Help! Start of 7000km North Island trip, stuck in Levin with a dud GN250 front tyre

[Toxothrix]

Hi All,

Myself (BMW F650) and my partner (GN250) have just left wellington to do this trip: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zycGD_CGQQiE.kUgAPyKPBAEY&usp=sharing .

Instead, we're stuck in Levin as her front tyre (almost new only 250k on it) has started shedding chunks of tread. It appears to be a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, not a single bike shop or tyre shop appears to be open anywhere in the region.

Does anyone near Levin have a front tyre that will fit a GN250? More than happy to pay for it.

Cheers,

Brendan.

[DamianW]

That's a bugger. Correct tyre pressure? Under inflated tyre getting too much heat? Pics? If rideable can you get the bike 100km back to Welly and start out again in a few days time?

Edit: See this is your first post and got me thinking. Are you both on restricted licences? If so, and you're not used to doing long ride days then take it easy, pace yourselves and do 3-4 hours a day.

[Ender EnZed]

Before clicking that map link I assumed you had an extra zero in the title. I guess you don't live in Wellington?

[Toxothrix]

Hey, thanks for the advice. Ended up riding it back to Wellington, we'll try again on Monday with a fresh tyre!

We were actually checking tyre pressure when we noticed the damage. It was 2 psi under, which shouldn't be enough to cause this.

We've done about 15,000 km of touring together, and also did the 1000km event a while back. Still planning to take it easy tho, those long days can wear you down.

Will post a photo of tyre shortly.

[Toxothrix]

http://i.imgur.com/dlUKJm3.jpg

[pete376403]

out of interest, what brand of tyre?

[lmfbs]

Hi!

This is my tyre. Initially I wondered if it was rubbing on my mudguard, but it's definitely not touching. The tyre, if anyone's wondering, is a Shinko SR210. They're a universal tyre, and very new to me. I rode it for the first time (other than the 20km or so back from the shop last Saturday) yesterday, for about 100km. This morning when we left, it was fine. By the time we fuelled up and checked tyre pressure (<100km) it was looking like that.

After stressing a bit about it, we rode towards palmy, and by the time we stopped just out of Palmy, it was already worse.

We rode home (~100km) and there are definitely more chunks missing now than there where when I first noticed it.

I'll take it back to the shop on Monday and get a replacement - I'm not happy riding on that when the cracks go down to the sea of the tyre and some of the chunks that are missing go below that, even.

It's a bit of a bummer because they had to order that in for me especially, so I'll have to get a bit of less offroady tyre for our trip - we're doing about 1500km of gravel/sand/dirt so I really wanted something more suited, but oh well - better safe than sorry.

[DamianW]

Think describing it as 'universal' is optimistic, it's a budget tyre. Different tool for the job needed imo.

[gsxr]

True Shinko are bottom end of the market. However they should last more than 100 km before starting to fall to bits.So their has to be an issue with the tyre itself.

They are normally fine for lower cc bikes on a daily commute on a budget.

Why someone would ever consider fitting one for a 7000 km trip with some on gravel sand etc the logic escapes me.
Those round black things with wrigly lines on them is the difference between getting home safe or or not coming home at all.

[caspernz]

Monday is a public holiday if I reckon right...

Now thinking back a fair while, my first bike was a GN250, and they do fine with road biased rubber on a dirt road. I'd say the fault is with the quality of the pictured tyre, if all else is in order. Personally I'd be using a road tyre...and not one with the name Shinko on the side.

[lmfbs]

Think describing it as 'universal' is optimistic, it's a budget tyre. Different tool for the job needed imo.

That's their description...and after my experience, I'd kinda have to agree. I've found it a massive pain to get a tyre for a GN250 that's not a city demon, especially something that's a little better suited to offroad, without changing out the front wheel. I think ultimately I'm going to have to get a new wheel for it if I want to do the sort of riding I'm really interested in.

[Ocean1]

Hi!

This is my tyre. Initially I wondered if it was rubbing on my mudguard, but it's definitely not touching. The tyre, if anyone's wondering, is a Shinko SR210. They're a universal tyre, and very new to me. I rode it for the first time (other than the 20km or so back from the shop last Saturday) yesterday, for about 100km. This morning when we left, it was fine. By the time we fuelled up and checked tyre pressure (<100km) it was looking like that.

