Best performance tires for a Buddy?
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- z20k
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Best performance tires for a Buddy?
So, I got the Prima whitewalls put on my Buddy 161 a while back with red rims for the look assuming the performance would be just as good as the stock tires.. and I gotta say, they freaking suck. I feel like I lose traction a LOT.
I'd like to find some really good whitewalls, or I can possibly get some really good non-whitewalls and fake whitewall them. All I know is the performance on these tires are weak.
I'd like to find some really good whitewalls, or I can possibly get some really good non-whitewalls and fake whitewall them. All I know is the performance on these tires are weak.
Oh, so they have internet on computers now!
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- hal888
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- ericalm
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For performance purposes, you can't beat the Heidenau K61. Your dealer can probably order them or you can get them online via Scooterwest.com. Shipping on tires is actually not as bad as you might think.
For whitewalls, sadly, there aren't any great performance tires out there. The Primas are okay if you're a casual, everyday, running errands kind of rider. The best (tubeless) whitewall in recent years were the Maxxis that used to come stock omn the Internationals. Sadly, discontinued.
You might want to check on this but the Continental K62 whitewall might be tubeless now or might work on Buddy rims. It's a bit confusing: Conti was converting all their tubed to tubeless a couple years ago and the tires are stamped "tubeless." But a lot of websites still say they're tubed, possibly because when used on most split rims (like Stellas and most vintage scoots have), you still need to run a tube in there.
Scooterworks says they're tubed; Scooterwest says tubeless. You might just want to call and ask—both places are very familiar with Buddys!
For whitewalls, sadly, there aren't any great performance tires out there. The Primas are okay if you're a casual, everyday, running errands kind of rider. The best (tubeless) whitewall in recent years were the Maxxis that used to come stock omn the Internationals. Sadly, discontinued.
You might want to check on this but the Continental K62 whitewall might be tubeless now or might work on Buddy rims. It's a bit confusing: Conti was converting all their tubed to tubeless a couple years ago and the tires are stamped "tubeless." But a lot of websites still say they're tubed, possibly because when used on most split rims (like Stellas and most vintage scoots have), you still need to run a tube in there.
Scooterworks says they're tubed; Scooterwest says tubeless. You might just want to call and ask—both places are very familiar with Buddys!
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- anthony
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I've done a lot of research on this topic as a result of needing new tires recently, and the consensus seems to be: as Eric said, the best whitewalls seem to have been the stock Maxxis that are no longer produced. Shinko and Prima both seem to not be that great.
For better non-whitewall tires, the favorites seem to be: Heidenaus, though these are somewhat pricey, Continental Zippys, and Michelin S1s. I have the latter and can testify that they're nice and grippy, and not very expensive.
Of course, being late to the thread, all of these have already been mentioned...
For better non-whitewall tires, the favorites seem to be: Heidenaus, though these are somewhat pricey, Continental Zippys, and Michelin S1s. I have the latter and can testify that they're nice and grippy, and not very expensive.
Of course, being late to the thread, all of these have already been mentioned...
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- BuddyRaton
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White walls are for show...not performance.
I love the Heidenau K61 for "everyday" use.
By far the best "performance" tire I have used is the SIP Performer.
They are the only 10-inch tire I have found that are L rated (75 mph) sticky sticky and wear well
I love the Heidenau K61 for "everyday" use.
By far the best "performance" tire I have used is the SIP Performer.
They are the only 10-inch tire I have found that are L rated (75 mph) sticky sticky and wear well
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'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
- mike_cor
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Rear tire on my 150 Italia went out today. I was riding and felt the rear slide a little, stopped to check and the tire had apparently come apart all along the seam between the white wall and the black tire. It was the original Maxxis white wall that came with the bike, 2009 model with 3200 miles. Found this thread and just ordered up a Michelin S1.
The size of the tire says 100/90-10 56J. On the website, the size listed was 100/90J-10.... this is the same thing right? I imagine there are various ways of writing it but it looks to me like the aspect ratio is still 90, 10 is the diameter in inches and J represents speed recommendations?
The size of the tire says 100/90-10 56J. On the website, the size listed was 100/90J-10.... this is the same thing right? I imagine there are various ways of writing it but it looks to me like the aspect ratio is still 90, 10 is the diameter in inches and J represents speed recommendations?
- ericalm
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Correct!mike_cor wrote:Rear tire on my 150 Italia went out today. I was riding and felt the rear slide a little, stopped to check and the tire had apparently come apart all along the seam between the white wall and the black tire. It was the original Maxxis white wall that came with the bike, 2009 model with 3200 miles. Found this thread and just ordered up a Michelin S1.
The size of the tire says 100/90-10 56J. On the website, the size listed was 100/90J-10.... this is the same thing right? I imagine there are various ways of writing it but it looks to me like the aspect ratio is still 90, 10 is the diameter in inches and J represents speed recommendations?
I just put S1s on my Stella and have to say that I really like them! Nice grip; better than S83s.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
- mike_cor
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- ericalm
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Scooterworks will have them, but you might have to call them to order it. Not everything is in the online catalog.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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with regards to faking them...
Whitewalls were the main reason why i was drawn to the buddy model in the first place. I've ridden on the Shinkos and Prima whitewalls and completely dislike the first but can live with the latter. I don't think the Shinkos have good grip in any weather. The Primas were nice when it was dry. I never rode them in the wet.
Anyways, when I replaced my stolen Buddy, I attempted to paint my own whitewalls using the michelin S1. There's some fancy Norwegian white wall paint out there but it was too much of a hassle to buy. Instead, I went with some Ranger brands whitewall tire paint... FAIL.
I think I did a good job cleaning and painting the tires. Unfortunately, they get dirty waayyy to easily and the paint has already started to flake and peel. Thus I don't recommend painting them... at least not with the Ranger whitewall paint.
Not sure what I'm going to do now. Probably just live with a non whitewall...
Anyways, when I replaced my stolen Buddy, I attempted to paint my own whitewalls using the michelin S1. There's some fancy Norwegian white wall paint out there but it was too much of a hassle to buy. Instead, I went with some Ranger brands whitewall tire paint... FAIL.
I think I did a good job cleaning and painting the tires. Unfortunately, they get dirty waayyy to easily and the paint has already started to flake and peel. Thus I don't recommend painting them... at least not with the Ranger whitewall paint.
Not sure what I'm going to do now. Probably just live with a non whitewall...
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http://www.schwalbetires.com/scooter_tires/weatherman
Whitewall: Swhalbe weatherman hs540. Silica rubber compound. Should be a great tire. A friend has them and loves them.
Whitewall: Swhalbe weatherman hs540. Silica rubber compound. Should be a great tire. A friend has them and loves them.