Tire Comparison of Kenda K262, Shinko 241 and Michelin Pilot Street 2 for EUC and Leaperkim Lynx

[@jonoeuc]

update: The weight of the Shinko 241 is 2267g (80oz) Correction: K262 distance is closer to 7500km (4660miles) - source euc wheeler lynx to near bald

[@WILSONsHobbies]

Yessss shinko 241. I knew when i put that on my Patton, that this was the tire for me for all versatile-use wheels. I went back and forth 241 and 244 and 241 is the way! Mps2 on my sherman s, great for road only and still is great on loose dirt trails. Great video and i will share

[@spencerbloodworth]

This is such a great video. Your attention to detail about all the different things that make these tires different is so helpful

[@jonoeuc]

cheers! the shinko 241 is still going well. I've tested higher 33psi and it rounds out the tyre even more which makes it corner even more linearly. It introduces more of the round negative traits thought like greater train tracking (still not that bad vs street tyre). ta jono

[@spencerbloodworth]

⁠@@jonoeuchave you ridden the TNT tire? I’m assuming it would be similar to the Michelin. It’s the only tire I’ve tried on my lynx but I have a new k262 that I wanna try on it! The tnt feels squirrelly to me and I’m hoping the kenda feels better

[@jonoeuc]

I haven't tried the TNT, the K262 is very stable. just dont corner hard and itll be great

[@harrisdoesthings]

Hey Jon, great comparison video! I like how you clearly state which opinion/YMMV vs factual info!

[@soonny002]

Thanks Jon, this the by far, the most educational video about unicycle tyre I've watched. I loved my CST knobby tyre but most people don't like its square profile and loud noise it makes. But I eroded all the knobs after just riding it for 7500km. :( The Kenda 262 took a bit of getting used to due to the round profile but I think I got a hang of it after a week or two. I'm hoping this is more durable because I HATE changing tyres... just so tiring. Lol.

[@kaptaintonio]

Great topic, very well covered😊 On my Lynx, I've mounted the Michelin PS2, and just like you said, wobbly at high speeds and upon hard braking. I've swapped again for the SR244. A LOT heavier, a lot more reaction time. But, definitely more stable at speed, great on trails, and like you said, a different cornering technique. It feels close to the K262 which I started with, with better slow speed handling and better high speed turns. So maybe pretty close to what you described with the 241, I would be curious to have your feedback if you manage to try this 244.

[@Rockin_EUC]

I'm curious what you would think of the shinko244, seems like a lot of ppl are going for that tire

[@lefotografion]

yea absolutly. shame he didnt took it into this comparison.

[@dnthmn117]

I have the 244 and love it, but it's loud. Wondering how noise compares to these.

[@lefotografion]

@@dnthmn117 they are quieter, way quieter. Shinko 244 gotta be the loudest tire of all. But with a nice sound. And you can quiten it by carving slightly

[@boblatkey7160]

I just installed the Shinko 244 and it is quieter than the Kenda. It also is a lower frequency so it sounds better. It carves better, I tried to force it into some wobbles and it wobbles less easily than the Kenda knobby. I also took it into some dirt sections where my Kenda tends to slip out and I was pleasantly surprised that it handles around corners in soft dirt better. Overall it is a big improvement. The best video to change your tire is two cells one pack. I have noticed that other instructional videos are taking apart more things than are necessary on the Lynx.

[@SeanLeach]

Really appreciate the time and effort you put into this video. Loads of good info that will definitely help me with future tire selection. Thank you!

[@ebpesak]

I learned a lot from this video!! Thanks!

[@letssamplethis7641]

This was a great video on tires. Im a street tire fan on my EXN hs but thats only because i had a CEST knobby tire. Have not explored Kinda nor Shinko. This video is a huge help. Based on this I think for my next tire, like you, it will be Shinko.

[@dgriesdale]

Fantastic video. Thank you. I’m just about to update my Patton from the stock and now the Shinko is my choice. ❤

[@lefotografion]

Funny that you mentioned the K66 and Shinko 244. Im the owner of the telegram tires chat, and a big advertiser for these exact two tires. Shinko 244 is the perfect tire for hard Offroad and street use, as it both has a good profile curvature and interlocking knobs, making it not fall into grooves or having this edge feeling. It has some gyro effect on the street, making cornering as good as it gets with a knobby. Also it looks damn good, and the sound is roaring like a lion. (Btw, the second image you've shown wasn't the 244, but the S22 stock tire which is awefull) The K66 was my main tire for 1 year now, throughout winter and summer. And man, there is no better tire for 80% street 20% Offroad. Important, everything I'm now talking about Applies to the 90/90 version of this tire. Definitely not the 80/90. K66 has imo the perfect street behavior: as it is having that center groove, you get the opposite of edge feeling. It is so stable at speed and in straight line acceleration or braking, it makes all other tires look dangerous. And if you then want to corner, you can lean in insane amount, no matter if it is wet or dry asphalt. That Profile just grips the road so well. And funnily enough, it feels way more stable on gravel, even deeper gravel, then all Nobby's I've had so far. Reason being this center groove, the large surface area, and it's cutting profile. You're kinda cutting through gravel as if it's water. However, while it feels more more stable on gravel, it does have ~20% less grip on gravel when you actually corner on gravel. It's Profile has lots of traction Offroad, especially when you lower the tire pressure. On mud... If you go slow, it's doable for some sorts of mud. But... A few words of warning: K66 is an extremely hard tire, you can basically ride it without any air as just the rubber alone is strong enough to hold you. I once rode it down to 7psi without really noticing, had a small hole in my tube. But, this also makes this tire impossible to mount. Even with soap, 3 levers and 2 persons, it is so hard to mount. Also, it does have strong gyro effect and it does follow the grounds angle alot. I learned to like it, and it's worth it imo, but for some this might just be to much. Last, this is only true for the 90/90 version. We've tried the 80/90 version on the ShermanS, and it was so bad. Super slippery on gravel, wet dirt, really unstable on the road and definitely not as playful and predicable as the bigger version. My buddy literally slipped and crashed behind me, trying to keep up with the 90/90 version in the forest. That said, every leaperkim wheel has exactly 90mm clearance. This tire mounted to 60mm rims has a width of 88.5mm. if your motor is perfectly centered, you can actually mount this to the Lynx or Sherman S, and have a blast. However, many units have an off center motor, and I think your Lynx has it off-center. Sooo... Shinko 244 is still king for that reason

[@renedyck]

Hi. Sounds like you have lots of experience in tires for euc. I was wondering if you had any knowledge on off-road tires for the inmotion v12. I've tried doing research but not finding out exactly if they would work or not. If you know what would work that would be so awesome.

[@mikethewheelchairguy]

Excellent job! Very helpful.

[@The-Stranga]

Awesome video Great comparisons I have always loved the shinko 241 over all other wheels having the soft rubber makes it 👌🏼 It doesn't last as long as the shinko 244 but in my opinion is a far better tire I have had both on my sur-ron and the 244 slips out far more often off road or in wet conditions 241 for the win 🤙🏼

[@jonoeuc]

nice comparison, I want to try the 244 after all the comments! at least a quick test on a friends wheel. My main issue with the 241 is that the pressure is ultra important to the ride feel so I have to check it regularly. Went up to 31psi and it's way more rounded vs 29psi. cheers jono

[@M-dv1yj]

What about cornering on street conditions? The shape of the 241 still feel safe to lean into turns? Is the 244 much better for that? Off road where I’ll ride I’m sure the 241 will work but I will be on street some too. Whatcha thoughts?

[@Mpower31]

Hey Jon, thanks so much for this! I actually have the pilot Street 2 and I decided I'm going to return it. I am curious how it stacks up to the Shinko 244, though.

[@danoseus]

Michelin City Extra 2 is nice tyre to try next !

