Shinko 705 Tire Review 

I bought an old V Strom that had worn Shinko 705s on it. I figured I wouldn't ride trail with a 1000 cc bike anyway so I put Conti's Road Attack 3's on it. In a word? 'WOW'! Just WOW!! I can corner so much better, I can just ride with so much more relaxed confidence. Not to say the Shinko's were a bad tire, that wouldn't be fair, especially when my rear was worn nearly flat and my front was scallopped pretty bad. But if you're mostly a road runner, I couldn't say enough about the Conti's. It's like a whole 'nother bike! No joke! BTW, I bought a NoMar tire changer and did the change with the original style hold down dogs. Not recommended, to say the least, but it taught me something you might find helpful: Using a ratchet strap to keep the rim from spinning worked really well.

I use E705s on my stock V-Strom 650. The rears last about 4k mi., the fronts about 12k mi. These tires change the final drive ratio vs. the TWs, making it taller, having higher rpm shift-points and slightly slower acceleration. Their rounded profiles make tip-in when leaning into curves less linear and more aggressive, which can become tiring on long curvy road trips. I run them slightly under-inflated, about 27psi front and 32 psi rear. There's more road-snot related drama at 33 psi up front; the contact patch may be smaller. They are amazing on gravel; evidently the grooves trap individual pieces and use them to plant the tire like studs. Def a thumbs-up!

Urban Monk, you nailed it. I put the Shinko 705's on my V Strom 650 and got the effects you perfectly described. Switched from Metzeler Tourance tires to the 705's and went from a sporty, agile feeling bike to a heavier feel , especially in the turns. I'll get used to it. I got 8000 miles out of both Metzeler's, we'll see how the Shinko's do. Thanks for an accurate review.

Thank UM - good video. I just swapped my Anakee IIIs for Shinko 705s on my BMW 700GS. They look good to me, and I'm pleasantly amazed at the mileage you are getting on them. I've gone through lots of tires on lots of different bikes over the years, and that is excellent mileage you are getting. I spent $175 for BOTH front and back. If they stick as well as I hope they do, my next tire change will be a no-brainer.

Thanks for doing this detailed review. I just ordered a pair of these for my 2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan. The only thing that concerns me is the off road performance. The front specifically. I owned an Africa Twin and it was frightening on gravel until I swapped the original tires for Michelin Anakee Wilds. The bike changed completely and was much better on gravel roads. The Himalayan with the stock tires actually handles very well on gravel. I feel much more confident than I did on the Africa Twin. The original tires on the Himalayan are wearing out quickly. The rear is shot at 7,000 km (that's less the 5,000 miles). I know these Shinko's will wear much better but I'm just a little concerned about how they will perform in the gravel.

I ride a V-Strom 650 and am on my second 705. I love that I get the tire delivered to my home for $90. It's also taller than the other tires I've tried, which brings down the Rpm on the hwy. I'm not getting the mileage you do, but an easy 6k miles with tread left over. The 705 front tire would probably run 25k miles safely, but it tends to scallop around 12-15 k miles. Thanks for the info.... enjoy your videos.

I just switched to Shinko 705 front from Metzger Tourance on my VStrom 650. The bike does feel heavier in the twisties. Was used to it in an afternoon.

Very cool review - you brought up a lot points I was interested in. I ordered my first rear tire yesterday. It's going on a BMW 2009 R1200 GSA. i'll update later... as I get some miles on it...

I'm thinking about trying a set of these on my 650 Versey. Even though 98% of the time I'm riding on the road, I like to hit an occasional dirt or gravel road. My stock Dunlops are shot at 4000 miles. Thanks for your review. Rich

Great video. Excellent record keeping

Thanks again !

Monk: Thanks for the thorough tour of your experiences. It would be helpful for wanderers as myself to know the machine (your subject). I've read some threads wherein the heavier bikes (BMW 1200's) have experienced some unique tread bloc separations. In my case, that of smaller machines, one 250 dual sport, the other a 200, they'll likely not experience the load and heat produced by the larger rides. Just sayin'...for a $150 tire swap in my case(s), they're what the DR (pun intended) ordered.

Thanks to your review and others I have bought a set of 705's. I believe I payed about $250 CAD shipped to the door so a big savings there compared to other brands. Now near the end of the season for us in Canada I'll have to wait till next year to try them out but looking forward to it. Thanks again for the great review.

Thanks!

I understand these are tubeless tires. Can I still use them with inner tube?

Just put ny 705's on and I dont like the front.It feels like it wants to wash out.I will put some more miles on them to see.if I change my mind.

Lav mic will take videos like this to the next level 👍🏻

Okay I'm sold ...the price sold me as much as anything..08 Suzi DL650...we'll see ....they were not too hard to muscle on ...the old Metzlers were toughter to take off than the Shinkos were to mount!

Hi there, nice video. I have a 2006 KTM 950 SM. 17 front 17 rear. I'm like you. I like the street but like to do a little off road trail / ranch etc, nothing stupid. Have you ever done any wet dirt roads / little mud? Or sand? Also I'm running street tires now. 180/70/17 x 120/70/17. Should I stay same size?Thanks.

I know that there Shinko 705 price is 1/2 the price I am 1 ready to go on my cb500x on the rear I heard so many or stories about being on the wet with the Shinko I know I'm on a budget but I stare afraid to put this tire on I'm going to have to save for new one something different maybe this trailmax thanks for your info keep your tires out off the rain stay safe

nice video. I also enjoy the Shinto tires and the price on them. I put a set on my Tenere last summer and I will be putting a set on my crf250l this year. not sure if they will be 700 or the 705. thanks for the video. and I subscribed.

What pressure do you typically run in the Shinkos. I have them on a KLR 650 and I try to stay around 31-32 PSI.

How much front and rear tire pressure do you put in?

Have you experience much cupping (mainly on the rear) with these tires? Thanks!

What is it like in the wet? I've seen people complaining about wet weather and we have a lot of wet here in NZ. Rubber is expensive in NZ and these are still gonna cost me $150 for a rear

Thanks for the review. Do they create a lot of road noise?

just watched your video again. So helpful thanks. If my front tire is still OK tread wise, its still OK to just replace the rear ? Thanks.

Hey Urban Monk! i have a 06 Dl650 V-Strom. what size is your front and rear Tire sizes for the Shinko 705's ? thank you!

I have run the Michelin Pilot Trail 4s and the Metzlers on my 2013 R1200GS. The Michelins are great in the wet and all the time but cost quite a bit more. I never get more than 8000 miles out of either though on the front. I am going to try the Shinkos and see how they work. Even if I get 5k miles, the cost is tolerable.

Hi mate just wondering what size that front tyre of yours ?

Hello Urban Monk. Great review. Are the 705's very noisy on the road?

How does this compare to the Bridgestone trail wings that usually come on the stroms

Nice review, this closes the deal for me on new tires for the 500x

WIth your next set try treating them with 303 protectant. It really helps prevent dry rot. When a tire dry rots it causes more heat as the separated surfaces rub against each other. Apply it inside the tire before mounting and treat the outside every couple of months. Doesn't change the grip at all. I like the 705's on my F800gs. Also the 804/805 combo is good offroad tire. www.amazon.com/303-Protectant-plastic-finished-leather/dp/B0185PU38A

Ever try the Kenda 761? Are they heavy?

How do they do in the rain? (On the street)

Sorry two more questions. For the Shinzo 705. Radial or bias ply ? And.........what do you recommend tire tread depth on changing tires. Thanks again you've been the absolute biggest help !

really bad under wet and cold especially here in Canada not very safe