Cheng Shin tires?

[lurch12_2000]

I have a Cheng Shin Marquis front tire on my 83 GS1100G that I've put over 1k miles on and the previous owner's miles on tire is unknown.
My question is the way it wears- center part of tread seems raised over either side's tread and slightly cupped causing some wobble on turns especially highway ramps. A co worker also with the same tire on an 83 GS1100ES and seems to have the same wear pattern and same slight wobble on turns.
Are these tires from this company crap?
We both run them at 24 psi for front.
I also notice they have a lighter shipping weight(by a few pounds for same tire size as other companies!!) on the online tire stores.
Comments? They are cheaper but at a cost??

 

[BentRod]

I run CS Himax front and rear. and I have over 7.5k on them. no cupping. i run mine at 28psi and 36psi.

the main thing that you do not get with these tires is long life. I'm probably going to be replacing mine with in the next 2k.

also, the tire tread patterns are ripped off because china does not have international copy right law.

 

[8trackmind]

Plenty of people here will tell you Cheng Shin makes a great Tire. I disagree. I had the same wobble and weird wear pattern you do.
I'm not rich, but coughing up the extra $20.00 each for better tires is the only way to go.

 

[DanTheMan]

Low tire pressure also causes the tread wear pattern you're experiencing, it doesn't matter who you buy from. I run 30-32 psi in my front, I've got a Vetter fairing as well, but you've got a larger bike. The 24 psi in the manual is a little low.

 

[Steve]

I can not vouch for the Marquis line, but the Hi-Max line is pretty decent. 13,600 miles on the back of my wife's 850L and it's finally down to the wear bars. Front is not to the bars yet, but will be replaced at the same time, as it's not far behind.

I agree that 24 is a bit low, but it depends on what the tire is rated for and how much of a load you are putting on it.
For example:
If the tire is rated to carry 500 pounds at a maximum inflation pressure of 30 psi, and you are putting 300 pounds on it, 24-26 might be appropriate for the load. However, if the tire is rated to carry 500 pounds at 40 psi, you will need 34-36 to do the job. This is why the suggested pressures printed on the bike are different for average- or high-speed riding, and riding solo or two-up.

My wife is not the largest person around, but she is big enough to cast a shadow. She is not an aggressive rider and never carries a passenger. We keep the tire pressures about 26 in front and 30 in the rear, and there is no uneven wear in her tires.


.

 

[Grandpa]

Plenty of people here will tell you Cheng Shin makes a great Tire. I disagree. I had the same wobble and weird wear pattern you do.
I'm not rich, but coughing up the extra $20.00 each for better tires is the only way to go.

Total nonsense.

 

[chiphead]

I bought a pair of Cheng Shin Hi Max tires and am quite happy with them but I've only got maybe 2,000 miles on them. I specifically stayed away from the Marquis because my web research uncovered way to many negative opinions about them while a lot of good stuff was found about the Mi Max.

 

[NATEO]

I have a Cheng Shin Marquis front tire on my 83 GS1100G that I've put over 1k miles on and the previous owner's miles on tire is unknown.
My question is the way it wears- center part of tread seems raised over either side's tread and slightly cupped causing some wobble on turns especially highway ramps. A co worker also with the same tire on an 83 GS1100ES and seems to have the same wear pattern and same slight wobble on turns.
Are these tires from this company crap?
We both run them at 24 psi for front.
I also notice they have a lighter shipping weight(by a few pounds for same tire size as other companies!!) on the online tire stores.
Comments? They are cheaper but at a cost??

I have heard bad things about the Marquis, but good things about HiMaxes...

I just mounted a himax on the front of my FJ and I am doing the rear tomorrow. I have no problems if I can get 5-7k out of it...

Total nonsense.

can you elaborate a bit?

 

[8trackmind]

Total nonsense.

can you elaborate a bit?

Ah, young Nate.[-X
If it's true wisdom you want, seek the elder.
The rest of us are only a diversion from the truth. :lol:

 

[Ninja_Lancer]

Total nonsense.

Yeah, those Chinese make great tires, pet food, and safe toys. :|

 

[Guest]

Tasty!

Tasty!

