Shinko tires for 1995 K75

[Billk]

Does anybody have anything good to say about Shinko tires, or bad?

[kenray]

I have their dual sport type tires on my klr 650 and i really like them. I was going to get a pair of the performance tires for my k100rs but there was a delay in getting them, went with the Bridgestones instead (which have been good). When the time comes for new tires I will go with Shinko. The Shinko tires were cheaper at the time I was shopping for tires for the BMW. Ken in Katy TX.

[argent brick]

I am running Bridgestones on my K bike right now because that's what the PO put on the bike right before I purchased it. Personally, I  believe that you should run the best tires that your wallet will allow. If you can do better than Shinko, do it.

Years ago, I had a Shinko rear tire on my Yamaha XS 750 and it was a great tire for the money. That was about a decade back and they probably make a better quality tire today. If cash was tight, I would consider them for my brick. How much cheaper are they than the low cost Bridgestones?

[johnny]

shinko bought the moto tior division of yokohama... i would be running shinkos if they had the right tior for the rs motobrick...

j o

[TaosBrick]

Don't dig Shinkos. Ripped one right up on my XT350 with only a cuppla hunnerd miles on it.
  My K75 came with Michelin Macadams and when they wore out I replaced 'em with Michelin Pilot Activ's.
   100% YEEEEEEHAAAAAA!! - as johnny would likely say ;)

[roninvt]

I put Shinkos on my K75...got about 10000 miles out of them.  Great tire for the money

[skidmore]

My 75RT came with one on the rear. It was new when I got the bike. 6,000 miles put about a 4" flat spot on it. Might could have gotten another 1k out of it but why risk it. Most if not all my riding is upright straight-on 80 to 90mph blitzkriegs - with the obligatory evening jaunts around town on the weekday evenings. I can't speak much for the Shinko's capabilities in the twisties considering I didn't charge it too hard when I encountered twisties. It doesn't seem overly greasy though. Nor can I speak for wet performance. It was a very very dry Summer since the end of June. I used to run Metzler Marathons on my airhead. 5 or 6k is all I ever got out of a rear. The Shinko seems comparable for < dollars.

I guess the helmet adage applies to tires too: buy the best you can afford. The PO of my bike had a couple spare/new fronts and one rear. I took the rear off his hands for 60 bucks. It will last me til the "end" of this riding season in Hellinois. Even if purchased new, I priced matching front/rear from Motorcycle Superstore for 132 bucks delivered.

[Lawrence]

I put a Shinko tire on the rear of my K100RS.  Rode  through Nevada and Utah during the summer. I was so pleased with it I put one on the front.  Thereafter, we rode over to Yellowstone National Park and through a bit of Montana.  Lots of high speed on empty roads.  I'll certainly buy them again.  I find they are pretty sticky and I doubt I'll get 10K miles out of the pair, but for what they cost, I find them to be outstanding!  I'd happily replace them at 6K if that were necessary -- I like them that much. 
I should note however, I have not ridden in rain with them.  That's not much of an issue here in this arid climate.

[hoodun]

I just purchased a set of Shinko 712 tires. So only good thing I can say so far is the price. 131.04 for both tires with shipping included from Bike Bandit. One metzeler rear tire cost more than that, so if it lasts more than half the mileage of the metzeler, than it was a good deal. I'm installing them myself.

...I have not heard any complaints of performance with these tires.

[hoodun]

Been riding all day on the Shinko 712s. I love em. They grip real well. Seem a little soft, though that is why they grip so well Im assuming. They probably wont last as long as other tires, though in the long run it will most likely turn out the same or cheaper. So I say get em if your thinking about it. They are quality tires despite the cheaper price.

[kaput]

Greetings, I'm new here but..

I run 712 Shikos on both my airheads and my 85 K100RS. These tires are not only cheaper but are decent quality.

Even though we have few curvy roads here in Florida we do have nice off ramps..  :riding: Have not noticed any handling deficiencies and they appear to have decent wear rate.   

[eyeofcy]

I too give Shinko 712's a +1.  Put them on my 87 K100RS when I bought it a year and a half ago.  12,000= miles and they are wearing great.  I will replace them in the spring.  Sticky, sure footed and great in the rain as well.  Several trips thru heavy rain in the W. Va. mountains and I was extremely pleased in the confidence they gave me.  Damn, I wish they made them for my K1200LT!!

[Lbyvik]

DITTO eye of C

712's front and rear....bout 11K on the rear.  Bout 14K on the front.  Put new ones on last May.  Ran them 9000 miles through the summer.  5K of that in Florida on hot concrete interstates.  They wore great.  The heat and abrasive, coral concrete wore them a little more quicky than my usual riding but $130 shipped to my door and installed by me is a great deal.

I use the 705's on my KLR....no issues

[orforester]

Only dumb question is the one not asked, so here I go:

Are the 712's radials or bias?  I am running "Y" spokes not the 3 spokes, so can't run radials. 

Oh on my 85 FY K 100 RS

[argent brick]

OK, it is time for me to learn something. Why can you run radials on the 3 spoke wheels but not on the Y spoke version? Please explain.

[Billk]

Finally bought and installed the Shinko tires on my 1995 K75 3 spoke wheels. Went for a 30 mile run and they feel real good. I'm running 32 front and 36 rear pressure, solo riding. After the ride I examined the tires and you can feel how sticky they feel to the touch. I'm still breaking them in so no excessive leaning yet. I have to check to see if they have the right size for my V Strom.
The tires cost me $126. Mounting and balancing was $90.s.
Any comments on tire pressure?
Bill

[Uffda]

I run 36 front, 42 rear but that's on a 95 RT and occasionally have my wife riding with me.

[Jeff Sichoe]

Yup, i'm a big boy and with the girl riding along I find 36 front and 42 rear suits well for me too!