TOPIC:

Spun off from a different thread elsewhere.
I have a Metzeler ME77 130/90-18 on the rear right now. A bit too big.
Not knocked out by it but I ran over a 1/4" dia 4" long lag screw a while ago and it went in and came out the sidewall of my rear Avon.

Earlier this year I got a stupid cheap deal with free shipping from Motorcycle Superstore on a pair of "dubious quality" Shinko 712s but have not installed them yet.
Anybody used those Shinko 712 tires on vintage big bore 4 cyl bikes? They seem very light weight to me compared to my Avons, Conti and Metezler tires.
Trying to get an honest 5K-6K miles of seasonal use, like I've done with almost all my other tires except the Dunlop K 81s?
I think the S 712s are only 'S' rated ...???

The Shinko Tour Master's are V rated. Harder rubber compound down the middle. Don't know about the 712's but I don't think you'll be getting 6k out of the rear tire. I'll look it up. I'm running a 130/90-18 now. It doesn't seem too big to me. What's the mileage on the ME77?
Steve

The Metzeler only has about 1k on on it.
I just went out and looked... sorry... it is an ME88 130/90-18 Metzeler on the rim now.
Don't know where the 87 came from in my mind...

I looked up the Shinko 712. They said it's H rated. made for high mileage and wet cornering traction. About $50 a pop. Hmmm. I paid $78 for my Tour Master 130/90-18. From what I saw, they only go to 120/90-18. Like to know how it lasts, the Met too.
Steve

They were on sale and I think only I paid $90.00 for the pair of Shinko 712s.
Yes H rated..... 120/90H-18 and 100/90H-19 and it included free shipping.
Which is almost half of what my Avon Phenoms cost!!
And, that is what concerns me..... seems too cheap for a decent tire.





My KZ1000 LTD, (old parts bike now) still has the second set of tires on the mag wheels!! Ha ha..

I have ran the 712s for a few years now. They are the best bang for the buck. I have never had issues with them and they have held up amazingly. Keep in mind my only reference point is the shitty dunflops that were on the bikes when I got them, and I live in Kansas so my riding is almost all straight flat roads, so I can't really comment on their canyon carving abilities. I ride everyday all conditions, but snow, I won't mess with snow. I have put well over 6k on my first set.

I have ridden 60 miles on the highway in downpours with them and can attest that they handle really well in the rain.

The wife has them on her bike. She likes them but she's not real aggressive.

I'm not too aggressive, but the bike is my main form of transportation. This is the start of my third summer on this rear. My front tire didn't survive my wreck a few weeks back.

I have had a few sets of the 712's on different bikes. they are an excellent tire for the price. IMHO like most things you are paying for a name. Apparently they are made in the same factory as Continental in Korea. I regularly scrape my pegs on my 650 and have never felt like i was at the limit of the tire. The only time i have ever felt them get squirrely was when they were cold and the road was cold, but most cold tires have something like 30% of their traction when cold, so that understandable. I have about 9,000 miles on the set on my 650 right now. they are starting to get a bit square, so ill change them soon, but they a bit of tread left.

Can't keep a rear tire on my Z1 more than 4/5000 miles That's only a guess. The one I have now is almost bald and I bought a new one. It and a new tube are waiting in the shed. This time I will note the OD (now that I have a working one) and see exactly how many miles I get. I wanted radials but it seems none are made in my sizes.
Steve

Bought a 712 120/90 by 18 rear a little over a year ago ..... probably only have 500 miles on it so can't tell you much but I like it. Measures just under 5 inches so is close to a half inch wider than the cont blitz it replaced and seems to bite good in a straight line the few times I've hammered it.

When I was looking around for tires "BlackZ1R said he had one and said it stuck like glue and KZZ1King said he really liked his also and he said he heard they bought out Yokohama and are using some of their equipment and "hopefully their formula's too" although I've never really looked it up or confirmed it.

According to their website they purchased motorcycle technology and molds from Yokohama Rubber Co., in 1998.