Buyer Beware.......... Perils of buying tires online

[3fan4life]

I know that a lot of people here purchase their tires online.

I have now purchased my first and last set of tires online.


Near the end of June I purchased a set of Shinko Journey SE890's from Motorcycle Superstore.

From the very first ride on the new tires I have had a vibration in the bike.

I have been completely through the bike and have ruled out every possible cause for this except the tires.


I have contacted Shinko and they have indicated to me that it sounds like a tire or tires are out of round and that they are willing to warranty the tires.

However, I have to go through the dealer that i purchased them from to make a warranty claim.


I contacted Motorcycle Superstore today and they will take the tire but they don't do exchanges.

Which means that unless I want my bike down for 8-10 weeks I have to purchase another new tire and ship the defective one to them after I receive the replacement.

Then I have to pay the return shipping to them and they will send the defective tire to Shinko.

Additionally, they are telling  me that it isn't a guarantee that Shinko will declare the returned tire to be defective. Which means that I would be stuck with the bad tire and the cost of the replacement tire.

Even if they refund the money that I paid for the original tire, I am out the return shipping and the cost of mounting the tire twice.

Oh, and if the new tire has a problem or if I also need to replace the rear tire, this process gets to repeat itself.


I saved $100 (over another dealer in town that could get them) by ordering the tires online, that savings will be ate up plus more if this process has to be repeated.


The biggest reason that I ordered the tires online was because my tire guy couldn't get me a set, his supplier didn't have any in stock and couldn't provide an estimated date for when they would.
Since I had "may pops" front and rear I couldn't accept an indefinite wait.

My tire guy told me to go ahead and order the online set and that he would install them.



Had I gotten the tires from him, he would exchange the defective tire and I wouldn't be paying for mounting and balancing twice.

I have been buying my tires from him for years and he is almost always within $10-20 of the best online price. Figure in shipping and it works out to be less than that.    


Like I told them at Motorcycle Superstore, it shouldn't cost me more money because they sold me a defective product.      


I have learned my lesson, buying tires online only saves you money if there are no issues.  From now on I will ONLY purchase my tires from my local tire guy.


My local guy is now checking to see when he can get me a new tire, I figure that if I have to repurchase the tire any way, it might as well be from him.  At least if I have an issue again, it won't cost me more money. 

[Fritz The Cat]

You's pays yo nickel and yous takes yo chance.

When I buy price I realize the risks involved. If I get burned, I learn from the experience, lick my wounds and move on.... And yes, like you. I rant a little because it feels good. But honestly, neither Shinko nor MSS give a rats butt. One little squeal ain't enough for them to hear. 

[RainMaker]

Purchased my last 3 Avon front tires and last rear (General Altimax) tire online and the tires have been so good they didn't need balancing.  If you put a poll up, you would probably find the number of bad tires bought online would be about the same as the number of u-joints or alternators that have failed. 

Sorry for your experience and it sounds like your local guy is close enough in price to give him your business in the future.

[old2soon]

Got my Shinko S E 890 Journey at M C Superstore. Mounted up with Dyna Beads and i have pushed past the 130 M P H mark indicated. They are smooth and trouble free at ANY speed i choose or angle i care to lean. I know i have over 5000 miles on the S E 890 and still liking what i'm feeling. Truth be told i had zero idea of M C Superstore return policy. I hope you're able to get/find/secure some satisfaction from Shinko or M C Superstore. Good luck with yer dilema. RIDE SAFE.

[3fan4life]

You's pays yo nickel and yous takes yo chance.

When I buy price I realize the risks involved. If I get burned, I learn from the experience, lick my wounds and move on.... And yes, like you. I rant a little because it feels good. But honestly, neither Shinko nor MSS give a rats butt. One little squeal ain't enough for them to hear. 

You are correct,

I'm not really knocking Shinko, from all of their correspondence so far it appears that they are willing to stand by their product.

What I am really venting against is the way that Motorcycle Superstore is handling the issue.

I essentially have to buy two tires, in order to get one. Even though the money should be refunded in 4-6 weeks.


