The Shinko 505...Cheater Tire?

SHINKO 505 CHEATER TIRE

  I have been seeing ads and people endorsing this tire for some time now. Since I have become a Pirelli MT 43 convert for off road riding, I couldn’t help but wonder just how good is this “Cheater” tire.

So I went out and purchased one just to test for the MX43.com readers. After all we wouldn’t want you to spend your hard earned cash on some hyped up junker now would we!

The tire is a SHINKO 505 and is actually labeled “Cheater” on the side wall.  It is sized as a 110/100-18.

I have had it on the back of my KTM 500 xcw for about a week now and it is right at the 400-mile mark. Most knobbies are pretty well used up in this type of rocky terrain. I am pleasantly surprised at how well it is wearing and most of all not chunking or having sidewalls starting to tear off. That has been my issue with most of the knobby tires I have run in very rocky terrain. The brand does not seem to matter, by 300 to 400 miles on most brands the tire is well worn and the sidewalls are beginning to tear off!  This ‘Cheater” tire is doing above average in the durability category. The tire is wearing down of course but at a decent rate with No torn knobs yet. Outstanding.  My crystal ball is predicting this tire is going to go 500 to 600 miles in the rocks. I may get another Cheater and run it only in real dirt just to see what it can do. My guess is that it would make 700 to 800 miles without too much problem.

The grip/traction is on par with the more expensive tires I have tried in this same rocky terrain, so there is really no reason to spend more money on other brands.

I will continue to push the Cheater tire until it no longer provides adequate traction or just wears out completely. I will let you know how many miles I could squeak out of it.

For now, it is my new favorite ‘knobby’ tire at a mail order retail price of $62!  But I am still a Pirelli MT43 rear tire guy for off road, considering traction, price ($71) and mileage of approximately 1700 miles per tire.

#33

‘Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest’

Fly...Tough Enough!

Can you believe rides in California, Arizona, Montana, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Baja. Desert and more desert, rocks, cactus, sand, trees, water crossings, mud, pavement and more rocks? 16,000 miles and this gear still looks pretty good. That's some tough stuff!

Even a few crashes didn't do much damage.

Fly Patrol Still Going After 16,000 Miles

FLY PATROL OFF ROAD GEAR

Having been riding with the FLY PATROL off road pants and jersey now for about two years, I figured it was about time to do a follow up for MX43 readers.

Although this gear is now getting pretty long in the tooth, it is now finally starting to reach its limits. Throw in a lot of manzanita brush, cactus of all kinds, rocks and other things like hot exhaust pipes and it is understandable how I finally pushed it to the limits!

In two years and approximately 16,000 miles I have flogged and crashed the FLY PATROL pants through enough brush and rocks that I am seeing crash related tears show up. I am still amazed that the PATROL jersey has no tears! It is starting to show rough spots and snags but continues to stay in one piece despite my best efforts.

I really appreciate this gear due to the fact that I always have a place to carry my wallet, cell phone and money for gas and lunch! The adjustable waistband is a bonus too, especially when you enjoy a little too much lunch on really long rides, not that I have EVER done that. The vents with zippers are invaluable when you ride from hot to cold and back all in one ride. Countless times I have enjoyed the luxury of zipping or unzipping with changes in weather and elevation.

So if you are looking for a set of gear that you can trail ride, moto, dual sport or even race with the FLY PATROL combo can do it all.

#33

‘Life is like riding a motorcycle, balance and poise are only achieved by moving forward’

Flying on FLY pegs

I was recently introduced to the new FLY foot peg system and will never go back! These things are AWESOME!  They look great and perform incredibly well.
The arched profile keeps a more constant contact area with my boots as I ride. This keeps me from slipping when things get wet and muddy.
Having now logged well over 1000 miles on them they show no wear spots or dulling of the cleats. Also they are apparently very durable since they have encountered numerous bashing on rocks and logs throughout Idaho, Montana and the deserts of Arizona. So far so good not a mark or deformation to be seen.
The arched profile should also extend the life of my boot soles if I am correct just by not digging in as regular pegs do. Only time will tell, but I will let you know.
Well the sun is coming up and I have some FLY pegs to test!

#33
‘a good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow’

Riding In The Rain!

A WET SURPRISE!

Have you ever gone out on a beautiful day for a ride and got sent scurrying back to the truck soaking wet?
I started out on an exploration ride into some local mountains with the expectation it would be significantly cooler that the 98* temp at the van. But I did error on the side of caution and threw my FLY Black Ops jacket in my pack. Just in case. Boy, did I choose wisely! As I headed up the mountain a few clouds appeared and I thought, Great maybe I will get a sprinkle during Sept and have moist trails all to myself, since it was a weekday.
About 45 minutes into the ride I was approaching 6000 ft and could now see over the mountain range. Man was it DARK!
I thought if I stopped and put on my FLY jacket I would work my way into a valley I wanted to explore and miss the big stuff. Within 10 minutes of putting the jacket on I was cruising along in a slight drizzle. I could see because my goggles were not getting hammered so I kept going.
That lasted all of about 3 minutes, then the rain drops got so big I was sure I saw them making a splash or just bouncing a bit like hail. Trying to be the optimist I approached it like Bill Murry in Caddyshack when he soldiered on in his raincoat and galoshes. I even remember trying to distract myself by asking, ‘Do you think the big stuff will be coming?’.  I made myself laugh!
In about another mile on the trail my gloves and pants were soaked so I pulled over against a hill with some trees protecting about one square foot.  I tried to squeeze myself into it to wait it out. I made myself as small as I could but was still getting hit from all sides. I huddled there for about 30 minutes. During that time, I watched my poor 500 XCW get a shower!

It was looking pretty good since I hadn’t washed it in almost 2 months! It looked so clean I snapped a picture! Then I noticed the rain had come down hard enough it was now running down the road as a small creek! DOH!!!  I would have to go back that way.
Also I was there long enough I was starting to get cold and thinking about how good a hot shower was going to feel. So as soon as the monsoon let up, I fired up the KTM and headed my butt back toward the van.  The good thing was that the more I descended the less rain I encountered. It also warmed up considerably with the elevation drop. Life was good!
I made it back to the van and the 98* temps in the valley had almost dried me out. I changed out of the damp riding clothes into some dry street clothes and realized my ride had been cut short, I got cold, soaked and only covered 47 miles. Then I realized I was smiling and thought: This was the Best Ride Ever!!!
#33
‘Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful’