Topic: Lets see your SOHC bike out on the road!

[ofreen]

A nice ride on the good 'ol 750F today. 








The old Mora schoolhouse -


Less than 5000 miles on this Metzeler ME77 and it has about had it with the wear bar barely below the tread.  They are no better than they were 30 years ago.  They should have #$%*-canned this tire 12 years ago instead of the ME88, which would go three times the distance the Me77 will.


Meta is building this blight on the desert near Kuna, a huge data/AI center -

[PeWe]

Greg, my experience of ME77 is also bad. I did not use it before. I liked the ME99 back in the 80's.

My K2 used an ME77 4.0-18 rear last year, beginning of this year. Worst tire ever.
Really short life, 3831km. I got a bad reat brake slip when it was new. I cannot remind myself of any other tire slipping that easily on a dry asphalt road before.

The ME77 center grove were gone on 1/3 of  the tire, it was 2.5mm deep as most on other side. Tire had no runout causing bump/wobble so the tire itself must have had uneven thread depth.

I'm sure Michelin Classic Road 4.0-18 is a much better tire. The bike got it in June.
My K6 has used Michelin Classic Road 130/80-18 on 3" wide rim. First tire last year, 8500km.
The tire on now will make another 1000km or more, have done just over 8500km so far. Handling still OK despite a little flattened.

[ofreen]

Greg, my experience of ME77 is also bad. I did not use it before. I liked the ME99 back in the 80's.

I had the ME99 on a '82 CB900F that went only 5000 miles (and that was tubeless), so I took a dim view of those too.  I bought the ME77 with some misgivings because of past experience, but it was the only one I could find available in the right size due to the supply chain nonsense that was going on at the time. 

[RAFster122s]

Greg, F is looking good and interesting photos as always...

[PeWe]

Greg, my experience of ME77 is also bad. I did not use it before. I liked the ME99 back in the 80's.

I had the ME99 on a '82 CB900F that went only 5000 miles (and that was tubeless), so I took a dim view of those too.  I bought the ME77 with some misgivings because of past experience, but it was the only one I could find available in the right size due to the supply chain nonsense that was going on at the time.

My ME99 rear tires lasted around 8000km, (5000 miles) not bad for me. Have never had a longer lasting tire except the Michelin my bikes have today.
Speed marking H max 210kmh.

But I think it was a sport version with softer rubber that ended before 5000km. I remember a biker friend complaining about it.

Continental K112 had a very bad scary  handling. Kept the grip rather well, then suddenly lost it very abruptly.

Avon Roadrunner lost the grip earlier in a controlled sliding style. Too bad grip.
ME99 had a grip that matched my CB750, nice smooth loss of grip in a controlled way when asking for it

[ofreen]

Greg, F is looking good and interesting photos as always...

Thanks David, the bike does better than I do passing the 20 foot test.

[/quote]

My ME99 rear tires lasted around 8000km, (5000 miles) not bad for me. Have never had a longer lasting tire except the Michelin my bikes have today.

That is why I still cry about the loss of the ME88 Marathon.  I never got less than 15,000 miles out of one, and that was with running tubes.  Traction was sufficient to completely grind away the peg feelers, grind on the exhaust and put a hole in the original left side case.  They were great in the wet, and surprisingly good in snow.  They didn't cost any more than lesser tires, which is probably what led to their demise.  Why make a tire that out performs your other products by 3 to 1?  You will sell fewer tires.

[Kevin D]

Greg, F is looking good and interesting photos as always...

Thanks David, the bike does better than I do passing the 20 foot test.

Greg, you have a 167000 times the patina there, compared to a new model, and a story to tell with every mark. That’s worth plenty.

[Stev-o]

Rolled my K4 out the garage the other day, it's been about a month since I rode this one.  It started up nicely, let it warm up and notice the petcock leaking [it was not leaking in the off position].  Damn ethanol!
Went ahead with my ride hoping the leak would stop. After about 20 min, pulled over to check it and sure enough it was still leaking, but not pouring out.  At that point I thought I should get it back home...



Fairly certain it is the rubber gasket behind the lever, an easy enough fix if I can find the part?!!

[bryanj]

16955268020

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

[newday777]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

I look down on them ater seeing multiple failed stinks, cracked between the treads, early wear out etc.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

I look down on them ater seeing multiple failed stinks, cracked between the treads, early wear out etc.

