Author Topic: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??  (Read 60124 times)

Offline johnny

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #25 on: March 15, 2015, 07:12:44 PM »
im on a restricted budget... im looking at a set of car tiors... costs less... lasts longer... protects 3 spoke wheels from bending... all pros... no cons...

i know some motoboxer riders who switched to shinkos a few years ago... they love them... say they handle good and last forever...

remember yokohama moto tiors... they were the go to racing tior worldwide...shinko bought out the yokohama moto tior division after a fire at the yokohama plant in the mid 90s...

if there was a proper fitment for my rs 3 spoke bent wheels i would give them a go...

j o
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Offline Motorhobo

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #26 on: March 15, 2015, 08:09:22 PM »
On both of my LT's I'm running a mixed set.
Michelin PR2's front and Avon AV46 rear.  I get good mileage(almost equal) between both before changing, close to 10K or a little more.

That I don't get. I'll be on my third Shinko rear at over 8k soon and the front still looks not even half worn.

I think Shinko is a pretty hard tire, built maybe for slab wear rather than performance. Is there a correlation between hardness and 'stickiness', I.e. performance on curves, twisties or track? All I know is I get a lot of miles out of these Shinkos. I have Metzlers on the red k75 and the rear is worn flat down the center. That didn't happen with the Shinko.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Chaos

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2015, 09:14:11 PM »

I'm on a more restricted budget now and am looking at the Duro HF918 for my K100.
144 for the set from American Moto Tire.

Anyone tried these?

I run Duro 308's on my Ural, not much choice and they're factory.  Decent tire but no idea how their other sizes match up.  Check out Bridgestone Spitfires for old K's, I found a set for about $120 and very happy with them.
  • sw ohio
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Offline zilla

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #28 on: March 16, 2015, 06:59:36 PM »
I've got Duro's on my Shovelhead. But they are a tubed tire, and honestly I might put a thousand miles a year on it if I'm lucky.

My tires should be this week hopefully.

Offline Novafrk

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #29 on: March 17, 2015, 09:14:10 AM »
You can get a lot of variation on tire wear depending on the abrasiveness of the roads you ride, how aggressive you are on the throttle (accelerates rear wear) and road temperatures. I have Shinko 712's on my 88 K75S. They have less than 500 miles on them. I also have a set on a CB750, they have roughly 1000 miles on them. They grip like crazy in the turns. It is a dual compound tire, and I can't see any noticeable wear. I paid 117$ for both sets. I'm happy with them so far. I don't think I would have bought them if it hadn't been for friends that run them and are very happy with them.
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline drut

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #30 on: March 17, 2015, 06:48:59 PM »
I don't do the miles these days to worry too much about great mileage from a tire so maybe have different needs to most,also had a lapse of 16yrs(ankle damaged industrial accident)from motorcycling so have noticed the changes in tire abilties in recent years.Bike(K100RS 16v) came with Michelin Pilot Road 2s and subsequently fitted by me with Dunlop Roadsmarts:either choice(only difference I have found is bike turns quicker on Dunlops)gives much more grip,especially in the wet,than I ever thought possible.Given that I needed to rebuild my riding skills and often ride on twisty,cold,wet and greasy roads extra grip + the confidence it has given me is priceless.Mileage from the Dunlops Looks to be 6-7K ish.
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Offline K75RT Keith

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #31 on: March 18, 2015, 08:28:36 AM »
No matter what price point, design, style of tread or compound, any tire YOU feel comfortable with, is the BEST tire for you.  Don't base your tire decision on what someone else likes as our opinions are biased to our particular likes, dislikes and financial condition. Just because I won't run some Chinese piece of crap on my bike doesn't mean it's not a good tire for you.
You can't help someone who doesn't want to hear the answer.

1990 K75RT

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #32 on: March 18, 2015, 08:43:59 AM »
Well I bought Dunlops thinking they were at least "decent" tires but are cracking after being installed for less than a year. I should have just bought Shinkos
  • Grand Rapids, MI
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Offline Novafrk

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #33 on: March 18, 2015, 10:19:53 AM »
No matter what price point, design, style of tread or compound, any tire YOU feel comfortable with, is the BEST tire for you.  Don't base your tire decision on what someone else likes as our opinions are biased to our particular likes, dislikes and financial condition. Just because I won't run some Chinese piece of crap on my bike doesn't mean it's not a good tire for you.

Shinko's are Korean... just saying.
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline johnny

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #34 on: March 18, 2015, 10:35:21 AM »
i like chinese dry cleaning and korean doughnuts...

j o
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #35 on: March 18, 2015, 11:06:50 AM »
No matter what price point, design, style of tread or compound, any tire YOU feel comfortable with, is the BEST tire for you.  Don't base your tire decision on what someone else likes as our opinions are biased to our particular likes, dislikes and financial condition. Just because I won't run some Chinese piece of crap on my bike doesn't mean it's not a good tire for you.

