The Shinko E805 adventure tire. Is it any good? After riding from Santiago, Chile, down to Ushuaia, and back up through Paraguay, Brazil, and on to Buenos Aires, I can confidently say I am qualified to answer that question.
In short: yes, it’s a very good tire and represents outstanding value for money. Like all 50/50, 60/40, or 70/30 tires (however you classify them), it has its compromises. But after thousands of miles, I think Shinko has hit a sweet spot, creating what might be the best value-for-money, all-round adventure tire on the market (but it might depend on your particular market).
Shinko E805 pros and cons
Pros
- Good grip (dry & wet)
- Low cost
- Easy to fit
Cons
- Wear fast initially
- Not the absolute best off-road
The test bed
I ran the E805 rear on my 2019 SWM Superdual T. The 17″ rear wheel usually takes a 140/80 tire, but the fitters in Santiago, Chile only had one 140 section and one 150 section left. Since the Versys x-300 needed a new tire too, and runs a 130 section size, it made sense that we each go a size up, rather than do without.
As such, I’ve tried both the 140/80 TT and 150/70 TL. Additionally, Our new Beta Alp X also came from the factory with a new Shinko E805 rear and E804 front tire. It’s that bike I’ll be referring to when it comes to the front tire.
Fitting and fitment
While we initially had the tires fitted in the shop, the Versys ended up with a puncture in Tierra del Fuego. For peace mind we replaced the tube by the side of the road. The temperatures were low, but the 140 section tire was easy to remove from the rim, and easy to seat again.
Based on that experience, I don’t think these would difficult to fit yourself. Fronts are almost always easier than rears, and the 805 rear was a piece of cake.
On-road performance
There’s always a placebo effect when you fit new tires. inevitably they are better than the old squared off rubber you running beforehand. Due to the lack of solid reviews, I was a little apprehensive about the firing the E805, but the price was right and It turned out be the right choice in the end.
When new, I didn’t notice any difference in traction or performance between the expensive Anakee Wilds I’d previously been running, and this Shink E805. The handling was neutral, and controlled. The bike never felt too tippy, nor slow to turn or accelerate out of corners.
In fact, I might just give the nod to the Shinko for overall dry weather performance on the tar. The E804 front, I’m not as sure about, but the rear always inspired confidence.
No slipping, no sliding, and even without traction control it projected me forwards, or upwards depending on how heavy handed I was being with the throttle.
As a combination, they work well together, and I’ve had the E805 up to 100mph on a number of occasions. The E804 front, always stuck well through the curves too, both fast and slow. I never found the limit of its grip, but at the same time never felt 100% confident in it enough to really push it hard. The rear for sure is the star of the show.
Road noise
Perhaps I’ve grown used to running adventure tires, but I haven’t noticed any discernible road noise from either the Shinko E805 rear or the E804 front. Unlike the Bridgestone AT41 that howled when new, the Shinko tires even with their more aggressive tread are pleasantly peaceful.
The Anakee Wild is said by some to be a loud tire, and think the key difference between them, is the size of the tread block. Both are a soft compound, but the larger tied-together blocks of the Shinko (front and rear), allow it to roll along almost silently in comparison.
Off-road performance
I’ll be the first to say that the non-sealed roads I took with the Shinko weren’t quite as challenging as those I’d earlier enjoyed with the Michelin Anakee Wild earlier in the trip.
Nevertheless, I was able to put the E805 through its paces on the Carretera Austral in Chile, Torres del Paine national park, and numbers dirt and gravel roads across Argentina and into Tierra del Fuego.
It was a thorough test that mimics how many adventure bike riders will run their tires. The good news is that E805 didn’t put a foot wrong. The wider paddle-like pattern meant it was wasn’t quite as planted as the Anakee Wild, in loose terrain, and easier to slide out, but it was predictable.
If you are really pushing, then you will notice the lack of lateral grip compared to some other tires/patterns out there, but it never caught me by surprise, and the tire comfortably did everything I asked of it.
I typically air down to 25psi off road. Sometimes a little lower, but always remembering I’m on an adventure bike, not an enduro. The E805, took to being aired down better than the Anakee Wild, and as a result was also more comfortable.