After stressing a bit about it, we rode towards palmy, and by the time we stopped just out of Palmy, it was already worse.

We rode home (~100km) and there are definitely more chunks missing now than there where when I first noticed it.

I'll take it back to the shop on Monday and get a replacement - I'm not happy riding on that when the cracks go down to the sea of the tyre and some of the chunks that are missing go below that, even.

It's a bit of a bummer because they had to order that in for me especially, so I'll have to get a bit of less offroady tyre for our trip - we're doing about 1500km of gravel/sand/dirt so I really wanted something more suited, but oh well - better safe than sorry.

What size is the tyre? And have you much experience off road?

The damage may well be the result of a manufacturing fault, but it looks very much like mechanical damage, like something is catching the front of the tread blocks. You've checked the guard is clear, but try moving it with your hands, if it's even slightly touching the tyre the contact angle could well be pulling it closer.

[lmfbs]

True Shinko are bottom end of the market. However they should last more than 100 km before starting to fall to bits.So their has to be an issue with the tyre itself.

They are normally fine for lower cc bikes on a daily commute on a budget.

Why someone would ever consider fitting one for a 7000 km trip with some on gravel sand etc the logic escapes me.
Those round black things with wrigly lines on them is the difference between getting home safe or or not coming home at all.

Hmm...interesting - they were recommended to me by a few other riders and the store (TSS Wellington). My understanding is the tyres themselves are on the lower end but fine for light bikes, the company just doesn't put a lot into R&D, but generally what they produce is ok.

In any event, they're the best of a small bunch of terrible options I was given, but I'm not going to be replacing the front with another shinko. I've really enjoyed the shinko rear I've got on. I've done about 2500km on it so far and it's a babillion times better than the city demon I previously had.

[lmfbs]

What size is the tyre? And have you much experience off road?

The damage may well be the result of a manufacturing fault, but it looks very much like mechanical damage, like something is catching the front of the tread blocks. You've checked the guard is clear, but try moving it with your hands, if it's even slightly touching the tyre the contact angle could well be pulling it closer.

18/300. I've only been riding for a year, so I'm a newbie. I've done 30,000km, and about 5,000 of that has been off road. So - not a lot, but I'm comfortable enough off road for sure.
Yep, checked the guard, and even with me pressing down on it and spinning the tyre it doesn't touch.

[Ender EnZed]

Cheap Chinese rubber is pretty standard fair on road going chook chasers with a lot more power than a GN250. It usually does that job well and Shinko is a relatively well known brand in that category.

Might have just been a dud tyre unless GNs take a particularly weird small size.

[Ocean1]

18/300. I've only been riding for a year, so I'm a newbie. I've done 30,000km, and about 5,000 of that has been off road. So - not a lot, but I'm comfortable enough off road for sure.
Yep, checked the guard, and even with me pressing down on it and spinning the tyre it doesn't touch.

Think you've squeeked past newbie. Just.

And a straight road tyre should be quite manageable on dirt. Even gravel, keeping your weight back a little.

Good luck, eh? Let's know how you get on.

[lmfbs]

Think you've squeeked past newbie. Just.

And a straight road tyre should be quite manageable on dirt. Even gravel, keeping your weight back a little.

Good luck, eh? Let's know how you get on.

I've previously taken road tyres on dirt/gravel, but we're planning on doing a few bigger gravel roads (lake waikaremoana, port jackson, 90 mile beach etc), and most of it with fully packed up bikes, so wanted something a little less slippy.

[Ocean1]

I've previously taken road tyres on dirt/gravel, but we're planning on doing a few bigger gravel roads (lake waikaremoana, port jackson, 90 mile beach etc), and most of it with fully packed up bikes, so wanted something a little less slippy.

Talk to Stu, if that Shinko's a dud they'll see you right, hopefully with something a little bit knobbly. But don't forget you'll lose a bit of grip on the road, especially in the wet.

Luck.

[lmfbs]

Talk to Stu, if that Shinko's a dud they'll see you right, hopefully with something a little bit knobbly. But don't forget you'll lose a bit of grip on the road, especially in the wet.

Luck.

Thanks - I've got my fingers crossed for a dry couple of weeks, but I'll definitely keep that in mind.

[Rhys]

Cheap Chinese rubber.
They are actually from South Korean, don't know if thats much better than made in china ?



