KymcoForum.com
Scooters - Big Bore => Xciting 500 => Topic started by: Syl on June 03, 2012, 10:35:54 AM
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While still learning about scooters, I am wondering about all the options when one would happen to occur? My first thought is...at least carry a can of fix a flat to limp to better help, call a friend with a truck if known, use AAA if one has it, or ??? Depending on the type of flat, is it ok to use "fix a flat" and carry one with you? A while back, I inquired about AAA for scooter insurance for such an event but the price made me forget about it for awhile. Years ago, I had a hauling trailer (not for (scooters) but that is years ago before getting into this new hobby! The other thought I have is to ask the dealer if they have a hot number for such a situation but I look at that as having to take a loan out! Appreciate your thoughts.
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Tough Question...I pay about $180.00 / yr. for AAA so I can have the Towing Package for Scooters.
It covers up to 100 miles of towing. Used it once for a flat a mile from the house. All calls to AAA
go thru OK. and takes like an hour for them to get there. Second flat used my own pick-up at 5:00 am.
Two flat bed tows from accidents paid by insurance towing. Might check for that feature on your
insurance. These accumulated in over 50,000 miles of riding on 4 bikes.
I have sold my truck and now have a trailer, but that will no longer help me because my wife
would be involved. Too much work for her.
The best insurance I've found is my tires had already started to lose air when I left home. I bought
an Orange Plastic hammer and sometimes thump both tires as a double check and periodically check the tread for foreign objects.
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Google (ride on) tire sealant. Much better than slime, the green stuff. Ride on will not dry out, it will balance your tires. Unless you have a something go through the side wall of the tire, or have a huge bolt or something go into the tread area, you will have nothing to worry about. You could put 50 nails and screws into your tire and it will not go flat. Non toxic, seals instantly, and your tires need to be air'ed up much less often. This stuff works. ;D :-*
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I don't leave home without a can of that tire sealant, but I've got some roadside assistance membership
too ($50/year), and I have no idea what it covers.
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I carry a tire plugger kit, a small air pump and AAA (RV +). I hope that with all of those I'll get home safely.
In my car, I carry a can of fix-a-flat. My experience with that is it works but it can throw the tire out-of-balance. On a car that's not THAT big a deal. On a scoot, I'm not so sure.
Don in KC.
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So with nothing else at hand, is the Fix-a-Flat not a good idea to depend on due to the balance problem that may be created?
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I carry a tire plugger kit, a small air pump and AAA (RV +). I hope that with all of those I'll get home safely.
In my car, I carry a can of fix-a-flat. My experience with that is it works but it can throw the tire out-of-balance. On a car that's not THAT big a deal. On a scoot, I'm not so sure.
Don in KC.
+1 on the tire plugger kit and a small air pump. A small bicycle hand pump will be easy to store.
As to Fix-A-Flat, there are many brands on the market today. Choose one that do not have butane or other flammable propellants. These fix-a-flat products are purely temporary and is used just to get you to the nearest tire shop while the plugger kit and pump can be a more permanent application.
As to the tire sealant, get one that does not contain corrosive chemicals that may damage the internal part of your wheel.
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http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html (http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html)
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I have never had a flat with ride-on. You will be amazed at how much smoother the bike is with perfectly balanced tires. I do not carry anything for a flat like plug kits, fix a flat and so on. If you get a flat in the side wall, or if the tire separates do to a defect there is nothing you can do anyway, but to have it towed? So why carry all of that stuff? It won't do u any good anyway. :-*
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Get an AMA membership:
$49.99/year and it covers all your cars, trucks bikes, and trailers, and rv
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/amaroadsideassistance (http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/amaroadsideassistance)
35 miles of towing is tops, but to me that would be sifficient.
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This will get a laugh... I call a buddy to bring a rope. I "water ski" it home regularly. My left arm is just a bit longer now ;)
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Heh heh . . . but can you do that with a flat tire? ;)
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On the Avons, or Pirellis ... YES. I had forgotten to fill the Pirellis (rear) after painting the rim, and rode it for three days with no air. The side walls are strong enough to do it.
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I will never do that.
