Tested by: Dave
Miles used: Drag strip passes
Price: From $193
Contact: shinkotireusa.com
Most sportbike tires can handle the abuse of daily street riding in stride, but take them to the dragstrip and it’ll get ugly in a hurry. Getting down the track quickly relies largely on grip, and unless the tire has been designed for max grip at the strip it’s bound to struggle.
With over 400 horsepower from SSB’s turbo ‘Busa I knew we needed something super sticky that would also last more than a handful of passes. The Shinko Hook Up has gripped like white on rice and is still spinning after several trips to the strip.
Be aware that once it’s up to temperature it’s too sticky for certain situations. After a few dyno pulls the tire was actually sticking to the drum, in fact. I wouldn’t believe it had I not seen it.
The Hook Up is noticeably lighter than other DOT tires of the same size and uses some of the softest rubber you’ll find on the shelf. It doesn’t wear away as quickly as its gooey compound would suggest though. After numerous pre-stage burnouts and quarter-mile passes it shows average wear—thanks largely to its profile. The flat contour increase the contact patch and thus, forward drive with minimal wheel spin.
Shinko doesn’t recommend it for use as a street tire though, so it should be used for race days only.
Price: 32/33
Durability: 31/33
Performance: 31/33