Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 Rear Tire Options

[SpudRider]

Like many other Zong owners, I tirelessly await the arrival of the “slow boat from China” bearing the Kingstone 130/90-15 dual sport tires. To amuse myself during the wait, I decided to research the 130/90-15 street tires available for the Sierra 200GY-2. Here are the street tires I found with the deepest tread. If a Zong rider is desperate, perhaps one of these cruiser tires might serve a dual sport purpose until the Kingstone rubber arrives. Needless to say, my most optimistic hope would be that one of these tires might be a 90/10 street/trail tire.

I have rated the tires below, but I have also decided to create a poll. Fellow China Riders, please vote for your favorite!

Hand me the envelope, please. My picks for the best 130/90-15 street tire to masquerade as a dual sport tire are...

1. Cheng Shin Marquis C822 – This tire is probably the best of a very poor lot. I give it my “Cream of the Scum Award.” I have nicknamed this cruiser tire “The Zongshen Deathwing.”



2. Shinko SR734R – This tire has less tread than the “Zongshen Deathwing,” but at least it’s not totally slick.



3. Kings Tire KT-982 – Perhaps this tire has more grip on the sides than the Shinko.



4. Dunlop D404 – This tire has almost as much tread as the KT-982, and it is probably more readily available.



5. Kenda K671 – Perhaps the poorest choice in the poll.



6. Dunlop K627 - Katoranger found this one! Probably discontinued, but currently still available.



Spud

[Cal25]

I would probally get what ever was cheapest. Wait for the slow boat and get at least 2 or 3 of the tires I want.

Or, If I had one of these bikes, I might be considering that TW conversion.


Think I'll pass on your poll, None of the tires are what need it appears. On the other hand, they could be safer on street. Never forget to look for a good side of a situation.

[BUG]

tirelessly

Have not voted yet but based on tread pattern alone i would pick the Cheng Shin Marquis C822.

Any significant differences in ply or load ratings?

[katoranger]

I have seen the Marquis in person and I thought it could substitute for light off-road in a pinch. (I actually sent the rim it was mounted on to scrap on monday.)

Kinda like an all-season radial.

Allen

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Cal25

I would probally get what ever was cheapest. Wait for the slow boat and get at least 2 or 3 of the tires I want.

Or, If I had one of these bikes, I might be considering that TW conversion.


Think I'll pass on your poll, None of the tires are what need it appears. On the other hand, they could be safer on street. Never forget to look for a good side of a situation.

Those are all wise words, Cal.

My Kingstone 130/90-15 is still in usable condition. In fact, I went riding in the mountains yesterday! Therefore, like the others, I patiently await the proverbial "slow boat."

I will stock up on the Kingstone tires as soon as they arrive. Even after 10,000 miles of service, I am confident that my worn Kingstone rear tire will still outperform any of the cruiser tires I presented in this thread. However, some new Zong owners haven't got a used Kingstone to ride upon! :( Therefore, I wanted to present the alternatives, and get some feedback from the helpful members of this forum.

It is interesting that you should mention a rear wheel conversion...

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by BUG

tirelessly

Have not voted yet but based on tread pattern alone i would pick the Cheng Shin Marquis C822.

Any significant differences in ply or load ratings?

Thanks for your vote, Bug! I must admit, I have not checked the tire ratings. I view these tires as mere stopgap measures for the Zong owner who doesn't own a usable Kingstone rear tire. The only factor I considered was tread depth.

Zong owners do have a selection of tires to choose for the front wheel. I will post my findings soon in another thread.

Spud

[SeerAtlas]

Have you considered lacing up a 16 or even 18 inch rear rim? It's not difficult, opens up your tire world vastly, and can be instructive. Takes about an evening to do.. AND if you used an allow rim, will give you more effective hp to the ground as you'll have less rotating weight.

What's the current overall diameter of the 15 inch tire ?

and why did Zong use such a small rear in the first place? Does your bike have a really low seat height?

seer

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

I have seen the Marquis in person and I thought it could substitute for light off-road in a pinch. (I actually sent the rim it was mounted on to scrap on monday.)

