Modern Buddy

Ok, I do not make a lot of threads however my Heidenau rear tire is wearing out " I bought it with it." I was wondering what other people had on their scoot?

I found some Metzeler ME7's wondering if anyone ran them on the buddys

Also, where are people buying the heidenau tires?

I've been running the Michelin S1's for quite a while now.
Currently running an oversized 170/30 on the rear with great results.
I have another one waiting in the garage cuz my rear tire is plugged right now. Got a puncture with only 1800 miles on it

I like the S1's because they seem to be a good balance of cost and performance. I know the Heidenau's get screaming reviews but they are too pricey for my budget.

I love the S1's !! They are wearing well and cornering great!

I'm awaiting the arrival of my K47s right now. Went from Sava White Walls to Prima White Walls.
I was sad to leave behind the white wall look but will be painting my rims to match the blue of my 2tone Stella so I guess it's a decent trade off, style-wise

just go to the Vee Tire thread and get a pair. a tire easily worth twice as much, at least. but only $30. its a quality tire, i assure you. good grip and handling, looks good when you put tire dressing on it

http://www.scooterworks.com/vee-rubber- ... hUa0JLVB9U

topic19976.html

I was very disappointed in my Vee rubber tire, same as the link above. At about 2,500 miles it already had a bald spot. The thing I really didn't like was how cracked the tire was, most tires get cracks in the threads. But by 3,000 miles these cracks were very big and looked like the thread was going to separate in some places.

Then I switched to the Continental Zippy 1, 4,300 miles so far and I still have miles to go before it goes bald and no big cracks. And I think that it handles better too.

As much as I wanted the Vee rubber to work with it's low price I didn't feel safe with how badly it cracked. Also, the Zippy 1 can be had for $41 and if you spend $100 you get free shipping and handling.
http://www.bikebandit.com/conti-zippy-1 ... ooter-tire

Erik, they only have the 3.50x10 in tube-type. I guess you'd need to experiment with one of the funky width/height combinations in tubeless.

I've run both S1s and K61s. In my opinion the K61s are the hands down winners. The S1s are a definite improvement over the stock tires, and they last a bit longer than the K61s. On the other hand, it seems like the K61s might be doing more work which in turn might account for their slightly shorter life span. I certainly work them harder and with more confidence.

My first pair of K61s came with the scoot. The second pair was purchased from Vespa Motorsport, San Diego. They're one of the tires they keep in stock. Others have mentioned elsewhere the name of the US distributer. Vespa Motorsport is a reseller.

PeteH wrote:Erik, they only have the 3.50x10 in tube-type. I guess you'd need to experiment with one of the funky width/height combinations in tubeless.

I looked around and can't find anywhere else that lists the Zippy 3.5x10 as TL only, I assume they made a mistake. But it might be a good idea if anyone is reading this and planning to order to email them first just to double check.

Tire dressing on anything with only two wheels would scare the crap out of me.

JHScoot wrote: looks good when you put tire dressing on it
topic19976.html

Agree completley with easy. Tire dressing (armour all, wet look, whatever) should NEVER be used on any PTW tire or seat. Grip is everything, the tires will look great sliding down the road with you sliding behind it.

Also remember that new tires need to be "scrubbed" in to make sure all the releasing agent from the mold is worn off. This usually takes about 100 miles or so.

Throwback7R wrote:Also, where are people buying the heidenau tires?

I got mine at Revzilla.com, for my 2009 Buddy 125. $55, plus $5 special tire shipping fee.

scootERIK wrote:I was very disappointed in my Vee rubber tire, same as the link above. At about 2,500 miles it already had a bald spot. The thing I really didn't like was how cracked the tire was, most tires get cracks in the threads. But by 3,000 miles these cracks were very big and looked like the thread was going to separate in some places.

Then I switched to the Continental Zippy 1, 4,300 miles so far and I still have miles to go before it goes bald and no big cracks. And I think that it handles better too.

As much as I wanted the Vee rubber to work with it's low price I didn't feel safe with how badly it cracked. Also, the Zippy 1 can be had for $41 and if you spend $100 you get free shipping and handling.
http://www.bikebandit.com/conti-zippy-1 ... ooter-tire

well, thats good info. better safe then sorry if you've had a bad experience. i certainly would not recommend them if i had gotten a shotty pair or two. but i've heard nothing but acceptable things of them until now. gotta ride with safe rubber

BuddyRaton wrote:

JHScoot wrote: looks good when you put tire dressing on it
topic19976.html

Agree completley with easy. Tire dressing (armour all, wet look, whatever) should NEVER be used on any PTW tire or seat. Grip is everything, the tires will look great sliding down the road with you sliding behind it.

Also remember that new tires need to be "scrubbed" in to make sure all the releasing agent from the mold is worn off. This usually takes about 100 miles or so.

almost 20,000 miles of tire dressing and i haven't slid down the road yet. i usually don't ride on my sidewalls, though

Apply tire dressing (gloss finish) from a spray can or in liquid form onto an applicator sponge; dampen the sponge -- do not soak it. Wipe the tire dressing onto the tire's surface with smooth, even strokes. Do not apply tire dressing to the bottom edge of the tire tread. Stop at the bottom part of the sidewall, where it does not make contact with the ground, even allowing for a tire angled in a turn. Apply a light coat to the rubber, re-saturating the sponge as needed. Move the wheels after finishing one section. Never spray tire dressing on tires and near the brake system. Apply it carefully and leniently by hand over non-contact outside tire edges

DISCLAIMER: If you apply tire dressing to your tires, do so at your own risk and know the consequences. Many dealerships and professional motorcycle detail shops do not recommend the application of any type of tire dressing or tire black. Tire dressing gloss and similar products make the rubber very slippery, and even small dribbles or runs can cause an immediate loss of traction and result in an accident. Or IOW....don't be lazy and apply appropriately

wait. come to think of it i am kinda lazy lately. think i may switch to good 'ol soap 'n water. did that for my new tire last week and it looks pretty good

Thanks for all the input guys!

I ended up ordering the Metzeler ME 7 Teen 130 70 10 I will report when i get it on the scooter it was just too good of a deal to pass up.. 39.99 with free shipping from motorcycle-superstore. I should have it by friday so should be a good weekend.

I've got Enzo dropped off for some new shoes -he's an '09 with only 4k or so, but the stock Maxxis tires are drying out and wearing, getting skittish in the turns. I went with the Michelin S1s. I thought briefly about buying cheap at the motorcycle-superstore Labor Day sale and taking them to a bike shop to mount, but we have a replacement Genuine dealer in the 'hood and I'm giving them a shot and establishing a relationship. I've heard nothing but good things about these folks (vintage / Enfield dealer who do a pretty good service business), so i'm willing to spend a few bucks more and help promote a Genuine franchise.

Well, as usual I tend to buck the trend.
09 Stella.....Maxxis originals.
I'm just short of 8k, I rotated front to rear once (you can do that on a Stella) and took them off today with 3/32nds remaining.
I would have put another set of Maxxis on but they stopped producing the 3.50X10 series, sooooo,

I went with a pair of Bridgestone Hoops, 3.50X10 from MCY superstore.
Installed today (picknick table job...minimal brain damage)
These have a higher speed and load rating than the Maxxis did and I can safely run higher pressure (up to 47 psi) if so desired.
I have been and will continue to run the rear at 40, the front at 25 psi.
I believe the higher pressures are why I have such good wear success on the rear.

Rob