Best Dual Sport Tires to Replace OEM Knobby Tires

[Sullybiker]

Imgur.com for hosting, folks. It's free and very easy to use.

[2LZ]

I used to run the Kenda 761 dual sports (much like the Shinko 705) and they were awesome on the street....but really sucked on gravel roads or worse.

I switched to the Shinko 700's recently and they seem to be a good compromise. Not quite as huggy on the pavement as the far-more-street Kenda but definitely good enough. They're superior on gravel over the street tires.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by Wancsta

Just got my Shinko 705' on the other day wife loves them. Excellent on the street but definitely an 80/20 tire. The sizes I went with are the 4.10-18 on the rear and the 90/90-21. You could fit the 120/80 on the rear but that is beyond the rims width safety margin. And of course photo attached

OK I found out that the 120/80-18 is the perfect size and rim width is not an issue. If you look below it says 120/80-18 recommended rim is 2.75. I measured the rim at 2.77. I took your advice and ordered the 4.1-18. I bought it from Chaparral Motorsports. I was not sure about the 4.1 or 120/80 and asked the sales person. The sales person said incorrectly, the 4.1-18 is same as 120/80-18. From info below they are not the same. I went with the 4.1-18 because it was cheaper by $5.

However when I got it it was mighty skinny looking. It measured about 4.3 at the widest part of the tread. I did some research, googled Shinko USA. They have a nice chart that shows the difference between the two.

SHINKO 705
Size.......................4.10-1......120/80-18
Speed Rating............P.............H
Load Index...............59..........62
Recom Rim.............2.5........2.75
Overall Diameter........25.16.....25.55
Width.......................4.09.......4.69
Ply...........................4............4
Max Load..................536........584
Max PSI....................33..........41
Tube Type..................T/T.........T/T
Retail Price................$76.95....$83.95
WPS Part#................87-4525...87-4526

The knobby tires my Hawk came with 110/100-18 at widest part of knobby tread, measures 4.9". The 120/80-18 is 4.69 by spec, but suspect it will be about 4.9". I spent $12 to return the tire in exchange for the 120/80-18. Performance will be the same. The diameter is slightly larger and of course width wider about about 0.6". However it will look better, and for $60 free shipping you got to love it.


EDIT: 4.77" was typo, changed to 2.77" rim width.

[Wancsta]

I think your getting the rim width and tread width confused. The stock rear rim on my hawk at least was 2.15 inches I believe. That is within the manufacturer recommendation for safety with the 4.1 tire. 120/80 will fit as I said but it's not recommended. Btw I only paid around $55 for my tires from amazon.

Shinko 705 Series Dual Sport Rear Tire - 4.10P-18 TT/Blackwall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0020DQKRW..._RuWAzb75V810C

[Megadan]

120/80-18 tires are about the widest you can go on a 2.15 rim and still be functional. Recommended rim width is the ideal width for handling and wear, but generally you can go up to about 1/2"narrower than the recommended width. For many years manufacturers used to follow similar tire sizing. My GL1000 uses a 130/90-17 on a 2.5" rim, recommended rim width in that size is generally 3, but they work just fine.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the handling won't be as sure footed, and the crown of the tire will be slightly altered and more peaked than on said recommended width, but it will be perfectly useable and safe. Want to go any wider than a 120 and you will definitely need a wider rim.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by Wancsta

I think your getting the rim width and tread width confused. The stock rear rim on my hawk at least was 2.15 inches I believe. That is within the manufacturer recommendation for safety with the 4.1 tire. 120/80 will fit as I said but it's not recommended. Btw I only paid around $55 for my tires from amazon.

Shinko 705 Series Dual Sport Rear Tire - 4.10P-18 TT/Blackwall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0020DQKRW..._RuWAzb75V810C

My REAR RIM IS 2.75". I physically measured it. Shinko recommends a 2.5" rim for 4.1-18. For the 120/80-18 tire, Shinko recommends a 2.75" inch wide rim (but they state by email to me, 2.5"-3.0" is OK). My rear Hawk rim from the is 2.75" wide using a micrometer. The 110/100-18 it came with are wide tires.

How do you measure rim width? It's the widest part of inside rim surface, where the tire bead tire still makes contact with rim (near the edge of the rim).

If you have a 2.15" wide rim then the 120/80-18 is too wide. The 4.1-18 is pushing it according to the OEM specs for 705 Shinko's.

If you have a 2.5" wide rim, yes then a 4.1-18 is a better fit, but the 120/80-18 will still work according to Shinko.

I looked at Amazon. I paid the same $55 for the 4.1-18, but I sent it back. The 120/80-18 is $5 more than the skinny 4.1-18. You can not buy a 120/80-18 for $55, the cheapest is $60. I exchange the 4.1-18's for the 120/80-18, because they are a better fit for MY RIM. There is plenty of TREAD clearance to shocks, swing arm and fender. The advantage of a wider and slightly taller rear tire is obvious.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by Wancsta

I think your getting the rim width and tread width confused. The stock rear rim on my hawk at least was 2.15 inches I believe. That is within the manufacturer recommendation for safety with the 4.1 tire. 120/80 will fit as I said but it's not recommended. Btw I only paid around $55 for my tires from amazon.

