New Forum Member and Questions Regarding My "New" 83 GS850L

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I, too, have been running Shinkos for several years. My needs are different, as I needed something knobbier for the dirt/gravel forest roads that would still behave well on-road. I found the 705 to be just the thing. I recently replace a rear 700 (it's a more aggressive knobby) with the 705 again because the 700 wore fairly quickly and didn't provide much more traction for me in the dirt than the 705. I haven't used any of their street-only tires, but I haven't seen anything in the quality of the Shinkos I've bought to give me pause. And the guy I trust to mount and balance them likes them.

Yes, I can and have mounted myself. I know I can if I have to. I'd just rather not.

 

[rphillips]

I've ran several street Shinkos, with nothing neg. that has showed up. I still ride a little sporty, not aggressive. I ust'a always mount my own tires & balance with beads, but these days just easier to have it done... I've not got lazier, just older...well, maybe a bit of both.

 

[bwringer]

Ah, found it...

Here's my torture test report on the Shinko 230 from the fall of 2012. Please note that the prices given are from many years ago, but the basic idea is about the same. And Avon stopped selling tires for our machines recently as well.


Shinko 230 Torture Test - The GSResources Forums
https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/forum/technical-forums/tires-suspension-brakes/60481-shinko-230-torture-test




At that time, I put a lot more miles on my GS850G, so the more expensive but longer-lived tires made better financial sense on a cost per mile basis. Nowadays, since I ride this bike far less, I prefer to spoon on a fresh set of Shinkos every year or so rather than take longer to wear out far more expensive tires.

As I mentioned, the Avons are NLA, and since making the switch to the "Shinko a Year" plan I haven't personally tried any of the newer offerings. I have no idea if there's a similar longer lasting tire. Perhaps the Dunlop Elite, since it's available in 16" rears.

Then again, the only truly, horrifyingly defective tire I've seen in person was a brand-new Dunlop Elite that crumbled like bubblegum, prompting a complete circus of a day sourcing a replacement in rural Illinois... Still, I've worn out stacks of other Dunlops on this other bikes, so generally they're a top line brand.