And I know that they don't care about losing my business, but I can still WARN others here and maybe they will rethink making a tire purchase from them as well.

If enough people stop buying from them, they will care.
 

[3fan4life]

it sounds like your local guy is close enough in price to give him your business in the future.

I'm betting that most of us have just such a guy nearby, we just have to be willing to look for him.

[3fan4life]

Got my Shinko S E 890 Journey at M C Superstore. Mounted up with Dyna Beads and i have pushed past the 130 M P H mark indicated. They are smooth and trouble free at ANY speed i choose or angle i care to lean. I know i have over 5000 miles on the S E 890 and still liking what i'm feeling. Truth be told i had zero idea of M C Superstore return policy. I hope you're able to get/find/secure some satisfaction from Shinko or M C Superstore. Good luck with yer dilema. RIDE SAFE.

Yeah, right now I have a LOVE / HATE relationship with the tires.  The vibration is driving me "NUTS".

It goes away when I lean the bike and the bike corners like it is on rails.

It does seem that these tires do give up traction during hard braking and I have broken the rear tire loose during acceleration on wet pavement, but that was before I had 200 mi on it.  

[NITRO]

it sounds like your local guy is close enough in price to give him your business in the future.

I'm betting that most of us have just such a guy nearby, we just have to be willing to look for him.

I usually get the best price I can find online (typically Dennis Kirk) and then ask my local Honda place to match it. They quote a price at least $100 more than the online price, but always come within $10 or so, plus I get cheaper mounting by buying from them.

[old2soon]

Got my Shinko S E 890 Journey at M C Superstore. Mounted up with Dyna Beads and i have pushed past the 130 M P H mark indicated. They are smooth and trouble free at ANY speed i choose or angle i care to lean. I know i have over 5000 miles on the S E 890 and still liking what i'm feeling. Truth be told i had zero idea of M C Superstore return policy. I hope you're able to get/find/secure some satisfaction from Shinko or M C Superstore. Good luck with yer dilema. RIDE SAFE.

Yeah, right now I have a LOVE / HATE relationship with the tires.  The vibration is driving me "NUTS".

It goes away when I lean the bike and the bike corners like it is on rails.

It does seem that these tires do give up traction during hard braking and I have broken the rear tire loose during acceleration on wet pavement, but that was before I had 200 mi on it.  

Have you put yer fat gal on the lift and had a VERY close look at the tread with a VERY bright light??? My ex had a belt seperstion on her caddy and that's how i found it. Bright light and tire off the ground. RIDE SAFE.

[3fan4life]

Got my Shinko S E 890 Journey at M C Superstore. Mounted up with Dyna Beads and i have pushed past the 130 M P H mark indicated. They are smooth and trouble free at ANY speed i choose or angle i care to lean. I know i have over 5000 miles on the S E 890 and still liking what i'm feeling. Truth be told i had zero idea of M C Superstore return policy. I hope you're able to get/find/secure some satisfaction from Shinko or M C Superstore. Good luck with yer dilema. RIDE SAFE.

Yeah, right now I have a LOVE / HATE relationship with the tires.  The vibration is driving me "NUTS".

It goes away when I lean the bike and the bike corners like it is on rails.

It does seem that these tires do give up traction during hard braking and I have broken the rear tire loose during acceleration on wet pavement, but that was before I had 200 mi on it.  

Have you put yer fat gal on the lift and had a VERY close look at the tread with a VERY bright light??? My ex had a belt seperstion on her caddy and that's how i found it. Bright light and tire off the ground. RIDE SAFE.

Haven't looked them over with a bright light, but the first thing that I did was take them back off the bike and have them balanced again.

He looked them over and couldn't find any obvious problems with them. He tried to put them on his truing stand but they were too large to fit (imagine that).


While I had them off I pulled the U-joint and inspected it as well as the rest of the drive line. I checked the U-joint because the vibration was similar to what I felt when the old U-joint went out this past April.


