good scooter tires?

caca-del-pollo · Post by **caca-del-pollo** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:59 pm

hey yall. this is my first post!

ok, so my buddy 125 will be needing a new set of tires asap, and was wondering if any of you know of some good brand/models to consider.

I'm in los angeles so i'll probably head over the noho scooters and get whatever they have available.

also..
how many miles have your tires lasted on average?

my front tire has been going on 10k, but will definitely need a change this time around.

my back tire has been changed twice in my buddy's 10k life so far.

keep on keeping on!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:31 pm

this one has come up a few times. The search might yield more detailed results, but most of us like some form of Michelin tire. Continental also makes some in the buddy size I believe.

depending on what tires you have, you might want to just get both at this point. some people seem to get a lot more than 10k out of the front though.

anthony · Post by **anthony** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:17 pm

viewtopic.php?t=24140&highlight=

is just one of the most recent ones, but there are quite a few on the topic. the above covers the basics though.

also:

viewtopic.php?t=23886&highlight=noho+scooters

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:27 pm

And sorry, but you won't have much luck at the former NoHo Scooters - I believe it now houses a comedy club.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:41 pm

PeteH wrote:And sorry, but you won't have much luck at the former NoHo Scooters - I believe it now houses a comedy club.

The guys are still doing service at NoHo until they find a location for their own service shop! I was just there yesterday.

Call 818-861-4640 to set up an appointment.

Not sure what they have in stock for tires but they can order whatever you need.

My preference for tires is the Heidenau K61. That's a somewhat pricey, high-performance tire, though, and if you're a laid back, casual city rider, you can probably do just as well with a Michelin Pilot Sport or a Continental Zippy 1.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:21 pm

I'm going to agree on the heidenau. I use k61 in spring through autumn and k58 in the winter. They are incredibly grippy and long lasting, they may cost a bit more but they last longer than most tires and outperform any other rubber I've ever tried.

ScooterMASS · Post by **ScooterMASS** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:03 pm

Guys & Girls....I understand this is a Genuine forum...but don't you hate those 3.5" 10" tires from the Buddy 125 & up? I have complete hatred for 12" tires & under @ any speed above 40+MPH myself. They get too "squirrelly" under speed! Some 12" are ok...if they have some width too them. Just my 2 cents worth.

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:44 pm

ScooterMASS wrote:Guys & Girls....I understand this is a Genuine forum...but don't you hate those 3.5" 10" tires from the Buddy 125 & up? I have complete hatred for 12" tires & under @ any speed above 40+MPH myself. They get too "squirrelly" under speed! Some 12" are ok...if they have some width too them. Just my 2 cents worth.

I actually like 10" tires all the way up to 70mph more than anything bigger, they really let you feel the road if you know what I mean.

ScooterMASS · Post by **ScooterMASS** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:49 pm

Lokky: Then maybe you haven't had a scooter with 16" rims! Granted...10"-12" tires corner like nobody's business....but above 50MPH....there is no comparsion!

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 5:52 pm

I have a motorcycle with 16" wheels, I still take the scooter out 95% of the time unless I'm really strapped for time and I gotta do over 80mph so yeah.

As far as 10" and high speeds you need to have a relaxed grip and let the bike do its thing, physics will keep you upright.

caca-del-pollo · Post by **caca-del-pollo** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:42 am

thanks for the responses yall.

I ended up getting some michelin S1 tires at the noho scooter location now called LA SCooter Service I believe.

I got my cheapo tires off and dang, i immediately felt more confident in the grip.

I hope they last awhile though - tires + labor is no joke!

DanielPerrin · Post by **DanielPerrin** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:39 pm

I noticed yesterday that the tread wear indicator was low enough that I should replace the rear tire. I have seen lots of recommendations for the Heidenau K61 or K58.

http://www.heidenautires.com/buy is a page that lists dealers, but no one in Oklahoma had the tires listed, or had a working website.

