Very! Tyre pressure is one of the most important maintenance tasks you should perform before every ride. Although the carcass and overall structure of the tyre has a significant effect on the overall performance of the tyre, for it to function properly you must have sufficient air pressure in the tyre.
We recommend that you check your air pressure before every ride, especially when carrying a load. Every 4 psi of air lost in the tyre translates to approximately 25 to 30 kilogram reduction in load carrying capacity. For example, if your tyre pressure is 34 psi, instead of a recommended 41 psi, you would need to take 55 to 65 kilograms of load off of the motorcycle. Never exceed the maximum load capacity that is stamped on the sidewall of the tyre at the recommended air pressure.
Another reason proper air pressure is so important, is to ensure proper handling of the motorcycle. Never over-inflate a tyre, as over-inflation of a tyre may reduce the contact patch. Likewise, under-inflation generates uneven contact pressure and support. Both conditions negatively affect the handling and stability of the motorcycle.
We recommend that you first consult the owner’s manual for your motorcycle to find the original size of the front and rear tyres. Once you know the sizes, it is imperative that you only purchase tyres of the same size recommended in the owner’s manual.
We recommend that you only use a mild soap solution to clean your sidewalls and whitewalls. Then rinse with plain water.
Shinko recommends a run-in distance of approximately 100 km’s. Before then, maximum power or hard cornering should not be applied to the tyres. Proper run-in allows you to familiarize yourself with the feel of the new tyres or tyre combinations, as well as allowing the tyre mold release agent applied during the manufacturing process to be worn off.
We recommend that you first consult the owner’s manual for your motorcycle to find the original size of the front and rear tyres. Once you know the sizes, it is imperative that you only purchase tyres of the same size recommended in the owner’s manual.
Shinko does not recommend repairing damaged street tyres. Temporary repair should not be attempted because secondary damage may occur that results in sudden tyre failure or an accident. Shinko also does not recommend the use of liquid sealants, as they are a form of temporary repair that may adversely affect ply material and disguise secondary damage. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a way to repair a street tyre. The same recommendations apply to dirt tyres, except where no external damage is apparent, and a new inner tube typically repairs a deflated tyre.
Wider tyres should only be installed with the approval of the motorcycle or tyre manufacturer. If wider tyres are approved for a particular motorcycle, one size designation it is the typical permissible size increase. Be sure to consider clearance for width and diameter, the effect on stability and handling, and whether your rim is wide enough. Always allow for some tyre growth, as all tyres will increase in size after they have been inflated and ridden on for a few hundred km’s.