Mine was as stated above also. BTW: I'm not too disappointed that a $60 tire didn't hold up, but that I liked it so much.
So, I'm currently running the 705's and no problems. BUT with all the posts about bubbling and cracks has anyone considered the ole TKC80 remedy for cuts and punctures and simply put in a tube? I understand that even with a tube the structure of the tire is what resists the bubble effect but would this not help stem the issue? might require some additional rubber glued to the inside to help with support.
I'm guessing I put ~4k on the rear 705. No cracks, but it sure got rough feeling. I was selling the 1150 and the long distance buyer wanted me to take the bike to a dealer fo inspection. I jumped on the bike and headed north and started feeling a resonating vibrating pattern... OH Crap.. what if it's the FD. Had the bike inspected and changed the rear tire the next day. Smooth as silk on the new 705. If I still had the bike I'd run them locally, but if I was doing a trip that would exceed 4-5k miles I'd go with a Tourance rear. The front 705 looks brand new.
5k on the front. Looks good so far (all pavement running). Noisy above 80. Running 36psi minimum. Will report back in another 3k.
Only 200+/- currently, planning on a DC to Savannah GA trip in December. I was just thinking maybe packing a tube would be cheap insurance incase of a crack or bubble.
Been following this thread. I need to replace my front, or stop riding. Low on money, thinking of a Shinko 705 -- leave the Tourance on the rear for now. The recent comments sound like I may want to just put a tube in the Shinko from the start. Does this sound nuts? . . . Shinko with tube on the front and Tourance on the back?
Seems like most of the problems were with the rear tires. A bias Shinko front with a radial Tourance on the rear sounds like a good combination. I wouldn't put a tube in it, just keep a eye on it. I like the puncture safety of a tubeless tire.
I forgot to mention how on my recent trip the shinkos save me lots of $$$$ Got nabbed for 77 in a 70 in the middle of nowhere in West Texas. Had I been on speed rated tires that didn't have cracks on the tread blocks worrying me I suspect it could have been much worse Shinkos, cheap to buy, and they lower your speeding fines too!
I was thinking of posting pics of broken rubbers. That should have done it, huh? But "it wouldn't be prudent. No sir."
Thanks Paul & TBone. I will buy both tires (free shipping), but put the front on for now. Maybe throw a tube in the tools stash. I'm not an iron butt -- just like riding around here. That picture is of my dog Kongo -- all 4-1/2 adult male pounds! - John (frum 'nuthah olde pharte)
From someone who had their front Shinko suddenly and with no prior visual warnings bubble the tread blocks while I, instead, had been monitoring the separation on the rear, I'm not sure how installing a tube will prevent these problems. I guess it may be worth the experiment, betting that the separation/bubbling is caused by an internal air leak through the inside tire casing, but my advice would still be to watch the tread blocks like a hawk and not have a false sense of security that a tube is the fix-all. Good luck with whatever you do!
I have them on my 1200 GS, and really like them. like any tire with an aggressive tread, you can hear the front tire, but not the kind of howl that you get from a Metz Tourance. I have put almost 10K miles on the present set, and still have roughly 30% left on the rear (front looks just past new.) I notice they break loose on wet pavement a little earlier than the radial OEM, but seem predictable, so no problem. I love the tread design, and the price. I put a lot of miles on per year, so go through lots of tires.
Actually, the situation seemed a bit tense in this thread. I thought to insert a bit of humor to cool things off.