[lizrdbrth]

I've found this tire to be the best DOT-legal 50/50 rear tire that I've used as a FRONT on a TW, yet I seldom see it mentioned. Costs half of some of the more popular choices in the bargain as well.



The Kenda and D606 felt like what they are: rear tires on the front. I've been using D606's prolly since there have been D606's, but the TW called for a different strategy and I've been pleased with the 244. Riding around my neck of the woods is extremely mixed and ranges from boulder fields to sugar sand. About the only thing we don't get in great abundance is mud.



I'm kind of biased and was would like to hear impressions from others who have used it.

 

[dganey]

No experience with the tire, but it looks like it has potential. I'm going to upgrade and now have another tire to consider for the front--thanks.

 

[vuldub]

It less expensive than I expected. Looks like a nice replacement for the Maxxis 6006. Interesting that it's marketed as a moped tire. It even comes in a CT90-110 size.....

Well it took me a while to find one:

Shinko Golden Boy Tire

I didn't like the Maxxis 6006 in the gooey mud that we get here - it would ball up and become very slick. For offroad, I needed something much more aggressive so I went with a rear tire on the front, the Kenda K779 (no longer available) and really like it:

Kenda K779

 

[lizrdbrth]

I have a lot of bikes, ride a lot of miles, and my rubber bill alone is through the roof.



I now try to keep an open mind when it comes to tires. Case in point: I used D606's on everything pretty much exclusively for 20-odd years before I accidently discovered that the lowly King Tire was a better tire than a D606, all along. Unfortunately it was discontinued two sets later and I was again stuck with paying the price for the Dunlops.

A lot of the popular choices ain't what they used to be, and a lot of them never were, but command high prices, relying on "placebo effect". I've tried them all at one time or another and on various bikes.



Different folks have different expectations from a tire, but I can tell you that this cheap tire works better for me than either the K270 or the D606 did. I took both of them off after the first ride. I don't even neccessarily have to air them down for the dirt. I did 90 miles of dirt at JS5owner's last bash on street pressures. It will definitely outlive a K270 and wash out far less often than a D606, which are the two other rears I've used up front.



Worth a shot at less than 50 bucks.

 

[small's]

The 244 is awesome compared to the stock tire off-road. I only have about an hour or so on mine. I rode in the woods of Indiana while it was raining and it never washed out on me. There are spots were my stock would slide out coming down a hill when it was dry and this tire didn't when it was wet. I can tell it's heavier when going down the road. The ride is smooth but it feels weird when cornering, when you lean over it over the bike feels like it wants to keep leaning over by itself and you can feel it's a bit squishie. It's was raining when I put the tire on so I don't have much road time with it yet, but I think it's fine I just need to get used to the new feel it has. The tire did take more weight than I liked for balancing but hey it's a $50 tire and it

Rides good.

 

[azsandrider]

It looks like the Kenda 270 which my friend has on his TW200. It seems to work well.



I tried the Kenda K784 and was really impressed with it both on and off road...



Now I wish Kenda will make a K784 in our rear tire size.

 

[dhoenisch]

After putting 180 miles on my TW yesterday, I'm thinking I would like a better front tire, and something a little smoother, which this tire looks like it will do well with both. I am about to order one of these tires, but some of the reviewers mentioned that they run a little small. So, for those of you who have purchased these tires, what size should I get for my TW so that it fits like the original?



Thanks,

Dan

 

[turborob]

After putting 180 miles on my TW yesterday, I'm thinking I would like a better front tire, and something a little smoother, which this tire looks like it will do well with both. I am about to order one of these tires, but some of the reviewers mentioned that they run a little small. So, for those of you who have purchased these tires, what size should I get for my TW so that it fits like the original?



Thanks,

Dan

It will take a 110 - 140 on the front (standard is 130 x 80). Anything around 130 x 80 will fit well, but I've found that the 120 x 80/70 are more readily available (in Australia).

 

[lizrdbrth]

The SR comes in inch sizes. Mine is a 5.10.

 

[admiral]

The SR comes in inch sizes. Mine is a 5.10.

lizrdbrth,



A little late, but I can now add my comments on the SR244. After following the discussions on various tire threads, I had decided I was going to get either a K270 or SR244. to replace my Trail Wing 42 this winter, but I found a brand new SR244 (5.10) on the local Craigslist for $30, so I jumped at the chance. Local shops wanted about $50 so I think I did ok on the price.



Mounted it on the TW this morning and took it out for a quick spin to the "mailbox" and back, 1 1/2 mile round trip (several times). I have two routes to the mailbox. One is my gravel driveway, and the other is a dirt path (loose dirt) I created next to the driveway. I rode the TW on both. WOW! What an improvement over both the stock and TW42. Alot better traction on the gravel. TW42 wanted to push, SR244 had some bit. In the soft dirt the TW42 wanted to plow through and into the dirt. SR244 tracked straight ahead.



