Author Topic: New tire on DT300i  (Read 2440 times)

CROSSBOLT

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New tire on DT300i
« on: June 19, 2014, 04:21:30 PM »
8905 miles and the OEM Maxxis tire shows threads. Got a Pirrelli diablo in Memphis for 78 bucks, took forever to change out but we got to make our ride the next day as planned. The cheap craft store glass beads worked as well as Dyna Beads and the tire was round. I know several of you have Diablos on various bikes and are happy with them so I felt I could be happy as well. Performance Plus in Memphis had three brands IN STOCK of 150/70-13 drive tires, got the brand that was the cheapest. The whole deal was kind of a right now gotta have to make the ride deal.

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
Agility 50
Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
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zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2014, 02:52:34 AM »
Adjusting the pressure will give you very different "feels" to the bike.  started out at 40PS, and wound up verry happy at 33PSI rear, and 28 in front.

I don't really push the bike like I used to but I have never felt unsafe in a corner or under really hard braking. I'm talking raise the rear wheel braking. I'm sold on Diablos for scooter tires.
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

CROSSBOLT

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2014, 02:41:38 PM »
Yeah, HEY, zomb! I put 33 psi in this one, too. Looked at the old tire and I had worn the center down FLAT! It did not look that flat with air in it! Kinda spooky that the Maxxis on the DT wore out at the same mileage as the Maxxis on the Yager: about 9000 miles. How's the wear on the Pirrelli's? Boy, I love the handling of a properly contoured tire! Just like new.

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
Agility 50
Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

kfc.android

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2014, 03:19:34 PM »
I also got the Diablo for my rear tire, have approx. 6000 miles on it and seems like it should last another 1000 miles. Agree with zombie, the best psi for our bike with this tire is 33
After this one is gone, I will switch to Metzeler feelfree (although they are all from pirelli group and made in brazil) btw, I put 29 in the front (Metzeler feelfree)

CROSSBOLT

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2014, 03:22:35 PM »
That wear info, kfc, is GOOD news and what I wanna hear! Keep us updated. The Maxxis was gettin' kinda flat in the center at 6k.

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
Agility 50
Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2014, 12:14:49 AM »
That's the only short coming of the Diablo. They are a low mileage tire.
 Most of the reviews on them state between 7 9K miles. That's ok by me tho... I'd rather a tire that grips like glue for 7K, than a nylon tire that last 18K but slips on the stripes in the road.

"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

kfc.android

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2014, 03:47:20 PM »
agree, for me 7k miles is good enough, many review said metzeler got better wet surface grip and lasts slightly longer than diablo. I will find out next time I change my rear tire

RubenC

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2014, 03:28:13 AM »
I will replacing my Metzeler pretty soon.  I got over 7,000 miles and the tire wear indicators are have surfaced.
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zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2014, 03:30:32 AM »
7K seems to be the "magic number".
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

RubenC

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2014, 01:51:37 PM »
I know that the tire pressure should be 29 for the front tire and 32 for the back tire. What tire pressure are you using on DT?  My Dad was in the gas service station back in the 40's-60's.   He always said put 2 more pound of air above the recommended tire pressure.  I equate that to half pound for my DT.
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zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2014, 08:15:15 PM »
It is actually what FEELS good for you, and your scooter. To low, and the bike gets less responsive. Too high, and it gets squirrley or looses tracking.

Tires have changed too much over the past 50 years to go buy old school rules.
Start off at the highest PSI on the tire, and remove a few 3 LBS every mile or so. You will find what works best for you.

I usually set up a "track" that loops around wherever I can get my air. That way I can repeat the same turns/straights to compare the "feeling".
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

bluesin

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2014, 12:20:58 AM »
My dealer just put mine at 32 front/36 rear. Tire sidewall list 36 each, though .
"There is a Fifth Dimension beyond which is known to Man. It is a Dimension as vast as Space and as timeless as Infinity......It is an area which we call 'The Twilight Zone' .   "Rod Serling

zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2014, 01:43:24 AM »
If you get a "bug' one day try experimenting with pressures. You might be amazed at how differently the scoot behaves. I have always found the highest pressure is not the best pressure.

Bring the rear down to 32-33, and the front to 28-30. Try it out. It should feel more sure footed as it were. It's hard to describe.

It gets rid of that plastic Big Wheel feeling.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2014, 01:45:16 AM by zombie »
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

bluesin

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2014, 03:02:28 AM »
If you get a "bug' one day try experimenting with pressures. You might be amazed at how differently the scoot behaves. I have always found the highest pressure is not the best pressure.

Bring the rear down to 32-33, and the front to 28-30. Try it out. It should feel more sure footed as it were. It's hard to describe.

It gets rid of that plastic Big Wheel feeling.


When I checked mine ( a week before taking to shop ) my front was at 26 and rear at 28...did not like cornering with pressure that low .
"There is a Fifth Dimension beyond which is known to Man. It is a Dimension as vast as Space and as timeless as Infinity......It is an area which we call 'The Twilight Zone' .   "Rod Serling

zombie

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Re: New tire on DT300i
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2014, 03:09:14 AM »
I agree. That is too low, and the bike will side slide in a straight line. Somewhere in between is the magik number
"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."   Bobby Sands...

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