Shinko 216MX.....unabashed GT216AA clone.

Have you had a chance to compare these tires? I have another Shinko Chubby and I'll be giving the Shiko 505 a try. I'm likely to go back to the MotoZ Arena Gummy rear if they are close in performance because it weighs about a pound more than the MotoZ Mtn Hybrid rear. The Arena is lighter than both.

The tire was actually designed to be used with their Mousse. Incorporating the Mousse into the structure allowed them to build a very flexible tire that is dependent on the Mousse for it's structural integrity. Tubes do provide a limited amount of support. Tubliss provides zero. Tubliss relies on the strength of the carcass to support it's self.

just the GT216AA 2 ply compared to the Shinko216MX. the GT is a slightly softer compound and I like the feel better.

Just posting to reiterate what robert said. I went the Shinko 216 route after my GT 216 fatty front and gummy rear gave up the ghost. I still have the shinko 216 fatty front on but as soon as it looks worn I'm going to replace it. It deflects more than the GT 216 fatty front.
As for the rear, I got about 60 miles out of the rear shinko 216 gummy version before the knobs where completely rounded off. So I knobby knifed them and got another 40 miles. It did hook up pretty well while it was on the bike. But just wore out too fast. Now I'm running a 505 cheater in the rear because my lbs had it in stock. But it's useless in wet conditions. Excellent in dry. I'm going to be pulling it off ASAP and saving it for summer.
Despite the high price I'm going back to Golden Tyres front/rear. My older [compound] version of the GT 216 X worked excellent in all conditions until it was almost worn flat and had side wall knobs falling off. Literally hundreds of miles on that tire before I pulled it.
I just hope that for the $s the new GT compounds work as well as the old ones.

yeah, if you're gonna run a Cheater- you probably want the 525 for muddy stuff. Both of 'em are meant to compete with trials tires though (and the 505 is now my favorite tire; though it used to be a MT43... which is terrible down steep hills ). A quick look at the knob pattern on either Cheater will tell you all you need to know.

I realize you grabbed what was available.

I ran a GT 216 AA fatty on the front a couple of years ago when they made a big splash- it was a great tire and I've never had a front last as long (side knobs started disappearing tho). I had 2 complaints: it's too heavy and too expensive. I'm back to my standard VE35 while I wait to try the next big thing. I've never understood the hate the front ve35 gets... it does everything pretty well including turns. cheap too. Note- can't say either for the back ve33.

I have been using the golden tyre 369X rear tyre they also make a regular 369 tested it on both my 300 and 125 it looks like a dual sport tyre but it really works everywhere so far.
Got well over 100 miles of hard riding, tyre is still looking good
I plan to race Rd1 of the National Hare and Hound next month with a 369x extream endure tyre for a desert race
So hope it is super National Tuff Will ride the TC 125 also

Motosportz
I'm going to give the GT 216 a go next tire change.

Does the VP Protector mount with the VPs mount that comes in the kit?

Does the speedo wire require cutting the plastic tube as shown on the KTM in the Chap install video or is it plug and play on the Husky?

After another tough Tecate Enduro , I reiterate my thoughts, as stated above the Golden Tyre GT216AA 90/100-21 Fatty is the best of the GT/ Shinko comparo.
I would love to ride the new Michelin Enduro Comp Fat tire, yes they also make one now , seems like it's not imported to US though.
Also note I always liked Pirelli Scorp FIM Pro 90/90-21 enduro tire, if they decide to make a fatty that's another brand I would like to try.

from above before our big yearly event.
just the GT216AA 2 ply compared to the Shinko216MX. the GT is a slightly softer compound and I like the feel better.

Yeah but that Metz 3.25 was heavy. I used to alway run those on my euro bikes. I saved one and put it on my CR500 bush bike and it did not steer well. Cam.

Most old Desert racers will remember the Dunlop K139

I just ordered some parts from Slavens and got a Shinko 216SX (gummy-ish) for the rear. Everywhere I look the GT216X is $140, except ktm-parts.com which has it for $124. Still, even at $124, that's way more than I want to pay for a tire. If I had the money, I would be buying only GT 216 front and rear for my 300. But I'm saving for a 350 dual sport bike. So I have to scrimp and save where I can.

Good info. Motosportz, I have a GT333 sitting in the shop, but thought I might send it back and wait for the 369KX since I like the "gummies"...

- so I am curious about how the GT333 compares to the GT369KX (or 523KX) in the woods? Can it compare to the gummy tires in the roots & rocks & more "technical" stuff?

Thanks,

Jeff

P.S. FWIW I found that the GT216X rear had great traction in the woods, but chunked knobs in the rocks/desert. Equilibrium was great in the woods when dry, not good in mud. Running a Shinko 505 Cheater now - very good traction, doesn't chunk, wonder if I should have got the 120 instead of 110? I'd like to try an Ibex - but I'm not sure how they would hold up in Central Oregon rocks...

The shinko is a tiny bit heavier and the compund on the shinko is a fraction softer.

View: https://youtu.be/LgqLFvAnDG0


View: https://youtu.be/LgqLFvAnDG0


My experience with the Shinko 216SX rear has been that it wears faster than the GT216X and looses traction after a few rides and needs to be knobby knifed to keep hooking up. I know they are supposed to be almost identical tires, but after using both I have to say they aren't.

what cosmo said my latest GT216AA front looked higher quality and acted better than my previous Shinko 216MX. And who has really gone over the china to see about these tires I have believed and heard 10 different stories about brands molds durometer where they are made etc. . All I do know is that I met and hung out with the Italian original owner of Golden tyre, but that was quite a while ago and he said all his tires were his and his molds were all company proprietary, with most rubber chem compounds coming from Korea at that time.