I don't think that it is a broken belt, the vibration isn't as bad as riding a Harley ( ) it is a high frequency vibration that you probably wouldn't even feel if the tires were mounted on a V twin. Although she does also have a high speed wobble that caused me to pucker greatly when I found it, so I could be wrong.   

[Jess from VA]

Mark, I have had less than happy experiences with the Motorcycle Superstore myself, at least twice.

I won't do business with them anymore, not even closeouts.

I'll still buy tires online.

[CajunRider]

I've been using these guys...

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

So far no problems, and lots of help when trying to get my front tire from them. 

Of course... I've never had to deal with a defective tire yet, so their response to that may be different.

[Whooray]

I bought the Shinko 890 from MC Superstore also, mounted it myself (with help from Misfit) added "Ride On" to the tire. I have that same vibration you have described. Im not sure if I can remove the Ride On and get them balanced or not.   If it turns out to be the tire itself ( and Im thinking it is) Im certainly not going to buy another and not get some kind of warranty. Please keep me posted if you find another cause for the vibration.  Raymond

[tank_post142]

who the hell would buy a shinko tire? if you are really that tight up for money i'll lend you enough to buy a real tire.

[Tundra]

I've been buying tires on-line as long as there's been an on-line.
Never had a problem.  Sorry and hope you get it worked out.

[salty1]

Sorry bro about your misfortune.    The MS policies seem to be the difficulty.  Your situation has made me more aware that I don't want to do business with MS.  ???  I've bought probably a dozen MC tires online from Jake Wilson and have never had a problem. They have always beat out the competition. Can't speak to the quality of Shinko tires.

[Gangman036]

Suck it up and buy local. Those SUPER STORES can always beat the local guys price because of the volume that they buy. Just like Wal-Mart does. Keep your local motorcycle shop going and he'll always be there for you............even if it's a custom V-Twin shop. On those times I stop in to order a tire or schedule him to mount a CT on the back..........they always have to come out and sometimes even take pictures of my Valk, but they will never admit to it!!!

Ride Safe!!

[Hoser]

who the hell would buy a shinko tire? if you are really that tight up for money i'll lend you enough to buy a real tire.

I share your concerns with Shinko tires, and I have never owned one.  Just to many complaints here and other places.  I'll stick with my Dunnies, for a few bux more.  Hoser  ???

[Whooray]

who the hell would buy a shinko tire? if you are really that tight up for money i'll lend you enough to buy a real tire.

Tank_post142.....I appreciate the offer, and when Im ready to buy another tire I will send you my mailing address so you can make good on that offer.  Thanks Raymond

[PAVALKER]

who the hell would buy a shinko tire? if you are really that tight up for money i'll lend you enough to buy a real tire.

Tank_post142.....I appreciate the offer, and when Im ready to buy another tire I will send you my mailing address so you can make good on that offer.  Thanks Raymond

Tank...... I also appreciate the offer, but curious as to your interest rates/fees etc.





Joking aside.... I am disappointed to hear about these Shinko issues.  I have been considering getting the SE890s as shelf spares, like I have in the past.  Fortunately for me, HDL/DLP and their supplier warrantied them and ultimately replaced them with Metz Me880's before I could get them (model 747 and 757s) installed on the bike.  HDL/DLP no longer carries Shinko tires from what I can tell.

Interested in hearing other individual feedback on Shinko tires.....

[Fritz The Cat]

Well hell, people here were saying good things about the SE890 so I ordered one. Only got 30 miles on it so far so it's too early to judge. It's depressing when you read good things about a tire and buy it and then see everyone bad mouthing it. Guess I'll have to form my own opinion. 

[Valk1520]

I also acted cheap and bought a "Stinko" for the rear of my IS.  I saved $80 (NOT).  The tire vibrated from day one.  Smooth as glass when I turn but straight = vibration.  I tried different air pressure with no luck.  After 1000 miles I couldn't take it anymore and got a real tire.  Now my bike rides like brand new.  the Shinko had uneven rubber.  The rain groove was higher on one side than the other and seeing the groove alternates one side then the other, there's the vibration cause.  So much for saving money but hard lessons learned.....  If anyone likes Shinko, I have one with low miles CHEAP!