GN have a 'Farm" version with a Nobbly type tyres http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes-for-sale/Suzuki/GN125/Motorbike---Road-Tourer/1136226.htm
assuming they are road legal they could be a good option

[lmfbs]

They are actually from South Korean, don't know if thats much better than made in china ?



GN have a 'Farm" version with a Nobbly type tyres http://www.autobase.co.nz/motorbikes-for-sale/Suzuki/GN125/Motorbike---Road-Tourer/1136226.htm
assuming they are road legal they could be a good option

I've had a look at those, they're too knobbly and would be noisy as hell on the road, I suspect.

[spanner spinner]

these work well on gn's and you can get them in the right size and they are a good shingle road option will work off road if it's dry http://moto.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-m45

only problem will be if the importer has any in stock at present. I do think that this is just a problem with your tyre as I have sold lots of shinkos and not had may problems.

[Bikemad]

18/300. I've only been riding for a year, so I'm a newbie. I've done 30,000km, and about 5,000 of that has been off road. So - not a lot, but I'm comfortable enough off road for sure.
Yep, checked the guard, and even with me pressing down on it and spinning the tyre it doesn't touch.

have you thought maybe the tyre grows a little in diameter at speed and does contact something?
check for signs of wear on the guard or gaurd mounting points?
take the wheel out and check under the guard between the fork legs

[lmfbs]

these work well on gn's and you can get them in the right size and they are a good shingle road option will work off road if it's dry http://moto.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-m45

only problem will be if the importer has any in stock at present. I do think that this is just a problem with your tyre as I have sold lots of shinkos and not had may problems.

Thanks - I'm a little less sure about that one (having done no research) cuz I ride in the wet quite often and I think it looks like it could get gunked up quickly - what do you thinK?



Thanks 0

have you thought maybe the tyre grows a little in diameter at speed and does contact something?
check for signs of wear on the guard or gaurd mounting points?
take the wheel out and check under the guard between the fork legs

Yep, thanks - I've considered that and there's no wear on the guard or any indication anywhere that it's rubbing. On the tyre you can see how each of the parts have started peeling and I just can't see how it could be from contact - it's on the wrong end of the tread.

[spanner spinner]

[QUOTE=lmfbs;1130932558]Thanks - I'm a little less sure about that one (having done no research) cuz I ride in the wet quite often and I think it looks like it could get gunked up quickly - what do you thinK?


Yep your right don't like mud to much turn into a slick real quick, wet weather performance on seal is ok.

[Mike.Gayner]

What a bugger about the tyre, even a cheap tyre shouldn't be doing this.

On another note, how did you do that Trip Plan?

[rambaldi]

What a bugger about the tyre, even a cheap tyre shouldn't be doing this.

On another note, how did you do that Trip Plan?

Pretty sure it is the my maps feature of google maps (click on the 3 lines/options thing while on google maps and you should be able to find it) I have used it for noting down a couple rides I have done/want to do. It kinda works some of the time but doesn't always show you the info you want (eg total distance for a plotted route)

[Oakie]

Question?
You were / are touring. How much weight were you carrying over that back axle? Probably not an issue if it was just one up but perhaps a combination of knobbly tyre and higher speed than the tyre was designed for with extra weight over the back may have had an effect? Just a thought.

[Motu]

I've got one of those on one of my bikes, branded Golden Boy, but it's made in the Shinko factory. Great tyre, and really good in gravel....and mine is still in good nick, but hasn't done many kms. I've been using Shinko for the last couple of years - 3 rears and one front, I'm enjoying them better than the Bridgestones I've had on the same bike before.

That looks like physical damage to me too, something has hooked that tread out. If not, check the date stamp on the tyre, it could be old stock.

[pete376403]

Question?
You were / are touring. How much weight were you carrying over that back axle? Probably not an issue if it was just one up but perhaps a combination of knobbly tyre and higher speed than the tyre was designed for with extra weight over the back may have had an effect? Just a thought.

Its the front tyre that has the problem.

[Oakie]

Its the front tyre that has the problem.

Oh. I got nothing then.

[Oakie]

Actually ... tyre on the right way around? Correct direction of rotation?

[Motu]

They are assymetrrical and there are no directional arrows.

[Oakie]

They are assymetrrical ...

Wish I had a metrical arse but I'm 55 so it's imperial. Doesn't need directional arrows. It's just an outie...