Shinko 705 Series Dual Sport Rear Tire - 4.10P-18 TT/Blackwall https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0020DQKRW..._RuWAzb75V810C

No Sir I am not confused, just a typo, I meant to write 2.77" not 4.77". First my REAR RIM IS NOT 2.15 inches wide. That is a narrow rear rim. It would not fit the stock 110/100-18 my Hawk came with, and too narrow for 4.1-18 "Wancsta" recommends, based on Shinko's recommendation (2.5" rim recommended).

Hawks don't stick to standard specs as we know, and I suppose they threw on some narrow rims on some versions of the early Hawks. Mine has 2.77" wide rear rim and rear disk brake.

TREAD:

Tread width is the widest part of the rubber up the side wall and tread area. This is important, because it has to fit in the swing arm and clear the shocks, brake, fender. Thread width or overall width is not an issue with the 120/80-18. The stock 110/100-18 that came on my Hawk, by spec is 110mm 4.33" wide. I measured the actual width of the widest tread (knobby) is 4.9". The ACTUAL width is what counts. A 4.1-18 tire means 4.1" wide by spec, but the one I bought and sent back was 4.3" at widest part actual. I physically measured it, no guessing.

The REAL actual width is relevant to clearance. Now a 120/80-18 is 120mm or 4.69. Because it is a more tame street tread I'm sure it will be well under 4.9" that the original tire width had. It will fit, with plenty of clearance.

RIM WIDTH:

Rim width is the widest part of the rim where the tire bead meets rim. That was the original comment "Wancsta" made, that 120/80-18 would not fit on the rear Rim of the Hawk due to rim width.... My Hawk has rear disk brake and a 2.75 inch wide rim. This is PERFECT for a 120/80-18 tire. I wrote Shinko and their table clearly shows this.

MY RIM is NOT 2.15" WIDE, but 2.75" wide (at least on the Hawk I just got)...

Hawks come in different Specs. (or there is no spec it can vary with no rhyme or reason or notice). My Hawk when I bought it has drum rear in photo, but came with rear disk..... If you have a Hawk with 2.15" wide rim, then 120/80-18 is not the tire for you. However my rim is 2.75" (I measured it) and thus the wider 120/80-18 is a better fit for my rim, than the 4.1-18.

If you have a 2.5" wide rim, then yes the 4.1-18 is a better fit.

If you have a 2.15" wide rim, then the 4.1-18 is marginal in my opinion. Shinko recommends a 2.5" wide rim for the 4.1-18 rim.

[gmcjetpilot]

Based on all the confusion below, what I gather is some people's Hawk apparently came with narrow 2.15" rims. Newer Hawks (at least mine) has a wider rear rim. Mine came with 2.75" rim. So before you order tires, measure your rims.

If you have a 2.5" rim than 4.1-18 is a good size (although you can squeeze a 120/80-18 on it).

If you have like I do, a 2.75" rear rim, then 120/80-18 is a good fit.

If you have a 2.15" wide rim, apparently you can squeeze a 4.1-18 on it, but that is less than what is recommended by Shinko for the 705.

[Wancsta]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

Based on all the confusion below, what I gather is some people's Hawk apparently came with narrow 2.15" rims. Newer Hawks (at least mine) has a wider rear rim. Mine came with 2.75" rim. So before you order tires, measure your rims.

If you have a 2.5" rim than 4.1-18 is a good size (although you can squeeze a 120/80-18 on it).

If you have like I do, a 2.75" rear rim, then 120/80-18 is a good fit.

If you have a 2.15" wide rim, apparently you can squeeze a 4.1-18 on it, but that is less than what is recommended by Shinko for the 705.

Ok so there's even more confusion than I thought lol... Rim width is not taken from the outside that is irrelevant and not what the manufacturers base their numbers on. It's the inner width where the bead actually lays that is measured. You can also usually find it printed or stamped on the rim itself.

https://itstillruns.com/measure-moto...m-7516164.html


http://m.gemplers.com/tech/tires-measure.htm

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by Wancsta

Ok so there's even more confusion than I thought lol... Rim width is not taken from the outside that is irrelevant and not what the manufacturers base their numbers on. It's the inner width where the bead actually lays that is measured. You can also usually find it printed or stamped on the rim itself.

https://itstillruns.com/measure-moto...m-7516164.html


http://m.gemplers.com/tech/tires-measure.htm

I don't understand the over-thinking going on with this subject. Every rim is stamped with the rim size. It is not a code. It is in inch measurements. The measurement is the inside width at the rim flanges and the inside diameter of the flats that the tire sits on when inflated. Simple, yes?...ARH

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

I don't understand the over-thinking going on with this subject. Every rim is stamped with the rim size. It is not a code. It is in inch measurements. The measurement is the inside width at the rim flanges and the inside diameter of the flats that the tire sits on when inflated. Simple, yes?...ARH

You are confused between overthinking and verification. You are saying. China follows the "every rim is stamped" rule you state? Ha ha. Point taken, but not the thread topic. The thread is proper tire size (which is coded but also simple, except there are different 'codes').

