Author Topic: Shinko Tire Test - Part 1 and miscellaneous ramblings (Read 14800 times)

hlh1 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 01, 2016, 01:55:45 pm »

Quote from: CW on December 01, 2016, 01:52:40 pm

I've been doing my own mounting and balancing for the past year or so, comprising five sets of tires. I have not noticed any differences in longevity at all. But I have saved a bit from not having to pay for M&B, and not having to haul the wheels back and forth to some shop to get it done.

The money saved from one time not taking the tires to the dealer bought me all the tools I need to do the job going forward.

dlama · « **Reply #26 on:** December 29, 2016, 04:41:00 am »

Tire Update: I guess I am close to that point now. Pricing the tools I need to do my own tires. By the time I get all the stuff I need I'll be too old to use it. Well maybe not. I've seen a few Craig's List deals where shops are closing and you can get full motorcycle shop tools for $10,000. Lifts, tire mounting devices, snap on boxes, special tools, everything. I should have at least looked at the stuff. It's a catch 22 for me. I don't mind paying to have it done if I could find someone who cared enough to do it right.

I replaced the Michelin PR4GT rear only at 9,000 miles. Wow. That's a new record for DLAMA. There were probably 500-1000 miles left in the carcass but my disbelief could not take the tire any further. This is also the first time I have ever put a new rear tire and left the old front.

The new rear? I put on a $169 Conti-Sport that was mounted and balanced by a fantastic little Motorcycle Shop in Baton Rouge, LA. The name of the is RAD CYCLES. www.radcycles.com

The owner and his sons are real fanatics and they have a full retail and mechanic shop. One of the sons mounted my tire and balanced it perfectly. They only charged me $45 because I took my own side cases off!

I talked to the owner (Robert who goes by the nickname of RAD) and he talked me into trying the Conti-Sport. I've tried so many tires and had so many varied results I thought, WHAT THE HECK.

I really like the the lively feel of the CONTI and it really likes to enter the turn and after break in has absolutely improved the handling of the bike over the squishy squirmy PR4GT. I suppose all of the sipes in the all weather design creates movement in the rubber so the Michelin PR4GT cannot stay as planted as the CONTI on dry pavement.

The mileage issue will have to be seen as we rack up the winter/spring miles. I'm planning on going to see my mother in California for a quick turn around from East Texas so we will see if the CONTI can burn the slab. It will be a cold, fast and long southerly route about 6 days and 4,000 miles. I've ridden some 7-800 mile days to prep for the shock of the long first day. The Allroad Rukka Goretex clothing and Gerbings heated gear will be used to maximum effect.

I will try and update the CONTI rear tire upon my return. I am riding with a friend who will try to keep up with me on his 2014 BMW 1600GT lol. Happy New Year 2017!

dlama · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2017, 11:04:01 pm »

Update on the CONTI-SPORT rear tire: I don't recommend mixing this tire with a Michelin PR4 front. The handling completely changed. It got less stable especially at higher speeds. Turn in is very very quick and it falls into turns almost too quickly at speed. Some of you might say, DUH. But I've never tried mixing brands or types of tires before. The CONTI is also completely different in the wet, as in NOT an all weather tire. I never thought I could FISHTAIL this bike in the wet with the KTRAC but that is incorrect. With a grippy front tire and a sport dry rear tire you have a potential problem on your hand. You can't ride with confidence.

So I'm going to burn this CONTI off with some dry miles and replace this tire and get a full set of tires for the Winter California Run.

The only question now is: At 48,000 miles on the clock what "All Weather" tires will I try on sweet old Connie now? The last PR4 GT rear got over 9,000 and the front is perfectly fine with 12,000. I find the nearest rival the Shinko Verge but I'm not so sure about doing the Dual Compound because of my problems of two bad out of round rear tires that had to be warranteed last year.

Does anyone on the COG have a good high mileage all weather tire to stand up to the almighty Michelin Man?

hlh1 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 22, 2017, 01:06:13 pm »

For me nothing has done better than the PR4 for all weather and mileage.

dlama · « **Reply #29 on:** February 07, 2017, 11:10:47 am »

I don't know what I was thinking getting talked into this type of tire in Winter. I'm going to try and burn off the CONTI-SPORT rear tire with a 48 hr / 2,000 mile run from Longview, TX - Kansas City - Denver - Sante Fe - El Paso - Longview during this week's mild weather. Then I am going to try another set of tires

dlama · « **Reply #30 on:** March 11, 2017, 07:29:02 pm »

SHINKO TIRE TEST update: I ordered a set of Shinko Ravens in factory recommended sizes for my C14 from Revzilla on March 8th for $156 with free shipping. They were bumping my doorstep on evening of March 10th. How can they possibly DO THAT? If they were any faster the tires would get there BEFORE I ordered them.

eCommerce at it's finest. No wonder Revzilla now have over 300 employees.

