Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Kenda k657 challenger tires
Collapse
X
-
Kenda k657 challenger tires
So ive used kenda tires before, and i liked them. But never on a bike that weighs almost 700 lbs with me on it. My question is, is this tire going to last? Will it be safe with such a heavy/powerful bike. The price for the matching set in proper size for my 1000g is only 120 and free shipping at the moment and really fits my budget well.
Tags: None
-
Forum LongTimerGSResource Superstar
Past Site Supporter
Super Site Supporter- Mar 2006
- 35639
- Torrance, CA
I've heard that those Kenda's are evil in the rain. No direct experience though.
Shinko's have a better reputation and are a similar price.Ed
To measure is to know.
Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182
Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846
Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf
KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection
-
Originally posted by thebrandonbeezy View PostBut never on a bike that weighs almost 700 lbs with me on it. My question is, is this tire going to last? Will it be safe with such a heavy/powerful bike.
Kenda doesn't publish the load index for the K657 on their website that I can find, so you need to actually look at the tires in question and see what they say. Personally I will second the recommendation for the Shinkos. I put a set of 230's on my 1100E last summer and they have been great. Scrubbed close to the edges and no visible wear yet in a bit over 2500km. For comparison, the BT45's I took off had the rear shagged with a big flat spot after about 6000km. Based on my experience with them so far I will be replacing this set with the same thing when they do finally wear out.
Also of note is that Shinko states the 230's are designed specifically to carry high loads for long distances. My 100/90-19 front has a load index of 57 (507lb) and the rear 130/90-17 has a load index of 74 (827lb). Those numbers should let you sleep at night regardless of how much you load your bike up. The Shinko tire info is here: http://www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/230-tour-master
MarkLast edited by mmattockx; 02-04-2017, 01:21 PM.1982 GS1100E
1998 ZX-6R
2005 KTM 450EXC
Comment
-
And Shinko for the win - if you are on a budgetCowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace
1981 GS550T - My First
1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike
Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"
Comment
-
450.jpgI put a set on my 450A last year. Only manufacturer that could give me a matching set for my sizes. I didn't expect much but they have worn nicely (5,000+ miles) no cupping, no squared off shoulder, lots of tread left. The rear was even two years old when I received them. The guy that changes my tires said the rear was so hard to mount that I should sell the bike before it needs to be replaced. The spoke rim apparently needs a deeper channel for the bead during mounting. Not an issue with the tire itself. If I use them again, I'll consider mounting the front reversed rotation as the rain grooves seem backwards.
I've purchase Shinkos before but haven't put enough miles on them to have an opinion. Now those Dunlop 404s, I've had lots of experience with them. Not a high performance tire but a dependable, predictable service tire for my riding.
Comment
-
I try to not even allow Kenda Challengers on my property (not always successfully). If anyone asks me to do a test ride on their bike to diagnose a problem and I see Challengers on it, I will politely decline. I treat them as rim protectors that keep the rims from making marks on my shop floor.
I am way down the list of "fast, sporty riders". Not much grass grows under my bike, but I am FAR from keeping up with some of the riders here. Atendees at the last Ozark Rally can verify that. However I have had Challengers slip on me more than once ON DRY PAVEMENT. If a tire gives up THAT easily, I have no use for it.
Shinko 712 and 230 tires are priced about the same as Challengers and have an amazing smount of grip, especially considering their price. The tradeoff is longevity. Bwringer tested a pair of 230s and found them comfortable,predictable and grippy, but they only lasted about half the miles of his favored Avons. Shinkos are cheaper to buy, but Avons are cheaper per mile.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
Comment
-
gregp
-
Forum LongTimerBard Award Winner
GSResource Superstar
Past Site Supporter
Super Site Supporter- Oct 2003
- 17455
- Indianapolis
Originally posted by Steve View PostI try to not even allow Kenda Challengers on my property (not always successfully). If anyone asks me to do a test ride on their bike to diagnose a problem and I see Challengers on it, I will politely decline. I treat them as rim protectors that keep the rims from making marks on my shop floor.
I am way down the list of "fast, sporty riders". Not much grass grows under my bike, but I am FAR from keeping up with some of the riders here. Atendees at the last Ozark Rally can verify that. However I have had Challengers slip on me more than once ON DRY PAVEMENT. If a tire gives up THAT easily, I have no use for it.
Shinko 712 and 230 tires are priced about the same as Challengers and have an amazing smount of grip, especially considering their price. The tradeoff is longevity. Bwringer tested a pair of 230s and found them comfortable,predictable and grippy, but they only lasted about half the miles of his favored Avons. Shinkos are cheaper to buy, but Avons are cheaper per mile.
.
Exactly what I was going to post. There are very few crappy tires these days, but the Kendas are indeed unadulterated crap.
Get you some Shinkos!Last edited by bwringer; 02-05-2017, 12:07 PM.1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
Eat more venison.
Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.
Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.
SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!
Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!
Comment
-
Right now, I have 230s on all four of the GSes in the stable. If purchase price is your sole criteria, the Shinkos are a good choice.
I have only run 230s, but know a couple of riders around here that have 712s, they like them, too.
My current set of 230s should last through this upcoming season, then I will be switching to something that lasts a bit longer, as we are planning a motorcycle vacation for 2018 that involves a trip that is approaching 7000 miles. Definitely do not want to be scheduling tire changes for three bikes on the trip.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
Comment
-
Originally posted by Steve View PostRight now, I have 230s on all four of the GSes in the stable. If purchase price is your sole criteria, the Shinkos are a good choice.
I have only run 230s, but know a couple of riders around here that have 712s, they like them, too.
My current set of 230s should last through this upcoming season, then I will be switching to something that lasts a bit longer, as we are planning a motorcycle vacation for 2018 that involves a trip that is approaching 7000 miles. Definitely do not want to be scheduling tire changes for three bikes on the trip.
.
Comment
-
The orange and black one we (98% him) built he literally road it to cali 2 days after getting it started for the first time ever.. to go to born free 8..
That last one was on "burnout" road in Memphis tn on his way back. I have family there and i met up with him by chance haha anyways. Probably will switch to avons down the road but im on a tight budget.. which is why i asked about the kendas.. and im glad i did. Thanks guys
Comment
-
Oh, just so there is no misunderstanding, the "something that lasts a bit longer" will not be Avons.
Either going to be Michelin Commander2 or Dunlop E3. Will have to change the back wheel for either one of them, but I know for a fact that the Dunlop E3 will outlast even the Avons. I had three sets of them on my Wing, two sets went over 23,000 miles, the third set would have gone that far, too, but I was leaving for Mississippi and already had 20,000 miles on them, so I changed them early.
.sigpic
mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)
Comment
Comment