Topic: Tires. I hate the word cheap but

[davidtime]

I at least need to get a set of rubbers for my 550 that is fairly cheap until I can get some better ones. Can any one give me an idea on these. Also what size do I need?

Anyone got a decent used set that can tide me over?

5.10 85 H18
MJ90 19

[Untold]

Bridgestone Spitfire

[Bankerdanny]

I got the tires for my 550 from an eBay seller, Tirescheap: http://myworld.ebay.com/tirescheap&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID&_trksid=p3984.m1543.l2533

His prices are as good as any I've found, he shipped quick and shipping is included.

I installed a Kenda 657 from him on the back (the front was a discontinued Conti that I got a really good price on elsewhere). Right now he has one for $71.11, shipping included. I put 5k miles on it in 4 months, it held up really well and performed well in all weather conditions including some heavy rain.

I ran Avon Roadriders on 2 previous bikes and really liked them. But they cost double what the Kendas go for and I don't think they offer double the performance or any measurable improvement in safety. If I were going to spend a lot on tires it might be for the new Conti radials designed for old bikes like ours.

[flybox1]

Shinko under $70
I have a set on my 750.  came with the bike. 
always thought they were a poorer quality tire because of their price.
the guys at my local shop love them and have them on many of their sport bikes.
decided to ride on them until i need new. Nice tire, firm grip.  no need to jump back to avon's right away.

[Dave Voss]

Dunlop D404's, they handle well, look nice, and are affordable, I recently bought a set retail for about $180, about the same as online pricing.  I have a 500 miles on these tires so far, and they are great, much stickier in turns than I was expecting, very confident in the twisties.  I choose a 100/90-19 front and a 120/90-18 rear.

[derelicte]

Front and rear spitfires were about 200 shipped for my 750. Got them from bikebandit.com and came with a free cover 

[wvshooter]

Dunlop D404's, they handle well, look nice, and are affordable,

I use these on my Kawasaki Concours. Nice tires.

[chewbacca5000]

I'd check out shinko 712 I got a set delivered for less than $100 bucks!  They have good reviews and ship quick.  They are on sale now at discount.  I may get a second set just for the price.  They are about half the price of splitfires.  For a bike that you are unsure about keeping or occasional usage I don't think you can beat these.  They appear to be good enough quality.

[flybox1]

I'd check out shinko 712 I got a set delivered for less than $100 bucks!  They have good reviews and ship quick.  They are on sale now at discount.  I may get a second set just for the price.  They are about half the price of splitfires.  For a bike that you are unsure about keeping or occasional usage I don't think you can beat these.  They appear to be good enough quality.

I have the 712's.  $100 bucks is a steal.

[eprovenzano]

I have a set on Shinko's on my Vstar 1100.  They really are a very good tire.  They wife even noticed the ride was smoother then the OEM Dunlop's. They seem to be wearing well, and really stick to the road, in all conditions.   I liked so much I put a set on my son's 82 Honda 750 Magna.  An when my daughters boyfriend needs tires for his CB 550, I will recommend Shinko's.

[davidtime]

Shinko 712. Now that's a killer deal.

What are the best sizes for a 78 550?

[Bankerdanny]

I run 100/90-19 on the front and 110/90-18 on the rear.

[goldarrow]

I have shinko 712 also,  less than 100 bucks for the pair.  then spent another 80 to have them mounted on my lesters, bead balance, valve stems.  ride great.  the shop didn't like the tires, said they were cheap quality.  but I like them cheap

http://www.shadetreepowersports.com/-a/264.html?q=shinko+712

[zzpete]

I had shinkos on a couple of bikes and they worked fine. They purchased the molds from Yokahama.
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/about.php

[ncstatecamp]

as funny as it sounds, always check amazon. So far they have always been less expensive then everywhere else, on almost everything

[goldarrow]

I had shinkos on a couple of bikes and they worked fine. They purchased the molds from Yokahama.
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/about.php

Compounds in the rubbers that matter

[chewbacca5000]

I had shinkos on a couple of bikes and they worked fine. They purchased the molds from Yokahama.
http://www.shinkotireusa.com/about.php

Thanks for the link and the education.  These are made in Korea.  I always thought they were made in China.  They made the motorcycle tire in Korea and bicycle tires in China.

[shinyribs]

I have to ditto on the 712's. I'm on my third rear and my second front right now. Love 'em! They'll do anything the bike will as far as cornering. I've had a couple times where the rear drifted out on me while cornering hard(once,loose gravel and another,grass clippings ) both times the 712 predictably gripped back to the pavement. They do well in the rain,too. Probably not the best tire for mileage,though. Personally,I get about 4k miles out of a rear (at best) and the fronts last me about 10k. The front will follow a groove or tar snake some,but not at all terrible. Best tire I ever had for NOT following grooves was an Avon Speedmaster. Sucked in the rain,though IMO.

I won't run another tire until they quit making these. <- I dread the day

[Bodi]

I suppose if you feel faster then expensive tires are worth it for you. These ancient bikes don't need modern sportbike tires made to handle 150hp. You can truthfully say it's the rubber that makes the difference between average and excellent tires, but the rubber in a "cheap" Shinko tire will be several times better than the best available in the 70's.

[chewbacca5000]

I suppose if you feel faster then expensive tires are worth it for you. These ancient bikes don't need modern sportbike tires made to handle 150hp. You can truthfully say it's the rubber that makes the difference between average and excellent tires, but the rubber in a "cheap" Shinko tire will be several times better than the best available in the 70's.

And much better than a rock hard tire from the 70s.  That was my thought process and from what I am hearing it should work out well.

[davidtime]

I think it's pretty much unanimous. That's awesome because just looking around I never saw these pop up but now that I have the name of them everywhere sells them. I wouldn't advertise them either I guess if I sold tires.

[Sixgunsrattlesnake]

if you are still looking, I have a set of
 NEW DURO FRONT AND REAR TIRES
3.50-19 + 4.00-18
Part# 97-012 & 97-143

Brand new still in box, I just didn't use them... Paid $120 plus $27 shipping.
I'd take less for them if you wanted them

[Stev-o]

+1 Shinko if you're on a budget or selling.    Otherwise, I prefer Bridgestone, Avon or Dunlop.

[crazypj]

I at least need to get a set of rubbers for my 550 that is fairly cheap until I can get some better ones. Can any one give me an idea on these. Also what size do I need?

Anyone got a decent used set that can tide me over?

5.10 85 H18
MJ90 19

What rim do you have to use a 5.10 tyre?
Stock is 3.75, 4.00/4.10 is pushing it on stock rims (110x18)

[davidtime]

I at least need to get a set of rubbers for my 550 that is fairly cheap until I can get some better ones. Can any one give me an idea on these. Also what size do I need?

Anyone got a decent used set that can tide me over?

5.10 85 H18
MJ90 19

What rim do you have to use a 5.10 tyre?
Stock is 3.75, 4.00/4.10 is pushing it on stock rims (110x18)

As far as I know it is a stock rim for a 78k. It says 1.85x18

The tire looks really big its actually a bit ugly.