Modern Buddy

I have been searching for the last hour trying to find an answer to this but haven't had any luck. So I apologize if it's been addressed previously.

This may be a stupid question, but I'm asking anyway.

First, my rear tire, after around 10,000 miles, is pretty bald. I know I need to replace it before riding too much, so as to avoid a pretty dumb accident. The only scooter shop I know of in town closed, so I'm not sure where I can take it. Do motorcycle shops do work on scooters or no?

Second, is there a tutorial that shows how I can replace the tire myself?

Thanks!

Yes most motorcycle shops will do it for you and in my experience carry a good selection of tires. It will be cheaper if you just bring in the rim, which is easy to remove. Replacing the tire can be very difficult however. To remove rim you will need to remove the muffler which has 4 bolts with the bracket and 2 more under the scoot where it attaches, all can be done with a 12mm socket wrench. There is 1 10mm bolt to remove were the fender. Then remove the 5 rim bolts(you leave the hub and brake attached). And thats it. My (motorcycle) shop charges only $10 for a tire change with rim off bike.

There is a Genuine dealer/shop in NW OKC - Maxeys Cycle http://www.maxeys.com/. I got some parts there just a few weeks ago. I hope that isn't the shop that you mentioned closed. I have had nothing but an enjoyable experience with them with sales and parts. I haven't gone to them for service yet, and hopefully that won't be any different.

PM me if you want to get together to get the rim off. I have the tools, and I've done lots of my own work on cars, motorcycles, and some work on my Buddy. If you are willing to be the guinea pig for my first Buddy rim removal, I would love to get the experience to be ready when my tires need replacement.

PhoenixScoot wrote:First, my rear tire, after around 10,000 miles, is pretty bald. I know I need to replace it before riding too much, so as to avoid a pretty dumb accident. The only scooter shop I know of in town closed, so I'm not sure where I can take it. Do motorcycle shops do work on scooters or no?!

Not a stupid question at all. A really important one and something you need to address immediately. Most motorcycle shops and even some regular tire shops will have the necessary equipment to change a tire on a small wheel such as yours. A local motorcycle shop can probably also obtain the correct tire for you but there are many on-line sources as well.

This post doesn't discuss removing the rim, but it does discuss good choices for a replacement tire:
topic20698.html

I didn't realize there was a genuine dealer still in town! I was referring to Atomic Brown Scooter Shop off of Western in OKC. They closed sometime last summer I believe. I purchased an oil filter from them but never had any maintenance done.

Thanks for all the information on this. I'm sure I'll end up taking it in to be replaced once I get the time. Excited to get back on the scoot. It's been a long winter driving a gas guzzling van

10,000 miles is actually a lot for a rear tire! Most wear out within 7K or so.

Yeah, I know right? I'm surprised it's lasted this long. Probably due to a pretty short commute with little breaking.

I have a third question:
Will a new tire also require a tube? Or is that something that is dependent on which tire I get?

Thanks.

Most scoot tires are tubeless.

PhoenixScoot wrote:Yeah, I know right? I'm surprised it's lasted this long. Probably due to a pretty short commute with little breaking.

I have a third question:
Will a new tire also require a tube? Or is that something that is dependent on which tire I get?

Thanks.

The stock tires on all of the 125s (with the possible exception of the whitewalls on the original Series Italia 125s) are tubeless.