Shinko Virge 011 front tire

[RapidRoy]

I mounted a Shinko Virge radial on the front last weekend and thought I'd share my preliminary impressions. I was replacing a Dunlop D220 radial which probably had 3k miles of life left, but was badly scalloped and made a horrible racket on smooth roads. With 2 kids in college, I wanted an affordable tire to replace it. I don't push the bike very hard, so I wanted something sticky enough to stop fast and turn quicky. I'm not too worried about all out cornering.

First, compared to the D220, the Virge seems a much better fit physically for the C10 front rim. With both tires unmounted, the resting rim width of the D220 is a good 1.5" wider. In other words, the D220 has to be distorted quite a bit when put onto the narrow rim of the connie. Although I didn't measure it, the Virge looked like its rim resting rim width was about the same as the connie's rim width.

After mounting, I tried the spin, mark and repeat exercise to balance the tire. I had marks randomly spaced all over the thing. I finally gave up and didn't add any weight. My road test seems to indicate it is pretty balanced, but I still need to do a higher speed test to make sure.

As far as handling, it felt a bit unstable for the first 25 miles or so. After about 100 miles it seems to have settled in pretty well. Compared to the D220, it is more stable over grooves. It also turns in much easier and feels far more responsive. I would attribute that to the more rounded profile as compared to the D220. The downside, however, is it does take a bit more steering input to keep it going straight, not alot but it is noticeable. It also seems a bit more influenced by wind. Because the tire is more responsive to input, the wind was more easily compensated for, so that's probably a wash. It is also more responsive in slow speed cornering where the D220 just felt numb.

So far I like the tire. I've seen some reports state that the Virge's tread life isn't great. Since it was $85 shipped to my front door, if it gets half the life of the other tires out there, most of which are $140 and up, I'll be happy. I'd rather pull the wheel more frequently, check the bearings, replace fork oil, clean brakes... anyway.

[COGnosticat0r]

So far I like the tire. I've seen some reports state that the Virge's tread life isn't great. Since it was $85 shipped to my front door, if it gets half the life of the other tires out there, most of which are $140 and up, I'll be happy. I'd rather pull the wheel more frequently, check the bearings, replace fork oil, clean brakes... anyway.

So far I have 4750 on my front Verge 011, it will be coming off in the next 2000 miles if it last that long, that is when I estimate I will need to change the rear 009 Raven with 3100 miles    The rear 011 lasted 2950 miles

[jworth]

I have a Verge waiting in the wings that'll go in in another thousand miles or so.  It's a cheap enough experiment. 

As far as the balancing you might consider a little trick I use.  I put my axle across a couple of jack stands that have some paper towels on protect the axle.  Then I put a wrench on the axle.  That allows you to twist the axle a little bit back and forth breaking the static friction in the bearings.  I find this way I get FAR more repeatable results and it works more quickly, too.   I don't know from whom I got the idea on the old forum back in the day, but it's a good tip to pass on.

[RapidRoy]

So far I have 4750 on my front Verge 011, it will be coming off in the next 2000 miles if it last that long, that is when I estimate I will need to change the rear 009 Raven with 3100 miles    The rear 011 lasted 2950 miles

Wow. Very short life. I hope I'm not disappointed. I take it you have a 17 inch rear.

[COGnosticat0r]

Wow. Very short life. I hope I'm not disappointed. I take it you have a 17 inch rear.

Yep a C14 with a 17" tire

[RapidRoy]

Jerry,

Just curious, how hard to you ride? 3100 miles isn't much, especially if you're just riding normally.

Roy

[GF-in-CA]

I have the 011's front and rear (C10 with 17" front and rear) with only about 800 miles so far.  The 009's I replaced went 6000 miles on the rear, and the front still had a couple thousand miles left, but was getting cupped.  I like the handling of the 011's better than the 009's, but will see how well I do on the mileage.  I ride straight roads to get to twisties, about 50% of each type, plus I ride 2 up about 75% of the time.

[COGnosticat0r]

Jerry,

Just curious, how hard to you ride? 3100 miles isn't much, especially if you're just riding normally.

Roy

Honestly, I ride like a bat outta hell, frequent runs over 100 and when in the twisties I run as hard as I dare.  I did get 6k out of the Angel ST so I thought for sure the Shinko would last just as long, but boy was I surprised. I am thinking my next tire will be the Conti road attack II.  I have a riding buddy who says he got 8k out of the original RA and he rides just as crazy as I do.