new tire time -TT250

flopsweat · 10-04-2022, 01:14 PM

Looks like I'm going to need some new tires for next season, these OEM ones appear to be worn down enough after 5k miles. My riding is about 80-90% road, 10-20% dirt, so I'm hoping to find something a little more street oriented but just enough to keep me up on some gravel roads here and there. I just don't know enough about the tire codes, tubes, etc, to make an educated decision, so this is more about learning something rather than straight up "what tire should I get?"

Specs say front/rear is 3.00 x 21 and 4.60 x 18. I contacted Dunlop about a specific tire and they said it'd be 90/90-21 and 120/90-18, respectively. Are these just two different ways of saying the same tire size? I see the same numbers listed on CSC for their Shinko E804/E805 tires, so I assume that's correct.

What's the deal with tubes (in my best Seinfeld impression)?

Can you use tubeless tires on a rim that originally used tubes?

Are the tubes measured for the rim, or for the tire? (meaning, can I use my old tubes in whatever new tire I decide on?)

Sport Rider · 10-04-2022, 01:49 PM

I put Shinko 705s on my hawk...if I remember correctly.

yes, it's just a different way of defining tire size.

yes, you can use a tubeless tire, but you must run a tube in it due to having spokes.

Tubes are more often measured by the 3.00 or 4.60, but do google searches and there's plenty of choices.

As for replacing them, I'd suggest it, but it's not absolutely necessary.

flopsweat · 10-04-2022, 02:10 PM

So if I were to use it tubeless, do you mean to just throw the un-inflated tube inside the wheel as protection for the inside of the spokes? Sorry for the ignorance on my part, I've done some research and feel like I'm going in circles.

And am I officially looking for tires that fit these specs?
4.60 x 18 aka 120/90-18
3.00 x 21 aka 90/90-21

The Shinko 705's look like more of what I'm aiming for as opposed to the 804/805's, which seem a bit beefier of a tread. Looks like revzilla has my front, but not my rear, if my above statement is correct?
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...&sku_id=594634

Sport Rider · 10-04-2022, 03:00 PM

with spokes in the rim, a tubeless tire is not an option. you must run a tube. manufacturers sell "tubeless" tires. I've never truly understood the difference.

either way, you need to run tubes in any tire you mount.

Megadan · 10-04-2022, 04:13 PM

Tube rated tires have smoother interior walls to reduce friction with the tube. You can still run tubes in tubeless tires. I have for many many years and thousands of miles.

Wild Dog · 10-04-2022, 04:21 PM

I would say Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahra.
I just love those tyres, they are quite good on road and they ok off.

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Views: 474
Size: 353.0 KB

flopsweat · 10-04-2022, 06:36 PM

Been going through sizes to see what's available, and I came up with this. Not asking if these are recommended (unless they're vehemently not), I'm only asking if I'm looking at the sizes correctly. I had trouble finding the Shinko 705's for the front, which led me to the 700's.

If I bought these, given my specs, they'd work right? And I wouldn't need to get different tubes or anything? I just don't want to end up getting something and finding out the hard way that I messed up the aspect ratio or something and got the wrong ones.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p

Megadan · 10-04-2022, 07:45 PM

I have those same tires on my Hawk. I love them. My riding is similar to yours. Mostly paved and some dirt and gravel roads and dual track. The only thing they struggle with is thick mud and deep sand, like most dual sport tires.

severely · 10-04-2022, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flopsweat

Been going through sizes to see what's available, and I came up with this. Not asking if these are recommended (unless they're vehemently not), I'm only asking if I'm looking at the sizes correctly. I had trouble finding the Shinko 705's for the front, which led me to the 700's.

If I bought these, given my specs, they'd work right? And I wouldn't need to get different tubes or anything? I just don't want to end up getting something and finding out the hard way that I messed up the aspect ratio or something and got the wrong ones.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p
https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p

You're going to enjoy the 700 series Shinko. You're doing well, try not to overthink it. Good luck.

flopsweat · 10-05-2022, 07:25 AM

Awesome awesome. Thanks so much for the help guys.

flopsweat · 02-24-2023, 07:44 AM

700's ordered!

Does anyone know of a good video on the process to replace the tires on a bike like this? I have new tubes I got from CSC, so figured it'd be better to replace those as well and keep the old ones as spares. The problem is I've never done this before, and don't want to waste anyone's time here on step-by-step instructions, as it seems to be something most people here have done many times. I just need to know what materials I need to not screw it up, as I don't have a stand of any kind, so I'm not sure how difficult it will be for me.

The other option is to ask my car mechanic, whom often has sweet KTM's laying around his garage, if he could do it super quick and let me watch.

Megadan · 02-24-2023, 08:08 AM

Yotube has a ton of great videos that show you how to do it. The process is simple, but can be frustrating for first timers. A good set of tire spoons (rounded edges and smooth) are worth their weight, and having at least 3 of them is a must imho. If you aren't comfortable with it then I definitely suggest having your friend help/show you if he is willing.

old_airhead · 02-24-2023, 08:16 AM

And buy an extra tube. Just saying

flopsweat · 02-24-2023, 08:21 AM

Sounds like 3 is key, from what I've seen. Yes exactly that, looks simple, but potentially super frustrating. Hah one guy's comment was "he did it in 10 minutes, it took me 2hrs and I almost punched my friend in the face." Maybe I might find a friend with experience, as I REALLY want to get this process down properly in case I need to do it on the fly.

Are rim locks mostly for dirt bikes? I see them in many of these videos but don't remember seeing them on mine. I also hear about using a dedicated lube, but have heard of a little dish soap in water in a spray bottle, any pros/cons to those? And what's this I hear about using powder?

