Shinko's New 180/55 Dual Sport . . . .

[KEN PHENIX]

Originally Posted by AviatorTroy

GREAT idea! Reminds me of when I was a kid and my dad and his buddies ran a sprint car, they were always going at the tires with one of those tire siping knifes.

Where did you order that tire groover?

Ebay, of course. I got the Ideal 250w gun with 2 different heads and 2 dozen blades for $90. I figure it came pretty close to paying for itself right out of the box.

[KEN PHENIX]

Originally Posted by JTucker

Interesting that grooved rear looks really similar to a scorpion trail.

Yeah, I considered the Scorpion Trail when I started this bike project but they didn't review all that well, not that I had such good luck with the D616 either. I read almost nothing bad about the 009 Raven and saving fifty bucks a copy is a good thing too.

[ducnut]

This is cool! I'm due for tires, this spring. I'm thinking I'll grow a pair and buy a groover, as I'm not happy with what's available in a 120/180.

[KEN PHENIX]

Originally Posted by ducnut

This is cool! I'm due for tires, this spring. I'm thinking I'll grow a pair and buy a groover, as I'm not happy with what's available in a 120/180.

Alright, this is the part where I get you to sign the disclaimer.

The Ideal groover comes with a #4 head. I used #6 head and blades which makes a 3/8" wide cut. It's pretty easy to follow the Shinko Raven's angular tread lines - just don't cut deeper than the existing grooves. I thought about cutting a groove to zig zag down the middle but I decided I didn't want to compromise the tire's upright highway wear.

[KEN PHENIX]

Once I finished hacking on the Shinko Raven rear, I realized how much it resembles the Avon Distanzia which is available in 120/70/17 to fit the front of your 1050. I may do that next time too however, the Raven front is way cheap.

Distanzia Front:


Grooved Shinko Rear:


Grooved Shinko Front:

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

Alright, this is the part where I get you to sign the disclaimer.

The Ideal groover comes with a #4 head. I used #6 head and blades which makes a 3/8" wide cut. It's pretty easy to follow the Shinko Raven's angular tread lines - just don't cut deeper than the existing grooves. I thought about cutting a groove to zig zag down the middle but I decided I didn't want to compromise the tire's upright highway wear.

Yeah, I used to help out a flattracker. He was always cutting.

I mostly ride pavement, but, the issue is when I take off down dirt roads and double-track.

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

Once I finished hacking on the Shinko Raven rear, I realized how much it resembles the Avon Distanzia which is available in 120/70/17 to fit the front of your 1050. I may do that next time too however, the Raven front is way cheap.

I've seen a 1050 with the Distanzia front and rear. The guy used a 160/60, which is nearly the same diameter as the 180/55. I'm a little concerned about rolling off the edge of a 160 on a 5.5" rim, on asphalt. IDK, just speculating.

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

Grooved Shinko Front:

I was looking at some of their other offerings, for the front. I don't like any front tire with a circumferential groove down the center, as they seem to track grooves in the pavement.

[ProZac235]

Good job. Interesting to find out how long they last.

[KEN PHENIX]

Originally Posted by ducnut

I mostly ride pavement, but, the issue is when I take off down dirt roads and double-track.

Yeah, same here.

Originally Posted by ducnut

I've seen a 1050 with the Distanzia front and rear. The guy used a 160/60, which is nearly the same diameter as the 180/55. I'm a little concerned about rolling off the edge of a 160 on a 5.5" rim, on asphalt. IDK, just speculating.

My 919 has a 6" wide rear wheel so a thinner tire was out of the question for me.

Originally Posted by ducnut

I was looking at some of their other offerings, for the front. I don't like any front tire with a circumferential groove down the center, as they seem to track grooves in the pavement.

I haven't noticed the Raven grabbing the pavement grooves any more than any other tire I've used - maybe even less.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

My 919 has a 6" wide rear wheel so a thinner tire was out of the question for me.

For sure, even more limiting.

Another thought with using a 160 on my bike is that it'll float less in deeper gravel. I tried to ride the TWAT and the 180 just skated all over the place. I had to use plenty of throttle, on many uphills. Of course, if the TKC had been available, I would've been running 'em.

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

I haven't noticed the Raven grabbing the pavement grooves any more than any other tire I've used - maybe even less.

Hmm. I'm pretty sure I'll try a set of these. Though, I was looking at the 005 Advance and wondering what I could do with that tread pattern. It looks like it'd take even less effort to make it dirtier.

I have a tire machine and balancer and do sell tires out of my home shop. I've only had one guy want Shinkos and he chose the 011 Verge. I don't value his feedback, as he rides mostly around town and fears any kind of speed or adventure.

[KEN PHENIX]

Originally Posted by ducnut

Hmm. I'm pretty sure I'll try a set of these. Though, I was looking at the 005 Advance and wondering what I could do with that tread pattern. It looks like it'd take even less effort to make it dirtier.

I'm feelin' it brother.

[ducnut]

I'll keep you posted.

[Ramseybella]

Originally Posted by KEN PHENIX

I'm feelin' it brother.

Been using the Ravens for two years, I will never pay for high end Dual compound tires.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Ramseybella

I will never pay for high end Dual compound tires.

I'm getting there, too.

I get all my tires through a distributor, because I sell/install quite a few sets. Even so, the Aisian-made stuff is still a lot less money. However, the Malaysia-made Conti Motion clearly don't have the tread depth of big name tires. I'll be lucky to get 5K miles out of the set on my 1050. The rear has crazy uneven wear, despite running 42psi. The front is evenly wearing, but, nearly shot. If I'm remembering correctly, the 011 Verge set I installed had much deeper tread, which is why I was seriously looking at the Shinkos.

[KEN PHENIX]

UPDATE

I have around 1,600 miles on the groove job. I pulled the rear wheel yesterday for new chain & sprockets. Upon close visual inspection of the tire, I find no bad news whatsoever to report.

[ducnut]

Is the front holding out, as well?