I just returned yesterday from a ride in AZ. Posted the below in quotes on Advrider today. Terrain was really too hard for the Strom (think Big Bend Ranch) but I was already there so gave it a go and survived. Other big bikes scheduled didn't show and ironically those bikes registering early is what convinced me to join. Day 2 a rock bent my shifter locking bike in first gear, Day 3 a boulder sheared my right footpeg bolt which moved and locked the rear brake and then later I blew out the left fork seal. But bike never went down and no injuries to me so I'm calling it a sucess. If not for the new Shinko I would have been riding pavement all 3 days.
" The Shinko 805 rear is an excellent off road tire. Just did 3 days riding the V-Strom 650 in So. AZ over some very technical terrain for a big bike. Dirt, light sand, some mud and rocks, rocks and more rocks. I could not believe how well the Shinko did. Better tire than a TKC80 IMO, did not lose traction for me even once. My front tire is a TKC80 with only 1,200 miles on it so will wear that out before trying the 804 front.
Did 250 miles pavement and 250 off road and tire looks great. Very minimal cuts and chunks gone from the rocks and tread wear almost non existent. Long term life I cannot comment except for based on what I see after 500 miles 5,000 miles would be a reasonable guesstimate. Noteworthy, this is on a bike with 35% less hp and 100 lbs less weight the bigger adventure bikes but it will be the next tire I'll put on my new Super Tenere once the stock Battle Wing's are gone.
No complaints on pavement either. Ride, noise, traction all good. Even did some pavement in the rain and was fine. Was a group ride though so didn't push the bike too hard.
Tires opinions vary greatly but this one is definitely worth a try. Probably more tire than most need and overkill if you're only riding dirt and gravel roads. Excellent value as well, only $100 shipped to my door.
One additional comment, I did play around with a heavy throttle coming out of turns and was able to get the rear to break loose on purpose. Very gradual and predictable power slide not a fast drop off like some other tires with a more square profile."
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