[Whooray]

I thought the "Ride On" I added would take care of the balance......and it did so I thought the first few hundred miles then off to Inzane I went and somewhere going out and coming back it developed that slight vibration.
I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if I can remove the Ride On and either use the balancing beads for just a regular balance. (Hoping that would take care of the vibration)

[Valk1520]

I used Dyna Beads when I mounted the tire but didn't help and I've been using them for over 45000 miles in Dunlop and Avon with great success.

[MarkT]

I usually get my tires from Jake Wilson - great prices and CS and they are an honest business.  I support my local bike ship in other purchases, and they get the business when I need service I don't want to do myself.  I've never had a bad experience buying tires online.

[Fudd]

I thought the "Ride On" I added would take care of the balance......and it did so I thought the first few hundred miles then off to Inzane I went and somewhere going out and coming back it developed that slight vibration.
I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if I can remove the Ride On and either use the balancing beads for just a regular balance. (Hoping that would take care of the vibration)

I've never had anything but good luck with Ride-On.  If you really wanted to remove it, you could break down the tire and wash it out.  It's water soluble.

[Misfit]

Raymond the ride on is not the problem. If the tire is bad no kind of balancing will fix it. If you want to try and return it I have a new Avon in the garage that you are welcome to. All I ask is that you replace it before spring.

[3fan4life]

The tire vibrated from day one.  Smooth as glass when I turn but straight = vibration.  I tried different air pressure with no luck.  the Shinko had uneven rubber.  The rain groove was higher on one side than the other and seeing the groove alternates one side then the other, there's the vibration cause. 

That sounds EXACTLY like the issue that I am having.


How were you able to determine that the rubber was uneven ?

I'd like to check both tires before I pull either one of them if I can.


Shinko has said that the front tire is the most likely culprit,

And
   
I'll REALLY be PO'd if I swap out the front and still have a vibration. 

[cookiedough]

How did you pay the superstore for the shinko or should I say stinko tire?  If you paid with your credit card,  contact your credit card company if you bought it within say 30 days (probably not though)  and ask them to suspend payment to the store.  I have had to do that a couple times and one time was no problem, but the other time was with an ignorant ATV dealer who incorrectly installed the wrong part not once, but twice, and after I took out the incorrect part myself,  I fought tooth and nail to get my money back eventually. 

I've bought both sets of my I/S Avon Cobra tires from Jake Wilson and I asked them BEFOREHAND if I had any problems with the tires, they said they would honor and take back the defective tires at their expense on shipping.  Luckily, I never had issues so far and hope I never do.  I guess I should ask for that what they said over the phone and tell them to put it in writing first?

[tank_post142]

Tires , Brakes, Oil, etc these are things we should NEVER cheap out on! if you want to buy a cheap radio or speakers, feel free! if you want to buy a cheap fairing or trunk  feel free! if you want to buy a cheap windshield or deflectors feel free! BUT when it comes to safety of your bike or your fellow riders do NOT skimp! not only will you regret it so will your fellow riders! this is based on my own experience as a cheapskate rider! never NEVER again will i skimp on safety of flight items.  

[Valk1520]

The tire vibrated from day one.  Smooth as glass when I turn but straight = vibration.  I tried different air pressure with no luck.  the Shinko had uneven rubber.  The rain groove was higher on one side than the other and seeing the groove alternates one side then the other, there's the vibration cause. 

That sounds EXACTLY like the issue that I am having.


How were you able to determine that the rubber was uneven ?

I'd like to check both tires before I pull either one of them if I can.


Shinko has said that the front tire is the most likely culprit,

And
   
I'll REALLY be PO'd if I swap out the front and still have a vibration. 

Mine was noticeable when I ran my hand over the tread. It's more obvious when mounted on rim with air in it. My vibration was very noticeable between 40 & 50MPH but bounced some At speed. Like its been said, no more scrimping on tires!

