Zongshen RX3 & ZS200GY-2: Front Tire Options

[SpudRider]

Based upon my research, I have found at least ten dual sport, DOT knobby tires that fit the Zongshen 200GY-2 front wheel. The Zong front rim size is 2.15-18 (Rear Rim size is 2.75-15). Here are the tires, in alphabetical order.

Bridgestone TW302 4.10-18
50% Street / 50% Dirt
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...roducts_id=949



Cheng Shin C183 2.75-18
Dirt Tire
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=1171



Cheng Shin C186 2.75-18
Trials / Dual Sport Tire
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx



Cheng Shin C755 3.00-18
Dirt Tire
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=1195



Cheng Shin C858 3.50-18
50% Street / 50% Dirt
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=1208



Duro HF904 4.10-18
60% Street / 40% Dirt
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=1846



IRC GP-1 3.00-18
80% Street / 20% Dirt
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=2270



IRC TR-1 2.75-18
https://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/t...fCatId=&mmyId=



Kenda K270 3.50-18
50% Street / 50% Dirt
http://www.americanmototire.com/cata...oducts_id=2650



Kingstone Dual Sport 100/90-18
50% Street / 50% Dirt
Available only from Zongshen America or Zongshen dealers. A very good tire. I have 10,000 miles on mine, and it looks almost brand new!



Shinko 244 3.00-18
50% Street / 50% Dirt
http://www.bikebandit.com/product/9877



If you have tried any of these tires, please post your experience with them. Other Zongshen owners and I will appreciate learning from your experience.

Also, if you find any other dual sport tires that fit the Zongshen 2.15-18 rim, please do post the information.

Spud

[czowner]

I'm a little confused here, It is a front tyre you're after? A number of the tyres listed are REAR tyres, from a saftey point I'd be VERY dubious about putting a rear tyre on the front. Here in the UK you'd be open to prosecution for using an unsuitable tyre.

Jonathan.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by czowner

I'm a little confused here, It is a front tyre you're after? A number of the tyres listed are REAR tyres, from a saftey point I'd be VERY dubious about putting a rear tyre on the front. Here in the UK you'd be open to prosecution for using an unsuitable tyre.

Jonathan.

Thank you for pointing this out, Jonathan; you raise an important issue. I intended to ask the opinion of others regarding that issue in this post, but I forgot.

In doing my research I only considered tires with a non-directional tread pattern. I inquired about safety concerns regarding this practice in the service departments of several, local motorcycle dealers. I also asked my friend, a professional mechanic and experienced motorcyclist of several decades. No one I talked to was alarmed this practice would constitute a safety concern on the non-drive wheel of a motorcycle with the weight and engine displacement of the Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2.

I am also unaware of any legal ramifications that could result from this practice in The United States of America. However, I certainly could be wrong. In addition, the attorneys in The United States of America, and I presume elsewhere, frequently have a different perspective than I. It is also important to consider that China Riders is an international forum, and the law could certainly be different in other countries. Therefore, I certainly do not want to mislead, or endanger, anyone, either in The United States of America, or elsewhere.

I certainly welcome further discussion on this important topic from the other members of this forum. If I have made any errors, I certainly hope others will correct me. Also, if anyone knows of any other suitable tires for the Zongshen 200GY-2 front wheel, I certainly hope he will post the information.

Thank you for your commitment to the truth, and your concern for the safety of others, Jonathan. I appreciate your thoughtful insight regarding this important matter.

Spud

[katoranger]

Spud. I have the Duro tires front a rear. The front is wearing like iron. The rear has nearly 6000 miles and is about 90% worn.

Overall a good tire except for mud. Smooth on the pavement, decent off-road. This is a good option for those who like to take fire roads and dry trails.

Allen

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Allen! The Duro HF904 sounds like a good tire.

Spud

[katoranger]

Most of us have experience the CST 858 tires as they are stock on most lifans and other china bikes.

These are okay. My stock rear made about 3400 miles and front about 5000. If you just put around they work well.

