unstable rear after new tire installed

[bstig60]

I installed a new Shinko SE 890 Journey on the rear of my 1800 to replace a well worn Avon Cobra Tire, I still have the Avon on the front that still has a few thousand miles left on it. I intend to replace the front with the matching Shinko in the spring. I currently have about 2000 miles on the new rear tire. I use beads to balance both tires, the rear has a squirrely feel to it at speeds above 70 or so. I did use a spare rear wheel, but it is torqued correctly and seems to run true. But I feel like I am fighting the bike at speed. Before replacing the tire, the bike was smooth as silk. Looking for some thoughts as to what the problem might be.

[keithg64]

My first guess would be bad belts and I don't believe there is a way to tell buy just looking at it.

[Snowmoer]

You now have experience why quite a few people call them "Stink-O" tires. You get what you pay for. Some have good luck with them, quite a few do not. Agree with Keith, probably a bad belt. Had the same thing happen with the first generation of the Avon Cobra.

[Wingsconsin]

I installed a new Shinko SE 890 Journey on the rear of my 1800 to replace a well worn Avon Cobra Tire, I still have the Avon on the front that still has a few thousand miles left on it. I intend to replace the front with the matching Shinko in the spring. I currently have about 2000 miles on the new rear tire. I use beads to balance both tires, the rear has a squirrely feel to it at speeds above 70 or so. I did use a spare rear wheel, but it is torqued correctly and seems to run true. But I feel like I am fighting the bike at speed. Before replacing the tire, the bike was smooth as silk. Looking for some thoughts as to what the problem might be.

Your question contains the answer - I have several friends who have abandoned Shinkos due to poor quality control - I suggest you buy another Avon or even a Bridgestone before Shinko .

[bstig60]

I have received a return authorization from Dennis Kirk and am shipping the Shinko back to them at their expense as soon as the new Avon AV92 that I ordered gets here. Thanks for the advice, no more Shinko's for me.

[cihilb]

I had the Shinkos on my 2012. I actually got them free at Americade for second place in the poker run. I had the same problem. Plus pulling out on wet roads the tire slipped a lot. Also the front tire wandered a lot. I had them on for one year and then trashed them. Worst tires I have ever used.

[bstig60]

I replaced it with an Avon AV92 and sent the Shinko back to Dennis Kirk for credit, hopefully. I haven't had a chance to ride the bike yet with the new tire installed, but hopefully tomorrow if the weather cooperates. I will post the results after the ride.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Many 5th gen GL1800 riders do not like the Shinko ... at all !!! The only ones that I know who do, ride the Gap faster on a 5th gen GL1800 than almost all other. To tell if you'd like a Shinko answer this. On a 5th gen Wing, is your riding style so aggressive that you only get 1,500 out of a set of tires ??? If so, you'll probably appreciate the handling characteristics of a Shinko on the rear, and a Bridgestone G709 on the front. That setup is fastest at the Gap. When your tires are ready to be replaced, the edges will be well worn with the center tread looking new.

[Wingsconsin]

Many 5th gen GL1800 riders do not like the Shinko ... at all !!! The only ones that I know who do, ride the Gap faster on a 5th gen GL1800 than almost all other. To tell if you'd like a Shinko answer this. On a 5th gen Wing, is your riding style so aggressive that you only get 1,500 out of a set of tires ??? If so, you'll probably appreciate the handling characteristics of a Shinko on the rear, and a Bridgestone G709 on the front. That setup is fastest at the Gap. When your tires are ready to be replaced, the edges will be well worn with the center tread looking new.

So IF your riding style isn't Deals Gap edge rider - More sweeper and highway guy with moderate lean angles ---?
THEN you best tire combo might be.... ?

[GoldWingrGreg]

So IF your riding style isn't Deals Gap edge rider - More sweeper and highway guy with moderate lean angles ---?
THEN you best tire combo might be.... ?

For me, I definitely prefer the Bridgestone 709 and 704. They were Honda's OEM tire and trust them far more on wet pavement.

Currently I'm running Dunlops E4. They're about $100 more per set, and I'm expecting to get 2,000 more miles out of them. I only got these because the day I needed them, it was all the Honda dealer had. Although they are somewhat a good rain tire, I don't trust them like the Bridgestones. For me the only advantage to them is that the Dunlops can carry about 70 more lbs. So if you're pulling a trailer, or your total payload is over 405 lbs, you might consider them.