Wet weather performance
In the European summer we often have long hot dry periods followed by heavy rain showers and immediate sun again. This ends up making the roads pretty slick at times.
I’m pleased to say even the worn (very well worn), Shinko E805 maintained good traction in the wet. Good enough in fact to allow me to lift the front wheel under acceleration on wet asphalt, without any traction control or slippage. Something I can’t say about the Metzeler Karoo 3 I had my KTM 890.
In South America, I experienced flooding severe enough that whole sections of Argentina were shut down. Riding through the rain and flooding was miserable, but the Shinko was solid and predictable, and I never had to worry about slipping or sliding.
Wear and life expectancy
The E805 has a reputation for wearing fast. I found that it does initially, then stabilises and provides good milage. As it wears, like the Karoo 3, you lose the centre cut out in the large central block, but unlike the Karoo 3 and 4, this didn’t seem to negatively affect performance in the wet.
Bear in mind I put these on Santiago, Chile. I rode all the way down to Ushuaia, then up to Iguazu in northern Argentina, and then Montevideo. I shipped my bike to London, and I’m writing this review from Southern Germany, still running the very same E805 tire, and it’s still within legal limits (just).
That’s around 9,000 miles on what might be considered a 50/50 tire, and it still has more than 2mm of tread depth in the centre.
Of course, it’s finished for any work in the dirt, but is perfectly fine on the street, and more importantly, is still providing good levels of traction. Acceleration and braking, are on point, and power wheelies still possible.
The only major degradation in on-street performance is from the squaring off of the tire reducing that nimble feel, and increasing tip over effort in corners.
Who are these tires for?
The Shinko E805, and its E804 companion are versatile tires that would suit a wide variety of middleweight (and heavyweight) adventure bikes, with a mixture of on and off-road riding.
The marketing and the tread design, place them firmly as a 50/50 tire. And I can see that, but in my opinion they are best suited the 60/40 rider, biased towards road riding, who’s 40% or less dirt is relatively compact gravel, or deeper sand. Think gravel roads, and stoney double track.
As for the sand, the rear tire is has a paddle style tread, that helps propel the bike forward in soft conditions. It’s no Pirelli Scorpion Rally, but is much better than something like the Scorpion Rally STR, or TKC80.
Conclusion – would I buy them again
If you’re after a 50/50 tire on a budget, the Shinko E805 will get you there, allow you to have fun in the loose stuff, and get you back. My rear initially wore fast, but then remained pretty stable and in the end, lasted much longer than I expected.
On the street, I was more happy with the grip levels, and never had any issues in the wet. Off road, it’s not the best out there, but is good enough for 95% of adventure touring many riders like to do, and the milage was much better than expected.
Would I buy them again? Given the same choices and constraints, yes, in a heart beat. If however I would be doing more road riding, I’d consider the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR instead.
What to buy instead
Mitas E07 and E07 plus
When thinking budget or value tires then Mitas comes to mind. In particular the E07, but also the E07+. It’s a durable 60/40 or 70/30 road to off road tire, that has for a while been the standard fitment to the KTM 890 Adventure.
I once ran a single rear through a whole tour of South America, so the longevity is good. Wasn’t not so good is the grip in wet, or loose surfaces. It’s also a stiff carcass, so while it’s good at saving your rims, it provides a harsher ride.
The E07 plus version, is just a more rounded model, that tips into the corners easier. It also wears faster, negating the main advantage of the E07.
Michelin Anakee Wild
A 50/50 with good road manners and better off road performance than the Shinko. It doesn’t last as long, and is a little noisier, but is a solid choice for more unpaved adventures. See my full Michelin Anakee Wild review for more.
Dunlop Trailmax Raid
Another 50/50 tire with great road manners and off road performance. This is what I was considering as a replacement for my Anakee Wilds, but at the time they cost almost double the Shinko E805.
Bridgestone AX41
I’m yet to run the AX41, by all accounts it’s a more aggressive tire, with lower life expectancy. Perhaps offering slightly more off road performance than the Michelin Anakee Wilds