Shinko's are Korean... just saying.

From what I understand they're designed in Japan and made in South Korea...right?
  • Grand Rapids, MI
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'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline Novafrk

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #36 on: March 18, 2015, 11:09:54 AM »
I believe there is a parent company in Japan named Shinko, so you could be right.
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline K75RT Keith

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #37 on: March 18, 2015, 12:13:10 PM »
NO WHERE DID I MENTION A BRAND!!!!!!! SO DO NOT ASDUME I WAS REFERRING TO SHINKO
You can't help someone who doesn't want to hear the answer.

1990 K75RT

Offline Novafrk

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #38 on: March 18, 2015, 12:17:59 PM »
NO WHERE DID I MENTION A BRAND!!!!!!! SO DO NOT ASDUME I WAS REFERRING TO SHINKO

Over react much?
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline K75RT Keith

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #39 on: March 18, 2015, 04:08:48 PM »
Only when I'm misquoted,
You can't help someone who doesn't want to hear the answer.

1990 K75RT

Offline Novafrk

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #40 on: March 18, 2015, 04:34:55 PM »
I never asdumed you were. I was just pointing out that Shinko isn't a "Chinese piece of crap" for others that may not have known. 
88 K75S - My red headed mistress. Shhhh.

Offline Motorhobo

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #41 on: March 18, 2015, 05:09:11 PM »
Obviously a better piece of crap than that piece of crap with the cracks in the tread and the Anglo-sounding name in the pics above. Say no to crack - regardless of nation of origin.
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #42 on: March 18, 2015, 06:00:48 PM »
Apologies for the misquotement.

Are there any motorcycle tires available that are made in China?
  • Grand Rapids, MI
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'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline Inge K.

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #43 on: March 18, 2015, 06:09:40 PM »
Are there any motorcycle tires available that are made in China?

Cheng Shin is one of them.
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #44 on: March 18, 2015, 06:22:00 PM »
Back when Cheng Shin were made in Taiwan I used to use their knobbies for the summer when the woods were drier.  Hard compound, that bit well and didn't wear too fast.  Knobs weren't as big as the Bridgestones we used in the Spring and Fall.  Not too good on paved sections, but then, what knobby is?   

Cheng Shin made good, cheap tires, but I haven't rode them in years.  I wouldn't be afraid to try one.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
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Offline enb54

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #45 on: March 20, 2015, 10:37:02 PM »
I have Metzelers on front and back (only tires I've ever used), but a friend suggested next time to use "Kenda" which I've never heard of, but she says they are inexpensive and great! Anyone ever use them?
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Eric

Then-1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler, 1987 BMW K100RS, 1997 Suzuki GSF600 Bandit, 1991 BMW K75 RT
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Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #46 on: March 20, 2015, 10:44:46 PM »
In other news, I called the dealer I got the D404 from. I explained the situation and the parts person I talked to had to call me back after talking with their tire representative, but called me back and said I can bring it in and they'll replace it. So I'll try to make it in there in the next few days. I'll take some more photos too
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline diversity48

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #47 on: March 22, 2015, 11:50:02 PM »
Bridgestone Spitfires: wear very well but don't handle well on the rain grooves in Vegas...lots of wiggle. Spent the extra money and got the metzler laser tecs this time...as soon as I get the bike back together, we'll see how they work. waiting on a custom built throttle cable from Flanders now...and waiting...and waiting...

Good luck with the laser tecs before.

Offline kris

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #48 on: March 30, 2015, 11:32:19 PM »
I decided on Shinko Tourmasters front and rear on the K100RT. The mechanic I ordered them from talked me into the speed rated version. I assured him that the "H" tire (I think that's the lower speed rating) would be fine since I would like only ever hit 70mph/ 110kmh....somewhere in that zone. And likely slower most of the time. But he argued that it was the extra stickiness that he wanted for me, especially riding in the rain or wet conditions. He said "You're worth the extra $10 bucks per...".  So we went with the V-rated.
  • In The Hammer!! Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Offline zilla

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Re: cheap vs. expensive tires, is there a difference??
« Reply #49 on: March 31, 2015, 07:21:47 PM »
Brick got her new Duro HF918 mounted today.

Need to change her fluids tomorrow after work, then i'm going to go try them out.

If I don't have to work that weekend, I think i'll be taking her to the Moonshine Run and I can get a better idea about the tires

Sure beats the old, cracked Metzler's that were on her.

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