I had some URLs from about a year ago (topic20698.html). Only one URL worked and had the 3.5x10 Buddy 125 tire. I ended up buying a K61 from Revzilla, total with shipping $60.

Here are the rest of the links that have changed in the last year:
** http://justscootertires.com/?q=heidenau no website
** http://www.bikebandit.com/search?q=heidenau only K60 available; Buddy 125 size not available
** http://www.moto-amore.com/, http://www.moto-amore.com/heidenau/productsnew_b.html
has a link to http://www.heidenautires.com/, but no tires when I search Moto Amore store
** http://ssl.delti.com (tires-easy.com)
- didn't list Heidenau
- $17+ for shipping one tire
** http://Scootershop.com/ shows a K61, but following the link shows "There are no products to list in this category."
** http://www.Revzilla.com K61 $55; free shipping; *~*~*~ $5 shipping surcharge ~*~*~*
- "Free shipping on all orders over $39.99"

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:05 pm

little and no difference between 10in and 12in wheels up to 60mph imo. both are more then stable below and nimble just as well. "ride" quality is negligible
all things being equal

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Apr 01, 2013 7:25 pm

caca-del-pollo wrote:thanks for the responses yall.

I ended up getting some michelin S1 tires at the noho scooter location now called LA SCooter Service I believe.

I got my cheapo tires off and dang, i immediately felt more confident in the grip.

I hope they last awhile though - tires + labor is no joke!

Good to hear!

The biggest thing to help with tire longevity is to keep them properly inflated. They should be checked every week or two. 30psi front and back is ideal.

Here's a "How To" post on caring for tires I did for the LA Scooter Group site: http://www.meetup.com/LAScooterGroup/me ... /32595132/

And if you're interested in group rides, sign up for the group!

chooch · Post by **chooch** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:35 pm

DanielPerrin wrote:I noticed yesterday that the tread wear indicator was low enough that I should replace the rear tire. I have seen lots of recommendations for the Heidenau K61 or K58.

http://www.heidenautires.com/buy is a page that lists dealers, but no one in Oklahoma had the tires listed, or had a working website.

I had some URLs from about a year ago (topic20698.html). Only one URL worked and had the 3.5x10 Buddy 125 tire. I ended up buying a K61 from Revzilla, total with shipping $60.

Here are the rest of the links that have changed in the last year:
** http://justscootertires.com/?q=heidenau no website
** http://www.bikebandit.com/search?q=heidenau only K60 available; Buddy 125 size not available
** http://www.moto-amore.com/, http://www.moto-amore.com/heidenau/productsnew_b.html
has a link to http://www.heidenautires.com/, but no tires when I search Moto Amore store
** http://ssl.delti.com (tires-easy.com)
- didn't list Heidenau
- $17+ for shipping one tire
** http://Scootershop.com/ shows a K61, but following the link shows "There are no products to list in this category."
** http://www.Revzilla.com K61 $55; free shipping; *~*~*~ $5 shipping surcharge ~*~*~*
- "Free shipping on all orders over $39.99"

I would also like to add http://www.motorcycletiresmaniac.com to this list. They didn't have the K61 100/90-10 size on Revzilla, so I ordered from Motorcycle Tire Maniac. $58 per tire, with free shipping over $100. They are out of Iowa (I believe). I ordered 2 for $116 total (no tax charged for me in California), and they are supposed to get here Thursday (ordered Monday).

I was a bit skeptical ordering from the site, since I could only find 1 review of them online:

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthrea ... 4&page=999

But I ordered anyways and am now waiting. Like the other reviewer, I also paid with PayPal and received no notifications from them (order confirmation e-mails, shipping info, tracking numbers, etc.). I ended up trying out their live chat they have on the website, and all seems good (sensitive info X'd out):

Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Elvis'
Elvis: Hello. How may I assist you?
Jon: Hi, I placed on order monday for two Heidenau scooter tires, order number XXXX, and I was wondering if there is any shipping information available for this?
Elvis: Let me check
Elvis: What was the name on the order?
Jon: ok thanks
Jon: Jon XXXXXXXXX
Elvis: checking
Elvis: Fed ex tracking XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Elvis:
Elvis: on schedule for delivery tomorrow
Jon: Great thanks!
Elvis: you are welcome!

