Shinko 777 still a good choice?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 103
Likes: 158
From: Arkansas
What I wanted was anything but scorchers. I asked about all kinds of brands. When I asked about Shinkos no one would touch them. They all came down to quality issues. Every installer said they have had issues with them before & did not sell them & would not install them. Seems funny that someone wouldn't want to sell something and make a few bucks unless it has issues. Usually shop fees are higher than mark ups too so faster wear would be a plus to an installer. So quality issues to me sounded legit. When I was a mechanic we wouldnt install certain parts because we knew it was a headache. Of course we marked up the parts we sold but we would install comparable parts for a fee. We would not install junk parts that would cause us to do the job again. No other brands the independent shops refused to touch. Just the Shinkos. So again sounded like a a quality issue. HD wanted to sell only their branded tires which makes sense. The independents all had their favorites but they all suggested Dunlops & Metzler. Dunlop was never on my radar. Metzler was. I'd rode on them before & was happy with the 88's back in the day. Buy once cry once.
Thread Starter
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,512
Likes: 3,924
From: San Diego, CA
I tried Dunlop GT501 after the stock 401. Did not like them, so I went to the Pirelli Night Dragon, which I really liked. But, they don't seem to make the ND anymore, and I've heard the 777 are fairly sticky, which is the best feature of the NDs. Since I don't put a lot of miles on per year, another plus for the 777 is being less expensive. I have a week off in April, so I plan on doing it during my spring break.
I'll call my indy and ask about installing Shinko, never thought it might be an issue. We'll find out.
John
I'll call my indy and ask about installing Shinko, never thought it might be an issue. We'll find out.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Jan 29, 2026 at 06:10 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 1,920
From: Santa Ana, CA
Never heard of a shop refusing to mount tires before. What do they care, they're getting paid for the labor. Sounds like they were just trying to sell tires. I road 888's for a while but didn't like them. They were very slick when cold. I have cruisetecs now and they have been good so far. Much better than the 888's.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Jan 29, 2026 at 10:07 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 657
From: Eastpointe, MI
Jerry Bs
Never heard of a shop refusing to mount tires before. What do they care, they're getting paid for the labor. Sounds like they were just trying to sell tires. I road 888's for a while but didn't like them. They were very slick when cold. I have cruisetecs now and they have been good so far. Much better than the 888's.
You just have to walk out the door rather than give them what they want and get your third choice.
I had one demand to put wheel bearings on any tires they mounted. Only went there the one time.
Jerry Bs in Detroit - a one man operation he has all the work he wants and more and he'll do that - crazy prices too.
It seemed to offend him when you laughed.
Let's start naming names.
Good and bad.
Now Bad Pig will do whatever you wanted at a reasonable price.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 1,920
From: Santa Ana, CA
I guess shops are alot more accommodating where I'm at. I'm lucky now as I have a motorcycle tire shop a few blocks from my work.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,014
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From: The Wasteland
Never heard of a shop refusing to mount tires before. What do they care, they're getting paid for the labor. Sounds like they were just trying to sell tires. I road 888's for a while but didn't like them. They were very slick when cold. I have cruisetecs now and they have been good so far. Much better than the 888's.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 103
Likes: 158
From: Arkansas
One of the shops mentioned bead issues. One of them had a guy comeback because the tire separated. I don't remember who said what that was over a year ago & I was looking at a bunch of tires while also taking care of more important stuff too. (I took my time figuring out what I wanted). But hey man to each their own. Just passing on what I was told. I'm happy with what I put on mine though & wouldn't change it right now if the shops around here would install them.