We agree tire size is based on rim size. As you say it is stamped on rim, if not you can measure it. The revelation to me was some Hawks came with mighty narrow rear rims. The new one I just got has a 2.75" wide rim. Here is a list I found that is pretty good:
http://dropbears.com/motorcycles/utilities/tyrerim.htm



18" Tyres Permitted Rim
(bold is rim width, underline common size tires for rear tire on Hawk)
250*18 1.40/1.60
275*18 1.40/1.60/1.85
300*18 1.60/1.85/2.15
360*18 1.85/2.15
80/100*18
325*18 1.85/2.15/2.50
350*18
375*18
410*18
90/90*18
100/80*18
100/90*18
100/100*18
460*18 2.15/2.50/2.75
110/100*18
120/80*18
400*18 2.15/2.50/2.75/3.00
450*18
110/80*18
110/90*18
120/90*18
120/100*18
510*18 2.50/2.75/3.00
130/80*18 2.50/2.75/3.00/3.50
130/90*18
140/80*18
130/60*18 3.00/3.50/4.00
130/70*18
140/60*18 3.50/4.00/4.50
140/70*18
150/60*18
150/70*18 160/60*18 4.00/4.50/5.00

NOTE: PRICE OF LABOR TO INSTALL TIRE
Anyway feeling lazy and having misplaced my tire tools in a move (and not having changed a motorcycle tire in a decade), I called around to see what they charge.... FREAKING $50 per tire, off the bike delivered to them.... not including tax. That is more than I paid for my Shinko 705's. Well I will be getting familiar with my new tire tires I ordered soon...

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

You are confused between overthinking and verification. You are saying. China follows the "every rim is stamped" rule you state? Ha ha. Point taken, but not the thread topic. The thread is proper tire size (which is coded but also simple, except there are different 'codes').

We agree tire size is based on rim size. As you say it is stamped on rim, if not you can measure it. The revelation to me was some Hawks came with mighty narrow rear rims. The new one I just got has a 2.75" wide rim.

NOTE: PRICE OF LABOR TO INSTALL TIRE
Anyway feeling lazy and having misplaced my tire tools in a move (and not having changed a motorcycle tire in a decade), I called around to see what they charge.... FREAKING $50 per tire, off the bike delivered to them.... not including tax. That is more than I paid for my Shinko 705's. Well I will be getting familiar with my new tire tires I ordered soon...

The tire size that comes on the bike is the correct size for the rim. The inch equilivent is, I believe, 4.10 X 18. My Iron Head Sportster ran a 4.00 X 18, and it didn't have a traction problem. Depending on how it was geared. So, I think that a "cooking" 250 will have no problem finding traction with the stock size tire, but not neccesarily the Chinese tires that come on these bikes. The rubber is hard in these tires, they don't squirm and flex in their search for traction. That is off road. On the paved road the stock tires are not very good. For an on road and off road tire, one of the best compromizes is the Pirelli MT 43. They give very good off road traction, better than the stock tires on road, and last quite a long time. There are other tires that give better results on road, but aren't as good off road...ARH

[Foxxer234]

I've actually ordered a pair of Neutech TUbliss tubes. After I get them installed I'll have the tires balanced.

[gmcjetpilot]

Got my Shinko 705 90/90-21 in the front and 120/80-18 in the back. I was going to be lazy and have a local shop Mount them, but they want 50 bucks a pop. Couldn't find my tire mounting tools since I hadn't used them in 10 years, so I bought some off of eBay. $50 to mount is more than tires cost. Car tires don't cost that much to mount and balance. I'm going to be selling my brand new never used a hawk tires that came with it. I'll put them in the classified if anybody's interested.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

The tire size that comes on the bike is the correct size for the rim. The inch equilivent is, I believe, 4.10 X 18. My Iron Head Sportster ran a 4.00 X 18, and it didn't have a traction problem. Depending on how it was geared. So, I think that a "cooking" 250 will have no problem finding traction with the stock size tire, but not neccesarily the Chinese tires that come on these bikes. The rubber is hard in these tires, they don't squirm and flex in their search for traction. That is off road. On the paved road the stock tires are not very good. For an on road and off road tire, one of the best compromizes is the Pirelli MT 43. They give very good off road traction, better than the stock tires on road, and last quite a long time. There are other tires that give better results on road, but aren't as good off road...ARH

Nothing wrong with a 4.10 - 18. It's not a matter of traction. However since I'll be riding on the street 70% of the time, a slightly wider will be better tread contact patch. It will look better in my opinion.