When we picked up a Husqvarna FE 501 S test bike, we knew there was one mandatory modification we had to make. The standard ADV-spec Continental TKC 80s were not going to do. We know the tires are on there to pass sound emissions testing. Although they are top-notch tires for adventure riding, they aren’t what we need for our dual-sport testing, which is 90 percent off-road.
We wanted to keep the tires street legal, just in case, so the decision was made to mount a pair of Shinko 216MX tires on the Husqvarna FE 501 S. The tires are DOT and FIM approved, yet have a far more aggressive knob pattern that the stock TKC 80s, though the knob height is the FIM-mandated 13mm.
Much of our testing is conducted on sand and rocks, so we opted for the Shinko 216MX 90/100-21 front tire, which Shinko refers to as the Fat Tyre. Although there’s a version of the Fat Tyre with a Shinko-described “cheater” compound, we went with the standard Fat Tyre. We were going trail riding, not riding Hard Enduros. For the rear, the 140/80-18 got the nod in the firm Enduro compound.
To further our desire to avoid flats, we installed a pair of Sedona Performance Heavy Duty Tapered tubes. Inside the tube, we poured in Stan’s No Tubes tire sealant to combat cactus spine intrusions. A Motion Pro rim lock kept the rear valve stem in place. Mounting by Editor At Large Bill Kranhold using a Rabaconda Dirt and Dual Sport Full Kit tire changer was drama-free. We pumped 13 psi into both tires and went riding.
Based on the pure off-road Husqvarnas, the FE 501 S features dirt bike geometry with softer suspension and tamed-down power. As the S has fewer demands on the tires, and we don’t race it, DOT/FIM tires don’t have the natural disadvantage that they would have on a standard FE 501.
Despite the knob height, the Shinko 216MX has a high-performance reputation thanks to its use in the Erzbergrodeo and Romaniacs hard enduros, which require tires with FIM-mandated 13mm knobs. We don’t want Carl’s Dinner to suffer any environmental damage, now do we?
The high-profile 90/100-21 Shinko 216MX Fat Tyre has a great feel. It helps the suspension deal with nasty hits, and the 90mm front footprint offers a secure grasp on a broad variety of terrain.
It took some time for me to learn to trust the FIM front tire due to its shorter knobs. However, the performance of the 216MX goaded me to push harder and harder. The spacing makes the knobs work in sand and softer loam, while the shorter knobs mean less squirming on hardpack.
The weight of the higher-profile tire, heavy-duty tube, and sealant slowed down the handling of the Husqvarna FE 501 S, though I never had to fight the front end in the most technical sections. I enjoyed the footprint and stability, and whatever extra muscle I might have needed wasn’t enough for me to notice.
The rear Shinko 216MX 140/80-18 Enduro is quite different from the front. Where the front Fat Tyre is planted, the short-knob rear spins up willingly, thanks to the power of the Husky FE 501 S’s motor.
For dual-sporting, the 216MX is quite fun. You can drift it at a moment’s notice, using the rear tire to turn. Fortunately, the 216MX Enduro rear steps out in a highly predictable manner, and it doesn’t take long to use this to your advantage on flat trails and dirt roads. The rear moves as much as you dial in, so there are no surprises—just smiles.
Loose and rocky terrain are more of a challenge for the 216MX Enduro due to the power of the 501. The predictability isn’t there in the way it is when cornering. A smart right wrist is mandatory with this tire in low-traction situations.
At speed in the sand—washes and harder-pack—the 216MX does a fine job. The side knobs do their jobs in traditional trail corners, as long as you aren’t twisting the throttle to the stop.
Pavement isn’t the natural terrain for the Shinko 216MX tires. Although the knobs are short and don’t squirm excessively, they also don’t put a lot of rubber on the road. It takes some time to get used to cornering with them on the street, as it’s a long way from knob to knob on the side—a plus on the dirt, of course.
Adventure bike riders will also want to know that the tires have a load range that makes them viable for mid-size adventure bikes, such as the Yamaha Ténéré 700. So, if you’re a serious adventurer, the Load Range B of the Shinko 216MX tires have you covered. Also, Shinko offers the 216MX in 19-inch rear wheel sizes for riders on motocross bikes.
The Shinko 216MX tires acquit themselves impressively in the dual-sport world, where fun is more important than absolute performance. As we’re always riding lots of bikes, we only put about 1,000 miles on the Shinkos, and they didn’t need replacing. As always with off-road tires, your mileage will vary. Additionally, if you ride in areas where authorities are strict about your tires having DOT status, the Korean-made Shinko 216MX tires are an appealing option at a highly attractive price.
Photography by Kelly Callan, Bill Kranhold, and Don Williams
Shinko 216MX Tires Sizes and Prices
Front
- 80/100-21; $104 MSRP
- 90/90-21; $104
- 90/100-21; $114
- 90/100-21 Cheater; $117
Rear
- 110/100-18; $136
- 120/100-18; $144
- 110/90-19; $142
- 120/90-19; $154
- 140/80-18 MX/Enduro; $139
- 140/80-18 SX; $142
