Shinko 777 Rear Tire Review

Maticuno · August 26, 2014, 06:27:23 PM

When I purchased my FJ, it came with some Pirelli Speed Daemons that were absolutely thrashed. Cracks and chords showing always makes for a nervous ride. Being the money scrounging bastard that I am (and having experience with Shinko tires on my '78 KZ400, I decided to give the Shinko 777 in 150/80R16 a try. I also went with the Shinko 712 for the front. Yes, I know they are "only" H rated, but I have no plans to ever take the bike anywhere near those speeds. Just like my truck is capable of 110+, but I only run Q rated tires because I will never exceed those ratings. $142.90 total for both tires shipped from Bike Bandit is a pretty good price.

I've only taken her around the block just to check my balancing job so I can't really comment on performance yet. I'll have some more input after my commute to work tomorrow.

charleygofast · August 27, 2014, 07:08:50 AM

Quote from: Maticuno on August 26, 2014, 06:27:23 PM
When I purchased my FJ, it came with some Pirelli Speed Daemons that were absolutely thrashed. Cracks and chords showing always makes for a nervous ride. Being the money scrounging bastard that I am (and having experience with Shinko tires on my '78 KZ400, I decided to give the Shinko 777 in 150/80R16 a try. I also went with the Shinko 712 for the front. Yes, I know they are "only" H rated, but I have no plans to ever take the bike anywhere near those speeds. Just like my truck is capable of 110+, but I only run Q rated tires because I will never exceed those ratings. $142.90 total for both tires shipped from Bike Bandit is a pretty good price.

I've only taken her around the block just to check my balancing job so I can't really comment on performance yet. I'll have some more input after my commute to work tomorrow.

So.....how'd they feel?

Maticuno · August 27, 2014, 10:47:34 AM

Compared to the previous tires, solid wood would have been an improvement. That being said, they are extremely smooth and quiet. While I am not a knee dragging curve ripper, I feel like I could get pretty low in the corners. I'm pretty sure I lightly scraped my center stand while making the turn off the highway this morning, which is something I've never done on this bike before, and it felt like I still had more grip to go. I also didn't realize how much of the road noise was from the spent Pirelli's until I was cruising on the Shinko's and could hear more of the bike/engine/environment than I was used to. Time will tell how long they hold up, but for the price, I can't imagine going with another brand at this point.

FJ_Hooligan · August 27, 2014, 04:56:05 PM

Compared to a badly worn tire, just about anything new will feel great. Take it easy until you see how it behaves under different (wet!) conditions.

I can't say that I've ever had a "bad" tire as far as grip and handling were concerned. I have usually stuck with the name brand tire manufacturers. But I've been all over the place as far as radial and bias and mixing the two.

The only tires that truely disappointed me were the Bridgestone BT020 (they were some kind of quick dissolving tread compound that wouldn't last hardly 4000 miles on the rear, worst of any rear tire I've used) and the Dunlop Roadsmart front tire. I couldn't get 3500 miles out of the R/S front. Never bothered to try one of their rears (probably because they didn't make one in a 150/80)

Tuneforkfreak · August 27, 2014, 08:21:19 PM

Im running the Shinko 712 on my rear and the Contimotion on my front. I was having a good time cranking it through some S turns tonight. Feels super solid. Price was right to, like $70.00 with free shipping.

Maticuno · August 29, 2014, 02:21:39 PM

Quote from: Tuneforkfreak on August 27, 2014, 08:21:19 PM
Im running the Shinko 712 on my rear and the Contimotion on my front. I was having a good time cranking it through some S turns tonight. Feels super solid. Price was right to, like $70.00 with free shipping.

What size rear? I couldn't find the 712 in 150/80R16 or I would have gone with that instead of the 777.

Tuneforkfreak · August 29, 2014, 08:36:55 PM

It's a 130/90-16

jr1349 · August 30, 2014, 05:45:36 AM

I use shinko's myself with the 17's on my xjr, very little wrong with them I've found.

if you use 17's and do a lot of touring, the 009 ravens are about the best in the range for durability, especially the front, it barely seems to wear in the centre at all.
if you do a bit more knee dragging the 011 verges are their dual compound design, but centre tyre durability on the rear is average, not great, and same for side durability for the front.

a popular track day tyre they make is the 003, sticky and cheap, used at the drags and circuits.

I've settled into using the 009 for my rear, and the 011 for my front.

I've been using shinko's exclusively for about 5 years and they are the most cost effective tyres I've used to date, but after I've finished experimenting with this set up, I'm probably going to try bridge's T30 GT radials, just to see if I'm getting the best bang for my bucks.

k

Maticuno · September 14, 2014, 10:37:18 AM

1,000 mile update:

So far I'm happy with the Shinko 777. No sign yet of developing the center flat spot wear, no appreciable air loss, and excellent cornering stability. Of course I still haven't really played through the local twisties yet, but I hope to do that soon. At this point I hope to pull about 5,000 miles out of this tire.

Maticuno · October 06, 2014, 03:03:24 PM

2,000 mile update:

Finally found my tire tread depth gauge while unpacking some boxes in my shop. Currently at 10/32" in the center. Not sure what they started with, but they really don't look to be wearing quickly at all. Maybe only the slightest hint of flattening out in the middle. I still have not had to add any air. Took a short trip on CA 138 between I15 and Silverwood Lake to test out the cornering. I was stuck behind traffic for most of the ride so I couldn't really push it, but I can tell that the tire's grip far exceeds my ability to pitch it into a corner.

charleygofast · October 11, 2014, 10:57:08 AM

The 777 is one of the best options out there for us running 16s on our FJs, Nice design and a good all around tyre, a bargin at less than $80. The local Ha.Ha.Harley shop uses these on their track bike with excellent results, so they have them in stock. One of these will be going on my bike as soon as the Avon Venom is done. Another bit of good news...The new Indian Scout is running on 16s 130/90 fr. 150/80 rear. This will open up our options in tyres for those running 16 in wheels....

Cheers! Charley

Ants73 · November 17, 2014, 05:23:42 PM

I'm due a new back tyre now & will be putting another Shinko 777 on. I've used Metzeler ME880's, Metzeler M33 Lasertec's, & the Shinko 777. Of the 3 tyres, i've got the best mileage out of the Shinko, & it's cheaper. I've had no issues grip wise & I ride in New Zealand all year round, all conditions. I certainly haven't felt less confidant with the Shinko on compared to the other more expensive options. I'll probably stick with the Lasertec's on the front. Cheers

~JM~ · November 18, 2014, 08:55:31 AM

I have an RD400 project bike who's previous owner had passed away. He pulled the top-end & sent it off for a trick rebuild & he put new Shinko tires on the bike. I don't know what model # the tires are. Shortly thereafter, he became ill & didn't make it. The RD has only been rolled around a shop with these new tires. Tread pattern looks promising. I'm going to have to learn how to read the date code. I have a feeling that these "new" tires are somewhere between 5-7 years old.

When you guys are looking online for good tire deals, check out Amazon.com. They sell just about everything now. That's where I ordered my last set of Avon RoadRiders & they were less than $100 each.

My FJ has some hard Metzelors on it that I plan to change to Avon RoadRiders for next spring.

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Shinko 777 Rear Tire Review

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