I know tire performance is subjective, but I can say it's a huge improvement for me. I want to thank all forum members who have added their thoughts on tires to help me make my decision (lizrdbrth, Qwerty, darnold87, azsandrider, bagger) just to name a few.

 

[lizrdbrth]

Glad you like it because gauging from the lack of wear on mine you'll be stuck with it for life.



I've ran it as low as 5 psi, so don't be afraid to play with the pressures. I run 18 on the road for fuel mileage, but it seems to grip better at 12-15. YMMV.

 

[1madhonda]

ALL, I ride 70% Road

For this tire...What is the recommended complete tire size for

Front

Rear



Thanks in advance

 

[lizrdbrth]

1mad, just to clarify, this is a REAR tire intended for the REAR of a dualsport. A lot of us run them on the FRONT of our TW's. There is no corresponding tire for the rear of our Tw's as they are a 14" oddball tire, so you're stuck with stock Bridgestones for the rear, for the most part. Some of us run 14" ATV tires on the rear, but that has a few issues which must be addressed before choosing to run one of those.



My 244 is a 5.10x18.



Actual mounted width on a TW front rim is exactly 5 inches, or 127mm.



The stock 130-80-18 (metric) is about 4 3/8" or 112mm, a far cry from its advertised 130 width.



Tire sizes are all over the map. This one fits, with no clearance issues. If you decide to go with some other brand it would be a good idea to get specifics from someone who owns one.

 

[Rohnsman]

Admiral...



I was impressed with the looks of your "Golden Boy" tire when I saw it today and it seemed to perform well. What size did you get?

 

[admiral]

I got a 5.10x18. Handled pretty good in the soft sandy logging roads we were on. It's so much better than my previous non-stock tire (TW42). Glad I found it and what everyone here on the forum has posted for tires.

 

[assquatch20]

I just installed mine and took it for a little road ride. Pretty happy with it, but I had street tires last. It obviously doesn't track through a lean as smoothly, but the handling in loose stuff outweighs that, to me.

 

[Rohnsman]

I ordered my "Golden Boy" today through Happy Trails here in Boise, who will also get me a tube, mount and balance the whole shebang, and have it ready for me to remount on the bike. Now I need to see if my "noob" mechanical skills are up to getting that front wheel off. My '93 has a drum brake on the front, so I don't think it'll be too tough. Anything I should be aware of? While apart, I should check that front brake... what should I look for there? Any other tips/tricks to removing and remounting that front wheel?

 

[lizrdbrth]

This is a 5.10.



There's a wear indicator on your brake backing plate. It's on the south end of your brake arm and has a pointer on it.



Operate the brake before you remove the front wheel. Check the pointer to make sure it's within the safe operating limit. If they're on the low end of spec you may want to consider replacing them. In rare cases of abuse, high mileage or running metal-to-metal the drums can wear to oversize and will need to be replaced. Other than that a good cleaning and visual are usually all that's required.





Once you've removed the front wheel the backing plate and brake shoes can be pulled out of the wheel. Check for rust, brake dust and glazing on the shoes. This will appear as shiny spots on the shoes.



Tw's have single leading brake shoes, so it's normal for them to wear more on the top end of the arc than the bottom. I think the minimum thickness is listed in the manual. Don't push it or you'll be metal-to-metal.



Blow or wipe out as much of the brake dust and corruption as possible. Lightly sand any shiny spots from the shoes with fine grit. Scuff any rust on the braking surfaces inside the drum with coarser grit. I like to remove the brake actuator pin, clean it and its bore in the backing plate and reinstall with a light smear of red waterproof grease on the shaft and pivots. Just make sure no solvents or oils contact the shoes themselves. Reassemble everything, readjust your brake and enjoy.

 

[qwerty]

I ordered my "Golden Boy" today through Happy Trails here in Boise, who will also get me a tube, mount and balance the whole shebang, and have it ready for me to remount on the bike. Now I need to see if my "noob" mechanical skills are up to getting that front wheel off. My '93 has a drum brake on the front, so I don't think it'll be too tough. Anything I should be aware of? While apart, I should check that front brake... what should I look for there? Any other tips/tricks to removing and remounting that front wheel?

Check the maintenance manual for any lube needed in the hubm say, for the speedo cable drive. I'd also very lightly lube the brake cam and perhaps a very thin coat where the metal parts of the shoes touch the backing plate. Do not get lube on the friction material.

 

[PalmStateCrawler]

I had my 5.10 mounted and balanced today. I must say, I already love it and I havent even made it offroad yet.

The shop that balanced my tire added 3ozs of stick-on weights that I spray painted black so they arent as noticeable. Dont know why they didnt use spoke weights. It looks so much better now.

It is a strange feeling when going into a 90* turn how it tends to drop into it, but i'm sure with a few hundred miles and tinkering with the pressure, it will feel better.