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

[86GSXR]

Shinko 705's

After a bit of advice and some googling I have a set of Shinko 705's going on me DR tomorrow morning. Quite exciting really

[NordieBoy]

After a bit of advice and some googling I have a set of Shinko 705's going on me DR tomorrow morning. Quite exciting really

You won't like them. Don't say I didn't warn you...

[86GSXR]

Couldn't find a decent word written about them either

[_Shrek_]

After a bit of advice and some googling I have a set of Shinko 705's going on me DR tomorrow morning. Quite exciting really

let me know how you get on with them 86... I have a new radial to fit as they replaced the one that delaminated, but my bike weighs a bit more than the dr

[86GSXR]

Wildo Shrek, from all accounts they're pretty good and they will get a thrash around the hills on the weekend Delaminated? That's not good!

[_Shrek_]

Wildo Shrek, from all accounts they're pretty good and they will get a thrash around the hills on the weekend Delaminated? That's not good!

I ran a set from new the rear last about 5k & fell to bits the front hadn't even worn the tits off & was stuffed they were rag tyres & they replaced the front with a radial but would not replace the rear as it was worn down to 2mm
in saying that it wasn't treated that well going over Lake Onslow/Dunsten trail after talking with old rider, Nordie & a few others i'm thinking they are no good on big bikes
but I will run the new radial they sent me & see how it holds, may even get a rear also

[86GSXR]

Ahhhh I see. This is what Shinko have to say about your situation

"The Shinko 705 Crossply is more suited to lighter dual sports / trail models up to 650cc such as TTR600, DR650 and KLR650. It is not suitable for heavier adventure bikes such as the V-Strom, larger BMW GS`s, KTM Adventure etc. For these larger capacity the Shinko 705 Radial is recommended".

5K wasn't too bad then, I'd say you'll be right with the radial

[_Shrek_]

Ahhhh I see. This is what Shinko have to say about your situation

"The Shinko 705 Crossply is more suited to lighter dual sports / trail models up to 650cc such as TTR600, DR650 and KLR650. It is not suitable for heavier adventure bikes such as the V-Strom, larger BMW GS`s, KTM Adventure etc. For these larger capacity the Shinko 705 Radial is recommended".

5K wasn't too bad then, I'd say you'll be right with the radial

I had a good chat (they were the others on last post) with them on it & thats we came up with & it was 3k (typo) on last rear, hence why I'm a bit shy on running them again, but as it's been said these are radials so when summer is here will put them on, still running the E-10's front & rear

[george formby]

A recent ride home on a twisty badly surfaced road right on dusk with the dew coming down had my 705 rear feeling "vague" on smooth patches of road. Did'nt step out but did not inspire confidence either compared to sports touring tires. It was a good reminder to curb my enthusiasm to the conditions. Having said that the grip on gravel roads has far exceeded my expectations & that is why I put it on.

[NordieBoy]

There's those on AdvRider who say they're unpredictable in the gravel and can't stand them

[george formby]

There's those on AdvRider who say they're unpredictable in the gravel and can't stand them

Yeah, gravel is unpredictable.

But it responds consistently & predictably to a good throttling.

[86GSXR]

Right. The new Shinko 705's are on and have been for a bit of a run.

They looked great when I first saw them, they're a large, tall tyre and make the bike look a lot more 'butch' than did the OEM Bridgestones.

The depth of rubber over the knobs is quite impressive and once on the road that extra gives a nicely firm but compliant ride.

They tip in very quickly and once in the turn they hold a line very nicely and have excellent controlability and grip. They handle lean right to the edge and on a dry road I never felt any sign of letting go.

I took them up Takapari Rd, a gnarly bit of steep, rocky, muddy mountain gravel.

Initially they felt a bit 'squirmy' on damp gravel but after a few mins I'd got used to this and in fact came to the conclusion that they were actually doing an excellent job of finding the available grip, at road pressures too.

Up the top it was wet, cold and very rough and slippery in places - never had an issue.

Some of the return trip had me onto wet seal which was also not a problem.

So far they're looking like a winner, and an excellent price at around the $130.00 mark

[NordieBoy]

What pressures were you running off the seal?

I like them at 20f/18r on the DR. They get quite compliant in the rocks when aired down. In rockier terrain, I'd prefer a 705 rear to an MT21.

[86GSXR]

Not too sure on the pressures tbh, the shop fitted them as part of the 6K service, I didn't get the gauge onto them so I'd say the low 20's. 20/18 sounds pretty good and would make a big difference. Did the same route today, in the dry this time and again absolutely no issues. I like em

[pete376403]

I was pretty impressed how the 705s got my KLR up some pretty snotty karipoti wet clay a few weeks back.
I bailed out before getting to the metre deep gloop-filled ruts, though.