I'm excited to see if these tires can stack up to my previous expectations from Shinko. I will roll a few more miles on the MIchelin PR4 front and Continental Sport rear - should have near 50,000 miles on this sweet machine by the time I get these Ravens mounted. I'm going to replace wheel bearings and seals with this tire change.

Questions: Any input/ideas on mileage from Shinko Ravens? What about grip and handling compared to Michelin PR4 GT's?

I've heard the trash talk about how Ravens are terrible for "track days" and "peg dragging". If you all have read this thread you know where I stand on all that. I'm interested in high mileage with decent and predictable handling. Mild manners is good enough for me as long as I don't have to change tires WITH EVERY OIL CHANGE!

The Michelin PR4 GT tires have proven their worth to the point that they lasted longer than any other tire that I have purchased. HOWEVER: It was that much MORE painful when I picked up a screw and punctured the rear PR4 with 1300 miles on it during a multi-state tour last may.

It should be noted that I plugged the hole (it was off center about 2 inches from middle of tire.while on the trip and I proceeded to ride another 8,000 miles on that tire and only replaced it with the current Conti-Sport because I could clearly see the PLUG mark wearing down from the mileage.

So the trouble with buying the best is you may be upset if something unplanned happens. Is the superior handling and mileage worth all that extra money? Only if YOU think so.

I'm a little like the Judge at the PIE EATING CONTEST.

"Don't rush me, I'm still tryin to decide!"

ron203 · « **Reply #31 on:** March 11, 2017, 08:22:39 pm »

At $156, I'm interested in this one.

CW · « **Reply #32 on:** March 11, 2017, 09:32:23 pm »

I loved the Ravens, but like the Verges even more.

Zarticus · « **Reply #33 on:** March 11, 2017, 09:50:38 pm »

I get about 6,000 miles out of a rear Raven, Been threw 3 of them & I do change them with maybe another 500-1000 miles left on them. I got 7500 miles out of PR4GT's But they are well over double the price. As far as handling ask anyone who's ridden with me at RTE's, I'm always in the front pack !!!!!!!!!

dlama · « **Reply #34 on:** April 07, 2017, 08:32:20 pm »

SHINKO TIRE UPDATE PART 2?
- the $156 PAIR of Shinko Ravens are mounted. Revzilla shipped them to me for free. DLAMA toted the tires to the local Kawa dealer that had messed up the balancing on the previous PR4GT purchase/install. They had messed it up and then charged me to rebalance it later. Well, they just made up for it. The front TPMS Sensor was out so KTPP Extended Warranty paid for the front mounting and balance. Also, supplied them new wheel bearings and seals from Murphs Kits. Also, the front fork seals were out. So I got a front fork rebuild with new fluid. NO CHARGE! KTPP ROCKS.

Let's RECAP (sorry for tire pun). The front tire I just pulled off was a Michelin PR4 GT and it was mounted last April. The bike had Apx 35,500 miles on it. Now we are at 49,840. PR4 front that came off was still smooth and grippy. No real issues. 14,000+ miles is incredible for loaded two up touring front tire and lots of long distance single riding. 42 lbs psi settings, always 😳 in front and rear. The rear PR4GT got pulled off at about 9,000 miles because it had carried a plug for 7,700 miles and I didn't want to push my luck. (As if 7,700 miles wasn't pushing it 😂 It had some tread life left - estimated 1,000 miles. So the Michelins CAN DO 10,000 miles! And more... for only $565 a set plus mounting...

Now I'm interested to see if I can do 8,000+ miles on these $156 Shinko Ravens. The biggest surprise was that the Conti-Sport was so slippery in the rain. It started showing threads at 5340 miles. Not bad for a $169 tire but the Shinko Ravens at $156 for the PAIR?

💰💰💰Money in the bank and time on my hands. In June we will be going TWO UP to Lake Michigan, via Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, eventually to Pennsylvania in June. Will update later...

GIant81 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 20, 2017, 04:40:33 pm »

If you're taking requests still, I'd be interested to see how long it takes you to burn off a set of Metzeler Roadtec 01's, and how well they handle wet pavement.

Been contemplating a set. Decided on a set of Shinko 016 2x's for now. Bought a jacket at the same time, and the cheaper tires were easier on the wallet, and it's my first first attempt at mounting my own tires, so if I mess it up, I'm messing up a cheap set of tires.

dlama · « **Reply #36 on:** April 21, 2017, 03:38:58 am »

GIant81, how are the prices on Metzler?
I definitely want to try Metzler. I also envy you getting up the hutzpah to mount your own tires. I'll put those Metzlers on the list after the wife and I go two up on our Circle the Great Lakes trip in June. These Ravens may carry me through summer if all goes as planned. I'm trying to limit my jackrabbit starts to save the back tire but it's so hard to resist!

