Road Tires for Off-road Bikes (Yamaha BWS)

Life Cars & Motorcycles
21

Did I mention that it is not easy to get road tires for a BWS? I’m so pissed off!!! :fume: :fume: :fume:

I first ordered two sizes. 130-90-10 and 120-90-10. Only the 120 was delivered, and I ended up having to order another 120 as a compromise. I picked up one tire and was supposed to get the other one today. I dropped off the bike at a mechanic near my work this morning and had them install the 120 I already have on the front thinking I could pick up the other tire after work. I had to leave a deposit, too, in order for them to order the second tire.

In other words, they know I need two tires, they sold me one and told me “no problem” that they could get me another one. So I pick up my bike after work and headed to the other shop where I was supposed to pick up the other tire… They then told me that they can’t get another one. I was like WHAT!!! I pointed to my bike and showed them that I had one installed already, and only now are they telling me that they were wrong to tell me that they could get another one. I told them flat out that if they can’t get two, I don’t want just one??? :loco: I told them that they would have to buy it back from me even though I had it installed and had ridden on it already, and I also added that they would have to pay the 300 dollars installation fee, too, since I was going to have to pay for installation once again was I to change tire again. They refused, of course… I lost it. Buch of fuckwits selling one tire, taking a deposit on a second tire so that in the end they would just give me my deposit back and send me off with
ONE
tire. :wall: :wall: :wall:

I was like no F***ing way! I told them that the tire cost 1150 and installation was 300 and I want them to give me 1450 and take their tire back. Why would I have to pay for their mistakes? I don’t want a mud tire and a street tire, that’s bloody non-sense.

After trying to explain it is their mistake, they still refused to pay for the installation, and they were just waiting for me to leave with one tire only. That’s when I got really angry and started to shout and swear at them. Get me another tire, or give me my fucking money and take your stupid tire back you idiots!

Buddy got on the phone and did a bunch of phone calls. (Too bad I had to get angry for that to happen) He then told me that he was going to try to locate a tire in Taipei, he took my phone number and now I’m on an undefinite back order, waiting for a phone call to get my second tire. Meanwhile I’m riding with two completely different tires. :fume: They kept my deposit and the word is they HAVE TO find me a goddamn tire.

Now just to top it off, I stop at 7-11 on my way home and there’s this BWS parked there and it has a street tire 130-90-10 on the rear wheel. WTF??? That’s the size I originally wanted!!! I would have asked the scooter owner where he bought the tire, but he wasn’t around. The tire is identical to the Maxxis 6029. Same exact thread pattern with what seems to be a cheaper and harder rubber. The tires basically looks like a Maxxis 6029 knock off/cheaper version. The brand name is Veloce. It’s not the Pirelli Veloce for those familiar with the Veloce made by Pirelli. I googled the name to no end with no results except a gizzilion sites selling Pirellis.

I’m frustrated with this to no end. I live on an island 700KM in lenght, I see the tires I want on other scooters, yet I can’t get them?! AAAAAAARRRRGHHHHH!

Oh and yes, The Maxxis seems to be a really nice tire. Handles nice and it’s smooth and quiet. Except I only have
ONE!!!
And I have no clue when I will get another one!

^%&^$&^%$(&^%&_)(=-98-976(&^%86875!!!

Rant over!

22

I got a call telling me I should have the second tire on the 18th of November, but they are not positive. In fact they seem more hopeful than anything.

Between three jobs and other personal trips around the city, I do almost 100KM per day during the week; sometimes more. This basically means that I’ll have nearly 900-1000KM on the front tire by the time I finally get the rear tire.(That’s if I do get it) So much for the new road tires experience. :s It bugs me because right now the bike sucks, and everytime I ride it, it’s a sharp reminder. I can feel the front tire wanting to lean well past what the rear tire can handle and it makes for pretty weird cornering. It feels like there is strain put on the swingarm as in to twist the frame. It’s like I have to hold the front end up. It’s sketchy! I can tell the new tire performs much better, but I can’t actually put it to use. It also feels unsafe leaning at high speed. Mud tires and road tires have different profiles and they don’t match, especially if the mud tire has a 1/2 worn out flatter profile.

I think I’m going to order my next set right away. Hell, I think I’m going to buy 1/2 a dozen tires and be done with this hassle. Just going back to the freeking shop 17 times to get tires is really annoying and a waste of time. I mean, can’t someone just buy tires around here?!

If anyone can locate a Maxxis 6029 size: 130-90-10 or 120-90-10, and post the shop’s phone number, I would appreciate it a whole lot. Anywhere in Taiwan is fine, That’s what UPS is for.

23

Oh bloody hell. This sort of incompetence and meibanfa-sim really pisses me off. :fume:

Call Maxxis directly and find out who all of their stocking distributors are and their phone numbers. Take it from there.

Oh, and I can hardly believe these bozos hit you up 300 for mounting a damn tire. I get car tires mounted and balanced for less than that. Assholes.

