aniwack
Site Supporter
So as the one who has dealt with this the most in my local riding group, I've been asked to do a comparison guide for five tires that I've ridden on and my opinion on how they handle. I'm posting here as well for those who are on the fence on who/what/which to get. Hopefully this will help many people out. First off let's break down the tires into five easy categories:
Budget Brand- Shinko 011
Walmart Brand- Dunlop 404
Middle on the Road- Bridgestone Battax T31/T32
Lexus Brand- Michelin Pilot Road 4
Gold Standard- Michelin Commander 3
So let's start with the basics. I don't do that compound grip blah blah stuff as I am stickly by rating and price. As a motor escort I put a 2009 PA though its paces. From wet to dry, asphalt to concrete, Atlanta's I-285 is the best test track there is. In 63.8 miles you get the best of everything: Trucks, potholes, and asshole cagers. Throw in windy roads that follow the hills and you're ripe for awesome riding. You must be quick on the throttle though to avoid those sudden lane changers/.
Let's get started on the breakdown:
Shinko 011- It's the budget brand for a reason. I switched to this sub $100 tire because 2020 killed my escort business. Lockdowns = No loads. So the Shinko was the best of the sub-$100 world and as it has decent reviews in the rider forms, sure why not. So here's the gritty: they are a budget brand tire and they ride like a budget brand tire. There is vibration in the tire even when balanced, when in wake turbulance around trucks you feel pushed around, and it rides cheap. You will definitely notice road noise. As for wet roads, I haven't had a problem. The treads are to the sides for curves but I haven't experienced any slipping.... so far. But it rides like a budget brand. The best way to compare it is the $15 sneakers from Walmart vs $300 Nike. The Nike is going to have a much different feel. (Disclaimer: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Walmart shoes. My kid go on a tear through sizes!!)
Would I buy another set of Shinko's? Price would be the main factor.
Wear out life- 5000-8000 miles
Dunlop 404- Oh Dunlop... to be young again. The stable of the Honda OEM tire... meh. It's a step up from the Shinko in the right direction. I've put 13000 miles on a pair (really shouldn't have but meh) and it road fine until the end. Grip and balance is to be expected at this low $100 range tire. It's not a Bridgestone but I've never had a problem with the quality of the tire. This tire routinely gets dissed by (ahem) "elite riders" on their fancy Goldwings. The only grievance I had against the 404 is you can tell you're above 7500 miles by the curve handling. I've got a right turn that I make that has a dip in it. When the Dunlop got worn it felt like the bike wanted to drop. Luckily it didn't. If you find a good price on the 404, have at it. Or you can hold out for our next contestant...
Would I buy another set of Dunlop's? It better be on sale.
Bridgestone Battax T31/T32- My 1300 came from 'Hollywood' with a used pair of Bridgestones on them. From the wear the tires were fairly new. So I put 15000 on them. Great tire overall. Corners, wet concrete, Icing, it did really well. Would I throw another pair on? Sure. The Mid-$100's price range is certainly better than the higher priced Michelin. I will knock it for gravel parking lots. Every pebble felt like a cliff I was falling off. Cornering and wet roads were fine. Overall a smooth comfortable ride.
Would I buy another set of Bridgestone's? Yup.
Michelin Pilot Road 4- Have you ever gotten in a luxury automobile and just pressed the gas to the floor? The smooth acceleration, tight handling in curves, cupholders in every conceivable location.... the list goes on. I thought the Road 4 was a very nice tire. The grip is nice and it handles really well on wet concrete. The road vibration is low and it handles well. These tires are really nice. The online reviews give the Road 4 high marks for their wear life and handling. I can see why these are extremely popular.
Would I buy another set of Road 4's? Oh for sure.
Michelin Commander 3- I have a confession, I've used the Commander 2 and 3's. The kevlar reinforcement makes the ride extremely smooth. This tire is over $200 and for the price you get what you pay for. Overall, great tire. Definitely would want to save up for another set.
