Shinko RS 112 120/80-16 front long term, low mileage update

[charleygofast]

Hi all, I know I haven't been on here much lately but hey life does take up alot of time and I've been busy with mine. So 3 years ago I put new tires on my '84. I chose Shinkos. a 150/80 16  "777" on back and a 120/80 16 RS 112 up front both tires now have about 6000 miles on them. Although they're both wearing quite nicely the front has developed alot of sidewall cracks...and I do mean alot! There are none on the rear however, and even though I ride pretty hard there is still lots of tread on both tires. I do plan on replacing the front soon. So I don't know...is the 112 a different compound or what. When I purchased the tires there wasn't a 777 offered in the front 16" size or I would have bought one . overall they are decent tires that work and handle quite well in the 16' size. I wont be buying another Shinko 112 to replace the front one however.                                                                                                                                                                                                                Take care, and ride safe!                                                                                                                                                                                                              Charley

[RPM - Robert]

Looking at our Western Power Sports tire catalog for Shinko the 777 is a hard compound cruiser bias ply tire. The new 777 series has a black reflector on the sidewall that looks to shine blue at night, the 150/80r16 is listed as a aramid belted tire. I don't see the RS or 112 listed anymore so I don't know exactly what tire that is. I see a 712 bias ply that is a nylon 4 ply. no real info on the rubber differences though. You might look at the date codes on both and see if they are different. A guy that works with my father in law bought a rear tire from the local dealership a month or so ago and the date code was from 2012.

[charleygofast]

Yup...the eyes are the first to go! The tire is a SR 712 F. I'm also running one on the front of my '79 XS1100, that one is not cracking thank god. I stand corrected! thanks Robert!                                      Charley

[charleygofast]

Sure enough the tire is dated 3011 which is 30th week of 2011! I bought these tires on line so I never even checked the mfg date assuming it was "brand new"when in fact it was allready 4 years old. Buyer beware friends. I will be calling the supplyer and from now on I wont buy on line unless I get proof of my tires mfg date first. Thanks for the tip Robert.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Cheers, Charley

[charleygofast]

The rear tire is dated Jan.  2015.