Modern Buddy

How does one replace the tires on these things? Are they tubeless?

Has anyone thought about a fatter tire?

I am also interested in this.. the tiny tires of buddy is very unassuring....especially after my recent crash..

yes they are tubeless

I wonder if Zippys will work on the Buddy.

we did install a set of whitewalls "tube type" on a Buddy but the valves for the tubes were at a tough angle.. There are plenty of choices out there in tubless 10" tires, do a google search

I can assure you that the 3.5x10 cheng shins provide plenty of grip as I've been taking the edge off my center stand lever in left turns, but any 3.5x10 tire will fit. some may have to be fitted with an inner tube to make them work safely as some tires this small aren't made to be tubeless. I'm planning on running these tires til I can't, but then I'll put on some Sava performance tires like I run on my Stella, racing soft in front, street performance in back.

I've heard that there is a cast wheel in the works...

Along the line of tires, has anyone considered changing out their rims for chrome ones or painted ones? Where would I begin to look for items like that?

Laura, since these Buddys are a new product in the U.S., you probably won't be able to "go" somewhere for either chrome or painted wheels...you'll probably have to have it done to yours. Chroming can get expensive and time consuming, but you should consider having them powdercoated intead of painted if you choose to go that way. It is WAY more durable.

--Keys

Shellee wrote:I wonder if Zippys will work on the Buddy.

Zippy's will work. They are available in a 3.50x10 and they are designed to be used with or without a tube.

what's the largest size wheels you can put on a Buddy (safely and without further modding)?


PS

Niiiiiice!!

PPS

Corsair wrote:what's the largest size wheels you can put on a Buddy (safely and without further modding)?

The stock size?

I just put some Michelin S 83's on my Vino 125 due to a puncture from a staple. The Vino uses Cheng shins as well. These feel a bit more solid and give a nicer ride.

They come in 3.5 x 10 tubeless--a nice classic tread--
Michelin S1 has a more sporty looking tread and also come in tubeless.

I know I'm a n00b to scootering and all, but what's everyone's complaint with the Cheng's?



Granted, they're not super-high-performance or anything, but as Seth mentioned earlier in the thread, you can get down far enough to scrape the center stand without riding 'em to the limits...

What more do you want from a stock tire?

AxeYrCat wrote:I know I'm a n00b to scootering and all, but what's everyone's complaint with the Cheng's?

Like many products made in China, they are percieved as a low cost, low quality alternative to more mainstream tire brands. This perception is the same in the motorcycle community.

For the Buddy, they seem more than sufficient!

vitaminC wrote:

Corsair wrote:what's the largest size wheels you can put on a Buddy (safely and without further modding)?

The stock size?

That's about right!

There are a lot of tires in this size available on the market. I have heard nothing but good things about the Continental Zippys. I have Michelin Pilots which I like quite a bit; much grippier than the Pirellis I had before. (I jad only a vague notion of grippiness until I switched!) The tires I hear the most complaints about are Savas.

My one dislike about the stock tires is the central groove. It tends to catch a little more on grooved pavement than tires like the Michelin S1 or the Continental Zippy 1. If you're not happy with the stock tires, stay with the stock size but get something with more grip.

Better tires should improve your handling and braking capabilities. So be careful when braking as you have more potential for locking up if you're not aware of what you're doing. Softer tires will wear out more quickly than a harder compound. I'd personally prefer tire bills to medical bills.

Has anyone changed the rims on their scooter? Got pics?

Corsair wrote:Has anyone changed the rims on their scooter? Got pics?

There are a few pics around of powdercoated or painted rims, but it's pretty unusual to see totally different ones on a modern (non-vintage) scoot. There are wheel covers like these from Scooterworks, and I've seen spinners for sale on eBay.

ericalm wrote: There are a few pics around of powdercoated or painted rims, but it's pretty unusual to see totally different ones on a modern (non-vintage) scoot. There are wheel covers like these from Scooterworks, and I've seen spinners for sale on eBay.

The front wheel on the Buddy is not single-sided, so it would be a bit more work to put a cover on there.

Changing the rim in general would be a challenge also due to the brake setup. And out back it's pretty well covered up on both sides already...