Shinko tires and angled valve stems

[Archie]

Folks, I have two questions today please:

1. Has anyone had any experience with Shinko motorcycle tires? I have seen them online and have read mostly positive reviews from motorcyclists across the board, including BMW owners. I like the tread pattern and they definitely are a lot less expensive than favored Avon's, Bridgestone's Continental's or Metzler's. I read that they have been made in S. Korea since 1998 after Shinko purchased the Yokohama motorcycle tire plant in Japan. A set of two tires (110/90-19 for front and 120/90-18 for rear) is going to cost me $110, with free shipping. That's not a bad price I'm sure you'll agree ...many people on line are saying don't be put off by the low price - they are NOT junk Chinese tires....

Now I know that I will be getting replies from those who swear by the tried and trusted names and who say you don't go cheap when it comes to tires, and I'm going to be warned etc. etc....

2. Question 2. I see that one can get tubes with angled valve stems, angled to 90 degrees, which means that you don't have to screw on the angled adaptor when checking tire pressures. My scooter had an angled valve stem which made checking tire pressures so much easier. Does anyone know where I can find these tubes to fit a 18 and 19 inch rim? I also found a number TR-87/C for an angled valve stem. I've searched all over and although they are shown with pictures, I can't actually locate them?

Thank you all!

[dwerbil]

Shinko tires have been around for a while and some here use them as I do. Since the long distance Dunlop 491 tires are no longer available the past few years, I've been relegated to forking out sometimes up to three hundred bucks for a stinkin' pair of tires that don't give but a few thousand miles of wear. And I, as probably others here, was getting damn sick and tired of it.
I heard of Shinko's a year or so ago along with good reports, so I bought a set. Like you, a pair goes for around a hundred bucks. Even though they have average mileage (maybe 7k rear, bit more on the front), they ride, track, and stick very well to the road. I've had a set on the RS and the /7 for the past year. And I'll be riding on them for a long time (keeping me and my wallet happy). I just wish they would last like those 491's did. I got near 17k on the last /7 rear tire.
If for some reason the Shinko's and I part company, I'll most likely go back to Metzler Marathons, IF I can find them on sale. I suppose motorcycle tires carry a much higher price due to the lower production quantities compared to auto tire prices.

[Duane Ausherman]

A tire that gets great mileage also doesn't stick. There is no way around it.

I used to ride so hard that I could wear the tread off of a Conti rear in 1000 miles. OK by me.

If a rider stays upright and doesn't need to use the brakes, then cheap and hard rubber are OK.

[khittner1]

You could have a pair of Michelin Pilot Activs for $200, and they'd be in the correct 3.25 x 19 and 4.00 x 18 sizes for your bike. Michelins seem to wear pretty well (I see little, if any, wear on my rear Pilot Activ w/5500 miles on it), stick adequately, and get consistently good reviews from riders. Nothing on a bike says to me "I have a really cheap owner, so there are probably some other sketchy bits that you can't see," quite like Chinese tires. Of course, if you can't foresee selling your bike, this may not matter.

[Major Softie]

You could have a pair of Michelin Pilot Activs for $200, and they'd be in the correct 3.25 x 19 and 4.00 x 18 sizes for your bike. Michelins seem to wear pretty well (I see little, if any, wear on my rear Pilot Activ w/5500 miles on it), stick adequately, and get consistently good reviews from riders. Nothing on a bike says to me "I have a really cheap owner, so there are probably some other sketchy bits that you can't see," quite like Chinese tires. Of course, if you can't foresee selling your bike, this may not matter.

As any Korean will tell you (in barely controlled anger) Korea is NOT China.

[chasbmw]

You could have a pair of Michelin Pilot Activs for $200, and they'd be in the correct 3.25 x 19 and 4.00 x 18 sizes for your bike. Michelins seem to wear pretty well (I see little, if any, wear on my rear Pilot Activ w/5500 miles on it), stick adequately, and get consistently good reviews from riders. Nothing on a bike says to me "I have a really cheap owner, so there are probably some other sketchy bits that you can't see," quite like Chinese tires. Of course, if you can't foresee selling your bike, this may not matter.

Apart from the Chinese bit. +1

And tyre technology has moved on a long way way since the 70s, modern rubber mixes seem to get bmuch better mileage and grip, mind you there aren't many modern bikes that make less than an airheads 50RWHP.

[SteveD]

Nothing on a bike says to me "I have a really cheap owner, so there are probably some other sketchy bits that you can't see," quite like Chinese tires. Of course, if you can't foresee selling your bike, this may not matter.

As any Korean will tell you (in barely controlled anger) Korea is NOT China.

And Yokohama wasn't even Chinese either. Way before PC was "important" Yoko bike tyres were known as Nippon NoGrips or concrete rim protectors. They were great for a trans Nullabor crossing of 4000kms, change for a new one, then turn around and ride back. Two for the price of one decent tyre. Not many corners between Melbourne and Perth though!

[Archie]

Thanks for the comments so far about different brands of motorcycle tires, including Shinko. Does anyone have any comments about where I can find tubes with angled valve stems?

Thanks guys, hope to hear back from you!

[Jean]

When you DO find tubes with angled valve stems...TELL THE WORLD.
I have seen angled stems for tubeless...not on tubes tho.

[dougie]

I have Shinko Podium's on my Honda Hawk. They stick very well.
I have about 5000km on them and I think they will be done at 7000km or a little sooner.