Hello Darryl. I can vouch for both the Shinko 712 and 230 for the Savage as I have run them both. Both have given me good all weather traction (not implying that I have pushed them to the limit, I'm not that good a rider) and long life. The 230 may be a better tire than the 712, but on the lightweight Savage I don't believe it makes much of a difference. At the moment I believe I have a 712 on the front and a Dunlop D404 on the rear (It was cheaper than the 712 when I needed to replace the rear tire). This is my first experience with the dunlop, for my riding level/skills, it is doing just fine.

I use the 230's exclusively on my larger and heavier Honda Shadow Spirit 1100. And if I have an even heavier bike I would probably go with the Shinko 777's. Yes, I think Shinko makes a very decent tire at a good price.

If read good things about Kenda but have never tried them.

Good luck!

TLDR:

Can anybody running Dunlop D404s (100/90-19 and 140/90-15) attest to if they're soft enough and good for country roads / cutting canyons?
(or Kenda 673s in the same sizes)

Since putting tubes in tubeless tires is a bad idea, but every tire option seems to be tubeless (besides the IRC GS18s) are y'all sealing your spoked wheels or just putting tubes in anyways?

Anybody have viking bags and know if they work with carriage bolts or if their bolts clear 140/90-15s?




Good god the more I read from y'all on this page the more confused I get. I been going through these pages and bouncing back to the tire size guide that Paladin made back in 08 (some of those tires/companies don't seem to exist anymore). I'm still on the IRC GS18s that came with my bike from the factory in 2013 and am desperate to get off them before I have an accident.

I'm mostly surface street riding, starting to get on the highway more, with the goal of getting up to the mountains and cutting canyons WITHOUT laying her down and flying off a cliff never to be seen or heard from again.

With that in mind I know I need something with a bit softer rubber to keep me from slipping in the canyons so the Metzeler high mileage tires are out.

The consensus seems to be IRCs suck so those are out (even though they're the only tubed tires on the list from what I can tell)

After reading the last couple pages and Dave's raging against tubes in tubeless tires I know I should get tubed tires but ALL OF THEM seem to be sold as tubeless nowadays so either I need to put a tube in a tubeless anyways or I need to seal my spoked rim. Has everybody else gotten their spoked wheels sealed or are y'all putting tubes in your Shinkos and Metzelers and Kendas?

Given what my cycle gear has in stock from the remaining options I'm leaning towards D404s 100/90-19s front and 140/90-15s in the rear, or Kenda 673 in the same sizes. I haven't found anything in here really saying they're good or bad for country roads and cutting canyons or not. If anybody's running em and could tell me what you think I'd appreciate the hell out of ya before I go and drop money I don't have on new tires.

I'm also probably going to be putting carriage bolts in the fender to keep from rubbing the tire, whether that's actually needed or not. hopefully they're work with viking bags.

ThumperPaul wrote on 07/23/26 at 13:40:36:


That's with a tube in the tubeless tire you're talking about? Sorry but I'm dumb and need it spelled out sometimes.

I have run the stock IRCs, Dunlop 404s, and the Shinko 230s.  The IRCs wear out too fast.  The Dunlops weigh a ton.  I really like the Shinkos.  Easy to mount, great wear life, no problems with handling, good price.  I don't canyon carve so can't comment on that.  Never had a problem running tubes in tubeless tires.  Been doin that for close to 60 years.  Not sure what your concern is.

I401 wrote on 07/23/26 at 18:13:54:


Perhaps my comments were a bit misleading.  If your rim requires a tube - you need to use a tube.  It is fine to put a tire marked "TUBELESS" on a spoked rim and use a tube......you really don't have a choice.  Most of us who ride Savages are using Tubeless tires on spoked rims with tubes.

The problem with a tire/tube combination - is that when punctured a tube can deflate quickly and with little or no warning.  It doesn't happen often - but it can be very dangerous when it does.  I have friend who had a front tire "blow out" on his vintage Ducati.  The front tire deflated instantly and he lost his ability to brake or steer, and the bike went down and it broke his hand when it hit the pavement...he didn't even have time to let go of the hand grip on the way down.

My Savage has spoked wheels and tubeless tires if various brands over the years - so far no flats or punctures.

I have had 2 punctures while riding my other bikes with tubeless tires and cast rims - thankfully they have Tire Pressure Monitors and I was alerted of the pressure drop.  I have a portable air compressor and was able to air them back up and make it home.

Enjoy your Shinko tires - they are very nice and affordable tires!