Tire Switch?? Your Opinion

[RDW-B14]

My V12 I've had for 3.5 weeks had 9 years old tires. I call the local dealer to see what they had in stock. He said they'd have to order tires because all they had were Shinko's. I say Shinko is what I want, do you have the 230 Tour Master in my size. He checks and yes he does. I get the service manager on the line to see if he can get them mounted and balanced. Yes, we can, he says. When I go to pick it up he says they put a better Dunlop on the front for the same price because come to find out although the Shinko's were the right sizes, they both were rear tires. The Dunlop is the 404 I've read on this forum does not do well on the V12.

Now I'm wondering! Do I just ride on and see how it all works? Or, go back and request they put on what I asked for (they'd have to order it) and they agreed to do? I'm not sure if him changing brands was to help him or me. What's wearing on me is that he just did it without asking me. I figure it's my bike, my money, and should be my decision to switch brands.

What do you think? Will this tire combo. work ok? Is the 404 really as bad as some say? Did the dealer do a good or questionable thing? I plan to leave this Fri. on a 2500+ mile trip, but could take the KLR if need be. Opinions are welcome!

Take care, RD

[cranky]

... you go back and firmly say you want what you ordered. Change it!!!!! JM2C

[SgtSlag]

Stay away from the 404. Honestly, I'd recommend Michelin Commander II's, but you want the Shenko, so get what you want. It is your money, your bike. Next time, they will ask, before they waste their time, and money. Cheers!

[cushman eagle]

My '99 had a 404 on the front when I bought it and it normally would develop a wobble between 25-35 mile per hour .It was not a bad wobble but was annoying.After reading about it on this forum I went with the Dunlop E-3 and unless I let the pressure get below 35,the wobble is gone,and the same holds true on the E-4.I got about 20,000 miles on the E-3,have not had the E-4 long enough to know the life of it.
I would only use a 404 in a short term emergency !

[HMB Don]

First what type of riding do you do?

I used a fresh set of 404 s on my 1200, they worked good. Just a short tire life. But since you were planning on riding on the Shinko tires the 404 is an upgrade.

If your budget is tight I recommend the commander II. If you have a little more then the best is the Dunlop E-4

[Furchin]

I tried the Shinko Tourmaster one time on the rear of my Voyager and while it worked well I only got around 5000 miles out of it until it was worn down too much to be safe. Your call though.

[shifterkart26]

Since when does a service or product supplier just arbitrarily decide to change your purchase choice?

[Nails]

Since God was a PFC. If you let them.
I don't use mechanics often, but I'm glad I have one I trust.
I'm a notorious skinflint -- can reach into my pocket and pull out the exact change. But I replaced a front 404 that still had life in it. No regrets.
My mechanic put an MT Route on -- I didn't know anything about it. When the back 404 was shot, put one there too.
I mean, I have no reason to think that I should know more about all the different tires than he does. But that kind of trust can sure backfire, too.
Like if the mechanic suddenly thinks a 404 is a good idea. Don't know Shinko, but it must be pretty bad.

[cushman eagle]

Since God was a PFC. If you let them.
I don't use mechanics often, but I'm glad I have one I trust.
I'm a notorious skinflint -- can reach into my pocket and pull out the exact change. But I replaced a front 404 that still had life in it. No regrets.
My mechanic put an MT Route on -- I didn't know anything about it. When the back 404 was shot, put one there too.
I mean, I have no reason to think that I should know more about all the different tires than he does. But that kind of trust can sure backfire, too.
Like if the mechanic suddenly thinks a 404 is a good idea. Don't know Shinko, but it must be pretty bad.

In my GS1100GK days,I used Shinko tires.The life was only 6000-7000 miles,but I had no problems with handling.

[RDW-B14]

Thank you all for the input and opinions! Plan is tomorrow to request he get and install the matching Shinko.

Take care, RD

[Nails]

From what I can gather, the 404 rather uniquely does not work on the XII. Seems to work well on other bikes. Seems to sometimes work on XII.
I mean, I'd prepare to show him all the dish on 404 on this very blog. I'm pretty sure he actually had your best interests at heart. He can be forgiven, not knowing this particular match made in Hell.

[RDW-B14]

FYI, yesterday the dealer replaced the Dunlop with the matching Shinko at no cost to me, and with a fairly good attitude!
I had put 2400 miles on the Dunlop while riding the https://smackdab281.org/ Really, I had no problems with it, but, am glad to have the matching tire. And, what I had asked for, and paid for.

Thanks for all your input!

Take care, RD