Very easy and professional

Jon

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:57 pm

since you are in cali, for future reference, moto amore are the guys who import heidenaus to the US and they are based there.

chooch · Post by **chooch** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:16 pm

Lokky wrote:since you are in cali, for future reference, moto amore are the guys who import heidenaus to the US and they are based there.

Yeah I saw them when trying to find somewhere to order from. They are about 3 hours away from me, but they don't (yet?) have an online store for heidenaus. I probably could have called them or other dealers around me for price/availability but I was in a rush to get them ordered Monday night so that they would be delivered in time for a weekend install

DanielPerrin · Post by **DanielPerrin** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:52 am

I can get the wheel off the scooter. Is getting the new one installed as simple as getting the tire off the rim, putting the new tire on, and inflating it? Is there any balancing for scooter tires? Do I need to try to find something like tire bead sealant? Do I need to replace the valve stems, or should those last as long as I'm gentle with them? Thanks.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:14 am

Having ridden 10", 12", 16", and 17" tires all at 60+ mph for multi-hour rides...the smaller tires do just fine.

Every now and then I'd consider replacing the valve stem because rubber ages and dry rots after a while. I've not replaced my own tires yet, but I know you need to (with tubeless) make sure you seat the bead (higher PSI)...balancing may or may not be needed...try to not scratch the rim up...not sure what else.

As far as tire life: up until recently, my scooter or motorcycle has always been my primary transport option. I sold my car a few months ago, so now I'm scooter-only. I keep an eye on the tread depth. When it starts getting close to the minimum, I order a new tire pre-emptively. When it gets really close to the minimum tolerance limit, I schedule the appointment (until I learn to change them myself). This keeps the stress, hassle, and delays down to negligable.

chooch · Post by **chooch** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:38 am

chooch wrote:
Lokky wrote:since you are in cali, for future reference, moto amore are the guys who import heidenaus to the US and they are based there.
Yeah I saw them when trying to find somewhere to order from. They are about 3 hours away from me, but they don't (yet?) have an online store for heidenaus. I probably could have called them or other dealers around me for price/availability but I was in a rush to get them ordered Monday night so that they would be delivered in time for a weekend install

Just wanted to update any one who is interested, got my tires today. Looks like they were actually drop shipped from Moto Amore in Santa Clara! Wonder what price would have been quoted to me if I called them directly..., oh well

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:01 pm

chooch wrote:
chooch wrote:
Lokky wrote:since you are in cali, for future reference, moto amore are the guys who import heidenaus to the US and they are based there.
Yeah I saw them when trying to find somewhere to order from. They are about 3 hours away from me, but they don't (yet?) have an online store for heidenaus. I probably could have called them or other dealers around me for price/availability but I was in a rush to get them ordered Monday night so that they would be delivered in time for a weekend install
Just wanted to update any one who is interested, got my tires today. Looks like they were actually drop shipped from Moto Amore in Santa Clara! Wonder what price would have been quoted to me if I called them directly..., oh well

I believe they are 50$ from Moto Amore, and yeah you have to give them a call to order on the phone

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:18 am

When the time comes, Continental Zippys for me. Because I once had an awesome little rabbit named Zippy.

Markfaz · Post by **Markfaz** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:53 pm

Eric,

On your Heidenaus, what size/dimensions do you ride? I noticed they come in multiple variations and was wondering what you had the best luck with.

thanks!

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:29 pm

Okay, stupid questions of the day: At what tread depth is it time to replace a tire? Do you measure at the middle of the tire or somewhere else?

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:28 pm

There should be wear bars, usually small, slightly raised areas, in the grooves of the tire. Look for them. When the wear bar is at the same lefel as the tread the tire 'should' be changed.