard) as well as E-Mark, ISO 9001.

Bridgestone are also Japanese as are Yokohama(duh), and have a good reputation.

Yeah, the problem with having more than one street bike is not putting enough miles on it to wear out the tires before they dry rot...usually at 5-6 years of age!

So...understanding not wanting to invest a bunch of $$ into tires that you wouldn't be able to wear out.

But other considerations are going to be handling characteristics of the tires.. sticky compound that WILL wear out quickly..or harder compound for better mileage/life of tires but at a possible slight loss in grip/traction!? YMMV!
Other costs are also mounting and balancing along with the actual tire cost.

Happy shopping.
T.C.

**ddragon63** · 01-05-2012, 07:48 PM

Thanks TC

Ya it takes me 2 years to wipe out a set of Michelin Pures on my R1.

This set of Pirelli Phontoms have been on the SF since.... mmmm yep that long. they're getting hard as a rock! lol

My tire guy said the Tour Masters are designed for heavy touring, long distance @ high speed. I guess the "wing' guys love em. They are priced fairly inexpensive. and he said if I buy them from him, to ride the bike in and he'll mount and balance them for an extra $50. I'm thinkin thats pretty fair.

**crazy steve** · 01-05-2012, 07:49 PM

Shinkos are a decent tire, the Tourmaster is a bit harder than their 712 model and will wear slightly better, all else being equal. Dunlops are the only tire I personally don't care for (some swear by them), so YMMV...

Keep in mind that a tire that costs twice as much probably won't last twice as long....

**ddragon63** · 01-05-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by crazy steve

Shinkos are a decent tire, the Tourmaster is a bit harder than their 712 model and will wear slightly better, all else being equal. Dunlops are the only tire I personally don't care for (some swear by them), so YMMV...

Keep in mind that a tire that costs twice as much probably won't last twice as long....

Ya not a big Dunlop fan here. I've tried their sport bike tires on multiple bikes. I Loved the grip of their Q2's on my old Ducati but they wore out in a hurry. only reason I bought them was the Tire guy had a "special" on them

**TopCatGr58** · 01-05-2012, 07:57 PM

Just inquire if the shop will ALSO perform the proper cleaning and regreasing of the wheel hub splines while the tire is off...that's when it's recommended to peform that....along with also taking the FD off to inspect, clean, regrease the driveshaft splines at the same time...depending on whether your grease fitting on the swing arm gets the grease onto the splines or not...or if the grease has just been spun up/out/forward onto the driveshaft instead of staying in the junction chamber! See recent thread for full discussion of the zerk fitting and it's documented pitfalls.

As to the tire...sounds like he's talking durability and mileage...ie. GWer's liking them.....wonder if they make a sport type with a stickier compound?
Mileage/durability usually means a harder compound...possibly less traction?
Would suggest checking the weight handling specs....and compare them to ie. Dunlop Elite 3 in same size. Folks have gotten the cheaper Dunlop 501's, but found they wore out much faster due their weaker design not rated to handle the weights of the Elite 3's!

T.C.

**ddragon63** · 01-05-2012, 08:08 PM

Thanks again T.C.

Ya i planned on having them do a good inspection and greasing while its apart. I service this shops equipment so they try and keep their "welder guy" happy. I may yard it all apart and do it myself just to get the experience under my belt. I remember helping Dad do it when he'd put tires on it, but that was 20 years ago.

it has a zerk on it but I've heard they dont always put the goop where it really needs to go.

**jetmechmarty** · 01-05-2012, 08:15 PM

Dunlop Elite 3 in same size. Folks have gotten the cheaper Dunlop 501's, but found they wore out much faster due their weaker design not rated to handle the weights of the Elite 3's!

TC,

You might want to check that again. The Elite 3 is H rated (130 mph), the 501 is V rated (149 mph) The 501 is rated 675 @ 42 psi, the E3 830 @ 40 psi. This for XS11 Special rear. The price is approximately the same for a given size. Certainly, the GT501 is a softer compound. I run them, but they don't go too long. They are not of weaker design.

**ddragon63** · 01-06-2012, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by jetmechmarty

TC,

You might want to check that again. The Elite 3 is H rated (130 mph), the 501 is V rated (149 mph) The 501 is rated 675 @ 42 psi, the E3 830 @ 40 psi. This for XS11 Special rear. The price is approximately the same for a given size. Certainly, the GT501 is a softer compound. I run them, but they don't go too long. They are not of weaker design.

Shinko Tour Masters rated V (149 mph) I think I'll buy a set and post my like/dislike come spring time. Hard to pass up for about $150 a set!

**XS1100_OEM4ME** · 01-06-2012, 01:16 AM

Oh

[IMG]http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae34/lonkross/not_this_****_again.jpg[/IMG]

Originally posted by crazy steve

Shinkos are a decent tire, the Tourmaster is a bit harder than their 712 model and will wear slightly better, all else being equal. Dunlops are the only tire I personally don't care for (some swear by them), so YMMV...

Keep in mind that a tire that costs twice as much probably won't last twice as long....

**XS1100_OEM4ME** · 01-06-2012, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by crazy steve

Shinkos are a decent tire, the Tourmaster is a bit harder than their 712 model and will wear slightly better, all else being equal. Dunlops are the only tire I personally don't care for (some swear by them), so YMMV...

Keep in mind that a tire that costs twice as much probably won't last twice as long....

**ddragon63** · 01-06-2012, 09:02 AM

No photo there OEM...... better try again

**Rooster** · 01-06-2012, 09:10 AM

tire

I bought some Kenda tires from a local shop and put them on myself with the balancing advice that I found here. They have about 2 full seasons on them but north of the US border that may not equal much

but I do believe that the rear tire is about 1/2 done at about 3500 of the US miles. In kilometers it sounds so much more impressive, but pointless to state if thats not what you log on your odometer. I believe that some of those Chinese tires out there are a home run on value because not every manufacturer wants to have a dishonorable product, and they are good at making really good copies over there. Because I didn't know what I had or if I was gonna keep it I bought the $200 dollar set thinking that if the bike didn't last who cared if the tires did but they have done well.

Tires... anyone have any experience with this brand?

Tires... anyone have any experience with this brand?

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