The duro are a vast improvement in ride and stability over the CST 858 on the road and at higher speed and I would have to say are equal to better in off-road ability too. The Duro's are directional. The best thing about the Duro's is the price. The CST tires are cheaper, but the little bit more for the Duro's is worth it.

I would use the duro's on a standard street bike for everyday use.

Allen

[SpudRider]

I certainly can't complain about my Kingstone 100/90-18 tire. I performs very well both on-road and off-road, and it wears like iron. However, I would love to experiment with any of the Bridgestone TW302, Kenda K270, Shinko 244, or Duro HF905 tires.

Spud

[frostbite]

Based on my personal experience and other riders at nbdsc.ca:

Cheng Shin 50/50: Looks very similar to the tire on my Lifan which wears well on the street, terrible off-road traction in the wet.

Kenda K270: I like them for the Street and light/dry off-road. Great pricing. Mud is a disaster.

Kenda K760: Best bang for your buck in a rear tire. I've never run the front, but some of the guys i've spoken to who have will never do so again.

Pirelli MT-21: I hear very good things about this tire (good tire all-round) but its pricey.

Part of the problem with the Internet is you will get an opinion on a tire from people who may or may not share your geograpical locale. My best advice is to talk to riders in your area; people who share the same terrain. I guy in Southern California is going to provide different advice on tires than someone in Newfoundland.

[katoranger]

Intended use/terrain has alot to do with tire selection.

I ride about 99.9% street and my off-road is usually on dry hard packed trails with some rocks. I don't really like mud so I stay out of it.

The duro's perform very well for my riding. I have a kenda 760, but it is far too aggressive for anyone thinking of a daily commute unless their commute requires water crossings and sandy/muddy hill climbs.

Allen

[madbare]

Dont forget you can go with a bigger tire too..

Look at the Maxxis 6006 in 130/80-18 It fits on the stock rim no problem

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/ti...fCatId=&mmyId=

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

Intended use/terrain has alot to do with tire selection.

I ride about 99.9% street and my off-road is usually on dry hard packed trails with some rocks. I don't really like mud so I stay out of it.

The duro's perform very well for my riding. I have a kenda 760, but it is far too aggressive for anyone thinking of a daily commute unless their commute requires water crossings and sandy/muddy hill climbs.

Allen

I absolutely agree, Allen. I love to ride in the mountains, but I never trailer my Zong; riding the highway to the trails is half the fun! I ride a lot on the street, so I will choose a 50/50 tire.

My off-road riding is mostly on gravel and hard, rocky trails. I hate mud, and I avoid it whenever possible. Fortunately, I encounter very little of it in the Idaho mountains. Therefore, I will probably stay with the Kingstone 100/90-18 tire, or experiment with a tire similar to the Kenda K270. I have read a lot of nice things about the K270 on other forums. The Shinko 244 is a K270 clone with an even lower price tag. A lot of riders also like the Shinko tire.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by madbare

Dont forget you can go with a bigger tire too..

Look at the Maxxis 6006 in 130/80-18 It fits on the stock rim no problem

Hi, Steve. With your TW200 rear wheel conversion, the Maxxis 6006 looks great on your front wheel. However, I wish the 6006 was available in a size narrower than 120mm. The stock Zong rear tire is size 130/90-15, and I like to have the rear tire significantly wider than the front tire.

Spud

[katoranger]

I forgot about those maxxis tires. We need a review of them too.

If I road more off-road I would have tried them.


My bike has been on the trailer once. Day I brought it home.

Allen

[SpudRider]

As Craig pointed out, the Pirelli MT-21 is a very nice tire. I wonder how well it would wear on the front wheel? I also like the Duro HF904 and the Bridgestone TW302. However, I still can't complain about my current front tire, the Kingstone 100/90-18.

It's raining right now, but I will soon post a picture of my Kingstone front tire after 10,000 miles of wear.

Spud

[SpudRider]

After riding on it for about 1,000 miles, I can report that the Shinko 244 3.00-18 tire is excellent. It is my current choice as the best 18-inch tire for the Zong's front wheel. However, I am also eager to test both the Cheng Shin C183 and C186 tires; both of these tires are available in the narrower, 2.75-18 width.

Spud