Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: wirespokes on March 19, 2026, 01:30:44 PM
-
Here's the story:
Summer of 2024 I got a mostly finished G5 project from a forum member. It sported a somewhat working electronic speedometer that didn't have an odometer reading. At least, not that I could figure out.
I replaced the electronic gauge with a standard set of T3 gauges and set the odometer to 5k - guessing that would have been the maximum miles the PO rode it. He replaced the cylinders with nikasil, went through the transmission and final drive, installed a permanent magnet alternator, M Unit, mistral exhaust... you get the idea. So I want to get an accurate gauge of mileage since this was all done.
However, just last week I replaced the front tire - a Shinko 712 100x90 - date code 3616. It was down to the wear bars, but could have been run longer. So it wasn't totally shot, but time to go. I have put 12K on the clock since resetting.
I'm rethinking the estimated mileage. I don't recall having a front tire last more than 10 or 11K, especially a Shinko. I'm thinking this tire couldn't have had more than a thousand miles when I got the bike.
So my question is - how many miles do you get from these tires?
-
Is that date code correct? 2016
Throw that thing in the trash. It doesn't matter if it has the nubs on it. Is your life worth it?
I'm presently recovering from a motorcycle related broken leg and I can tell you, I envy those that can walk properly. You don't want to risk this on old tires.
It must have been the drugs, I thought you said you put that one on. I see now, but I apply the above rant to "even saying it had life left in it".
I am grouchy today.
-
The 712s are "budget" tires for lighter bikes, so don't last as well as the 230 Tour Master. On my Morini 350 K2 the rear would last ~ 6k miles, never wore the front out in the time I had the bike.
-
The tyre’s life or your own…?
-
I think I've gotten something like 10K out of the front tires in the past. Rears are less usually.
I've been riding Shinkos ever since Bridgestones doubled in price. What's that - 15 or 20 years? I had a GSPD with a Michelin Anakee that ran 20K miles, about the longest I've ever had a tire last, especially a rear.
This particular front tire gripped just fine up to the end. It did make the steering a little heavy, worn as it was, but it didn't cup and wore smooth and evenly.
Age doesn't necessarily deteriorate tires. There are other factors involved. A durometer (tool to test elasticity) often shows old tires to be as supple as new ones. Just because the tire was 7 years old when I got it was no reason for me to toss it. It looked fairly new and wasn't cracked or hard.
-
I’ve ran the Shinko brand for over 20 years on everything from older goldwings, Harley full dressers, Harley sport bikes and 4 moto Guzzi cruisers.
I average 7k on the rear and 10-12 on the front.
I never run a tire down to the wear bars simply because its not safe in the rain.
-
Thanks Ncdan. That's about the same experience I've had as well.
I ride year-round and have had no issues riding in the rain in Portland Oregon, on old worn out tires - down to the wear bars. In a straight line, it hasn't made much difference through puddles, and in the turns, the grooves are deeper to shed water. My tires wear down in the middle first.
Because they're cheap, guys tend to think they're an inferior tire. They're not. They're actually very good quality. I guess the writing on the sidewalls isn't real classy, but they are very good tires.