That’s interesting Stu, I wonder if it has something to do with the weather differences between the US and Oz? I probably have had 5 sets of Stinko’s on various bikes over the last 5 years or so, and have never had an issue with any of them. I rarely see any tyres with cracking here, the tyres on the KZ750 may be around 30 years old or more and when Spotty and I had a look at them last weekend there was no cracking evident.

We get hot weather here of course but no snow (apart from up in the hills, a long way from here) but I’ve got a really old Stinko on the back of my silver BMW and it still looks like new and I’ve ridden it for over 100 miles without any issues. (The tyre, not the bike, it’s still got some issues) I see pics here and on FB of seriously cracked tyres in the US, but I rarely see them here, apart from bikes and cars that have been parked outside for many years. I’ll keep using Stinko’s, but we should all use whatever we’re comfortable with.

[newday777]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

I look down on them ater seeing multiple failed stinks, cracked between the treads, early wear out etc.

That’s interesting Stu, I wonder if it has something to do with the weather differences between the US and Oz? I probably have had 5 sets of Stinko’s on various bikes over the last 5 years or so, and have never had an issue with any of them. I rarely see any tyres with cracking here, the tyres on the KZ750 may be around 30 years old or more and when Spotty and I had a look at them last weekend there was no cracking evident.

We get hot weather here of course but no snow (apart from up in the hills, a long way from here) but I’ve got a really old Stinko on the back of my silver BMW and it still looks like new and I’ve ridden it for over 100 miles without any issues. (The tyre, not the bike, it’s still got some issues) I see pics here and on FB of seriously cracked tyres in the US, but I rarely see them here, apart from bikes and cars that have been parked outside for many years. I’ll keep using Stinko’s, but we should all use whatever we’re comfortable with.

They were in San Diego with no snow either, hot summers in the 90° to 105°F.

[grcamna2]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

I look down on them ater seeing multiple failed stinks, cracked between the treads, early wear out etc.

That’s interesting Stu, I wonder if it has something to do with the weather differences between the US and Oz? I probably have had 5 sets of Stinko’s on various bikes over the last 5 years or so, and have never had an issue with any of them. I rarely see any tyres with cracking here, the tyres on the KZ750 may be around 30 years old or more and when Spotty and I had a look at them last weekend there was no cracking evident.

We get hot weather here of course but no snow (apart from up in the hills, a long way from here) but I’ve got a really old Stinko on the back of my silver BMW and it still looks like new and I’ve ridden it for over 100 miles without any issues. (The tyre, not the bike, it’s still got some issues) I see pics here and on FB of seriously cracked tyres in the US, but I rarely see them here, apart from bikes and cars that have been parked outside for many years. I’ll keep using Stinko’s, but we should all use whatever we’re comfortable with.

Terry,do you only use the Shinko 712 models,or have you run other models Shinko tires ?

[RAFster122s]

I'm running Shinko 705 on front of my Vstrom with Dunlop Mission trail on rear. Rear Mission trail should do 8k or more and will need about 3 front shinkos to equal that wear expectation from what others on adventure tire boards are telling me. The Mission & 705 are both big block almost knobby adventure tires and are a mixed off road on road 30/70 or 50/50 tire. Both do really well on pavement but are noisy. The Shonko isn't as good as a Mission front but I didn't have 180 for a front when I needed it, now same tire is about $209, nuts!
But they are like protective gear for a motorcycle, your tires make the difference between a good day and a bad day.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, I’m not a fan of Metzlers, the BMW guys swore by them but I swore at them. The Stinko’s on my K0 are great, I’ve done over 3000 miles on them so far and they’re still like new. A lot of guys look down on them because they’re made in Korea, but the Dunlop on the front of my KZ750 are made in Indonesia, so I think it’s just tyre snobbery.

I look down on them ater seeing multiple failed stinks, cracked between the treads, early wear out etc.

That’s interesting Stu, I wonder if it has something to do with the weather differences between the US and Oz? I probably have had 5 sets of Stinko’s on various bikes over the last 5 years or so, and have never had an issue with any of them. I rarely see any tyres with cracking here, the tyres on the KZ750 may be around 30 years old or more and when Spotty and I had a look at them last weekend there was no cracking evident.

