Tires Megathread

[BergyPatty37]

Recently had IRC GP-1 in size 3.0-17 installed front and rear. Had to fender lift the front. Definitely better than stock IRCs on the trails. On road get a little bit of a hum at higher speeds but nothing terrible. Haven't had an issue power wise but I also regeared my 23 to 13T front 42T rear, so it has plenty of torque in the bottom end. Overall big upgrade compared to stock if you do any trails and offroading. I forget what my local shop charged me for the tires, I think they were around $40/tire, which even if they only last 2k miles is pretty dang cheap. Had no issues reusing 2.5 tubes, Let me know if you have questions, ill try my best to answer.

 

[Kuro Neko]

With my fender lift kit, though not rubbing the stock fender bolts come very close to the GP22 side blocks, and I am sure I've felt and heard a few sticks and rocks DING against them as they get whizzed around.



300円 for four stainless, low-profile, 3mm in-hex M6 x 10 mm machine screws seems to be a reasonable option to generate some more clearance...



The 10mm length too (shorter than OEM style) keeps the tail end from chewing into the shock boot as well.

 

[BergyPatty37]

Hey everyone,
I contacted Shinko today 11/04/2025 to see if they had any plans or thoughts about creating the Shinko SR244 'Golden Boy' in a 2.75-17 size. Gentleman on the phone said they had nothing in the pipeline. I would be curious how many people would be interested in this tire in that size. There really isn't a tread like that available in the 2.75, its either 2.5 or 3.0.
If you would be interested in Shinko SR244 'Golden Boy' in 2.75-17, please like this comment. If I get enough likes I may reach back out to them and see.

Thanks - Tyler

 

[dmonkey]

I'll mention that there is a tire with a very similar tread on the market, Vee Rubber VRM-022. It was available through "Parts for Scooters" which has since been acquired by Scooter Works, but right now they only list the 3.00-17 on their site. You might have better odds of asking Scooter Works to import an existing tire in a different size, than get a new tire size made.

 

[BergyPatty37]

I just figured Shinko is a well known quality brand, and they have the sizes around it, wouldn't hurt to see if they could get it made. Can find Shinko's in the States pretty commonly, but if they don't I might go that route, or just get the 241. I like the IRC GP-1 I have on it, but they are also 3.00-17. I'm going to try something else once I wear them down next year.

 

[Kuro Neko]

I would doubt the size of the US (or even, non-Thai) market would justify anyone's volume analysis...
That said, more options would be nice!

Notable as my IRC GP-22s are hardly what I would call 'hard-wearing', as they are already seeing their blocks ablated after just two months' of admittedly hard trail riding.

 

[RegularGuy]

I would doubt the size of the US (or even, non-Thai) market would justify anyone's volume analysis...
That said, more options would be nice!

Notable as my IRC GP-22s are hardly what I would call 'hard-wearing', as they are already seeing their blocks ablated after just two months' of admittedly hard trail riding.

I recently email Mitas asking if they ever considered getting into the Honda Trail OE size (2.75x17). Specificly the MC-24

MC-24 | Mitas Moto

Suitable for commuter dual-sport and ADV riders searching for a reliable, long lasting tread pattern with the ability to venture into light off-road conditions and all-weather use. The MC-24 features a special durable compound with a large block pattern with lateral and directional grooves for...

www.mitas-moto.com

 

[dmonkey]

Just to clarify, OE tire size is 80/90-17. They list metric sizes on the Mitas website, so might have better luck asking for it in a metric size.

 

[sweetinc]

Donkeythekidd, those tires look great. I plan to order them as well. Did you put the 2.75 on the front and rear? If you put the 3.00 on the rear, did you have any rubbing?

I viewed the Okie in Thailand video, but couldn't determine if he had any rubbing on the rear. I recall that he was running the 3.00 on the rear.

Anyone else have the VMR-022s and what success with the 3" on the rear?

Thanks

I have the VM – 022 in the 3 inch wide version front and back. No issues with them at all. I’ve had them for about 2000 miles and they have barely worn at all. That said, I am going to try some Shinko 241s come this spring.