Would I buy another set? I'd look for any coupon to be found,
How do you like the tires that you're riding on?
Budget Brand- Shinko 011
Walmart Brand- Dunlop 404
Middle on the Road- Bridgestone Battax T31/T32
Lexus Brand- Michelin Pilot Road 4
Gold Standard- Michelin Commander 3
So let's start with the basics. I don't do that compound grip blah blah stuff as I am stickly by rating and price. As a motor escort I put a 2009 PA though its paces. From wet to dry, asphalt to concrete, Atlanta's I-285 is the best test track there is. In 63.8 miles you get the best of everything: Trucks, potholes, and asshole cagers. Throw in windy roads that follow the hills and you're ripe for awesome riding. You must be quick on the throttle though to avoid those sudden lane changers/.
Let's get started on the breakdown:
Shinko 011- It's the budget brand for a reason. I switched to this sub $100 tire because 2020 killed my escort business. Lockdowns = No loads. So the Shinko was the best of the sub-$100 world and as it has decent reviews in the rider forms, sure why not. So here's the gritty: they are a budget brand tire and they ride like a budget brand tire. There is vibration in the tire even when balanced, when in wake turbulance around trucks you feel pushed around, and it rides cheap. You will definitely notice road noise. As for wet roads, I haven't had a problem. The treads are to the sides for curves but I haven't experienced any slipping.... so far. But it rides like a budget brand. The best way to compare it is the $15 sneakers from Walmart vs $300 Nike. The Nike is going to have a much different feel. (Disclaimer: There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Walmart shoes. My kid go on a tear through sizes!!)
Would I buy another set of Shinko's? Price would be the main factor.
Wear out life- 5000-8000 miles
Dunlop 404- Oh Dunlop... to be young again. The stable of the Honda OEM tire... meh. It's a step up from the Shinko in the right direction. I've put 13000 miles on a pair (really shouldn't have but meh) and it road fine until the end. Grip and balance is to be expected at this low $100 range tire. It's not a Bridgestone but I've never had a problem with the quality of the tire. This tire routinely gets dissed by (ahem) "elite riders" on their fancy Goldwings. The only grievance I had against the 404 is you can tell you're above 7500 miles by the curve handling. I've got a right turn that I make that has a dip in it. When the Dunlop got worn it felt like the bike wanted to drop. Luckily it didn't. If you find a good price on the 404, have at it. Or you can hold out for our next contestant...
Would I buy another set of Dunlop's? It better be on sale.
Bridgestone Battax T31/T32- My 1300 came from 'Hollywood' with a used pair of Bridgestones on them. From the wear the tires were fairly new. So I put 15000 on them. Great tire overall. Corners, wet concrete, Icing, it did really well. Would I throw another pair on? Sure. The Mid-$100's price range is certainly better than the higher priced Michelin. I will knock it for gravel parking lots. Every pebble felt like a cliff I was falling off. Cornering and wet roads were fine. Overall a smooth comfortable ride.
Would I buy another set of Bridgestone's? Yup.
Michelin Pilot Road 4- Have you ever gotten in a luxury automobile and just pressed the gas to the floor? The smooth acceleration, tight handling in curves, cupholders in every conceivable location.... the list goes on. I thought the Road 4 was a very nice tire. The grip is nice and it handles really well on wet concrete. The road vibration is low and it handles well. These tires are really nice. The online reviews give the Road 4 high marks for their wear life and handling. I can see why these are extremely popular.
Would I buy another set of Road 4's? Oh for sure.
Michelin Commander 3- I have a confession, I've used the Commander 2 and 3's. The kevlar reinforcement makes the ride extremely smooth. This tire is over $200 and for the price you get what you pay for. Overall, great tire. Definitely would want to save up for another set.
Would I buy another set? I'd look for any coupon to be found,
How do you like the tires that you're riding on?
