Tyre choice for adventure riding? (Mixing road and off-road)

[warewolf]

the front Inova from torpeedo7 (superX model) is absolute rubbish on the hard pack that i've ridden on since fitting it..... better than a tkc or E09 front but shite by off road tire standards.

How's it rate relative to the Michelin S12 front (since it is a copy thereof)?

I found the S12 front to be hopeless on hardpack - well not hopeless, but well down on grip compared to the Dunlop D756 intermediate. That was new S12 vs very worn D756.

[topo]

How's it rate relative to the Michelin S12 front (since it is a copy thereof)?

I've got the superX version which is quite different to the Enduro (s12 copy), the SX is far more "slippery" on the hardpack compaired to the michy S12's that i have been running up until now. will try the Innova Enduro next, but its probably more to do with compound rather than pattern in the sub $40/tire range.

[Taz]

The S12 is a soft terrain tyre. Bound to be out of it's element on hardpack.

[oldrider]

Well, I asked on this thread a while ago about these tyres and got one reply!

I bought a pair and had them fitted at Oamaru Honda!

Unfortunately we ran out of sticky leads and it was late and I had to get home!

We used duck tape to hold some on as a temporary measure but got there eventually.

They are a bit tricky to balance it seems, others have mentioned this.

The sticky labels on the tyres are emphatic that the "red dot" should line up with the valve stem, for best balance.

What freeking red dot?

OK, away home, ever concious of new tyres and the unfamiliar feel but soon began to feel at ease with them, carefully working them into the corners and quietly raising the speed!

Found a little bit of gravel to play in and scrub them a little bit more all over.

Stopped and checked them and the bike all over, checked the pressures.

I had told Oamaru Honda that I always run 36 and 42 and that is what they had given me!

Side walls state Max Psi 33 front and back, oops my....mistake!

Reset pressures to 33psi and away again into the last fast sort of twisty bits toward home!

Bit of a tendency to weave or rock a little, during harder cornering over rougher seal but not enough to alarm, the back was holding fast onto the deck OK.

Around 80-90-100 (English bike) the slight weave felt as if it might get a little testy, so I dropped back and attacked a few corners harder and slower but it just stayed the same, weird feeling.

Home safely, (100km) checked bike and tyres, just slightly warm to touch and all the dust warn off right across the tyres, every thing OK so far.

Today it was raining sleeting hailing and trying damned hard to snow, in other words "wet".

Ideal, check bike, reset pressures front 30psi back 33psi and off for a lick around Lake Aviemore!

Tyres feel good on the road, do the old obnoxious weave to settle myself in and away up over Benmore dam, road nice and wet covered in rocks and sheepshit, great!

By the time I got to Aviemore power station the ride was just so sweet, I turned down to Kurow and got into things a bit more.

The Shinko's were starting to settle in quite nicely and felt secure so turned back for home at Kurow and increased the velocity of the action all the way home!

These Shinko's are continuous rating "Q", as I understand it, limited to 99mph sustained use, that means bursts in excess of 100 must be limited and short but who does that anyway?

On arrival home I shot up the local Otematata Station road to have another wee rush on the gravel and to get the Key to the back yards so I could try them out in more varied conditions.

Overall I have begun to think these 705 Shinko's just might be the goods for our requirements.

They have done everything right so far, dry and wet they feel secure, they handle thick gravel and rough washouts OK, grass and mud OK, puddles and ground water OK, so that only leaves two up and load tests to go and I'm sold.

Don't know the sweet spot for the pressures yet but that will be a work in progress for a while, they wont be far away from where they are now!

The little weave has been getting less and less as the miles increase so between wearing in, getting the pressures spot on and the balancing, I think that will disappear all together!

In conclusion, I have only done 150 miles (240km) on them but I like the tyres and think that they just might be a winner. Cheers, John.

[NordieBoy]

Good news there John. The look quite good on the bike too.

[MXNUT]

Well, I asked on this thread a while ago about these tyres and got one reply!

I bought a pair and had them fitted at Oamaru Honda!

