help with tire sizes please
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I wouldn't put a Shinko on somebody else's wheelbarrow, let alone a Harley....they are utter ***** and can cause serious handling issues...this is my direct experience of them.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,815
Likes: 8,714
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I understand how to convert metric/SAE, that's not the issue. I do know they are slightly different in this area. Metrics spec gives aspect ratio I believe, these Shinko do not. So from this I don't know how tall they are or if that effects anything negatively. I see from the overall diameter that the Shinkos are a tad taller, but will just about fit under the front fender. The rear I'm not as sure.
And rim width. Shinkos say what size rim width they will fit, but then the parts houses can't tell me what typical standard Harley rim sizes are, and I don't yet know. The metric system of tire sizing seems superior to me in terms of giving more info. I can and will figure this out the long way, was just asking here to see if someone could shed some usable light going forward.
And for Crissake Shinko, if you only make a few SAE sizes of classic tire, and they actually fit classic Harleys, TELL US THEY FIT CLASSIC HARLEYS.
What I am looking for is how do we know if it will fit or not without finding manufacturer spec sheets? I know my 100/90 -19 is 100mm wide by (90% of 100) 90mm tall on a 19 inch rim. How tall is a SAE 4.00 -19? I know 4.00 inches is nearly 100mm for width, so that's good. How tall is it without searching for an AI looking and often typo'd and incomplete web spec page? Or is this all we have to work with? I'm asking as I don't yet know.
And rim width. Shinkos say what size rim width they will fit, but then the parts houses can't tell me what typical standard Harley rim sizes are, and I don't yet know. The metric system of tire sizing seems superior to me in terms of giving more info. I can and will figure this out the long way, was just asking here to see if someone could shed some usable light going forward.
And for Crissake Shinko, if you only make a few SAE sizes of classic tire, and they actually fit classic Harleys, TELL US THEY FIT CLASSIC HARLEYS.
What I am looking for is how do we know if it will fit or not without finding manufacturer spec sheets? I know my 100/90 -19 is 100mm wide by (90% of 100) 90mm tall on a 19 inch rim. How tall is a SAE 4.00 -19? I know 4.00 inches is nearly 100mm for width, so that's good. How tall is it without searching for an AI looking and often typo'd and incomplete web spec page? Or is this all we have to work with? I'm asking as I don't yet know.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,053
Likes: 19,189
From: The Wasteland
Because I ran a set of the 777s on an 03 Road King and found them to be great tires. Very sticky, rode nice, quiet, and handled well, even in rain. They do wear out faster, but at about half the price of other brands, theyre not a bad deal.
I've read a lot of other people on here saying the same thing too.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
I have no problem with Shinko. They are made in a modern factory in Korea, where they do top notch work for competitive wages. I have seen the Shinko factory video tour. It doesn't look like ***** to me. We used to think "Jap crap" was junk too, until they started kicking ***. Now look at them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,434
From: OH
I have no input on Shinko as a brand.
Never tried them on my bikes
Put a set of Classics on a Pan, test rode it and gave it back to owner
However, as post # 3 points out, your bike might be better served by their model 777 instead of the Classics
If you simply must have the retro appearance by all means buy them
Never tried them on my bikes
Put a set of Classics on a Pan, test rode it and gave it back to owner
However, as post # 3 points out, your bike might be better served by their model 777 instead of the Classics
If you simply must have the retro appearance by all means buy them
Last edited by eighteight; Jan 28, 2026 at 08:57 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,590
Likes: 3,362
From: Cental, MI
They Do Not Live Long...Is only Knock I have on them...Which is the Reason we Use them on any Bike gonna go on Race Track..Sticky!! Soft and Sticky...Not Good for All Occasions..
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 250
Likes: 89
From: SWFL
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I'm curious what exactly was your experience with them?
Because I ran a set of the 777s on an 03 Road King and found them to be great tires. Very sticky, rode nice, quiet, and handled well, even in rain. They do wear out faster, but at about half the price of other brands, theyre not a bad deal.
I've read a lot of other people on here saying the same thing too.
Because I ran a set of the 777s on an 03 Road King and found them to be great tires. Very sticky, rode nice, quiet, and handled well, even in rain. They do wear out faster, but at about half the price of other brands, theyre not a bad deal.
I've read a lot of other people on here saying the same thing too.
Both were white walls, the correct tyre for the bike and all that shizzle...wouldn't fit them on anything now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I have no problem with Shinko. They are made in a modern factory in Korea, where they do top notch work for competitive wages. I have seen the Shinko factory video tour. It doesn't look like ***** to me. We used to think "Jap crap" was junk too, until they started kicking ***. Now look at them.
I drive a Korean car, a turbo diesel Hyundai Grandeur, it has over 225,000 miles on it and drives like a new one...I have no bias against Korean products, I worked on some of the first Hyundai pickups to come into the UK and was totally impressed...but Shinko are a hard no for me.
Last edited by Spanners39; Jan 28, 2026 at 03:57 PM.
