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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: F14CRAZY on July 11, 2015, 11:48:04 PM
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I've run a few Dunlop D404's on the front and rear of my K75 since like mid-last season. They're not a bad tire...get decent mileage out of them (rear lasted about 8k miles, mostly running 70-80 mph on grooved concrete slab of I-96), pretty cheap ($94 front, $96 rear locally), good in rain, don't really follow grooves or spider patches, but I've built up my riding confidence since then and felt the rear slip a little once. With that and the more critical issue of them developing cracks in the tread, which I suspect is due to them being old stock (manufactured in 2011) I decided to try running Shinko 712's.
My previous thread on the D404's cracking:
(http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,6642.0.html)
If you don't corner hard and can find them fresher than my local dealer, the D404 is a good tire though.
But...
(https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10300637_10153148294867908_1219950010694163450_n.jpg?oh=a954b7184046d31286434837759381d7&oe=55B43ACC)
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11667381_10154065246237908_3519707161383969889_n.jpg?oh=baad1ef47c6944440efd4629e3eda7f9&oe=5616BF78)
D404 front on top, rear on bottom. Rear had 7734 miles and a little tread left. 9269 miles on the front and it still had pretty good tread left but cracks were getting to be bad in my opinion. One could very well argue that there should never be any cracks. The rear had some minor cracking. Front was mounted 3/27/15, rear was mounted on 4/15/15.
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11659395_10154065246157908_3502351574975722272_n.jpg?oh=33b2001efcb114814b1ee6dce462dc03&oe=561D0AB2)
Cracks were not as pronounced with them deflated and not mounted.
Front 712:
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11698529_10154065246077908_491827485383424494_n.jpg?oh=a32b32083e97ed44e052cdffcfaacd04&oe=5615CB0D)
Rear 712:
(https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11700934_10154065246012908_3143788221972272083_n.jpg?oh=8d7ca386bc319992e781255ef368cea7&oe=5655ADD9)
So far I'd say they're good. Like the D404's they don't really follow grooves or other longitudinal road imperfections. I haven't racked up enough mileage to push them harder, and of course the "worst" motorcycle tire will feel better than the "best" tire when comparing new vs. old, but I'll update this as time and mileage passes.
The Shinko's are made in Korea (South Korea, hopefully :yes). One of the D404s was marked Indonesia and I can't remember the other. One of Shinko's is dated from 2014, the other 2015, so I don't think age will be an issue with them.
According to Shinko's website, JT Cycle of Battle Creek, MI (Arctic Cat, Husqvarna, Suzuki, Ariens, and Gravely) was the closest physical retailer. I called and asked for them...were not in stock but arrived in two days. I rode the bike down to them and had them mount and balance the tires this morning.
Front MSRP was $66.95, rear was $76.95, but they knocked $10 off of each of them, so they were $56.95 and $66.95. Labor for mounting and balancing (with the wheels still on the bike) was $40 each. $4 disposal fee for each of the D404's. Grand total was $211.90.
Front size is 100/90-18, rear 120/90-18.
Locally I was paying like $94 for a front and $96 for a rear with the D404's and I think mounting/balancing was $30 (I was bringing my wheels in to them).
So yeah. I figured I'd post this info in case anyone was in the market for tires. I'll keep this updated as the next few months pass with how they are in rain, cornering, and what kind of mileage I get out of them.
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Like you I don't care for the Dunlop 404, the fronts always felt squirmy to me. For years I ran Metzler ME33's up front and was amazed at the amount of grip, especially in the rain. Now I'm running the Bridgestone Spitfires which save about $100 over a set of Metzlers. Have another bike, XT550 with Shinko 705's and they are surprisingly good in that application. The chicken strips are because of the rider, not the tire!
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greetings...
my wheels aints never been that clean... im thinking posting those photos is unsportsmanlike conduct...
j o
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I rented a pressure washer to clean the PNW funk buildup around the yard last month and completely forgot to spray my K75 wheels.
Just installed a set of 712's last week. So far, so good.
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Before last week I went for like a month without washing the bike. I've been able to dodge rain for the past week so they're still pretty clean. Are there brake pads that don't give off dust that turns to rust?
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One could very well argue that there should never be any cracks.
There should never be any cracks. A tire with cracks is not safe. The D404 is notorious for cracking while it still has plenty of tread left. That was what happened to mine. I put Shinkos on my K last year and I like them better than the Dunlops or the Metzelers I ran in the past. Not to mention the prices!
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I put Shinkos on another bike, 83 Virago 920............................no comparison in handling. It brought the Virago into a whole new world of cornering! :curvy-road :riding: Milage was about the same, but the miles where oh so much more fun! YEP! :yes
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Some things so far:
The front sometimes tends to follow fine road grooves. I'm not on that type of pavement a lot though.