The Shinko Raven rear is a little flatter profile with sharper corners on the rear. It feels different than any tire I've had so far. Not bad, just different. I went with stock size (not 55 series rear) and you can feel the square edge of the tread when leaning over. It took some adjusting in my turning skills. I like them so far and they were fine in two rain storms (one was 100 miles of a steady rain).

The front tire has the deep groove down the middle and I've read comments about that being a nuisance on ridged pavement and other asphalt cracks causing the tire to steer along the uneven surface. After a few hundred miles of mixed roads I'm not finding this to be an issue.

So far, $156 WELL SPENT.

GIant81 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 21, 2017, 03:01:54 pm »

Looks like a set of Roadtec 01's will run you about $341 on revzilla. And I think they have a $40 rebate going now so $300 a set for the 55 series rear in an HWM version.

I have a friend of mine that used to bust tires all day at a local farm supply store. Haven't done motorcycle tires, but after watching the MC garage video on it, I feel it's something I can tackle.

I'm sure he makes it look easy, and it's going to take me all day, but since I only paid like $100 bur all the gear to do it, won't take me many times mounting my own to make that money back.

dlama · « **Reply #38 on:** April 23, 2017, 03:03:10 am »

CW, Do you get more miles out of Verges than Ravens? What is it about the Verges that you like better? I've had several sets of Verges and liked them fine until I ran into a quality control issue and got 3 bad rear tires in a row. That's when I bought the Michelins and set my personal best mileage on a set of PR4GT's.

Shepcam · « **Reply #39 on:** May 10, 2017, 06:01:21 pm »

2200 miles on the Verge II and they are toast. I have never had tires wear so bad and so fast, even on my R1. I never liked the way they felt or turned in. Not worth the savings on the Angel GT. I have removed them and put the GT's back on. Lesson learned.

dlama · « **Reply #40 on:** May 10, 2017, 11:37:36 pm »

I would love to have a picture of Verge II @ 2200 miles and "toast". You must have put those tires on the limit like you were on a MOTOGP test! Of course MOTOGP tires only last one race, and some don't even last until the end. You probably don't need to be on dual compound tires. C'mon... Were you trying to SHRED those Shinkos?

Shepcam · « **Reply #41 on:** May 11, 2017, 12:17:57 am »

They have already gone to the recycle bin. I should have got a photo. Most of the miles was just a few around town, one trip to Cheaha mtn and one trip to Deals Gap and surrounding area. I mean they looked really bad like I had done a track day for sure. I was very disappointed. The last 2 sets I ran were Conti Road Att 2 and got 4800 and the Angel GT the front was shot at 6k but the back could have gone another 1k.

Undertaker · « **Reply #42 on:** May 13, 2017, 10:24:19 am »

I have a set of Shinko Verges on my 2014, and they are great, rain or shine. Pushing 5000 plus miles and they still look and ride just fine. I live in the mountains of WV, and the roads are twisty, with steep grades of up to 10 percent. Riding here requires a lot of in and out of the throttle, high braking, etc. It is hard use on tires. Not at all like "super slab" touring.

Next set will be another set of Shinko's.

CW · « **Reply #43 on:** May 13, 2017, 10:28:28 am »

Quote from: Undertaker on May 13, 2017, 10:24:19 am

I have a set of Shinko Verges on my 2014, and they are great, rain or shine. Pushing 5000 plus miles and they still look and ride just fine. I live in the mountains of WV, and the roads are twisty, with steep grades of up to 10 percent. Riding here requires a lot of in and out of the throttle, high braking, etc. It is hard use on tires. Not at all like "super slab" touring.

Next set will be another set of Shinko's.

Mirrors my experience as well.

connie_rider · « **Reply #44 on:** May 13, 2017, 01:29:11 pm »

I just put the new Verge on the back.
Current front is a 1/2 used PR-4.

My plan is to do a ride with the PR-4 and then install a Verge on the front.
Maybe I'll be able to get a feel of the difference..

Good/bad plan??

Ride safe, Ted

dlama · « **Reply #45 on:** May 13, 2017, 02:38:08 pm »

Ted,

I'm still a new guy on the COG. But I love to iterate these things. Others may chime in here. That will be an interesting test. Same type of tire (all weather) but different brands. I have mixed brands front/rear tires a couple times with "mixed" results. Recently bad results because I put on a new sport tire on the rear and left a high mileage all weather tire (PR4GT) up front. It was rather squiggly in the wet as the front stayed planted and the rear traction control was working overtime. I was happy to burn a rear Conti off in ~ 5,000 miles and mount the Ravens I have now.