[Wingsconsin]

So IF your riding style isn't Deals Gap edge rider - More sweeper and highway guy with moderate lean angles ---?
THEN you best tire combo might be.... ?

For me, I definitely prefer the Bridgestone 709 and 704. They were Honda's OEM tire and trust them far more on wet pavement.

Currently I'm running Dunlops E4. They're about $100 more per set, and I'm expecting to get 2,000 more miles out of them. I only got these because the day I needed them, it was all the Honda dealer had. Although they are somewhat a good rain tire, I don't trust them like the Bridgestones. For me the only advantage to them is that the Dunlops can carry about 70 more lbs. So if you're pulling a trailer, or your total payload is over 405 lbs, you might consider them.

I too run the Bridgestone 704/709 combo. They work fine for me wet or dry.
I tried Avon Cobras and they worked too - until they cupped at 11K - but I ran them to 15K anyway -
I have Centramatics and MonoTubes so my tires are not abused by imbalance or poor suspension
Typically I can go about 10K on the B/S sets which is usually 1 year riding for me - Owning 2 sets of rims I always have a fresh set ready to go
so when they look dicey -- I change them -- cheap enough to toss a few 1000 miles in order to get that new rubber feeling
My son ran the E4s for a season and really liked them too- he is a bit more aggressive than I am -
Shinko's --HARD PASS NO for me -
Too many good choices

[bstig60]

As stated, I replaced the Shinko with an Avon Cobra AV92 80H and took it for a 130-mile ride today. The bike is back to its smooth-riding self, so the problem was definitely the tire. I have an Avon Cobra AV71 on the front with about 15000 miles on it and there it has another 3000 or so miles left on it before it gets down to the wear marks, so I will replace it with an AV91 this spring.

[BIGBopper1956]

Thank you for all the info and the old adage is true, you get what you pay for. I run a car tire on the rear (currently a run flat) but needed a "motorcycle specific" tire to complete the advanced rider course I took two weeks ago. Due to the California Libtards response to the virus I had to ride to Phoenix (260 miles) to take the course. So I bought a Shinko 890, and put some miles on it here locally with a little highway miles added in and as stated by others had that wobbly rear effect when reaching 70-75 mph. The thought of riding to Phoenix was not pleasant but at this point I had no choice, so 65-70 mph became my friend. The class went well and the next day so did 65-70 again. It is not a feeling I would ever want to experience again and the Shinko is coming off in exchange for the ever faithful Run Flat that rides and handles like a dream. Will contact the shop I purchased it from and see about a refund, but if I don't receive it, I will add the cost of the tire to my continuing tuition expense from the school of hard knocks!

[bstig60]

Dennis Kirk refunded the total price of my tire and paid shipping to send it back. Since my last post, I did a 325 mile trip on the new Avon and all is well. No more Shinko's for me.

[japbikejerry]

I would like to inform everybody about any tire that they put on or have put on their bikes has a coating on them. The coating is very slippery- it is to prevent dry rotting. You need to take a rag with brake cleaner and wipe the tire down. You will notice a difference immediately. Please people wipe the tires down before your first ride- I know a few people that have gone down because of this

[WingAdmin]

I would like to inform everybody about any tire that they put on or have put on their bikes has a coating on them. The coating is very slippery- it is to prevent dry rotting. You need to take a rag with brake cleaner and wipe the tire down. You will notice a difference immediately. Please people wipe the tires down before your first ride- I know a few people that have gone down because of this

I will typically ride VERY gently on new tires for the first 30-40 miles or so, to ensure that coating is completely gone.

[Wildwilly018]

I would never ride Shinko's. Heard to many stories about them and now I have read more nightmare posts here. Dunlops for me. I did yrs ago run Bridgestone spitfires and they were great tires also. A buddy of mine put on shinko's a couple or so yrs ago and on his way down our major highway (401) here in Canada coming home from a rally. And pushing it a bit hard, got a death wobble in the front and went down. Totaled his 2000 SE and damaged his hand so bad he won't ride again. Tire failed.

[BIGBopper1956]

Thank you for the info. Guy once told me good tires/new tires is the best motorcycle insurance you can buy. Just put my Dunlop Run Flat back on and looking forward to many great rides. Best car tire I have ever ridden. Thanks again