Unfortunately we ran out of sticky leads and it was late and I had to get home!

We used duck tape to hold some on as a temporary measure but got there eventually.

They are a bit tricky to balance it seems, others have mentioned this.

The sticky labels on the tyres are emphatic that the "red dot" should line up with the valve stem, for best balance.

What freeking red dot?

OK, away home, ever concious of new tyres and the unfamiliar feel but soon began to feel at ease with them, carefully working them into the corners and quietly raising the speed!

Found a little bit of gravel to play in and scrub them a little bit more all over.

Stopped and checked them and the bike all over, checked the pressures.

I had told Oamaru Honda that I always run 36 and 42 and that is what they had given me!

Side walls state Max Psi 33 front and back, oops my....mistake!

Reset pressures to 33psi and away again into the last fast sort of twisty bits toward home!

Bit of a tendency to weave or rock a little, during harder cornering over rougher seal but not enough to alarm, the back was holding fast onto the deck OK.

Around 80-90-100 (English bike) the slight weave felt as if it might get a little testy, so I dropped back and attacked a few corners harder and slower but it just stayed the same, weird feeling.

Home safely, (100km) checked bike and tyres, just slightly warm to touch and all the dust warn off right across the tyres, every thing OK so far.

Today it was raining sleeting hailing and trying damned hard to snow, in other words "wet".

Ideal, check bike, reset pressures front 30psi back 33psi and off for a lick around Lake Aviemore!

Tyres feel good on the road, do the old obnoxious weave to settle myself in and away up over Benmore dam, road nice and wet covered in rocks and sheepshit, great!

By the time I got to Aviemore power station the ride was just so sweet, I turned down to Kurow and got into things a bit more.

The Shinko's were starting to settle in quite nicely and felt secure so turned back for home at Kurow and increased the velocity of the action all the way home!

These Shinko's are continuous rating "Q", as I understand it, limited to 99mph sustained use, that means bursts in excess of 100 must be limited and short but who does that anyway?

On arrival home I shot up the local Otematata Station road to have another wee rush on the gravel and to get the Key to the back yards so I could try them out in more varied conditions.

Overall I have begun to think these 705 Shinko's just might be the goods for our requirements.

They have done everything right so far, dry and wet they feel secure, they handle thick gravel and rough washouts OK, grass and mud OK, puddles and ground water OK, so that only leaves two up and load tests to go and I'm sold.

Don't know the sweet spot for the pressures yet but that will be a work in progress for a while, they wont be far away from where they are now!

The little weave has been getting less and less as the miles increase so between wearing in, getting the pressures spot on and the balancing, I think that will disappear all together!

In conclusion, I have only done 150 miles (240km) on them but I like the tyres and think that they just might be a winner. Cheers, John.

The Million dollar question is how do they stack up $ wise ???

[dino3310]

Good news there John. The look quite good on the bike too.

2nd that.
keep us up dated as the klms wear on John

[NordieBoy]

The Million dollar question is how do they stack up $ wise ???

$104 front and $120 rear from bits4bikes in KLR650 and DR650 sizes.

[dino3310]

shite thats cheap, will be interesting to see what kind of mileage the Tiger gets out of them

[Kokopelli]

I've just posted this in another forum. Your results may vary.

My Shinko experiment is now over and I want to withdraw my endorsement. Today my rear tyre delaminated. Several tread blocks looked as if they were about to pop off and the inside of the tyre showed bubbles. Luckily I spotted it before I rode the bike home. Well, you could feel it while riding. Thethe tyre place I go to is only 2km down the road from work. They will be sending the tyre back and hopefully I'll get some money refunded.

Yep, several people will say "I've told you so"

[NordieBoy]

I've just posted this in another forum. Your results may vary.

My Shinko experiment is now over and I want to withdraw my endorsement. Today my rear tyre delaminated. Several tread blocks looked as if they were about to pop off and the inside of the tyre showed bubbles. Luckily I spotted it before I rode the bike home. Well, you could feel it while riding. Thethe tyre place I go to is only 2km down the road from work. They will be sending the tyre back and hopefully I'll get some money refunded.

