Modern Buddy

I was shopping for new tires and I noticed that the Shinko SR550 whitewall tire is now available as tubeless type. The SR550 has been around since at least 2007 (standard on the 125cc Italia and 50cc Internationals) but it has always required installing an inner tube. The tubeless version costs about $6 more than the TT. Since the options for tubeless whitewall tires in Buddy sizes has always been slim, particularly since the Maxxis WW disappeared, I decided to checking this one out. I'm not sure how widely available that are at this point, I ordered mine from motorcycle-superstore and it was manufactured at the very end of 2011.

I haven't tried the SR550s on my Buddy before, but have run tube types on my Honda Elite 80, where they seem pretty average. Visually the TL and TT are very similar although the sidewall construction and styling are a little different. I haven't installed the new tire yet so I can't comment on performance. Given the tread similarity I'm guessing its still going to be pretty average - better for cruising than racing - but perhaps it uses a different tread compound or such.

There are a lot of great blackwall tires available, but if you want the distinctive whitewall look there is at least one more 3.50-10" TL option.

I'm glad there may be another whitewall option.

Not that I would want any now for my Psycho, but yesterday I saw a red Buddy with whitewall tires and it looked really, really snazzy! If I hadn't just traded in my red Buddy I would definitely be interested in going whitewall, and I'd much rather have tubeless. Good news!

Same here - my Bud is a 2009, and though I haven't put tons of miles on it yet (bought with 0mi in Jan '11), I can see that the original Maxxis shoes are beginning to wear out. They're getting just a wee bit skittery in the corners as well.

I've been hoping to find decent whitewall tubeless tires. The 3.50x10 are a touch narrower than the 100/90x10s, but that shouldn't be too bad. I'll head over to that website and have a look. No matter what, though, I'm staying with the tubeless for puncture/blowout safety, even if it means going to blackwalls.

Thanks for the tip!

[Edit: And wouldn't you know - the TL is out of stock. ]

The SR550 came standard on my 50. It's also the standard for internationals... at least during the 2010 model year.

I switched to a prima whitewall because the SR550 just didn't have enough grip. Rear end came out once when it was raining-- I was riding REALLY slowly. The Prima whitewalls have much better grip but I've heard that they don't last very long.

I ordered from JC Whitney the SR723 for my scoot and they are really nice looking. Have not had them mounted yet but checked them out on the Shinko website. They even price matched and provided free shipping.
I liked the tread pattern and wide white look. With a whitewall there is always some trade off.