These Ravens are still growing on me. They are nimble. I just got my forks serviced so things are diffferent up front with the forks back to stock function at 50k miles. But the Ravens are also not as good in the wet as I hoped. I might be pushing harder to test them and the rains so far have been light which makes the East Texas roads slick. So I'm still in the first 1.000 miles. We will see when we make our trip around Lake Michigan, Lake Huron in June.

Predictability in handling is a fact and a reality for end users. The mental aspect and perceptions come into play too, but it's a real engineering point and something I believe all tire companies are constantly testing. Impromptu switch ups in the field by riders requantifies all of that testing the manufacturer has done and then we become the test pilots. Then we get to share the info on the COG. The opinions become louder than the math and engineering in many cases.

When the best contributors give their input to the COG some of us listen. Others could care less. But I enjoy the opportunity to make a decision based on input. The value is in the HEARING and the DOING.

"In the end it's your butt on the seat pinching the foam."

Be safe out there...

One thing I DON'T mess with is tire pressures. 42/42 is my point of reference. I know there are some variances for reasons I can't/don't/won't understand but I'm doing just fine with 42/42.

Right now it seems to be the Pirelli ANGELS in regular or A spec are doing the most things right for the most people riding C14s and other ST bikes too.

But then I realize most of the people that love the Pirelli tires are also riding the C14 like it is on FIRE at least some/most of the time. The suspension upgrades, the EVO flash (yes I want one of those) all to tweak the bike so they can ENJOY IT.

One of the main reasons I don't think I could ever go to a COG Rally? I don't want to crash my motorcycle watching all the other motorcycles. 😂😂😂

BTW... I've got to try a set of those ANGELS after I burn through these Ravens, then a set of Metzlers (just because I said I would). Should be on the Pirellis before Fall 2017? That means I will have 62-65,000 miles on this beast by then? Maybe not, we will see...

Another long post for the records... I'm going for a ride!

connie_rider · « **Reply #46 on:** May 13, 2017, 07:34:40 pm »

dlama; I bought the Shinko as a spare tire when we recently did Cliff's ride in Arkansas.
Turned out I didn't need it, but it was close!
But I have it,,, sooo, I'm gonna give it a try.

You sed: One of the main reasons I don't think I could ever go to a COG Rally? I don't want to crash my motorcycle watching all the other motorcycles.

Most of the Riders are not riding the C14 like it is on FIRE.
Many are riding briskly, but not like you might think from the discussions on the Forum.
Heck I keep up reasonably well, and I'm old and slow...
If I have to ride above my pace,,, I let them go on... Not a problem.
You really need to do a COG Ride. I highly suggest a COG National! (or the next Ark ride...)

The reason I'm interested in putting the Shinko on the C-14 is cost.. {ie: I'm cheap}
I wore out the stock tire in 4300 miles.
I paid for the Michelin's expecting better mileage and better handling.
Mileage; They did better, but not a lot better. (rear gone in 5000, front has about 1/2 - 1/3 left)
Handling; Better. But not OMG, those were way better than the stockers.
NOTE: I'm not a fire breather, just enjoy riding a bit brisk.

I plan to see what the Shinko's do mileage wise. If they make it to 4000, and if they handle ok (ie; don't scare me to death) they
might be a good option. Time will tell...

Ride safe, Ted

dlama · « **Reply #47 on:** May 23, 2017, 02:54:42 am »

Thanks Ted. I would like to do the COG National or any rally meet. But it's just not likely to happen. My time for riding is so limited and I'm so SELFISH... actually I'm henpecked and I have a beautiful wife and 8 children, (now grown) and 12 grandchildren and counting. The wife loves to go on long trips with me two up but these are for getting away since we spend so much time with family. So I have to get my kicks on the COG writing about things like Shinko Tire Tests, learning, reading and RIDING when I can.

There is however, one possibility of us heading up through Lake Ozark, MO during the Nationals since that is our general direction and date for our Circle the Great Lakes Tour we have devised for June this year. But if I pre-register it will jinx the whole thing. I have to ease up there and pretend like it's a total unexpected COINCIDENCE...

"What a nice RESORT AREA. Wow, Lots of MOTORCYCLES... they must have had the same idea we did honey!"

One can only HOPE...

connie_rider · « **Reply #48 on:** May 23, 2017, 02:57:05 am »

Clearly, GREAT minds think alike! (I like sneaky)...

Ride safe, Ted

DiverRay · « **Reply #49 on:** June 25, 2017, 09:56:37 pm »

Well, to extend this test, I just had a pair of Shinko's installed on my 2011 C14. I have NOT had time to run the mold release off yet, but will get a few miles on today. The Dunlops that were on the bike when purchased in Dec. 2016 were almost gone, and I have a 3.5K, six day ride in about three weeks. I'll report back after and let everyone know what I think of the tires. I know I'll probably go to the Angels, but I wanted to see how these work out, as the Shinko is the ONLY tire company that makes a rear for my 1978 XS1100 Yamaha.