Not for everyone, but for people like me - folks that can't seem to keep a back tire on the bike. I go through tires like no ones business - like every 5-8k miles. Part of this is due to the fact that I DO buy the cheapest tires - around $80-$90 or so for the rear, and most of the time, Shinko's. I buy the cheapest tires for that reason - I go through them fast enough, and paying twice as much for a tire does not give you twice the mileage - something I learned a long time ago.
So, one day, while at the tire place, the owner suggested I go with a harder rubber option and sold me on a Kenda, which is about the same price as the Shinko, but a much better looking tire with a hell of a lot more tread. Really didn't know what to expect from it, but was willing to give it a try and I am glad I did. The tire has been amazing. The picture below was taken yesterday, which puts it at about the 3 month mark, or, 6-7k miles, and it still looks great, whereas, at about this time, my back tire would ordinarily look like a car tire - flat. No curve to it, as PBFoot can tell you (guy rides my a** about my tire habits).
After 3 months of daily riding, this tire still looks great and I'm guessing I have another 3 months or so left on it. But the biggest surprise with this tire is the chicken strip. Not much of one there, which is the surprise. This being a harder rubber tire, I am way less aggressive in the turns now, or so I thought, but obviously not as much as what I imagined. And if I am hitting those turns that hard, all I can say is - this tire is fantastic. I have never NOT had confidence in this tire during a hard, fast turn. One time, recently, I was in a fast turn at a respectable lean when I went a little wide and crossed the dividing line into the outer lane and I felt slippage when I ran over a reflector. But aside from that, this tire sticks to the road perfectly fine.
So, if you put serious mileage on your machine and, like me, do not have a big tire budget, you may want to consider one of these.
Just thought I'd let ya'all know.
Ride safe.
So, one day, while at the tire place, the owner suggested I go with a harder rubber option and sold me on a Kenda, which is about the same price as the Shinko, but a much better looking tire with a hell of a lot more tread. Really didn't know what to expect from it, but was willing to give it a try and I am glad I did. The tire has been amazing. The picture below was taken yesterday, which puts it at about the 3 month mark, or, 6-7k miles, and it still looks great, whereas, at about this time, my back tire would ordinarily look like a car tire - flat. No curve to it, as PBFoot can tell you (guy rides my a** about my tire habits).
After 3 months of daily riding, this tire still looks great and I'm guessing I have another 3 months or so left on it. But the biggest surprise with this tire is the chicken strip. Not much of one there, which is the surprise. This being a harder rubber tire, I am way less aggressive in the turns now, or so I thought, but obviously not as much as what I imagined. And if I am hitting those turns that hard, all I can say is - this tire is fantastic. I have never NOT had confidence in this tire during a hard, fast turn. One time, recently, I was in a fast turn at a respectable lean when I went a little wide and crossed the dividing line into the outer lane and I felt slippage when I ran over a reflector. But aside from that, this tire sticks to the road perfectly fine.
So, if you put serious mileage on your machine and, like me, do not have a big tire budget, you may want to consider one of these.
Just thought I'd let ya'all know.
Ride safe.