24

[quote=“redwagon”]
Oh, and I can hardly believe these bozos hit you up 300 for mounting a damn tire. I get car tires mounted and balanced for less than that. Assholes.[/quote]I don’t know… The mounting is included in the price if you buy the tire in a shop where they do installation. I bought the tire at a wholesaler, you know the kind of shop that deliver parts to mechanic shops within twenty minutes. So I got the tire installed in a seperate shop. I always pay 200 if they do it by hand, and 300 if they have the machine. I have painted rims, and they always put scratches on them if they do it by hand. I pay the extra 100 to have it done with the machine for 300NT, and I save the scratches on the rims. :idunno:

I have done it myself a couple times at DIY shops, but it’s hard and it’s dirty work. Hardly worth it considering the time and getting dirty.

I am told that I should have a tire next Friday. If they can’t get one, I’ll be seriously annoyed.

25

Finally! I got my second tire yesterday, and had it installed today. It took some effort, but I guess it is possible to get street tires for a BWS in kaohsiung.

The Maxxis rock. The bike feels agile and very sticky. Nice for shifting lanes in traffic and for cornering while speeding up. It’s a huge difference from the mud tires. You were right redwagon, the rear tire isn’t really smaller with a 120 road as opposed to 130 offroad. The rear tire looks just as fat. The front tire looks bigger, though. The bike accelerates faster a little, and it seems to be faster on the top end. Just a little, if any. I certainly reach my top speed quicker.

Awesome tires for winter riding here… Thanks everyone! :notworthy:

26

Glad that worked out for you man. Now burn the shop for messing you around. I wonder if we shouldn’t have a blacklist for incompetent and dishonest bike shops… :ponder:

27

I wonder if you actually need off-road tyres at all. IIRC the Sahara Handbook talks about people stocking-up on cheap/free baldish tyres (for Landcruisers/Landrovers etc but presumably same in principle) before the trip because deep tread is a disadvantage in sand. To the extent that they are not a fashion accessory (which for many punters excepting yourself they will be) the “knoblies” on an “off-road” scooter are probably designed for mud, which you probably won’t encounter very often?

Be interesting to see how your road tyres compare offroad, unless you don’t want to risk getting a spike through them. Baldies might be OK off road too but thats maybe only safe / practical / legal (?) with a “dedicated” offroad machine. Course if you got that truck…

Bit OT but you got any experience of the rather rare PGO (PM-X?) offroad - style scooter? There was an abandoned plateless one on the NCKU campus here for ages that I was tempted to adopt, but its been “tidied” by the authorities now. Similar to the BWS but smaller and, to my eye, neater-looking. And it didn’t call itself “The ultimate offroad machine”.

28

[quote=“Ducked”]Bit OT but you got any experience of the rather rare PGO (PM-X?) offroad - style scooter? There was an abandoned plateless one on the NCKU campus here for ages that I was tempted to adopt, but its been “tidied” by the authorities now. Similar to the BWS but smaller and, to my eye, neater-looking. And it didn’t call itself “The ultimate offroad machine”.[/quote]The back mudguard on those is really close to the wheel. I imagine it could get debris trapped in there quite easily.

29

[quote=“Ducked”]Similar to the BWS but smaller and, to my eye, neater-looking.[/quote]No way! The BWS is far better looking! :wink:

Mine is heavily modified for performance, comfort and convenience… Have a look:

Pics taken today with the new tires…

Notice the performance muffler for speed, the heavily modified seat for comfort(It’s about 5 inches thicker), and the boxes for convenience. The boxes are added safety, too, since other riders can not come close to me. The boxes also proved to be excellent protection for the bike when I crash… I engineered this system myself. Boxes are removable with three screws, and all of it is very solid. It doesn’t move or make noise when I hit bumps. :slight_smile:

The PGO has cheaper wheels, brakes, suspension, etc. It’s not as good a bike by a big margin, IMO.

30

Well, eye of the beholder and all that. BWS look a bit big/clumsy to me, though yours looks better than stock, and the panniers look very sensible. I daresay you’re right about component quality.

The PGO’s aren’t nearly as popular as the Yamaha’s, and there might be a good reason for that. I’ve noticed the rear indicator stalks are usually broken off but otherwise know nothing about them.

IIRC the PGO website says the rear mudguard is adjustable, with a higher clearance “offroad” position, which MIGHT help.

31

I thought I’d check in on this thread to let you know how the tires are holding up.

I got 4000 KM on the tires now, and while the rear tire doesn’t look quite new anymore, it still looks excellent, and the bike still handles really well. The tires are a bit more money to buy, but they are a whole lot cheaper than the mud tires in the long run. A rear mud tire lasts about 3000 KM. I’m sure I’ll pull 7000KM with the street tires.

Not to mention they are safer(amazingly better for emergency breaking), quieter, they handle better, and they look nice.

I’m never buying mud tires again.

32

Found this thread while searching for Maxxis PSI chart. Love the M6029’s. I have 2 Honda Zoomers and the difference between stock Kenda and Maxxis tyres is amazing.

Just put the 120/90/10’s from the yellow one onto the black one as I bought a 12" rear wheel skinned in M6029 140/70/12. Yellow one now matched with a 120/70/10 for the front.

Great road tyres in any weather. Seem to be lasting a long time too.