Handling and cornering feel much, much better. No wobbling on high speed corners like the D404's. Feels like I could drag a knee, peg, or sidecase.
No problems in hard rain.
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F15, what are you running for tire pressure?
Al
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Speaking of PSI...
I just checked my new 712's and the pressure over the last week has dropped about 5 PSI in each tire. That's unusual for me.
I fill them to 35psi front, 38psi rear.
heading out for a ride into the mountains today.
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I'm running the sidewalk max front and rear. Both are 40 psi
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Took the 712's up to Mt St Helens today. All twisties plus a little slab to get there and back. The Shinko's felt fine, as good as any other tire I've had on the bike.
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Didn't happen to see DB Cooper or 'ol Harry Truman running around up there?
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thats some ingenious dry bag engineering...
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/timtyler%20k75%20mt%20st%20helens%202015_zpsvjugezdz.jpg)
j o
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Never need to worry about plastic welding. :riding:
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Damn! Now I am wishing I got Shinkos instead of the Battlax T30's. Guess I will just have to ride um hard so I can try out the Shinkos. :riding:
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From what I can tell and what I've read they seem to be a good tire that happens to be cheap rather than a "cheap" tire.
I have over 700 miles on them already so it won't take that long to figure out if they last for a decent number of miles. That's the only thing keeping me from giving them a great review yet
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(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bWxZ2qH8Nc2p9-4OOj1ZzZjYnI284EtkpkEs6SIGJq8=w789-h508-no)
I run a 705 on the rear on the stormtrooper. So far so good, around 1200 miles into it.
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F-14: Getting ready to put a new set on a '87 K75s. I'm a little confused about your tire size selection.
18" on the front and rear? Shouldn't the rear be a 17? A 120 instead of 130 on the rear?
I'm new to K bikes so any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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F-14: Getting ready to put a new set on a '87 K75s. I'm a little confused about your tire size selection.
18" on the front and rear? Shouldn't the rear be a 17? A 120 instead of 130 on the rear?
I'm new to K bikes so any help would be appreciated. Thanks
I have a K75C, which has 18'' wheels and a rear drum brake. I'm not sure about other variants but I know the S had 17''s and a rear disc
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Got it, thanks for the clarification
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Hey Garf, what's the the benefit of the riser next to the lift?
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Ah yes. I'm one of those vertically challenged people and I find that when I'm running the bike up on the lift, it's nice to have something to step up on to give me a little more control of the bike. This is especially true with my R1200RT which is considerably more top heavy.
Once the bike is secure, I just slide it out of the way,
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While riding to Sandusky, OH last Friday we hit some torrential rain...the kind that makes it rain inside your helmet. Slowed down to 50 mph (going faster wouldn't have felt safe in a cage) but the 712's gave no issues.
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We had one of those a boot-filler downpours a couple days ago -- the Shinkos on the rear had no complaints but the dog was in the sidecar and boy was she pissed.
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Follow up on the Shinkos? Are ya all still lovin um? I wish I had got a set now. Even though it is recommended that my bike, k1100lt use radials. So I got The Bridgestone Battlax T30's. Great tire. Hold like a bear, but not a great "feel" for me. I am always correcting while cornering.(but I am a shitty driver) Like Johnny said all tires have a different profile. I think that is what I loved about the Shinkos. They just roll into a corner so sweet, predictable, and solid? I had them on another bike. I just talked my brother into slap-n um on his Hardley Ableson. So far so good. took me years to talk him outa Dumblops! YMMV.
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Ya, I'm sold on em. 705s on the klr last 12k front, 6k rear. I put the r230 tour master on the back of the hacked 85. 4K in and at least a couple more left. It can't disappoint me now for the price.
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I'm still liking the 705 rear on the stormtrooper. Its 6k+ so far, and I bet I get another 1500 out of it. Mostly pavement, so I'm thinking 712 or 230 to replace it. For the $$ I am more than satisfied. Its gonna have lasted the most ridden season that I've had on this bike, and then some. That's all I ever expected out of it.
Edit 9/6/15: running a 230 on the front now, too. So far so good
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Ya, I'm sold on em. 705s on the klr last 12k front, 6k rear. I put the r230 tour master on the back of the hacked 85. 4K in and at least a couple more left. It can't disappoint me now for the price.
So you're running Shinko Tourmasters on your sidecar rig? I just ordered 2 front Shinko 712s ($46 and change each, free shipping from motorcycle-superstore.com) for my K75s one of which is a hack. I had a 712 rear on it already so I figured I'd go with it for the front too, but I considered the non-radial touring ttire for the hack. Do you get any more mileage out of the Tourmasters on the hack? The radials are kind of a waste because hacks don't lean and it's going to wear flat no matter what tire you use.