Megadan · 02-24-2023, 08:43 AM

Rim locks are for guys that go off road and want to air down enough that it causes the bead to slip. Alternative is the tubliss system, which uses a high pressure air bladder and outer sleeve to rim lock the entire bead, and allows you to run with no tube at all. Can be run at 0 psi even if needed.

10-04-2022, 01:14 PM	#1
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	new tire time -TT250 Looks like I'm going to need some new tires for next season, these OEM ones appear to be worn down enough after 5k miles. My riding is about 80-90% road, 10-20% dirt, so I'm hoping to find something a little more street oriented but just enough to keep me up on some gravel roads here and there. I just don't know enough about the tire codes, tubes, etc, to make an educated decision, so this is more about learning something rather than straight up "what tire should I get?" Specs say front/rear is 3.00 x 21 and 4.60 x 18. I contacted Dunlop about a specific tire and they said it'd be 90/90-21 and 120/90-18, respectively. Are these just two different ways of saying the same tire size? I see the same numbers listed on CSC for their Shinko E804/E805 tires, so I assume that's correct. What's the deal with tubes (in my best Seinfeld impression)? Can you use tubeless tires on a rim that originally used tubes? Are the tubes measured for the rim, or for the tire? (meaning, can I use my old tubes in whatever new tire I decide on?)
	0

10-04-2022, 04:13 PM	#5
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,976	Tube rated tires have smoother interior walls to reduce friction with the tube. You can still run tubes in tubeless tires. I have for many many years and thousands of miles. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1

10-04-2022, 07:45 PM	#8
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,976	I have those same tires on my Hawk. I love them. My riding is similar to yours. Mostly paved and some dirt and gravel roads and dual track. The only thing they struggle with is thick mud and deep sand, like most dual sport tires. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

02-24-2023, 08:08 AM	#12
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,976	Yotube has a ton of great videos that show you how to do it. The process is simple, but can be frustrating for first timers. A good set of tire spoons (rounded edges and smooth) are worth their weight, and having at least 3 of them is a must imho. If you aren't comfortable with it then I definitely suggest having your friend help/show you if he is willing. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1

02-24-2023, 08:43 AM	#15
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 7,976	Rim locks are for guys that go off road and want to air down enough that it causes the bead to slip. Alternative is the tubliss system, which uses a high pressure air bladder and outer sleeve to rim lock the entire bead, and allows you to run with no tube at all. Can be run at 0 psi even if needed. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	1

10-04-2022, 01:49 PM	#2
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	I put Shinko 705s on my hawk...if I remember correctly. yes, it's just a different way of defining tire size. yes, you can use a tubeless tire, but you must run a tube in it due to having spokes. Tubes are more often measured by the 3.00 or 4.60, but do google searches and there's plenty of choices. As for replacing them, I'd suggest it, but it's not absolutely necessary.
	1

10-04-2022, 02:10 PM	#3
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	So if I were to use it tubeless, do you mean to just throw the un-inflated tube inside the wheel as protection for the inside of the spokes? Sorry for the ignorance on my part, I've done some research and feel like I'm going in circles. And am I officially looking for tires that fit these specs? 4.60 x 18 aka 120/90-18 3.00 x 21 aka 90/90-21 The Shinko 705's look like more of what I'm aiming for as opposed to the 804/805's, which seem a bit beefier of a tread. Looks like revzilla has my front, but not my rear, if my above statement is correct? https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...&sku_id=594634
	0

10-04-2022, 03:00 PM	#4
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	with spokes in the rim, a tubeless tire is not an option. you must run a tube. manufacturers sell "tubeless" tires. I've never truly understood the difference. either way, you need to run tubes in any tire you mount.
	1

10-04-2022, 04:21 PM	#6
Wild Dog Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Argentina Posts: 756	I would say Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahra. I just love those tyres, they are quite good on road and they ok off.
	2

10-04-2022, 06:36 PM	#7
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	Been going through sizes to see what's available, and I came up with this. Not asking if these are recommended (unless they're vehemently not), I'm only asking if I'm looking at the sizes correctly. I had trouble finding the Shinko 705's for the front, which led me to the 700's. If I bought these, given my specs, they'd work right? And I wouldn't need to get different tubes or anything? I just don't want to end up getting something and finding out the hard way that I messed up the aspect ratio or something and got the wrong ones. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/t...orcycle-tire-p
	1

10-05-2022, 07:25 AM	#10
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	Awesome awesome. Thanks so much for the help guys.
	0

02-24-2023, 07:44 AM	#11
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	700's ordered! Does anyone know of a good video on the process to replace the tires on a bike like this? I have new tubes I got from CSC, so figured it'd be better to replace those as well and keep the old ones as spares. The problem is I've never done this before, and don't want to waste anyone's time here on step-by-step instructions, as it seems to be something most people here have done many times. I just need to know what materials I need to not screw it up, as I don't have a stand of any kind, so I'm not sure how difficult it will be for me. The other option is to ask my car mechanic, whom often has sweet KTM's laying around his garage, if he could do it super quick and let me watch.
	0

02-24-2023, 08:16 AM	#13
old_airhead Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Bloomington, IN Posts: 56	And buy an extra tube. Just saying
	2

02-24-2023, 08:21 AM	#14
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 235	Sounds like 3 is key, from what I've seen. Yes exactly that, looks simple, but potentially super frustrating. Hah one guy's comment was "he did it in 10 minutes, it took me 2hrs and I almost punched my friend in the face." Maybe I might find a friend with experience, as I REALLY want to get this process down properly in case I need to do it on the fly. Are rim locks mostly for dirt bikes? I see them in many of these videos but don't remember seeing them on mine. I also hear about using a dedicated lube, but have heard of a little dish soap in water in a spray bottle, any pros/cons to those? And what's this I hear about using powder?
	0