Tyres tearing

[Ktmboy]

Shinko in the front and S12 on the back for most trail riding, but take it easy on the hard stuff as these are soft compound and will tear apart.

I rode a mates bike with a new S12 on the rear today and found that the side walls seemed really stiff from the European made model. Hope they (asian manufacturers)don't stuff up a really good tyre. And at $150 a tyre!!

[humai]

I remember the old Yokohama Superdigger 540s used to tear side knobs. Aren't the Shinkos similar?

These days, I use Bridgestone M59s on front and S12 rears. I have also had a good run using the M12 front/S12 rear combo.

[Ocean1]

S12s are a mud/soft tyre, so I'm not surprised they're terrible on hard terrain. I've also heard that the more recent Asian-made ones are not as good as the older European-made ones. I found the S12 front to be diabolical in hard/gravel/boulders, nowhere near as good as the Dunlop D756 front.

I got that too, the S12 front will wander around something wicked in gravel, but most anything with soft compound and knobs that long is going to do that. I found once I got used to it they worked OK, but the M12 is probably a better compromise for summer. Me? I had trouble with the D756.

A recommendation I've heard is M12 front with either M12 or S12 rear to suit the conditions. Did a winter ride last year with a couple of mates on Pirelli Scorpion Pro (I think, DOT tyre). At lower speeds my S12s were throwing sticky mud clear, the Pirellis weren't.

I liked the S12 front with M12 or S12 rear for this area. Bigger bikes do seem to shred S12s locally though, even in winter because there's still a lot of big sharp rocks around.

[takitimu]

Bridgestone M40 on the back for me, they seem to be wearing pretty good on the hard stuff & when you hit mud they are just fantastic.

[jimmy 2006]

Bridgestone M40 on the back for me, they seem to be wearing pretty good on the hard stuff & when you hit mud they are just fantastic.

so, just to thread hijack. i need a new rear.
thinking of going for the Pirelli MX extra. i too have heard good things.
is there any other tyre that will compare for mid-hard riding? Ardmore/woodhill/dusty Mx races up in Mangatoroto/ CC races here and there?
as you can see i just want 1 tyre that will try to do it all and last for ages () i know this is not possible, but what is closest and i don't want to spend a hell of alot.

[Buddy L]

Go to see kerrie at moto-huas, next to motomail outlet (close to home).
He will sort you out, i got a v-rubber last time? lasted a while in most terrains. Kinda jack of all trades, master of none. cheap 90 dollars fitted.
100/90 19"

[Taz]

I remember the old Yokohama Superdigger 540s used to tear side knobs. Aren't the Shinkos similar?

These days, I use Bridgestone M59s on front and S12 rears. I have also had a good run using the M12 front/S12 rear combo.

Yokohama sold the molds to shinko when they ceased motorcycle tyre production. Yokohama made some great tyres. 540's were only made for mud and sand and anything harder would kill them.