Bigger tire

[jimcor]

Unfortunately, at least the front Hi Max tires in my size, 100/90X19, is now made in Mainland China. The Made in China stamp is positioned NOT to show once the tire is mounted and instead of saying Made in Taiwan the carcass lettering says, "Designed in Taiwan" still lots of tread after two rears and no handling problems at all.

If the later 550Ls have 130/90X16 as OEM then that's what I'd stick with!

 

[Grandpa]

Interesting bit of information, Jim. I'll have to check the "Made in China" label on the tire when I get it, and also the "Designed in Taiwan" label. Hadn't noticed that. Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Cheng Shin is listed as a Taiwanese company...with ISO/Q.S. certified quality control ....possibly they have moved production of some items to China....I did some research on the subject a couple days ago, as I will shortly be in the market for a new front skin for the 1100. I must say, I too , having run only Metzelers earlier, and currently a Pirelli Sport Demon fan, was skeptical about C.S. tires...the classic fear of paying too little . However, one of my buddies, who rides pretty hard (GS1100E street/track with big-bore, cams/carbs, and nitrous....this thing accelerates harder than a Blackbird!)

has gone through several sets of C.S. tires and swears by them, so I will probably give the Hi-Max a try.....I noticed his thread pattern looked suspiciously similar to the Metz. Lazer front tires though...... possibly some 'borrowed' engineering" , which would explain some of the success.

Tony.

 

[jimcor]

Cheng Shin is listed as a Taiwanese company...with ISO/Q.S. certified quality control ....possibly they have moved production of some items to China....I did some research on the subject a couple days ago, as I will shortly be in the market for a new front skin for the 1100. I must say, I too , having run only Metzelers earlier, and currently a Pirelli Sport Demon fan, was skeptical about C.S. tires...the classic fear of paying too little . However, one of my buddies, who rides pretty hard (GS1100E street/track with big-bore, cams/carbs, and nitrous....this thing accelerates harder than a Blackbird!)

has gone through several sets of C.S. tires and swears by them, so I will probably give the Hi-Max a try.....I noticed his thread pattern looked suspiciously similar to the Metz. Lazer front tires though...... possibly some 'borrowed' engineering" , which would explain some of the success.

Tony.

It is very much still a Taiwanese company, they have just got in line with everyone else and have facilities for some tires in China now.

 

[Guest]

I have a brand new, unmounted set of Cheng Shin Hi Maxes in my garage. They are clearly marked, "MADE IN TAIWAN".

Ten years ago I replaced a set of Michelins with a set of Cheng Shin "Marquis" tires, which forum members report to be far inferior to the Hi Max line. The Marquis tires were better in every way than the Michelins.

Tom

 

[jimcor]

I have a brand new, unmounted set of Cheng Shin Hi Maxes in my garage. They are clearly marked, "MADE IN TAIWAN".

Ten years ago I replaced a set of Michelins with a set of Cheng Shin "Marquis" tires, which forum members report to be far inferior to the Hi Max line. The Marquis tires were better in every way than the Michelins.

Tom

If I had a digital camera I could show you a front Hi-Max that is made in China. I'm sure there are plenty of front Taiwanese Hi-Maxes in warehouses worldwide. Mine came from Dennis Kirk and that outfit moves a lot of tires.

 

[Guest]

I don't doubt what you write. Just saying that not all Cheng Shins available today are made in China. What are the serial numbers on your tires? Look after the DOT marking. Mine are

DOT UYKS 1207
DOT UYKS 4906

The code UYKS tells where the tire was made. See
http://www.harriger.com/tire3.htm

1207 means that the tire was made in the 12th week of 2007, and 4906 means that the tire was made in th 49th week of 2006.

What are your tire codes?

I was a manufacturing chemist/chemical engineer in several tire factories, in the US and in Mexico. I'm not at all concerned about Taiwanese manufacturing. The country has had advanced manufacturing for a long time, and it has largely thrown off the business methods that westerners regard as corrupt, like Singapore has done. I'd be much more concerned about tires made on the mainland. The difference between modern and ancient tires is completely invisible in the final product. Much of it has to do with things like the precision of control in chemical reactors that produce synthetic rubber and carbon black. It takes a long time to learn this and it is easy to hide lesser quality.

 

[jimcor]

This from the Concours front tire a 100/90X18 Hi-Max, this tire does not even use the camo 'designed in' marking but is plainly embossed Made in China. The number is: DOT 7FMS 4805.

 

[jimcor]

The plant that makes the Chinese Hi-Max tires is a fully Cheng Shin owned facility. http://www.xcs.com.cn/ENG-edition/index.asp I don't think there is a thing to worry about with these tires.

 

[t3rmin]

Here's a question for my fellow CS Hi-Max users: I just put a new CS Hi-Max on the rear and couldn't find the usual balancing (light spot) mark. Does that mean the tire is perfectly balanced or what?

 

[Guest]

This from the Concours front tire a 100/90X18 Hi-Max, this tire does not even use the camo 'designed in' marking but is plainly embossed Made in China. The number is: DOT 7FMS 4805.

My listing of tire factories doesn't have the factory "7FMS" on it. That concerns me in itself a bit. It is likely that I just don't have a complete list, but it is also possible (but very unlikely) that the number is counterfit.

However the other number, 4805, indicates that the tire was made in the 48th week of 2005. Since I have two tires made in Taiwan after than, the Taiwanese factory is still in operation, and at least some of the Cheng Shin tires imported into the US are coming from that factory. And it might not make any difference at all.

Tom