Thoughts on Shinko Tires for Gen 1 FJR?

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If you ride hard, Nay. If you ride while enjoying the local fauna, then they may be for you. They do not last long and do not grip fantastic, but are cheap. My buddy was sliding all over the place and wore them out fast. YMMV. PilotRoad2s for the win.

 
Shinko's have never been on my radar as I'm an Angel GT and Roadsmart II fan.

Still I wonder why the hate towards Shinko's? Is it somehow a matter of low price driving the perception of low quality? Or are they really that bad of a tire?

Can an argument be made that a set used for commuting makes sense (cost/mile) versus other brands?

If you simply want an inexpensive tire, another possible option to consider is the Conti-Motion.

 
I didn't like the 009 front but the rear worked just fine. Haven't run the new ones but I'll bet for most riders they are fine even those that think they are fast. I've seen many run them at track days and have no problem keeping up.
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I've heard some positive comments about the 011 Verge model but haven't read a full review yet. For the price I'll probably stick with the Bridgestone BT-023 GT that I've been running for close to 15000 on the front - due to be replaced, and about 8,000 on the rear-still has lots of miles to go. I'll be interested to read a full review of the new T-30 when it finally is released in the US. It has been out in the rest of the world for about a year.

 
It depends more on which thread on this forum than which Generation FJR. Pick any of the existing threads already out there and pick which answer you like best.

With regards to using them on the Gen 1, well that opens up a whole new window of opportunity. Some might say that on a bike that old and outdated it only makes good sense to use the cheapest tire available. Some might even say that since the Gen 1 is probably worn out anyway, it can't stress the tires enough to make any difference. Of course, the Gen 1 guys would not agree with any of that.

Seriously though, let's turn it around. Why would you want to run the Shinko? Have you researched it? Have you read/researched tire threads on this forum? (I am guessing not since you started this thread.) Please tell us why YOU think it is a good option and why you want to use it instead of one of the tires that are endorsed by the collective wisdom of this forum.

 
My OEM BT 023F were down to the wear bars in 4,600 miles on my 2013 FJR. In the market for new tires and reading all the positive reviews on the Shinko's, thought for the price I would give them a try (Big Mistake). I bought a set of the Shinko 009 Ravens from Bike Bandit $177 shipped.

Installed easy and balanced well with about 3/4 oz front and rear. I took the bike for a ride after install and the front bars oscillated so bad, you could not let go for a second. Between 35~45 mph it was really severe.

The BT 023's worn out were still as smooth as when they were new and they had no cupping or weird wear patterns, just no tread left.

I removed the Shinko's and returned to bike bandit for credit. I replaced them with a set of Michelin Pilot Road 3's B spec from Bike Bandit $340 shipped, which balanced with only 1/4 oz front and rear. The bike is now more smooth than when new with the Bridgestone's and handles great. Not that there was an issue with the handling of the Bridgestone. They are a great tire in both dry and wet conditions.

There is a guy on U tube that posted the exact same experience on an FJR that I had and said he replaced even with a different model of Shinko with no change. He replaced with PR2's and issue solved.

I'm not saying all Shinko's are bad, but they may have a quality issue with some of their tires. After this experience, I would definitely say you get what you pay for.

With the performance of the FJR's; the demand and requirement of their tires really requires the use of a premium quality tire.

After I ordered the replacement Michelins, bike bandit is now selling the Bridgestone T30 GT Tires $221 shipped. Cost is cheaper than the BT023 GT.

I probably would have ordered the T30 GT. For only $44 dollars more for the Bridgestone's over the Shinko 009's, it's a no brainer.

If you look at the price of Shinko's newer tires 011 Verge or 010 Apex, they are almost the same price of the T30's. Why not stay with a quality tire company that makes a quality high performance tire?

 
I had 2 sets of the 009's before on my Bandit1250, they were fine. Lasted about as long as any other tire I've ran, felt as good as any other tire.

Tires than ran out quick for me were the Conti Motions....only lasted like 3,500 miles.

 
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My real world experience:

The Advance 005 on the rear stuck like glue, wet or dry. Fantastic tire as long as you have very deep pockets. Lasted about 4000 miles before I got to the cords. Tried a Shinko something-or-other on the front. Way, way to soft for the weight, created a death wobble from hell. Not just a shimmy that stopped when you grabbed the bars but a serious wobble that would kill. IMHO avoid them on the front completely. Back is ok but expect to buy many.

 
I have never understood the mentality to try and go cheap on the one and only thing that holds you to the ground -- your tires.

If I knew of a higher priced better performing tire then the PR2's I'd buy them.

 
I've had 4 sets of 009's, get around 10,000 miles a set, and either I don't push them as hard as some, or I've always gotten the good ones, as I don't feel any slippage, front or rear. Run pressures at 42, ride far enough to warm them up before I push things, and they work fine. Decent in the rain, as good as any in the snow, not the azario's I loved, but good for my style of riding.

 
Were you running really hard, > 140 km/hr?
No not really, I take things real easy when touring on the bike, except on the twisties.

The scary stuff was that on that morning my mate Bub checked our tyres, on both bikes, all were in perfect condition and pressures.

He was interested in using the Shinko's.

300 kms latter, after arriving at his place, his Misses saw the tyre as she was cleaning our bikes.(lovely lady)

We couldn't believe it, ended up cutting out a section to take back home as a souvenir.

I have a mate in Tasmania who loves the Shinko's, so I suppose it a personal choice.

I wouldn't use the 003's from now on but could be tempted to use another series.

 
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