| Author | Message | ||
     Ezblast |
A New Touring tire for the Ultra scooters - S rated, first scooter tire directly evolved from a motorcycle tire (so they say - lol). Developed for large-displacement, “ultra” scooters. Front tire’s central groove promotes efficient water evacuation. Rear tire’s tread pattern and rubber mix helps improve tire durability. S-rated for speeds up to 112 mph - perhaps for those looking for more mileage from a tire as well. In oversized sizes only. EZ | ||
| Imadreadhead |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Michelin-Gold-Stand ard-BV-250-Scooter-Tire-140-70-16_W0QQcmdZViewItem QQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247QQcategoryZ35624QQih Z024QQitemZ370018434438QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V Pricey!!! | ||
| Berkshire |
check it: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/32/404/5933 /ITEM/Michelin-Gold-Standard-Touring-Rear-TIre.asp x on sale + free shipping = $82  | ||
| Berkshire |
 Michelin Gold Series 140/70-16 65S rear tire - when I unwrapped it and saw it the first time, I loved the way it looked - very wide and "blunt" compared to the Pirelli's I've been using - tough looking! Before mounting, the bead faces were about 4.05" wide, and the tread area was about 5.60" (142mm) wide:  As shown above, you can see the whole tread surface from edge to edge, and it looks like it's roughly about a 45 deg. angle at the edge. The tire had a faint yellow mark on the side of the bead surface, which I took to be the balance mark. I aligned it with the heavy side of the wheel (which is nowhere near the valve stem). One of the beads was reluctant to seat, but it probably would've gone smoothly if I'd wetted it up some more. After inflation the tread width was 4.88" (124mm), and it was noticably "rounder" than before mounting.  As shown above, you can NOT see the whole tread surface - it wraps around out of sight at the edges, and it appears to be completely vertical at the edges. I hammered the shock mount bracket and also the side of the swingarm that's closest to the tire before I'd even test-fitted the wheel with new tire... I seems to have plenty of clearance - about 3/8"  I haven't been for a proper test ride yet, but I didn't notice any shake up to about 70mph. The closest I got to twisties was weaving quickly in my lane at speeds between 30 and 50, like an imaginary slalom course. I thought it felt kind of like the back end was steering toward the outside, like it was just starting to break loose, except I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I'm guessing what I felt was instability due to narrow rim/wide tire syndrome.  | ||
| Naustin |
I think you'd be better off with the stock tires. That profile is all wrong and might be dangerous. The strange feeling from the rear in corners is because the profile is wildly different than the front. Be careful! | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes - the tire is still brand new - so its also slickery - be carefull break it in for a couple hundred miles - then hit the twisties. It would work better with the 110/70 front. EZ | ||
| Swampy |
Wash the tire with a scrub brush, dish washing liquid and rinse with lots of water. The profile looks like a larger Avon. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes and the profile will spread substantially as well, as they settle in - I measured similar profiles - though I had 127 and change on my measurement - still your looking for this tire to be more for touring than serious handling - so I'm more interested in its mileage and that it at least handles better than the old stocker - Dunlop. EZ | ||
| Berkshire |
Took another ride today... "instability" may have been a little too strong a word - it would be more accurate to say it just feels a little different than before. A lot of that may be because my old tire had flat middle syndrome, with cords starting to peek thru in the center and the outside edges barely touched \___/ ...and also the bike felt taller in the back, which probably has some effect. This tire is designed for wheels that are in the 3" to 4" width range, and the 2.75" wide Blast rear wheel really pulls the tread out of shape (see "wider wheels" topic in this forum). I'm hopeful that the profile will flatten out over time - if it doesn't, then a large part of the tread on this tire will never touch the road!  This scuffing shown above was done by riding the tightest circles I could manage in both directions at 15 to 20 mph. The pegs were dragging and folding up a little. My boots actually drag before the pegs do, so I lift my inside foot up when it starts rubbing. The "un-used" part of the tire is 7/8" wide as viewed perpendicular to the surface (narrower viewed from the rear). Here's something I found interesting:   Apparently it's a lot easier to drag the sprocket than I thought! The scuffs actually extend PAST a straight edge from the sprocket, but I'm sure it didn't touch down on this outing. I think the contact patch being flattened and the "jacking" effect of the wheel being shifted toward the outside of the tire account for the appearance of sprocket-rubbing lean angle when in fact no sprocket rubbing occurred. | ||