We get hot weather here of course but no snow (apart from up in the hills, a long way from here) but I’ve got a really old Stinko on the back of my silver BMW and it still looks like new and I’ve ridden it for over 100 miles without any issues. (The tyre, not the bike, it’s still got some issues) I see pics here and on FB of seriously cracked tyres in the US, but I rarely see them here, apart from bikes and cars that have been parked outside for many years. I’ll keep using Stinko’s, but we should all use whatever we’re comfortable with.

Terry,do you only use the Shinko 712 models,or have you run other models Shinko tires ?

712's on my K0 and Kawasaki Z1B Bill, I had their "touring" tyres on my K2, and 712's again on my F2. Just dropped my wheels with 30+ year old Dunlop tyres off at the shop, and they'll have 712's and new tubes fitted when I pick them up tomorrow. Any new tyre is better than an old "Quality" tyre.

[PeWe]

I searched Stinko here. The model(s) found were not low priced.

I also looked for Metzeler ME88 alternatives. Neither 880 nor 888 have CB750 sizes as 4.0-18, 120/90-18, 130/80-18.
For modern cruisers with fat rear.

Front wheel possible. 100/90-19.
Best tire I have used so far is the Michelin Road Classic. Min 8000km on rear.  Better priced than most of the others.

A stock bike and a slow cruising rider must reach 10.000km.

All the other tires I have tested on my CB750 are bad before 5000km. Except for the now very expensive Metzeler Roadtec 01 size 4.0-18 that lasted 6500km. 120/90-18 a little less but best oversized tire on narrow 2.15 rim.

Roadtec front a catastrophe, scalloped before 10.000 km, horrible in higher speeds.

[seanbarney41]

My experience with the Stinko's...not a safe option for those in cooler climates.  The 712 seems to be made from a quite hard  compound.  That is why they last so long.  Unfortunately, that is also why I experienced lots of scary loss of grip moments, at air temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit they are fairly stubborn to get warm enough to grip.  Hot weather?  they are fine.  If you want to use 'em, try lowering your air pressure.  I have honestly ridden on 35 year old Continentals (and a few others) that performed better and more predictably than the 712's...yup the 712's lasted 9k+ miles, but that was one tire I wanted to hurry up and wear out so I could justify the cost of something better.

[PeWe]

If a tire has bad grip you'll  ride slower and it will last longer
A bad tire can cause high cost when grip is lost....

[ofreen]

The Metzeler Lazertec front (formerly ME33) is still a great tire. It needs 36-38 PSI to work right. People I heard being dissatisfied with them ran pressures more suitable for 1970s tires.

[Terry in Australia]

Well I like to live on the edge, so I picked up my new Stinko's at lunchtime, and we'll put the wheels back on the Kawasaki KZ750 in the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to my first long ride on the big twin, all going well I won't explode in a ball of flames due to putting Stinko's on it.......

Stinko tyres 15 November 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[grcamna2]

Well I like to live on the edge, so I picked up my new Stinko's at lunchtime, and we'll put the wheels back on the Kawasaki KZ750 in the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to my first long ride on the big twin, all going well I won't explode in a ball of flames due to putting Stinko's on it.......

Stinko tyres 15 November 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Those 712 also ?

[Terry in Australia]

Well I like to live on the edge, so I picked up my new Stinko's at lunchtime, and we'll put the wheels back on the Kawasaki KZ750 in the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to my first long ride on the big twin, all going well I won't explode in a ball of flames due to putting Stinko's on it.......

Stinko tyres 15 November 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Those 712 also ?

Yes Bill, 712’s. $300 (AUD, less than $200 USD) for the pair, with fitting and balancing, new Michelin tubes, and disposal of the old Dunlops. Just checked through my pics for the K0 build in 2020 and realised that I’ve now done 4000 miles on the Stinko’s, and they still look and feel like new. Great tyres.

[grcamna2]

Well I like to live on the edge, so I picked up my new Stinko's at lunchtime, and we'll put the wheels back on the Kawasaki KZ750 in the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to my first long ride on the big twin, all going well I won't explode in a ball of flames due to putting Stinko's on it.......

Stinko tyres 15 November 2024 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Those 712 also ?

Yes Bill, 712’s. $300 (AUD, less than $200 USD) for the pair, with fitting and balancing, new Michelin tubes, and disposal of the old Dunlops. Just checked through my pics for the K0 build in 2020 and realised that I’ve now done 4000 miles on the Stinko’s, and they still look and feel like new. Great tyres.

I like the 712's myself.