Yeah, those Chinese make great tires, pet food, and safe toys. :|

Yeah, but I think as long as you don't eat the tires, you'll probably be alright.:-D

 

[Suzukfan78]

I went to the local motorcycle store and asked if they sold chens. The sales person responded "oh you mean chen slicks?" with a smirk on his face...this was a little disheartening. He said they were fine for cruisen, but definatley not a good choice for performance. When I had them on my GS1000 they seemed fine for moderate agressive riding, however I didnt push the bike hard enough to scrap anything either. I know the sales person might not have known jack...and was probably trying to sell me a more pricey tire. But for how much tires have to endure and keep that small contact patch on the road I just feel more confident now running a more expensive tire.

 

[Eli69]

i have cheng shins front and back on my gs1000e. i ride it pretty hard and the tires are holding up fairly well and they haven't slid out from under me or anything else scary. if i rode a gixxer i would buy something more expensive i guess but they're working fine on the old gs. also, i have the pressure at what it says on the tire, which i think is 42 psi.

 

[Grandpa]

I went to the local motorcycle store and asked if they sold chens. The sales person responded "oh you mean chen slicks?" with a smirk on his face...this was a little disheartening. He said they were fine for cruisen, but definatley not a good choice for performance. When I had them on my GS1000 they seemed fine for moderate agressive riding, however I didnt push the bike hard enough to scrap anything either. I know the sales person might not have known jack...and was probably trying to sell me a more pricey tire. But for how much tires have to endure and keep that small contact patch on the road I just feel more confident now running a more expensive tire.

You're right -- the sales guy does not know jack.

You people are idiots if you think that throwing more money automatically means a safer tire. Bwringer and I both ride aggressively and for long distances, and we regard the Cheng Shin HiMax as an excellent tire, and a good value for the money.

You "feel", eh? Stop feeling and go for hard evidence. Cheng Shin HiMax is more than an adequate tire for our GS bikes.

 

[Grandpa]

Yeah, but I think as long as you don't eat the tires, you'll probably be alright.:-D

Good one! :-D

 

[Dan Ruddock]

I have the high max up front but but the marquis in back because CS does not make a hi max 120/90/17 which fits best on my rims. I am thinking about converting my rear wheel to 18's like the GS1000s has. Does anybody know which wheel would make an easy swap. Then I can run 120/90/18 hi max in the rear. Dan

 

[Guest]

Skip the CS and buy a name brand. Generics are good for potato chips but not much else. In my expierience they're good if you want to put them on a bike you're selling so that you can say it has new tires, but if you want a safe ride, spend the extra $20. With tires you definately get what you pay for.

 

[8trackmind]

Does anybody know which wheel would make an easy swap. Then I can run 120/90/18 hi max in the rear. Dan

A 18" mag off of a GS750 will work fine. It's 18 x 2.15 and uses the same bearings and spacers.
It's the same part # as the one used on the 79/80 GS1000S.

You can also use a rear rim from a GS550 with rear disk brake. (again, same size, same part #) You'll need the spacers from a GS1000C (spoke rims) as well as wheel bearings if you use a 550 rim. (20X47X14) You'll also have to space the the caliper inboard about 3mm or so at the mount.
Finding the wheel spacers for a GS1000S would be ideal but alas, they are discontinued.
Here's what it looks like on the bike. (this is a 550 wheel with an 1100 swingarm on a 1978 GS1000)
If you need any help with the swap just PM me.

(note Cheng Shin tire)

 

[walt]

Tires and oil are like religion. Get as much info as you can. Buy what you feel the most comfortable with. I like either Metzler or Continental. When I got the GS this summer I was surprised at the low pressure that Suzuki calls for. On my KZ750 the pressure called for is higher and both bikes are close to the same weight. Low air pressure will kill any brand of tire. I check my tires before each ride. Last summer my son's SV650 developed a front end wobble that was caused by NOT checking his air pressure often. The cupping wasn't very deep but the SV didn't like it. I now run the tire pressure on the GS at the same as the KZ, 28F and 32R. The GS now feels more nimble cornering.
Oh, I want to add that I am going to try 27F and 30R psi as the ride feels a little harsh. I only weigh 155lbs.

 

[Ninja_Lancer]

You're right -- the sales guy does not know jack.

You people are idiots if you think that throwing more money automatically means a safer tire. Bwringer and I both ride aggressively and for long distances, and we regard the Cheng Shin HiMax as an excellent tire, and a good value for the money.

You "feel", eh? Stop feeling and go for hard evidence. Cheng Shin HiMax is more than an adequate tire for our GS bikes.

Flaming and name dropping doesn't make a third world production facility make better products. Care to let us idiots in on your "hard evidence". I'm very interested in it. Thanks for sharing in advance.