Yep, several people will say "I've told you so"

Which model Shinko?

[Kokopelli]

the Shinko 705

[oldrider]

I've just posted this in another forum. Your results may vary.

My Shinko experiment is now over and I want to withdraw my endorsement. Today my rear tyre delaminated. Several tread blocks looked as if they were about to pop off and the inside of the tyre showed bubbles. Luckily I spotted it before I rode the bike home. Well, you could feel it while riding. Thethe tyre place I go to is only 2km down the road from work. They will be sending the tyre back and hopefully I'll get some money refunded.

Yep, several people will say "I've told you so"

Fair enough but what are the factors, that would be helpfull!

Like how many Km, what pressures were you running, was it the front or back or both, exactly which model were they?

These things would be helpful to know, also how the Shinko company, importers and distributors react?

I have seen and had just as much problems on the odd occasion from top of the line established brands so it helps to have a few facts with such a denigration!

[Kokopelli]

Fair enough but what are the factors, that would be helpfull!

Like how many Km, what pressures were you running, was it the front or back or both, exactly which model were they?

These things would be helpful to know, also how the Shinko company, importers and distributors react?

I have seen and had just as much problems on the odd occasion from top of the line established brands so it helps to have a few facts with such a denigration!

33 psi, 5000km, it's the rear tyre on my 1150GS. The distributor is sending it back. I've liked the tyre, but have lost my confidence in it. I know it's a budget tyre, but I'd still like it to stay in one piece.

Most of the km came from commuting, some spirited riding and a bit of gravel riding.

I've been lucky and have had no problems with Michelin, Metzeler or Continental. We have three bikes and go through lots of tyres a year.

These are 705 adventure tyres, designed for heavy dual sport bikes, they've got to be built well enough to do the job. For a budget tyre I could put up with a funny wear pattern or accelerated wear, or maybe a twitchy tyre. But not with the tyre coming apart, that's where I draw the line.

[oldrider]

33 psi, 5000km, it's the rear tyre on my 1150GS. The distributor is sending it back. I've liked the tyre, but have lost my confidence in it. I know it's a budget tyre, but I'd still like it to stay in one piece.

Most of the km came from commuting, some spirited riding and a bit of gravel riding.

I've been lucky and have had no problems with Michelin, Metzeler or Continental. We have three bikes and go through lots of tyres a year.

These are 705 adventure tyres, designed for heavy dual sport bikes, they've got to be built well enough to do the job. For a budget tyre I could put up with a funny wear pattern or accelerated wear, or maybe a twitchy tyre. But not with the tyre coming apart, that's where I draw the line.

Hey thanks for the details and I agree with your attitude toward tyres on a bike!

I assume your tyre size is the same as mine! 150/70-17?

Obviously you did everything that was expected of you from a manufacturers point of view in tyre maintenance, care and attention!

Interestingly enough, when I questioned the NZ distributor recently, one of their representatives told me they had not had any returns!

Did you have a 705 on the front too, or was it just the back one?

I have been running Pirelli Scorpions ever since the first set (2 rear and one front) of Anakee's supplied on the Tiger.

The Pirelli are far better tyres than the Anakees, IMHO!

5,000km is not a very high mileage to get from a rear tyre, I average about 6 to 7 K miles (11 to 12K in Km) from my rear tyres. (double that for the front)

Our shortest trip/ride is generally not less than 200km so the engine and tyres are mostly warm and on long runs, loaded up and moving along!

We spend quite a lot of time travelling on gravel roads, probably 75/25% would be on the conservative side, not that that means anything, it's just what we do!

We are old and getting less aggressive in our riding style now but we still whip the cat a bit when the opportunity presents it's self, we both know what the Tiger's top speed on seal and gravel feels like!

With the Q rating I thought that it might assist us in matching Mr Plod's ambitions for our roadside manners and behaviour!

Oh well, we are committed now so we will keep a close eye on our little black Japanese and Korean friends (the tyres) and see how they go!