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What kinda tires we like here?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by jeffcoslacker, Aug 27, 2012.

  1. jeffcoslacker

    jeffcoslacker Member

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    Yes, if I had the money, I'd be riding on Metzlers or Michelins...but I don't.

    Last bike tires I bought were a pair of D404 Dunlops for the XJ650...and after I used them up, which didn't take long, a pair of Shinko 712's to replace them.

    Honestly, I liked the Shinkos better. they seemed similar to the D404s in handling and traction, but lasted a lot longer.

    I'll be putting a pair on the 750 soon.

    Only issue with them was when mounted up, the wide shouldering on the rear made for a very light contact with the driveshaft tube...I contacted the tech people for the North American distributor and was told it was not really an issue, since the rubber is over 1/2" thick at that point...which was pretty much my feeling too....and after riding a few miles, it scrubbed itself down to a zero-gap fit after losing maybe 1-2mm of rubber at that point.

    Wonder if it will be the same on the 750? Guess I'll find out. Anyone else had that issue with them?

    The 712's run about $115 for the pair, including delivery. Hard to beat...
     
    jeffcoslacker, Aug 27, 2012
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  2. maximike

    maximike Member

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    That's a deal, I paid over $90 for the rear on the 750, a Duro. So far I've put two rears and one front Duro on there, no complaints, good all around tire, doesn't get caught in "rain grooves" rides smooth and quiet, decent tread life. Not fantastic handling, but I don't have much to compare it to.
     
    maximike, Aug 27, 2012
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  3. jeffcoslacker

    jeffcoslacker Member

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    jeffcoslacker, Aug 27, 2012
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  4. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    mtnbikecrazy55, Aug 27, 2012
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  5. bkerby

    bkerby Member

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    Had the same prob with my 712 making contact with shaft tube, i helped the clearance out a little quicker with emery cloth and judicious wheel spin via my hand.
     
    bkerby, Aug 27, 2012
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  6. hotsummer

    hotsummer Member

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    Your car very cool.
     
    hotsummer, Aug 27, 2012
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  7. yamamann

    yamamann Member

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    I bought Dunlop D404F's for my XJ550 - the front is made in one country and the back made in another - the front was very difficult to balance - back was fine - perform well but not very happy with the quality control
     
    yamamann, Aug 27, 2012
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  8. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    What about a car? haha :lol:
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Aug 27, 2012
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  9. jeffcoslacker

    jeffcoslacker Member

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    My D404's tread held up good for about 2,000 miles then just disappeared like magic rapidly...don't know why. I don't think they use a dual compound.

    The Shinkos wore a lot more linear and lasted longer.
     
    jeffcoslacker, Aug 28, 2012
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  10. pbergin

    pbergin Member

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    I bought a pair of those Shinkos, and think they're fantastic. They're 712's I think, but I'm not completely sure. At any rate they're dual purpose, sport/touring tires.

    Now I just "will" the thing into turns and curves, the handling has improved that much.
     
    pbergin, Aug 28, 2012
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  11. jeffcoslacker

    jeffcoslacker Member

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    Noticed mine seemed to turn in a lot better too. Couldn't tell if it was just because I'd worn the D404 on the rear so square or what. But yeah, it was a whole different bike after the change.
     
    jeffcoslacker, Aug 28, 2012
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  12. shnuffy

    shnuffy Member

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    I have the Spitfires. Great price, good performance. Seem to be pretty popular on these bikes.
     
    shnuffy, Aug 28, 2012
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  13. Ted

    Ted Member

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    I just put on a set of Pirelli MT 66 Routes. They were $152 for the set delivered from bike bandit.com. So far I like them but this is my first bike so not a lot of experience with other tires (I did quite a bit of research before buying and these had great reviews everywhere I looked). I thought it was a good price though and love the tread pattern. Plus I haven't seen anyone else with these on and I always like to be a little different. :)

    I almost got the spitfires because I wanted something with white letters but I heard the solid centerline groove on the front is a bastard with rain grooves and we have some crazy rain grooves out here on I-29 that I take to work every day.

    http://www.bikebandit.com/pirelli-mt-66 ... cycle-tire

    [​IMG]
     
    Ted, Aug 28, 2012
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  14. redsix

    redsix Member

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    I have Dunlop D404s on mine. Love them!
     
    redsix, Sep 8, 2012
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  15. fintip

    fintip Member

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    Spitfires. I've had 404's and Kendas as well. I was happy with the 404's, the Kendas definitely felt a little iffy; I didn't feel nearly as confident to cut sharp corners as I do with the Spitfires. I almost went with Shinkos, but I had doubts about their longevity, and everyone seems to recommend spitfires heartily as top-shelf... Never seen a 'rain groove' to my knowledge, so that's not a problem for me.
     
    fintip, Sep 9, 2012
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  16. tuba6869

    tuba6869 Member

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    i personally like the shinko 777 white walls
     
    tuba6869, Sep 9, 2012
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  17. ldrider82

    ldrider82 New Member

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    Dunlop 404. I tried Bridgestone, Continental and Kenda. I get abot 9000 miles on the rear with the Dunlop, 6000 with the other brands. I do a fair amount of back road twisties and get plenty of grip but most of my riding is freeway.
     
    ldrider82, Sep 9, 2012
    #17

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