Shinko 230 Tourmasters

[JCSkokos]

does anyone here have any experience with these tires?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/395/6187/ITEM/Shinko-230-Tour-Master-Front-Tire.aspx

($53.99)

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/395/6188/ITEM/Shinko-230-Tour-Master-Rear-Tire.aspx

($66.99)
[reviews speak of short life(7500mi), but great grip and value]

I like the 4-ply and supposed 'quiet ride' claims, but I am also nervous because I havent seen anyone on here say anything about them.

right now I am on a budget and its either these or the Bridgestone spitfires which I currently have on my back tire. The only problem I have with them is that they feel like they glide around corners that I lean into. Almost like I am biting the very edge of the tread. Then again they are at least 10 years old so they just might be hard and slippery.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6018/ITEM/Bridgestone-S11-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Blackwall-Rear-Tire.aspx

($60.99)

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6020/ITEM/Bridgestone-S11-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Blackwall-Front-Tire.aspx

($74.99)



I guess I am really asking if anyone has experience with either of these and if y'all have suggestions. Thanks for putting up with this, I am really nervous about buying new stuff and tires I dont have a whole lot of experience with. They arent really something I want to go into blindly.

[7981GS]

I put them on my '82 GS1200G as I was planning on using it more as a touring bike.
After 300+ miles of 2-up riding in some nice twisties, I am impressed so far.
It felt planted in all of the turns. Basically stock suspension also. A bit of pre-load in the front forks only.
I have had several pairs of the Spitfire's over the years also with great traction and excellent mileage.
We'll have to see if the Tourmaster's go over 8,000 miles on the rear before final judgement.




Daniel

[Steve]

I have about 1100 miles on a set on my 850G(K). So far, they feel fine.

I did not measure the depth of the tread when new, so can not track it as it goes down, but so far, they feel good.

I will be checking out how they feel two-up this next week as we put another 1000 or so miles on the bike.

.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Ten year old tires! What a death trap!

Either of those tires will be fine and new rubber will make a huge difference in the way your bike handles.

Not to get into a big tire discussion, but I've been using the Bridgestone Spitfires for years and have been happy with them. They are a good "bang for your buck" deal for all around riding. If you like scraping your pegs every day and really push the limit all the time, then you might not like these tires. But I do enjoy scraping things occasionally on GMR and other fun roads around here in between my commutes on the freeway. They work fine for me. I replace the rear at between 8000-10,000 miles and the front gets replaced with every other rear.

If you buy your tires at Cycle Rider in Montclair, corner of Holt and Central, bring in your wheels and they will mount and balance for free. You'll pay a few bucks more for the tires than the internet price but the convenience is worth it to me.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[JCSkokos]

thanks for the input guys! Currently I am still on the ropes for making a decision but I need to make one soon before the gremlins run off with my paycheck again. I am leaning more towards the bridgestones due to that I recognize the brand, but on the other hand, the Shinkos have good reviews.

2 up? is that short for tandem riding?? I am a little slow at 1 in the morning...lol


Its not that I scrape, its the occasional 'i feel like going fast and leaning' feeling and it scared me the first time I felt it 'glide'. I can get used to it and adjust since I am still pretty new to street riding.

As for the place in Montclair, I will check them out because Berts is too damn expensive for me. take the prices mss and double them, then add $10 a wheel off the bike ($55 on) and I just cant afford that right now.


Also, another question. Do I have to worry about tubes for these bikes? They are stock rims, 19"F 17"R. My current front tire says tubeless, but I cant find anything on the rear one.

[fishfarm]

does anyone here have any experience with these tires?

I like the 4-ply and supposed 'quiet ride' claims, but I am also nervous because I havent seen anyone on here say anything about them.

A search using the terms shinko tourmaster found 33 posts:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/search.php?searchid=2139345

[SVSooke]

Also, another question. Do I have to worry about tubes for these bikes? They are stock rims, 19"F 17"R. My current front tire says tubeless, but I cant find anything on the rear one.

Unless your wheels say TUBELESS on them best to go with tubes IMO.Others disagree but I will not take that chance.

[spike2112]

I put a pair on my '82 850L end of last year and have put around 2K on them. I love them. Ride great, traction is good (have not ridden in rain though), and they seem to be wearing ok. I got my from motorcycle superstore and for the price I paid for them, I would recommend them!

Spike

[BassCliff]

Hi,

My rear rim says "Tubeless Tire Applicable". It does not use an inner tube.

The front rim does not have that designation. I use an inner tube in the front tire.

Suzuki played "mix and match" to use up all of their inventory of parts to save manufacturing costs. And through the years owners may have replaced rims too. I know some have successfully run tubeless tires on non-tubeless rims. But I err to the side of caution and use a tube if the rim is not marked "tubeless".

Be sure to watch the air pressure when using an inner tube. Low pressure will cause extra heat buildup.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Souske]

I got the 230's on Nessims reccomendation. Been happy with them for the 750 miles I have put on them so far, but then again I am a noob, and likely a "putter"

[LoopGaroo]

I was just looking for a pair, and couldn't find them in stock anywhere...I ended up order the 712s

[bwringer]

I was just looking for a pair, and couldn't find them in stock anywhere...I ended up order the 712s

I've also noticed that supplies of some sizes of the Shinko 230 have started to dry up recently.

This popularity is probably a good thing in the long run, but it's kind of annoying at the moment.

[jona]

On my '83 1100e I got 7,000m on the rear and I'm at 8,500m on the front, I expect another 3-4,000m. Shinko 230. GREAT tire! Only tire I like better are Avon Venom's.

[Nessism]

Put a set on one of my bikes and liked them fine. Bike is sold now so can't give a long term report, but I'll get another set for my current bike when the time comes.

[cowboyup3371]

The local dealer here says he doesn't like selling the Avons anymore because they won't work with him if customers have problems. He stressed very hard that Dunlops and Bridgestones are probably the better tire manufacturers out there right now.