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...So technically, the Avons or Pirellis would be the best tire to have if you fear flats or punctures along the ride? I was thinking about this the other day. Do they make a "run flat" tire for bikes? I like to ride when it's friggin' hot out. I mean well over 105º but only since the weekends are my available free time. My biggest fear is a blowout or other tire failure while cruising at my regular 75+ speeds. Crazy as I may be, it's too hot to wear a helmet at those temps.
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It depends on your tire size. In 12" there are NO run flat tires. Try Bike Bandit for tire advice. They match prices, and free shipping over 99 bucks. There are two Pirelli tires beside the Diablo that have almost NO sidewall. I forget the models but they were developed to avoid catastrophic blow out. You will see them on bike band.
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Thanks!
Yeah, I've got the XC500 with the 14" rear and 15" front. Tires are made by Kenda and actually, I like them. Just worried about the 170º surface temps in the summer.
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I had a Major issue with Kendas. They are NOT fuel proof. My petcock leaked onto my rear tire during the night, and the tire swelled like a balloon made of sponge. The first turn I took the entire casing shifted, and almost dumped me off the high side. I forget what model they were but I won't trust them again. Oh... My rear tire was out of round from day one. It had a bad hop to it over 60mph.
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I had a Major issue with Kendas. They are NOT fuel proof. My petcock leaked onto my rear tire during the night, and the tire swelled like a balloon made of sponge. The first turn I took the entire casing shifted, and almost dumped me off the high side. I forget what model they were but I won't trust them again. Oh... My rear tire was out of round from day one. It had a bad hop to it over 60mph.
so....they're kenda oblong...
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I think Kenda's handle fine and such, but they just don't last long. My rear tire was completely bald at 7,000M. I use Michelin now, much longer lasting, and don't cost much more. :-*
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I carry a Stop-n-Go Tire Plugger kit and a Slime air compressor. I've used it on my own (moto) tires a couple of times, and have used it another couple of times for riders stranded along the road. It's really saved my bacon. I also carry AAA RV+ in case I need a tow, but haven't had to use it yet with the two wheelers...
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Is your compressor a foot pump type? I have a 12 volt take off of course but I don't believe they are correct amperage to run a pump. Otherwise have to flag down a car to use their cigarette lighter plug...if it has one!
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Keep a short phillips screw driver under the seat to pop off the plastic battery cover, then you can clamp the pump straight to the battey. Or you can hook leads to the battery and let it hang down above the rear wheel. :-*
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Fix a Flat will sometimes get your tires seriously out of balance.
Ride On is supposed to be one of the best. Have not used personally.
Below is the best set up for scooters and motorcycles, IMHO.
Go to auto or discount store and buy rope plugs with install handles. Cheap.
Go to bicycle shop and buy Co 2 inflator and 2 40gram co 2 cartridges.
Very reasonable considering compactness and performance.
This all you need, is compact and by gosh it works good.
Here is a good one in picture below. Grip handle can be removed to install and use larger 40 gram cartridges. Smaller cartridges fit inside grip handle.
Inflator screws on to valve stem so you won`t waste air when filling tire.
I have been riding motorcycles for many years and this is the best tire repair kit I have ever used.
I have a kit on my motorcycle and my wife has one on her motor scooter.
In my kit I also have small needle nose to pull nails, screws, staples, etc., a very small squirt bottle with soapy water in it, and a small piece of white chalk.
It will surprise you how well these co 2 cartridges inflate.
Give one a try.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v434/ice1/co2inflator.jpg)
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+1 ;)
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I've used TBF for 20+ years. (tire balance fluid). 2 weeks ago I got two 8oz bottles of Ride on. I used 1/2 a bottle in the front tire of my GY6 scoot. The first 1/4 mile it hopped a bit, then settled in. I used to have a shake at 50mph that is now gone. The tire makes less noise, and is cool to the touch after many miles of riding. You can feel the temp difference in the front/back.
I ran it for a week, and dismounted the tire to find the Ride On is completely vulcanized to the inside of the tread area. You can peel it off but it does stay where it is supposed to. They have one caution... In cold months the sealer can settle back to the bottom of the tire, and 1 mile of riding may be required to get it back in place.
So far I like it better than TBF. It's going in the ZX as well. I have some BAD balance issues between 60-70mph. I'll let you all know how that one works out...