[Jabba]

It sounds like you guys are onto something about the way the tire is molded... Here is a thought... if you could stand to live with it till the wear evened it out?  If it was a rear you could do a burnout? 

I buy my tires from HDL.  I believe they will stand by their stuff.  I have NEVER had an issue with them. 

Jabba

[3fan4life]

My vibration was very noticeable between 40 & 50MPH but bounced some At speed.

Sounds like we have the exact same issue.

Like its been said, no more scrimping on tires!

I've ran Avon's and I've ran E3's both are good tires but each has had issues.

Avon has had delamination issues and problems with cracking in the tread grooves.

The latter problem I have experienced with an Avon front tire, it stayed together for a respectable tread life of 16k mi but it had a slow leak and seemed like it always needed to be "topped off" with air.

I'm not aware of any specific issues with the E3's. I do know that there are people here that hate them with a passion.  I don't have anything against them but my last set of E3's wore out early, especially the front.

I gave Shinko a shot because they were $150 less for a set. $245 (Shinko) vs $395 (E3). I like the tread pattern on the Shinko and with 5 ply's it has a higher weight rating than the Avon's. The vibration problem is extremely irritating but they let the bike corner like it is on rails. I purchased them knowing full well that Shinko had issues with big bike tires in the past. They did the right thing with the 757's and recalled them when their problems surfaced.  And judging from my interaction with Shinko USA, so far it looks like they are willing to stand by their product. Which is more than Avon did when their problems surfaced. 

Will I buy another set of Shinko's when this set wears out ?

I can't answer that yet, there are still too many unanswered questions about them.

I do know that NO MATTER what tire I buy next, it WON"T come from Motorcycle Superstore.             

[Hook#3287]

I've been buying tires on-line as long as there's been an on-line.
Never had a problem.  Sorry and hope you get it worked out.

I've bought ALL my tires, except the first, online.  The only problem I had was the front end "wobble" on a avon, when I let go of the bars.  Avon said they would replace it if I found a local dealer they could ship to and who would ship back the old tire for them. I thought that was pretty unreasonable to me and the local dealer, so I just never let go of the bars  and ran the tire out. Didn't take long.  Changed to a E3, wobble gone.

[Jess from VA]

In the past, I tried to give my local bike shops my tire business.  I would show them my best online price with delivery, and ask if they could get close.  They could not even get close (and dealers were bound by franchise agreements regarding parts suppliers -Parts Unlimited) and were generally $60-up higher per tire.  Even paying the higher rate for mounting a tire I brought in, I saved considerably.  Now my local shop no longer charges the higher rate because it pisses people off, they cannot possibly stock all the tires people want, AND they discovered the tire change business results in them finding many additional maintenance items they get to fix too. 

[old2soon]

Got my Shinko S E 890 Journey at M C Superstore. Mounted up with Dyna Beads and i have pushed past the 130 M P H mark indicated. They are smooth and trouble free at ANY speed i choose or angle i care to lean. I know i have over 5000 miles on the S E 890 and still liking what i'm feeling. Truth be told i had zero idea of M C Superstore return policy. I hope you're able to get/find/secure some satisfaction from Shinko or M C Superstore. Good luck with yer dilema. RIDE SAFE.

O-K went out to the phatt ghurls cave and did the math last night. I have 6585 miles on the S E 890. 99 I/S with 64200 miles on the odometer. I stand by what i said-i'm having  ZERO issues with my Shinko. Sounds like i'm in a very small minority. I hope those with the issues find a solution to the problems presented here. Good thing we have this forum available to us to be able to air out these issues/problems/solutions in a timely manner. Years ago something like this was not available to us. You bitched about yer problem to yer buds and that was just about the extent of it-you and yer buds. RIDE SAFE.

[Fritz The Cat]

Sure hope I have the same luck with mine you've had with yours. 

[Michvalk]

I buy my tire on line BECAUSE of the local stealers. And I can't find anyone that will even try for bike tires at any of the car tire stores. The local stealers want full boat prices, and no good deals on mount and balance. So I order online, and install myself. One of the reasons I went darkside!