[@user-lw6sp5pk1y]

Now that i think about it, I think im going to switch back to the stock v11 cst 1488 tire. I swapped to the yang h666 and it doesn't wear very well. Im on my third h666. Uneven wear after severl hundred km. The Cst tire is the only tire ive completely wore out. It was nearly a slick. I ran both tires at 40psi. Im heavy. This was a great informative vid.

[@kutvis]

Thank you for the video! I have similar experience, you really really really :) need to add Shinko 244. I haven't yet try it on Lynx, but it was absolutely best overall on Master. Especially carving is awesome!! Personally I feel the knobbies are trashed in 5K or less if ridden hard. K66 feels like Road tire, love it lots on smax. Can get winter version.

[@TheNazradin]

great video, hope you get to test the kenda street tyre. That was the random type I got with my lynx when ordering a street tyre. I think going to be ok for learning, but once I get upto speed for road will need a much better rubber compound over the cheap nylon.

[@eyeinthesky3013]

Awesome detailed review. Thank you so much. I can confirm your experience with off road vs street tire. I put a Heindenau K66 on my Master thinking it would improve high speed stability. The exact opposite was true. Really prone to wobbles and train tracking. Really scary above 60km/h. So strange as it was great at low speed as you found with the Michelin PS2. The only reason it seems to go for a street tire is if you need to corner super fast and need the EUC to stay a bit more upright. I actually find the CST-186 really good on my S18 but not so great on my Master. I think this might be because the rim is narrower on the S18 and the CST 186 is designed for a narrower rim. How wide is the rim on the Lynx?

[@jonoeuc]

good to know re K66. I was guessing it would behave like a linear, round street tyre. The CST186 has been getting some dislike from what i've seen so it just goes to show it all depends on the euc and rider. here is the lynx rim i.imgur.com/51YdqwI.jpeg

[@eyeinthesky3013]

The cst-186 only started getting bad reviews after it was installed as stock on the Master which was when the rim was widened. I've fitted a older narrower rim from a c38 begode exn onto my Master with the CST 186. Hard to say definitively but it seems to have improved cornering predicablity but made it more bouncy. The problem i'm trying to solve is turning very tight turns >90° off road. Just can't get the wheel to yaw round quickly. I have also fitted a CST 803 to see if it could improve matters. It is definitely worse and I've now refitted the K66 on the narrower rim. I expect horrible instability at speed on the road but hopefully it will solve the low speed off road tight turns. Unfortunately the 14 inch rim is not that common so tire choice is quite limited.

[@gordmarshall5830]

Excellent review Jon, thanks for your effort. 6 pac Gord

[@rob8855]

244 even better

[@kaptaintonio]

Compared to the 241? Have you tried them both?

[@ceradinimp]

How much do each of the tires weigh? I have the Shinko 241 on my Master V4 and I like it. It weighed noticeably more than the CST tire it came with. I bet it’s the heaviest of the three tires you tested. The weight contributes a lot to some of its positive characteristics, but I noticed it comes with range penalty. The CST was getting great range (60 miles), the Shinko is closer 45 -50 miles depending on how you ride.

[@jonoeuc]

2:45 but the video listed shinko 241 wrong. *Correct Values:* Shinko 241 2267g (80oz) Michelin Pilot Street 2 2348g (82.8oz) Kenda K262 2415g (85.2oz) Which is weird because the 241 *feels* the heaviest when riding. I suggested it's due to its round profile and mass distribution.

[@scottsum1319]

I recently swapped out the stock T4 tire (CST I think but unsure) to the 241's & ya, 1st impression mirrors yours, ie knife edgee & the tendency to just 'fall' into turns. Now at ~1k kms, the tire flatten out somewhat or I've adapted to it or more likely, both of the above. I have used a Pilot v1 on my EXN (when I had it) & it felt fine both low & high speeds & with very predictable handling. You might wanna take a gander at the Shinko 244. Its as wear resistent as the Kenda with alot more of the Pilot's handling 'cept it feels abit lumpy ie.slow to react & takes more effort ie.normal knobby feel. Another is my fav dual sport tire is the Duro HF307. I'd say its the best of all of the above plus its cheapest of them all. Def worth a try if its available in your neck of the woods

[@jonoeuc]

Cheers for the suggestions. looks like the Duro HF307 would have to be imported to Aus.

