Topic: From Dunlop to Shinko....different feel with riding

[gregripko]

ok i went from some pretty flat-shaped dunlops to round shinkos on my cb550 and i noticed when the bike is moving 40+ and i go to make a turn that the tire doesnt like to turn....it likes to continue going straight....more than the dunlop....kinda weird...maybe i'm not use to getting new tires yet.... any advice?

[LesterPiglet]

How many miles on them? Tires need a break-in period.

[nccb]

ok i went from some pretty flat-shaped dunlops to round shinkos on my cb550 and i noticed when the bike is moving 40+ and i go to make a turn that the tire doesnt like to turn....it likes to continue going straight....more than the dunlop....kinda weird...maybe i'm not use to getting new tires yet.... any advice?

great

[nccb]

I say that as I just purchased a rear because my dunlop 404 is bald.  Did you abrade the surface of the tire before you went riding?

[gregripko]

3 miles? Lol my first motorcycle tire change

[gregripko]

Not familiar with abrading tires

[nccb]

er, sorry. I guess that would just help them not be slick but could be whats happening.  From what I have read, it is recommended to abrade the surface slightly with sandpaper to help get off any residual residue that helps break the rubber from the mold.  This could make your tire a little slick. . .

[Bootlegger56]

I rub mine down with acetone and a Scotchbrite pad before riding to remove the factory mold compound and other slick crap.  Seems I read to do this somewhere on the forum and have been doing it every since.  I slid a new front tire in a turn years ago because I didn't know to clean them up or break them in.  It was a scary feeling and I almost busted my butt!

[LesterPiglet]

I bed mine in with asphalt and shellgrip, I just take it easy for the first ten miles or so.

[kghost]

I bed mine in with asphalt and shellgrip, I just take it easy for the first ten miles or so.

Lol I take it easy for the first couple hundred. Then I absolutely thrash them lol.

The whole tire thing depends on so many factors and is often subjective.

Riding style, road surface, road construction, bike suspension, set up, etc.

[RFogelsong]

At the risk of starting an argument, tire manufacturers use different mold release compounds now that don't stick to the tire as bad as the old mold release compounds used to when these bikes were new.

Take it easy to get used to the new tires, but, once they're warm hit it.  Your pegs should scrape way before you run out of tire anyway.  Interesting report on the tire handling characteristics.

[gregripko]

So when I turn at higher speeds having the steering feel sorta odd is normal part of initial wear? Almost feels like the steering is fighting back in opposite direction or prefers leaning... Sorta hard to explain

[BobbyR]

OK, two things. If you are using the inflation numbers in the owners manual or fender sticker you  have an under inflated tire. The newer tires need a few lbs more as they are built differently.

The other thing is put you bike on the center stand and move the bars back and forth, if it wants to center you have worn bearings. You find yourself fighting the flat spot.

To abrade your tires just do the NASCAR shuffle on and off when you ride. It is good practice for steering around crap in the road. 

[Stev-o]

+1, check your pressures, try 35 psi.

[flybox1]

Find a gravel drive and ride.  Much more fun than rubbing down a new set of tires 

[gregripko]

Considering that the bike just started to do this when I put on tires I can eliminate bearings.... Probably just needs to be broken in I guess or new style of tires that I'm not familiar with yet

[kghost]

No you should still check those bearings for notching as bobby suggested.

It may not be normal for a new tire. Or it may be.

I don't know what Dunlop you had previous, the current Shinto may be a harder tire compound.

What you are describing sounds like front end push. Are you getting the feeling the tire wants to push or slip towards the outside of the turn?

[goldarrow]

I don't think much on breaking in new tires or sand them down for that matter. I just recently put on the shinko 712, then immediate out for a 100 mikes test ride, just to "rub" the new rubbers, then about another 350 miles or so for Godzilla relay ride with many twisties.  Tires handle great since new. I might add that  I also ride fairly aggressive on my bike. 

I would check the steering bearing.  Go with tapered if they are still balls.

[gregripko]

Yes kghost but it didn't do that with other tires... Literally two days ago

[kghost]

Well, some wear in might be required.

If its still doing that after 200 miles.....

Check the head bearings as suggested. As mentioned, the tapered bearings are worth the investment.

Another option is fork oil. Sometimes going to around 15 weight will help out.

Otherwise you may just have a hard compound tire (tyre) that doesn't suit you.

I've always run the Dunlop gt501 on my 750. I had one 750 that I tried bridgestones on and hated them. Pushed the front.

My 400 has Avon road riders and I am happy with them.

Hopefully you can get it sorted.

I've mixed and matched a bit on some bikes.

For example: my ZR 7 sports a Bridgestone BTO23 on the rear but a Dunlop sportmax on the front.

It's mixed because the Bridgestone BTO15 caused front end push as you've described.

[Retro Rocket]

I bed mine in with asphalt and shellgrip, I just take it easy for the first ten miles or so.

Lol I take it easy for the first couple hundred. Then I absolutely thrash them lol.

The whole tire thing depends on so many factors and is often subjective.

Riding style, road surface, road construction, bike suspension, set up, etc.

Half an hour on new tires and i'm going for it, as soon as they reach operating temps the wax is gone....   The new Continentals have NO release wax.....   The release wax won't make the bike feel harder to get into a corner at all, apart from the release wax, there's no such thing as breaking in a tire......  Shinko are a cheaper tire, i suppose you get what you pay for....

[kghost]

Which shinko did you buy?

Did you do any research?

[gregripko]

Shinko 712

[goldarrow]

I could use the tires on my other bikes if you're not happy with them.  Free pick up, free of charge

[andy750]

I don't think much on breaking in new tires or sand them down for that matter. I just recently put on the shinko 712, then immediate out for a 100 mikes test ride, just to "rub" the new rubbers, then about another 350 miles or so for Godzilla relay ride with many twisties.  Tires handle great since new. I might add that  I also ride fairly aggressive on my bike. 

+1. This year I have put on a new IRC rear tire on my K4 (while on a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC where cornering was hard and tight), new rear Bridgestone on my K2, new rear Metzler on my VStrom and in each case rode it normally (hard and fast) straight away with very positive results. I never scrub tires or anything like that. Put them on and go, no break-in required. I think scrubbing tires is an old wifes tale or irrelevant these days.

The tire wanting to go straight sounds like its under-inflated - I got this same feeling when I had my front tire punctures (5 in the last 15 yrs)....slow puncture with air slowly being let out and suddenly you cant corner as well and then...oh-oh...time to stop!! Or maybe the tire is way out of balance (see this with cheap Kendas).

good luck in sorting it out,
cheers
Andy