| Xgecko |
OK Long term what kinda miles are you getting out of these? if anyone has ridden both these and the Avons' how do they compare | ||
| Ezblast |
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_in fo.php?products_id=5024 New and very serious, perhaps some Pilot Pure Tech trickling down? - Nice looking - wonder how it handles? - they say great, hmph! - anyone try them yet? EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
When you look at specks though, this is still the better tire - http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_in fo.php?manufacturers_id=645&products_id=4560 EZ | ||
| Svtf |
Is this tire similar to: http://www.bikebandit.com/michelin-city-grip-scoot er-tire I am thinking of getting that for my buell in the near future and wanted to know what anyone else thought? Sizes I would have to run (based on what's in stock) are a 110/70r16 and a 130/70r16 The rear is only P rated, at 93mph max speed, but my question to you guys, would it be dangerous then to do a few 90mph runs? I have never gotten above 90 on my blast (210lb rider) so is this lower speed rating something to worry about? Thanks! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Tired are tested at 150% of that speed. Unless you're going to be racing or do a track day at regular speeds in excess of 93mph, then I'd worry. But youre not and until you can start blue-ing the tire, you have nothing to worry about. I can't remember if the Michelin Golds have gotten good reviews. But when it comes to tires ESPECIALLY THE FRONT TIRE, I err on the side of what's sticky and what works. If you've got the money, time and talent to test tires, go for it. The load rating is much more important than the speed rating. (Unless you're bolting on a tractor tire, the load rating usually goes up with the speed rating). There are scooter/moped tires rated for far slower speeds. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS welcome! I do know that only answers half your question. | ||
| Svtf |
Thank! Good to know I don't have to worry about the speed rating! I am pretty certain I want to try that tire out for the rear because from what I hear, the aprilla scooters that they are made for get upwards of 10k out of a rear! I have a Pirelli that I replaced the rear with after I bought the bike last year. If you can believe it, in 2013 I bought a 2000 Blast with 1300 miles on it! Still had the original (worn out) rear and front! Front's still got another 500-1000 miles left though! The blast has about 2700 on it now, and in the past 1400 miles, I have worn down roughly 1/2 the rear already! The first year I didn't get much mileage on her, but this summer I plan on using the blast as a daily commuter 20 miles each way, and should be putting close to 200-400 miles a week on her! I want to try and get a rear that will last more than 3k miles, as I'd go through 2 just during summer months! As for a sticky front tire, what would you and the rest of the community recommend? I'd still like to see 5-8k out of a front tire, but from what I understand, that shouldn't be a problem no matter what tire I use right? Thanks for the welcome! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Pirelli MT75 front. If you want to adjust the handling, then you can go to the Diablo Scooter for the front. That tire wants to lean and corner, but is a little more twitchy than the MT75. Not unstable, but not the MT75 stable. You'll have no problem getting more that 10k out of any tire you put on the front, thats why stickiest is the best, that where most of the performance comes from on the Blast. A rear wheel slide can be fun and manageable. I could slide the rear Dunlop at will. A front wheel slide, well, $56k+ in medical bills is not fun. FWIW: I LOVE Michelin car tires. I run them when I can. But that performance doesnt always translate to MC tires-in the case of any brand and vice versa. Dunlop runflats are excellent on my Mini, but I only run dunlops on the bike I rarely ride and it doesnt have enough speed or braking for it to matter.....and they were cheap. I've taken more new Dunlops off bikes than I want to add up the $$$ for! Good luck, keep us posted. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS Pirelli, Pirelli, Pirelli for the front. You will not believe the difference from the Dunflops. Seriously. You'll think they repaved the roads with carpet padding! Avon is a second choice. | ||
