Modern 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.

from what I gather, there are no real good whitewalls for the Buddy.

Most of us rock Michelins or Heidekau (sp?) tires. I have Mich S1's and I really noticed over the attractive but useless maxxis whitewalls

I got Continental Zippys but they aren't white walls. None the less, I think they're great....

In my experience, my favorites so far at Heidenhau or I really like some of the Pirelli models too. Buddys are a pain because of their 10 inch wheels. Just avoid Shinko's at all costs.

I replaced my Prima whitewalls with Heidenau tires based on some positive comments from MB members. I'm very happy with them, and I felt they really improved the scooter's performance and stability. My rear tire has over 5,000 miles on it, and the wear bars are just now coming level with the tread.

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!

+1 on the heidenau. K61 for year round, k58 for the winter.

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...

Michelin S1 is a good tire and a good buy. I am always reasonably content with the wear and performance. I don't think I will ever buy another white wall, they scared me. R

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

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?

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?

Correct!

I just put S1s on my Stella and have to say that I really like them! Nice grip; better than S83s.

Thanks Eric.

One more thing - I had to ride home (about 2 miles) in an almost flat tire and I did it at super slow speed. Most of it actually I just walked the scoot. Anyways, if I find rim damage does anyone know where I can buy a green rear rim for the 2009 Italia 150?

Scooterworks will have them, but you might have to call them to order it. Not everything is in the online catalog.

Love the S1's.....but have not tried the Heidendau's

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...

I never liked whitewalls. They look cool but are a PTA to keep clean. For tires, what's the point...

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.