Just curious about your experiences with all the various scooter tires out there. What brands and models did you like the best/worst? Which were the safest? What about the prices?
I know that Radials are better than Bias tires on cars… but does it make a difference on scooters (considering the need to lean into turns and all)? All I’ve seen out there are Bias tires…
How about the sizing? I think it’s safe to go with wider tires (to a certain extent) than the scooter came with, and possibly vary the sidewall height a bit. Any advice/experience? Also, what about the advantages to having a bigger tire in the back?
I just had to get a replacement rear tire for my new scoot (less than 1000km and punctured by a ballpoint pen shirtpocket clip!) and paid around NT$1300 for a high speed rear tire.
As for going up in size, it depends on your particular scoot - mine was able to go up one size only, probably due to width clearance. As for advantages, I’d think it depends on what you mean by bigger:
Larger width:
Slightly more traction due to larger contact patch with road.
Larger sidewall height:
Capable of slightly higher top-end (only with the wind at your back for most scooters)
Slightly better gas mileage
Slightly decreased acceleration
I say slightly, because that’s all in theory. I never felt any difference on my bike, but I don’t really push it to it’s limits.
Just curious about your experiences with all the various scooter tires out there. What brands and models did you like the best/worst? Which were the safest? What about the prices?
I know that Radials are better than Bias tires on cars… but does it make a difference on scooters (considering the need to lean into turns and all)? All I’ve seen out there are Bias tires…
How about the sizing? I think it’s safe to go with wider tires (to a certain extent) than the scooter came with, and possibly vary the sidewall height a bit. Any advice/experience? Also, what about the advantages to having a bigger tire in the back?
Thanks and take care!
Shawn[/quote]
Pirelli. I don’t normally take any interest in expensive name brand accessories etc. especially when it comes to scooters, but Pirelli’s scooter tyres really are something special. I never really paid much attention to tyres until I swapped out for bigger, better models on an old scooter and realised that tyre choice is the number one easy way to drastically improve handling. You don’t have to go overboard but will pay a few k each so it’s up to you whether it’s worth it or not. Also bear in mind that Pirellis (or any performance tyres) are softer and will wear out faster than cheapo hard rubber tyres that come with many scooters.
Not sure about the bias/radial thing. Interested to find out.
The current fashion is for big fat tyres, wider than is really necessary. This makes steering heavier and increases unsprung weight which also affects handling. I guess something in the middle is best. Not a skinny bicycle tyre but not a great fat sports-like one on a little bike either.
Something to bear in mind when assessing new tyres is that all new tyres tend to steer better than the ones they’re replacing, because they’re not squared-off.
Hmm… so old tires being squared off makes my scooter suck at steering, eh? My scooter (1996 Suzuki AN125 - painted army green if you ever see me!), steers weirdly when I drive upon the verge between new and old asphalt. It’s like a short like or track that my scooter can’t handle.
I’ve read that Radial is much better than Bias (designated by the “R” on all tires), because the construction of Radial (invented by Michelin) allows greater control. Basically, Radial tires don’t allow the deforming of the sidewall to affect the contact patch in any way - which equals greater control and a larger, more shape-stable contact patch.
I’ll check out Pirelli tires, thanks.
Hmm… I also have a question about aqua-evacuation on the tires. I know that for car tires, the treads must radiate out from the centre of the tire in order to be able to evacuate rain water… but it seems that many scooter tires don’t do this! There is even one design by Maxxis in which the treads are not deep and shaped like vines… do scooter/motorcycle tires need this feature? considering that they are so skinny.