But until something changes, it's Shinko for me all the way for my riding style. I just need good solid rubber with big rain channels and a decent price, and the Shinkos can't be beat pricewise.
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Tour master on the rear. Metzler block k up front. This my first rodeo on 3 wheels so don't have any history to go by. I was also looking at the load ratings. Shinko was the winner there too.
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My 75RT has10,000 miles, mostly slab, on a Tourmaster rear tire. Still some center groove left, but it's gonna get changed because it just started acting a tiny bit squirmy the last couple hundred miles.
Replacement is another Tourmaster. For the price it's the perfect tire for my riding which is mostly one up long commutes and touring.
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My 712's have about 3400 miles on them as of tonight. They've been awesome in rain, corner really well (no wobble like with the D404's at high speed and no rear sliding), and no cracking like with the D404s.
The front is still looking really good but the rear is squaring off and tread is diminishing. I'd say it's about halfway through it's life.
When I go to replace it I think I'll try a 230 Tour Master. 10k miles would be awesome.
At any rate, the 712's are great tires though treadlife at least on the rear may not be as long as with other tires. But the good thing is that they're cheap and seem to excel in every other category.
Question: are tires from like motorcycle-superstore.com and other online stores older or old stock?
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I don't know, so probably should not give an "opnion" but: They sell A HELL OF A LOT OF TIRES, I would doubt they are old.
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Here's a pic. I don't feel this really shows much though (need to see it in person)
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/11947663_10154201842897908_6474600474220831410_n.jpg?oh=07ed079b0da0917b8cbfc0bf72156d54&oe=566C273A)
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What pressures are y'all running for these?
I out the first 20 miles on my89 k100rs with new 712s on both ends today, there was a little wobble at freeway speeds. Tire pressure seems like the smart place to start
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What pressures are y'all running for these?
I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
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I run 40 psi front and rear which is the max according to the sidewall
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What pressures are y'all running for these?
I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours.
well they were at 35psi
this morning i put them at 40psi and it feels much better. i'll report back after some more miles to rule out The Placebo Effect.
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Question: are tires from like motorcycle-superstore.com and other online stores older or old stock?
I have a Shinko 712 front in the garage I got last week from motorcycle-superstore.com that's dated 16/2015 -- so it's just a few months out of the factory. That's good nuff for me.
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I took my bike back to JT Cycle to retire the rear 712:
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12038191_10154255785567908_8816948092067211937_n.jpg?oh=b915661f23dc1a4a7f55ca59efc14e73&oe=56A73C36)
6029 miles.
I'd say it was a very good tire. As I mentioned before stability in crosswinds was much better than the Dunlops, no issues in rain, and sticky. I was never able to get it to slide or had any lack of confidence when cornering hard. I wish it would have lasted longer but it was cheap enough and excellent in every other aspect.
OH YEAH, and no cracks in the tread :clap:
I could have ran it a little longer but since I ride in any weather (like in rain) I try to keep some decent tread.
The front 712 with the same mileage still looks very good and its service will continue
(https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/12042704_10154255785497908_5913083568944785067_n.jpg?oh=df17d1237059341b4a8bc95a4c8bc587&oe=568ED1A0)
I will make another thread to serve as a long term review of the new rear 230 Tour Master...though slightly more expensive I figured I'd try it and see how it compares.
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Link to my new 230 Tour Master thread:
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7434.0.html (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7434.0.html)
I don't know if it's because of the tire or my riding traits/abilities, as I'm tending to corner harder than I used to, but the 712 didn't square off in the middle like the original Lasertech or the D404's did.
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I severely dislike the 404, always felt squirmy under hard braking to me. Threw a ME33 on the front and I haven't bought a Dunlop since.
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I've noticed the D404 is often on Harley's...there's even a version that's Harley branded
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My front 712 now has 22,924 miles on it...tread is still decent though there is some cracking in the tread. It isn't bad enough to make me want to replace it quite yet though, but at this point I'd say I've gotten my money out of it
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I'd say the Tourmasters last about the same as the 712 Shinkos. I have owned both. They are only a bit more expensive and in my opinion offer similar performance. I only buy the 712's these days and prefer their more aggressive tread pattern as they offer more grip on the dirt roads I occasionally ride. Either tire offers good value and are, as someone said cheap, but not a cheaply made tire. The rear will last about 6-7000 miles, not great but not bad either.
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I have a 712 on the front of my K75S. Lately, I have noticed a very slight roughness in the front end when the bike is heeled over in a turn. I suspect it is the aggressive grooving in the tread.
Has anyone else using 712's noticed this?
Otherwise, I am really happy with my Shinko tires.