[@boblatkey7160]

Love my Shinko 244. Big improvement over the Kenda, and on asphalt, at speed, it is less likely to wobble. Definitely a big improvement off-road and it sounds better. And it looks really sexy which is very important! 😂😂😂😂

[@jonoeuc]

good stuff, i'd like to try it sometime

[@EUCme]

Jono, I'm wanting a Shinko 241. When I went to the Shinko website, there's 15 part nunber options. What part number did you use on your Lynx? Loving that 20.4" diameter.😊

[@jonoeuc]

Hey mate, I ordered from ebay and it was listed as " Shinko 241 Series Trail/Trials Front or Rear Motorcycle Tyre | 2.75-14" Item ID: 254896864478

[@EUCme]

@jonoeuc Thank you. It took me a while, but I cracked the code. Just got my Extreme; loving it. ~maverick

[@donj5532]

Thank you. Good info.

[@RonnieRides]

You should really remove the hairs on the sides of the tire, those are pretty strong and can do a number inside of the chassis and mudguard over time

[@WILSONsHobbies]

Agreed!

[@jonoeuc]

wow never thought of that, cheers for the suggestion

[@davewood1982]

Michelin Pilot Street not Michelin Pilot Street 2 is the best iv ever tryed .

[@Laenthal]

I would love to hear your impressions about IRC Sn26 (80/90-14 one) There's a cult following of sorts about using it whole year round despite it being a snow tire.

[@jonoeuc]

haha love that 'cult following'. Well I hope they've stock piled because it's damn impossible to find. I've searched and searched. It seems to be out of circulation. Jon Wall swears by that tire too.

[@UniFanatix]

The street tire that came with the lynx is horrible. Wobbles on acceleration and wobbles on braking. Do you recommend thr shinko for a beginner riders like me? I just want to ride straight without wobbles 😂

[@jonoeuc]

yeah I couldn't enjoy the street tyre at all. Yes I really like the shinko however it is a bit more difficult to learn on. due to the narrow centre tread which has less low speed stability. If you can ride a bit already then you should be good to go with the 241! The K262 will be fine too, it just struggles at faster cornering as mentioned in the video. More ride time helps with wobbles although the lynx is less stable at speed compared to say the sherman s. If all of that still isn't working out then i'd look at the pedal lowering kit. hope that helps, cheers jono

[@letssamplethis7641]

Like a few other comments on here, would have loved to your thoughts on the Shinko 244.

[@ludovitstros6783]

you have to try shinko 244

[@Onelastrun]

Am I crazy or something. But ur psi for these tires seem low. I like about 36 psi. I usually stick with 40 only because it's way more flowy feeling when carving and in turns. Is this a bad idea to have it so high or something? My tire is the stock knobby on patton from ewheels. But even when I had my T4, I kept it at 35

[@jtm94]

He does run them at lower pressures than most of the community for sure.

[@Onelastrun]

@jtm94 it's just videos like this make me think that it can cause more confusion than actual help. Especially for the ppl just getting into the sport. I just feel like I'll mess my rim up with those kinds of tire pressures. I'm 200lbs with gear. Approx. But I do appreciate the video even though his experience with them may be quite different from the people looking to purchase these tires due to differences in p.s.i.

[@jtm94]

@@Onelastrun I'm light at 140lbs and I did some math and saw that 32psi for me is the equivalent to 50psi for someone that is 220lbs. I don't know if the way tire pressure acts is linear or not, but I do know that different weights require different psi

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Good vid but it Tired me out fast.😅 Cheers