Shinko 705 Motorcycle Tires: Dual Sport And ADV Tires On A Budget
Dual sport and adventure riders are a wild bunch. They're the type
of people who will ride down the highway, see a dirt path off the
side of the road and instantly decide to jump on the trial just to
see where it goes. They are also the type who will find as many
different routes (on or offraod) to their destination(s) and ride
them all. It's because of these unique character traits that they
need to outfit their motorcycle with tires that will take them
nearly anywhere they want to go.
The problems adventure/dual sport riders constantly run into is
with the amount of miles they typically ride and the varying type
of terrain they traverse. Their motorcycle tires
can wear pretty quickly and routinely replacing motorcycle tires
due to high mileage or damage can be costly. Shinko recognized this
dilemma and brought a solution to the market with their
705 Series Trail Master tires.
Housed under both the Adventure Trail and Adventure Touring
categories on the Shinko website, the 705s
feature characteristics that make dual sport and adventure riders
quite happy. These motorcycle tires offer superb performance in
various terrain and deliver great mileage, but most importantly
they are a great value.
Shinko's 705 Trail Masters tires are a DOT rated tire that are
designed for 80 percent on road 20 percent off road. The tires are
comprised of a 4-ply construction and feature a durable rubber
compound to withstand the abuse of offroading yet provides good
grip in wet conditions when riding on paved surfaces. With a
mildly aggressive tread pattern these tires can handle rugged fire
roads, dirt trails, and light sand/loamy dirt and then hit paved
surfaces with high speeds and cornering confidence.
Since these tires are intended for heavy on-road use, you'll notice
that the large tread blocks feature a round profile which aids in a
smooth and comfortable ride while also being quiet at speed. The
rounded profile also makes for quick and easy transitions from
shoulder to shoulder when weaving through twistys. In emergency
situations the large tread blocks make for a broad contact patch to
help deliver predictable and consistent braking.
The geometric blocks are thick and sturdy with deep valleys. This
tread design enables the tires to bite on rocks, roots, and ruts
while light mud and soft soils can easily be dispersed thanks to
the well-spaced lugs. The rugged blocks on the Trail Masters are
also extremely resilient and can withstand the assaults associated
with offroad excursions without excessive damage or
tearing.
Obviously these aren't gnarly knobby tires that will eat up extreme
conditions. However, more advanced riders and those who apply a lot
of technique and skill to their offroad riding will find that they
can maneuver the 705s up, over, and through more treacherous
terrain than they were intended for. Another characteristic that
many users have come to appreciate is that the tires can take a lot
of abuse but aren't overly stiff. This means that when a flat or
puncture does occur the tires are pliable enough that they can be
removed from the rim without too much fuss. 
As we all know, it can be difficult to make a change. Many riders
will automatically re-shoe their wheels with whatever rubber came
stock. Available in a wide array of sizes, the 705s have
become popular choices for everyone from mid-weight KLR650 owners
to the big BMW 1200 GS owners. This is especially true for those
riders who tend to put down a lot of miles and are looking for a
budget-friendly alternative to something like an
Anakee Adventure. A pair of Shinko 705 tires can often be
upwards of $100 less than a pair of Anakees or other comparable
tires.
After the initial enjoyment of saving money has passed, riders who
outfit their dual sport and ADV bikes with the 705s find themselves
enjoying the performance and longevity. Many riders have gotten
more than 8,000 miles out of the rear and anywhere from
12,000-15,000miles (and even well beyond) on the front. Shinko
offers the 705 Series tires in individual front and rear sizes as
well as universal front/rear
sizes. The front/rear 705s features rotation indicators to ensure
you orient the tire the proper way when mounting on either you
front or back rim.
The 705s are available in the following sizes:
Front
Size Special
Description
Speed Rating Load
Index Max
psi
Tube Type
120/70R19
H
60 42
psi Tubeless
110/80-19
Q
59 33
psi Tubeless
90/90-21
H
54 41
psi Tubeless
120/70R17
H
58 42
psi Tubeless
110/80R19
H
59 42
psi Tubeless
Rear
Size Special
Description
Speed Rating Load
Index Max
psi
Tube Type
170/60R17
H
72 42
psi Tubeless
150/70R17
H
69 42
psi Tubeless
150/70R18 Jointless Steel
Belted
V
70 42
psi Tubeless
Front/Rear
Size Special
Description
Speed Rating Load
Index Max
psi
Tube Type
120/90-17
H
64 41
psi Tube
130/80-17
H
65 41
psi Tubeless
130/90-17
H
68 41
psi Tube
140/80-17
H
69 41
psi Tube
4.10-18
P
59 33
psi Tube
120/80-18
H
62 41
psi Tube
Whether it's a set of Shinko 705 Series tires for your adventure
bike or shopping for your first dual sport motorcycle, Chaparral
Motorsports has a huge selection of parts and accessories as well
as new and used motorcycles.