 

[Oldfatguy]

Hey everyone,
I contacted Shinko today 11/04/2025 to see if they had any plans or thoughts about creating the Shinko SR244 'Golden Boy' in a 2.75-17 size. Gentleman on the phone said they had nothing in the pipeline. I would be curious how many people would be interested in this tire in that size. There really isn't a tread like that available in the 2.75, its either 2.5 or 3.0.
If you would be interested in Shinko SR244 'Golden Boy' in 2.75-17, please like this comment. If I get enough likes I may reach back out to them and see.

Thanks - Tyler

i would buy one in 2.75-17.

OFG

 

[BergyPatty37]

i would buy one in 2.75-17.

OFG

Doesn't seem likely honestly. I tried the same thing with seat concepts comfort seats, not enough demand for them to justify production

 

[Oldfatguy]

Doesn't seem likely honestly. I tried the same thing with seat concepts comfort seats, not enough demand for them to justify production

Well, probably go with a 241 2.75-17 front.

OFG

 

[Kuro Neko]

After 1800km, my IRC GP-22 rear is down to a few mm on the leading edge of blocks across center of tire.
Some sketchy tail-out slipping on wet grass had me fit a Dunlop K950 to the rear, and I will see how they wear for my mixed road and trail riding.

The front GP-22 still has some life in it, so I will let it run and then fit a matching K950 to the front as well...

 

[BergyPatty37]

View attachment 13306

After 1800km, my IRC GP-22 rear is down to a few mm on the leading edge of blocks across center of tire.
Some sketchy tail-out slipping on wet grass had me fit a Dunlop K950 to the rear, and I will see how they wear for my mixed road and trail riding.

The front GP-22 still has some life in it, so I will let it run and then fit a matching K950 to the front as well...

Wow that seems like pretty rapid tire wear. That is like 1120 miles which seems low. Usually rears get at least 2k miles (3200km) before starting to have bad symptoms and road behavior like that.
What size tires did you have on there and any excessive loads on the rack?

 

[Kuro Neko]

Wow that seems like pretty rapid tire wear. That is like 1120 miles which seems low. Usually rears get at least 2k miles (3200km) before starting to have bad symptoms and road behavior like that.
What size tires did you have on there and any excessive loads on the rack?

The GP-22 are 2.75 inch front and rear, running 225kPa on the rear, and 175 on the front.
No heavy load on rack, just me (80kg).

I do run 20 or 30 km transport stages on bitumen between trails though (at 60 to 70 km/h), and some of the trails have the rear tire scrambling for grip on rocks, broken concrete, and similar, and I'd attributed the wear to the combination of general hard use.
Notably as it appears to be the leading edge of the blocks suffering the most.

New K950 2.75-17 fresh from fitting:



My wife wanted to know if I had been using Launch Control on the Hunter Cub too, as my car has also been known to have accelerated wear on the rears...

 

[Kuro Neko]

Wow that seems like pretty rapid tire wear.

Further, it occurred to me I might be over-relying on dragging the rear brake to slow down on fast hills on pavement.
I will try and remember to use the front...

 

[Oldfatguy]

Further, it occurred to me I might be over-relying on dragging the rear brake to slow down on fast hills on pavement.
I will try and remember to use the front...

Use both.

OFG

 

[Kuro Neko]

Use both.

OFG

Indeed!

 

[BergyPatty37]

Thinking I am going to switch out the IRC GP-1 3.00-17 that I installed last fall to the Shinko Golden Boy SR241 in 2.75-17. The 3.00 tire looks good, but I feel that its size and weight really bogs the bike down, even with the 13/42 gearing I am running. Luckily tires are cheap for these machines!

Is anyone running Shinko 241's in 2.50-17?

 

[Kuro Neko]

The 3.00 tire looks good, but I feel that its size and weight really bogs the bike down, even with the 13/42 gearing I am running.

I have avoided 3.00 tires for this reason alone, and your comment adds another confirmation that while the larger tire does indeed look a bit better, we take a hit on functionality.
Not for me!

After my present Dunlop K950, I might try the Pirelli City Cross and see how they suit my bitumen and trail 50:50 combo...