New tires with pics

[Jridley]

I got new tires b/c I dropped my bike on a wet turn. The stock tires are horrible in wet, I'm a new rider, and I don't have the knowledge or skill to simply adjust my riding style yet. These tires are Michelin city grips. Front tire is 120/70/14, back tire is 140/60/14. I have only had them for a few hours, no rain. So I have no knowledge of anything other than about 30 miles of testing them out after installation.

My thoughts so far? They are great, bit sluggish (but only a little, barley noticeable) but the feeling when turning feels more stable, it feels like I'm going a bit faster, and from-stop acceleration has increased at least 10% (although over all acceleration has decreased a little). The tires feel safer and they look better (no more ice skate size tires).

 Pictures --> http://imgur.com/a/QnyuO

A BIG thanks to Vivo for all his help!

[Vivo]

A BIG thanks to Vivo for all his help!

You are very much welcome! 


Those are great looking tires!!!  Next is breaking-in those tires... no hard braking and hard cornering... just normal riding and some figure eights on a dry pavement.... do this for about 100 miles... 

[ninja]

Thanks for posting. I've been thinking of getting those same tires so it's nice to see some comments on them.

[Nori]

Nice tires , yup the stock one's are like you know :p
Very bad for rainy season , but at least clean dat kymco before photo shooting :p
Take care , i wash it about every day . There is too much dust in my country :/

[MassScoot]

I don't ride when it's raining out, so the stock CST tires are fine. Down the road I will replace them with something better. But...As Vivo (& others) mention, they take forever to wear-out. That's the upside to nylon-based tires.

[Jridley]

I don't ride when it's raining out, so the stock CST tires are fine. Down the road I will replace them with something better. But...As Vivo (& others) mention, they take forever to wear-out. That's the upside to nylon-based tires.

Yeah that was my plan as well until I encountered 90 degree turn that looked like a 45 degree curve in the rain. $10,000 later in the form of deductibles from the ER and surgery and two months forced bed rest I've come to realize that for me, super long lasting tires aren't worth it. I could have bought a lot of tires with $10,000. 

[MassScoot]

Yeah that was my plan as well until I encountered 90 degree turn that looked like a 45 degree curve in the rain. $10,000 later in the form of deductibles from the ER and surgery and two months forced bed rest I've come to realize that for me, super long lasting tires aren't worth it. I could have bought a lot of tires with $10,000.

I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles. That really sucks! Funny...Even Kymco's best scooters (I own a GTi300) & it comes supplied with Maxxis nylon-based tires. Maxxis was bought-out from Cheng-Shin (CST) Maxxis makes an excellent nylon tire....but not up to speed with Michelin, Pirelli etc. I wished you knew "up-front" that nylon tires don't do well in the rain, as I'm sure you would have switched them out ASAP! If you notice....Almost "all" scooter manufacturers issue OEM nylon tires these days. It's all profit margin my friend! If you don't cruise in the rain...then you're all set with stock OEM tires. 

[Vivo]

@MassScoot: You are 100% right about those nylon tires... I had a worse experience because my previous bike not only had OEM nylons but they were CHEAP-Never Heard Brand nylon tires.  I just happened to hit a crack on a wet pavement and the bike sled and fell... Damn, it was not even raining! ... 

[MassScoot]

@MassScoot: You are 100% right about those nylon tires... I had a worse experience because my previous bike not only had OEM nylons but they were CHEAP-Never Heard Brand nylon tires.  I just happened to hit a crack on a wet pavement and the bike sled and fell... Damn, it was not even raining! ... 

Vivo: I truly value your insight on these forums. You seem too me like a very bright/intelligent person with all of your posts. I'm sorry to hear about your wipe-out! Nylon tires aren't that bad "if" you don't cruise in the rain. If my main set of transportation was my scooter, then I would changed them ASAP! My diesel (TDI) VW Jetta is my main source (yes...diesel is finally coming back to the USA!) Other then that...boating takes my time in the summer & of course the scooter when I have the time. Nylon does the trick for me as it's just a "joyride" all of the time.

[Vivo]

MassScoot: Wow! that's a compliment...    Diesel cars in the U.S. of A.? What happened to the ol' American ego? Just joking...      I have several cars, my latest is the Mazda 3 but my daily ride is my Kymco... why?... traffic!  We have narrow roads and city streets... talk about urban planning.. geez...  I guess, that's life on these islands and I have to live with it...  As for scooter tires, Asian brands are more popular here and a lot less expensive.. we have Mizzle, Swallow, Deestone, IRC, etc... Guess you havent heard of those brands huh... They come from Thailand, Malaysia, China, etc.  My car tires is Gaja Tunggal from Indonesia... the largest tire manufacturer in Southeast Asia... very good tires... ride safe!

[Nori]

Yup Masscot is right
Massive respect to Vivo
Intellegence : Asian :p (kidding im not a racist)
Diesel was always present in my city and that's why i dont like
but of course its very economic
And a photo beast with classic :p

[Vivo]

Clean scoot! There's nothing better than a clean scoot!   

[andsetinn]

Please check the arrow on the front tire if it's rotating in the right direction. Usually (but not always) the pattern "points" to the front when seen from top. It makes it less likely to aquaplane in the wet.
Red on one side, blue on the other. You must like to hear people argue.

[Stig / Major Tom]

A BIG thanks to Vivo for all his help!
[/quote]


I think Vivo is a Michelin salesman! (if you squint, he looks just like Bib)
I agree, good tires ---will be testing them in the wet soon enough!

[PassedByAScooter]

 great choice by both you and Vivo!  once fully broken in,  you'll be glued to the pavement! enjoy!