I need tires!

[Bonz]

How does it work when you talk load capacity, and obviously the front tire will take some of the weight? You just add the two load capacities for the total, correct?

[crazy steve]

Shinko 712R: 661 or 677 (load range 66 or 67) depending on which web site you can find it on. Shinkousa.com does not list this figure.

Dunlop Elite III bias: 930 pounds (load range 78) MU90-16

The OEM rear tire was only rated to 670 lbs, so the Shinko is right there with the stock tire. And if you have a standard with the 17" rear wheel, the Elite isn't even available in that size. The MU90-16 is also an oversize (actually equivalent to a 140/90) so may not fit every bike due to clearance issues with the swingarm.

[Bonz]

With that said, looks like the 712 is right there.

Back to my post #16, I assume the front and rear tire capacities are added together for total load capacity?

[crazy steve]

Back to my post #16, I assume the front and rear tire capacities are added together for total load capacity?

In theory, yes. But as a practical matter, it will depend on weight distribution, accelerating/braking, etc. And you can't use the tire load rating, you need to use the bike rating as that takes into consideration the handling/braking/suspension limits. Yamaha rated these at about 1100 lbs total (rider, passenger, luggage, etc), so unless you've upgraded the suspension/braking, going over that by much starts getting iffy.

Not to say having a tire rated higher than needed is a bad thing, it's not. But if you're loading the bike to the point you need the higher rating, you might need a bigger bike...

[Jerry]

Back to my post #16, I assume the front and rear tire capacities are added together for total load capacity?

Not that simple. Some owners wheelie...all weight is on back tire. Normal riding splits the load between the two but not equally as bikes are tail-heavy. Acceleration shifts weight from front to back. Canyon carving with lots of acceleration is going to load the back tire more than super-slab cruising at a steady speed.

My point is not to diss Shinko tires, reviews are generally good, but to give people enough information to make an informed decision. You have to dig to find this stuff; Shinko USA does not include it on their web site and most vendors don't include it either.

You have to make a decision based on your particular circumstance and budget. As I have said, in my case my weight and options (full fairing and saddlebags plus towing a small trailer) I would not buy a Shinko because I would be overloading it even though I am under the XJ's GVWR. The Dunlop makes more sense for me. YMMV.

[Bonz]

Yeah, good points Jerry. Everything you said in the last post points to going with the highest load capacity you can for your bike.

I have an Elite II K491 on the back of my 80SG, wears like iron, great load capacity as you have noted and can't fault the handling in any way.

My 80G came with a good D404 on the rear (3 years old by the date stamp), I put the Shinko 230 Tourmaster up front to replace a tire that was dated over 20 years ago...

I won't be overloading or pushing the GVWR of the bike, so anything that rates as an OEM stock load capacity works well for me.

[motoman]

Yeah, good points Jerry. Everything you said in the last post points to going with the highest load capacity you can for your bike.

I have an Elite II K491 on the back of my 80SG, wears like iron, great load capacity as you have noted and can't fault the handling in any way.

My 80G came with a good D404 on the rear (3 years old by the date stamp), I put the Shinko 230 Tourmaster up front to replace a tire that was dated over 20 years ago...

I won't be overloading or pushing the GVWR of the bike, so anything that rates as an OEM stock load capacity works well for me.

So as not to get too 'wound up' in the load rating of a particular tire, remember to that those max. load ratings are set based on the tires speed rating.........continuously at their rated speed, which these bikes won't hit anyways. Gives manufacturers alot of liability leway.

[Bonz]

Yup, lots of margin for CYA built into these tires.

[WSL91]

I installed Shinko Tourmasters on my 79 last year. Wearing much better than the Kenda that was on my XJ

[Courtney]

I installed Shinko Tourmasters on my 79 last year. Wearing much better than the Kenda that was on my XJ

Really? Interesting. I put Kenda Challengers on and like them, but if the shinko's give better wear, I'll switch to them as prices are similar. Is it Kenda Challengers you have on the XJ?

[GLoweVA]

Real Numbers

I just checked and I've got over 12K miles on my G's Rear Shinko 712. (almost 12 months old, would be less due to me riding the SG for a few months this year)
Now to clarify, ALL but 5% of my driving is interstate and my tire has a good sized bare spot in the middle right now.
Don't worry, I'm planning on replacing it REAL soon.
I even had to put a plug in it 6 months ago. (picked up a nail )
For the price and the periodicity that I have to replace them (about every 9 months due to mileage), I'm gonna stick with these 712's.

MY 2 CENTS!

[MaximPhil]

I installed Shinko Tourmasters on my 79 last year. Wearing much better than the Kenda that was on my XJ

Hi WSL91,
Which number Tourmaster do you have?
Phil

[WSL91]

I have Shinko 712s on the XS with 1100 miles and no noticeable wear. The front Kenda I installed on the XJ had noticible wear at 1000 miles. The rear was on the bike when I bought it and appeared to be wearing very quickly. I sold the XJ last fall when I bought my house : (

[Bonz]

There is only one Tourmaster, the 230, as far as i know. Really like the way its riding and handling on the front of my refurb'd 80G.

[Bonz]

A little looking around shows a load capacity of 805 lb for the 230 tourmaster in 130/90/16. For not a lot more than the 712 it is a good step up in load capacity.