Tire Opinions

[KawiSmurf]

Anyone here ever used Shinko tires, or heard anything good/bad about them? I was perusing Motorcycle Superstore's tire sale, and they have some good deals. I run a 120/160 setup, and I found prices for Bridgestone Battlax BT-016s, Pirelli Diablo Rosso's, and Shinko Advance and Podiums. Price breakdown per set (front and rear):

Shinko - $160-175
Bridgestone - $235
Pirelli - $260

Besides the fact that the Shinkos seem like an amazing deal, is this a situation of getting what you pay for, or are the Shinkos almost as good for a much better price? FWIW, I'm looking for something to double as street/trackday tires.


Oh yeah...discuss.

[OreoGaborio]

Walk around the pits at the track & I can almost guarantee you won't see a single set of shinkos.

Good tires = insurance.
Cheap tires put you on your head, especially if you don't know how to listen to them yet.

[klepsta]

I've never really heard much good about the Shinko tires. I think they are used in the drag scene a lot, but havent heard any good reviews from many trackday riders.

I just put on a set of BT016s and so far I really like them for street duty.

Tires are not something I would skimp on though. Worth the money you put into them.

[DucDave]

Whats the intended use? Street riding? WTF..why not give em a try? This is like the helmet debate...everyone has their own freeking ax to grind as so no one ever considers maybe a chainsaw would work better.

I read a reivew here. Based on that, and the price, I would be more than willing to spoon these onto a street bike!

Be the first here to try em out. Who knows, they may turn out to be an awesome value!!!

[KawiSmurf]

Walk around the pits at the track & I can almost guarantee you won't see a single set of shinkos.

Good tires = insurance.
Cheap tires put you on your head, especially if you don't know how to listen to them yet.

I had a feeling they weren't very popular with racers. Can't find a whole lot of info on Shinko racing technology.

I've never really heard much good about the Shinko tires. I think they are used in the drag scene a lot, but havent heard any good reviews from many trackday riders.

I got the same impression, that they were more popular on drag bikes, and the rest of the options were just to round out the company lineup

Whats the intended use? Street riding? WTF..why not give em a try? This is like the helmet debate...everyone has their own freeking ax to grind as so no one ever considers maybe a chainsaw would work better.

Be the first here to try em out. Who knows, they may turn out to be an awesome value!!!

Looking for something that would work double duty for both track days and the usual street riding. I'd love to be the guinea pig here, but if they don't work out, I don't see "Shinko Take-offs" being a real hot seller.

[Pigman]

Pilot Powers RULE...................

[Kurlon]

Shinko? More like STINK-o!

Ok, I actually have no opinion, but I wanted to toss that out there. : )

[OreoGaborio]

Whats the intended use? Street riding? WTF..why not give em a try? This is like the helmet debate...everyone has their own freeking ax to grind as so no one ever considers maybe a chainsaw would work better.

I read a reivew here. Based on that, and the price, I would be more than willing to spoon these onto a street bike!

Be the first here to try em out. Who knows, they may turn out to be an awesome value!!!

Yeah, normally I'd say the same thing, but I noticed he was doin double duty w/ these.

[TheIglu]

I have a few hundred miles on my Shinko 705's on the KLR.

I know it's a completely different tire with different riding and a different bike style, but I am impressed so far.

Not "impressed, for the money", but rather impressed compared to any other tire I've used. Just so happens that they are cheap.

[Karaya One]

We sell about 3000 a year.

The 005 is a good tire. Looks like the Pilot Sport.

It's a good commuter tire. Works well for what it is - a cheap sportbike tire. Based upon the old Yokohama radial technology when they left two-wheel.

If you need a tire to get around and don't want to break the bank its a good choice.

I never get them back, and the dealers love the price. All good.

If you want to seriously sport ride, make the investment into a set of name tires like Michelin, Pirelli, BS, Dunlop etc. They cost more for a reason.

[markbvt]

I have a few hundred miles on my Shinko 705's on the KLR.

I know it's a completely different tire with different riding and a different bike style, but I am impressed so far.

Not "impressed, for the money", but rather impressed compared to any other tire I've used. Just so happens that they are cheap.

I've been hearing this a lot about the 705s. They're a brand-new tire, just became available in the past month, and they're the only option for V-Strom/BMW GS/etc riders who want a tire that's better offroad than the standard Tourances/Anakees/TrailWings/BattleWings but not as knobby as a Conti TKC80. So a lot of people have been trying this tire, and so far all the reviews I've seen have been positive. I'm going to try a set myself once the front tire on my V-Strom wears out. Apparently the 705 sticks really well on pavement and handles pretty well on dirt/gravel too.

For whatever it's worth, Shinko bought out Yokohoma's motorcycle tire division; it's a Japanese company that manufactures most of its tires in Korea. So there is some real knowledge and technology behind these tires.

I've heard very positive things about some of their street tires too, but haven't tried any myself.

--mark

[Ericthejet]

I used Michelin Macadams for 2 seasons. Good tires, price point was reasonable.
Currently I have Avons on the bike. AM26, bias-ply with a v rated design.
So far so good.

[Hauptman]

It's hard to beat the BT016's. 3 compound rear and 2 compound front. Heat up nice and stick great. I have them on the SV and you can get the set from Bike Bandit shipped for @ $226 shipped.

[OreoGaborio]

BTW, if you're even considering Pirelli, definitely support your local vendors & hit up the guys right here on NESR from Boston Moto & see what their prices/services are like.

[gixxersixxer]

I have shinko on mine and I have no complaints except in the cold make sure you warm them up good before trying to go faster than 40mph

[Karaya One]

I used Michelin Macadams for 2 seasons. Good tires, price point was reasonable.
Currently I have Avons on the bike. AM26, bias-ply with a v rated design.
So far so good.

The Macadam 50 line is now discontinued. Great tires, but older tech. The Pilot Activ will have all the Mac 50 sizes folded into its line soon.