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On two occasions now I've found that a foot pump and also a 12v pump didn't have enough air flow to seat the tire bead. Once when I changed my rear tire myself and another time just a couple months ago when I had to plug it. My neighbor has a nice compressor with which he inflated my tire after we put two plugs in the same nail hole. I noticed he sort of got the beads up on the lip of the rim before inflating but still you wouldn't hardly be able to do that with the wheel still on the bike.
The 75cent air pump at the corner gas station worked fine for seating the beads without any trying or trouble though. I guess it has more flow than my little cheapy one.
So I think the CO2 cartriges would be just the ticket for side of the road emergency inflation.
Still riding fine and smooth on the plugs. Will be needing another new tire soon anyway.
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Taking out the valve core helps air flow alot. In some cases you can set the beads just by taking the core out first.
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As Zombie said! I keep telling everyone, use ride on and forget all your worries. No more tire plugs, no more co 2, no more pumps. And chandler! Two tire plugs in the same hole while riding in 113 degree heat? When every A hole in phoenix drives 80 plus MPH everywhere they go! Please my friend. Get a new tire. I would like to continue reading your post in the future. ;) :-*
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My tires are still new, Sissy. No plugs whatsoever on my bike ;) I may be a fast rider, but not crazy!
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...So technically, the Avons or Pirellis would be the best tire to have if you fear flats or punctures along the ride? I was thinking about this the other day. Do they make a "run flat" tire for bikes? I like to ride when it's friggin' hot out. I mean well over 105º but only since the weekends are my available free time. My biggest fear is a blowout or other tire failure while cruising at my regular 75+ speeds. Crazy as I may be, it's too hot to wear a helmet at those temps.
Run flats require TPMS because you cannot know when the tire is out of air since it's always "up". Several cars have TPMS, I don't know about scooters or bikes.
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There is much to say about flats as I have found here. Now I am beginning to wonder, is it my imagination or are bike tires made being inferior to say good automobile tires? I realize you get what you pay for but people purchase cheap tires for their auto's but we don't have to check the tires every time in use. So the question again, can these bike tires be made safer? Since reading on this forum, I check my scooter tires every time I go out and still am not sure what to do for one ounce of prevention or correction. There are different inputs here and needless to say, it's difficult to choose which one would be best. Like someone mentioned on here, they worry about tire blow-outs and believe me I know about that being a victim of a 70 mph blowout. Could it be rims are not standard safe on bikes as most auto and trucks are also?
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There is much to say about flats as I have found here. Now I am beginning to wonder, is it my imagination or are bike tires made being inferior to say good automobile tires? I realize you get what you pay for but people purchase cheap tires for their auto's but we don't have to check the tires every time in use. So the question again, can these bike tires be made safer? Since reading on this forum, I check my scooter tires every time I go out and still am not sure what to do for one ounce of prevention or correction. There are different inputs here and needless to say, it's difficult to choose which one would be best. Like someone mentioned on here, they worry about tire blow-outs and believe me I know about that being a victim of a 70 mph blowout. Could it be rims are not standard safe on bikes as most auto and trucks are also?
Here are some points....
We all travel or use the same roads with the cars and trucks. We bump the same sidewalk, hump, potholes, rumble strips, ice, gravel, mud, rock, puddle, etc....
We have tiny wheels... cars and bigger vehicles have large wheels and strong suspension. A 5-inch deep hole is nothing to a big vehicle but may mean something to scooters.
We travel almost the same speed with bigger vehicles. 70mph you say? I think, stress-wise, there is more stress on smaller tire compared to big tires.
Maybe, the scooter is just for zipping on city streets at 20-30mph, get some beer at 7-11 and go home. ;D ;D ;D The rest, is for the car.
(http://timwall.com/stella/fire2011.jpg)
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My 2 cents
Fix a flat is horrible stuff no matter what brand. Don't use it. I'll put a plug in temporarily any day over that sh**. Really if you know how to properly plug a tire, it will last.
When it comes to tire you really get what you pay for. A scooter tire is not made with any less quality than an automobile tire. If you buy cheap tires expect poor results.
This is why America makes pickups for ;D
If you get a flat call somebody with a truck. Even if you have to pay them $50 that's still better than $180 a year. Chances are you will not break down more than once in a year. Especially a flat tire. Motorcycles/scooters rarely get flat tires(unless you forget to fill it up :D).
I've done the ski rope thing and it is sketchy to say the least. Like zombie said your arm may be a little longer by the time you get home :D