| Blueblast |
So what is the general thinking about running radials vs. bias ply tires on our Blast!'s? | ||
| Svtf |
Gearheaderiko, Good to know. And I like a little rear sliding action in my BMW now and again, but I don't think I would on my bike! I don't really feel like lowsiding, and on the roads I drive, a fall wouldn't be the worst problem as the car behind not running me over would be (NC driver's are not known to be the safest or smartest). Are you saying that with normal commuting (no real track style riding, not trying to lay a knee) I have a good chance of sliding the rear tire out? If so, I'll just stick to the Pirelli rear too, because I get double the MPG on the bike as I do in my car... | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
No, not a worry commuting or even spirited riding. But start pushing it and I only trust the Pirellis. I dont know about the Michelins or others, but harder high tread mileage tires (unless dual compound) tend to slide easier. I'm not an expert on rear tire characteristics when pushing it. I just aint that fast! I'll chance a rear, but never a front. | ||
| Mcgrrrl |
So, I am a new rider and I am enjoying my Blast. Next step is to replace the tires which are currently dry rotting. The questions of the day are (1) Are these the recommended sizes? Front: 100/80-16 Rear: 120/80-16 (2) Which tire is best? I ride mostly surface streets but may want to venture out onto the highway. Probably not faster than 70 mph. (3) Cheapest option? I will probably be moving into a different bike next summer. I only need the tires to last 4K. You guys have been a great source for info in the past and I really appreciate it! | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Pirelli MT 75's front and rear (they only come in 2 sizes-17" or 16" -the sizes you spec). Cheap, stock replacement and simply THE BEST stock sized tires available for the Blast. The rear will wear quickly and you may not get 4000 out of it. The other option, rear tire only, is the Pirelli Scooter Diablo on a 140/70x16. Better tread mileage and may add to stability when used with the MT75 front. don't discount the Blast as a starter or beginner bike only. It is a very capable bike of performing well beyond your own current ability. Don't rush into something else "just because". Learn to home your skills on the Blast and move up to something you really want and will enjoy, not just because you think you should. The Blast out handles every bike I own and is a still a joy to ride after 12 years. Not my first bike and not my last, but a clear favourite :-) | ||
| Trefsiz956 |
I just put on Pirelli 140 70 16 rear. and the diablo 110 70 16 front. have had the 2000 p3 for about 6 mo. and 600 miles on the tires with no problems. | ||
| Ezblast |
Of course - they are the best handling tire set of the group. The list goes like this in handling preferences  oversized will always mean 140/70-16 & 110/70(80or90)-16) Pirelli Diablo oversized Michelin CityGrip oversized Pirelli MT75s Metezler FeelFree oversized Pirelli ST66 oversized Avon Viperstryke oversized Shinko SR568 oversized Don't bother list: Kenda oversized - actually hazardous to your health Dunlops - also hazardous to your health. This is the gospel for Buell Blasts - lol EZ | ||
| Brinson |
That's alot of options...I too am about to have to change my tires. Was planning to do: Rear: Pirelli ST66 140/70-16 Front: Pirelli Diablo Scooter 110/70-16 Is there a better combo for someone who is commuting on his blast and won't be going over 60mph except on rare occasions? The idea of not getting at least 4,000 miles out of a rear tire scares me a bit...I'm going to have to learn how to replace my own tires it seems to keep it cost effective. | ||
| Ezblast |
That is the best combo for commuting you can do - that combo should be good for 10,000 miles - keep the pressure for both at 32 to 35. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The MT75 front is a better choice for commuting. The 110/70x16 scooter diablo is a smaller tire and while great for leaning over, it is less stable for highway use. (Less stable does not mean unstable) | ||
| Ezblast |
The MT75b will not last as long - 6000 - if your lucky - period - the diablo tire handles great in the corners and straights - your not really right there, please let it go. EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
It doesn't track on groves at all, the mt75 will, not as badly as Dunlop, but still, the Diablo is also a better tire in the rain - fact - done both and will take the Diablo any day. EZ |