Kinda like an all-season radial.

Allen

Thank you for your first-hand observations, Allen! The Cheng Shin C822 is inexpensive (currently $48/tire), and it might work sufficiently well on the hard, rocky trails in the mountains of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.

However, without a doubt, the Kingstone 130/90-15 is the "cat's pajamas" for the Zong rear wheel. The Kingstone dual sport tires ride very well, and wear very well on the street. The Kingstone dual sport tires also have a nice, aggressive tread pattern that works very well off-road.



It's just too bad that this tire is the only dirt or dual sport tire available for the Zongshen 200GY-2 rear wheel! :( Fellow Zong owners, I strongly encourage you to stock up on these tires when you can!

Spud

[FastDoc]

Thank you for your first-hand observations, Allen! The Cheng Shin C822 is inexpensive (currently $48/tire), and it might work sufficiently well on the hard, rocky trails in the mountains of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming

Dude, you left out Washington! :P

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by SeerAtlas

Have you considered lacing up a 16 or even 18 inch rear rim? It's not difficult, opens up your tire world vastly, and can be instructive. Takes about an evening to do.. AND if you used an allow rim, will give you more effective hp to the ground as you'll have less rotating weight.

What's the current overall diameter of the 15 inch tire ?

and why did Zong use such a small rear in the first place? Does your bike have a really low seat height?

seer

Thank you for your reply, Seer! Yes, I have diligently researched, and considered, several lost-cost options for converting the Zong rear wheel. I am finalizing my decision, and I will report my results when I am finished.

Lacing an 18-inch, alloy rim to the Zong rear hub is an excellent suggestion. It would require custom spokes, but these are available from Buchanan Spoke Company, or another vendor. I am currently considering this option, and several others.

I currently have a usable Kingstone dual sport tire on my rear wheel, and I will certainly stock up with more of them after they arrive. Therefore, I am in pretty good shape, myself. However, I started this thread to promote discussion on this subject, and to help new Zong owners who anxiously await the proverbial “slow boat from China.”

I very much enjoy my Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2 motorcycle. After 10,000 miles riding in its saddle, I would gladly buy another one; it is a great little bike! However, I always want to warn potential owners about the odd tire size for the Zong rear wheel.

By the way, I hope everyone will vote in the poll! This information could truly help a new Zong owner. In answer to your question, the calculated diameter of the Zong rear tire is 24.2 inches; I have confirmed this calculation with my tape measure.

Only God, and the people at Zongshen, know why they chose a 15-inch rear rim for this motorcycle. :roll: The Zong does have a very nice, low seat height. With a 30-inch inseam, I really enjoy the Zong’s low seat, both on the street, and on the trail.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Thank you for your first-hand observations, Allen! The Cheng Shin C822 is inexpensive (currently $48/tire), and it might work sufficiently well on the hard, rocky trails in the mountains of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming

Dude, you left out Washington! :P

I'm sorry, Doc! I was just mentioning my closest neighbors.

Spud

[SpudRider]

If you read this thread, please do vote. Someone chose the Kings Tire KT-982; I am beginning to think they might be correct.

I realize that these tires are not great choices for dual sport riding. :( Nevertheless, who knows when the "slow boat from China" might arrive? :roll: I think this information might really help the new Zongshen riders. Thank you for participating.

Spud

[katoranger]

The kings tire looks alot like the dunlap. I think it would be okay on dry firm terrain. I think the CS marquis with have some muck advantage.

[katoranger]

Not sure if they are still available, but the dunlap k627 looks promising.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Brand...1%7C240%3A1318

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

The kings tire looks alot like the dunlap. I think it would be okay on dry firm terrain. I think the CS marquis with have some muck advantage.

That's another good point, Allen. Thank you.

Needless to say, I certainly wouldn't want to encounter a lot of "muck" with any of these tires. However, I also wonder which of these tires would grip best on loose, dry earth and rock while traversing sloped terrain?

Spud