Not a happy camper, though I love my Super8…

[blackhawkfan]

I have been considering buying tires for my 2013 Super8, as I am not thrilled with the comments I’ve heard about the quality of the Cheng Shins the scooter comes with.  I am coming up with nothing as far as an exact match for the tire sizes mentioned in the owners’ manual.  For example, I would love to go with a quality tire like the Michelin City Grips, but the closest I can get in those for my front tire is the 120/70-14 (as opposed to the 100/80-14 size mentioned in the manual).  To add to my quandary, apparently the dealer from which I purchased my scooter is not in the business of selling the Kymcos anymore; I’ll have to find out if they’re going to be servicing them either.  I did plan on doing oil changes and other lightweight stuff myself (with the help of wkrebs great youtube videos), but certainly not tire changes.

That said, have any of you put different size tires on your Super8’s?  I’m not going to get new rims for the scoot, so I know the tires will have to be a 14 rim, but will it cause problems to use, for example, a 120/70 on the front? I don’t mind if it makes the bike a little higher, but I do know after a while the width of a larger tire will not turn between the forks. Please let me know your thoughts on this, and also if you are having any issues with your Cheng Shins (assuming you kept using them).

[BettinANDlosing]

Hey, Pirelli makes Diablos that fit the Super. Awesome but slightly expensive tires. And there is room for a slightly wider tire in the rear if you do choose to get more rubber.

[blackhawkfan]

do you have the diablos on your S8, B&L?  If so, do you think they are worth the money as far as handling, especially in wet weather? 

[BettinANDlosing]

I don't have a S8, but have installed a few sets on customers bikes at work and they seem to like them. Can't vouch for rain performance but the tread looks like it would handle great in wet conditions.

[blackhawkfan]

In looking on the Pirelli website for the diablos, I see a front tire sized 120/80-14  and 100/90-14 on the list for the rear (all the others look too wide from the numbers listed).  Are those the ones you installed for your customers' S8's?  Thanks for all your help on this, B&L.

[BettinANDlosing]

I've used the 120/80-14 before, never tired the 100/90 front but I just looked at a super 8 on the floor, plenty of room for that tire.

[wkreps]

Did you peruse this tire thread:

 http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=5693.0

A lot of good info in there . . . and it's in the Super8 section

[blackhawkfan]

I've used the 120/80-14 before, never tired the 100/90 front but I just looked at a super 8 on the floor, plenty of room for that tire.

the 120/80 is the front and 100/90 the rear, whick I think would make an awkward combo.  Actually, after reading other threads like the one suggested by Wayne, I looked at my scoot.  The manual is wrong, the front has a 120/70-14.  So that opens up more choices for the front.  Based on your look at the S8, B&L, what do you think is the widest tire that one could put on the rear without a problrm of it being too tight?   As always, thanks for your input B&L, and for the link, Wayne.

[BettinANDlosing]

No more than one size up at the most. Also some tires in same sizes are different widths due to how rounded the tire profile is. The diablos are a "sport" tire so they are pretty round. The 14s on the super 8 ride great but kind of limit tire selection a bit.

[blackhawkfan]

So I should be safe with a 130/80-14 for the rear (do they even make that size--I don't recall seeing it)?  I am so glad I actually looked at the scooter to see what was on there and that they installed a 120/70-14 for the front so I can get a City Grip for that wheel at least.  Can't trust anything in an owners' manual

[blackhawkfan]

It would help if I read all FOUR of the pages of that informative post Wayne gave me the link for...  For those who changed to a 140/70 or 140/60 on the rear, now that you've ridden with them for a while, how do you like them?

[DMblues01]

My 2012 came stock with a 120/70 front tire. 120/80 on the rear.
I haven't even been able to find that size front anywhere. I've seen 120/80 fronts a lot, since that's what the Silverwing and Burgman have on the fronts. I was wondering if that size would work on the front of the Supe, without clearance issues with the fender.
Haven't seen a 120/80 rear though. Closest I've seen on the rear was a 140/60, but that seems like it would catch the rear fender.

As to the Cheng Shin tires. I have 1660 miles on mine, and I haven't had a single issue with them. I have been riding in rain most of the spring, and I even rode in an inch of snow during the first week of March when I got it. I think it comes down to how aggressive you ride. The hard compound will let go easier than a soft compound tire. But the hard compound lasts longer. When it's wet, you just have to be a lot more conservative how you ride.

[PeTroL42]

Cheng Shin seems to be the only company to make a 120/80-14 rear tire.

You're only options are a 140/70-14 or a 140/60-14 rear tire.

This guy put on a Michelin City Grip 140/60-14 tire on his Super 8 and he didn't need to remove the tire hugger: http://imgur.com/a/QnyuO

When my rear tire wears out, I plan to get a Pirelli Diablo in a 140/70/14 size since the overall diameter is closer to stock tire size than a 140/60-14 is.

[blackhawkfan]

Thanks for the photo link--good to see how it worked on someone's scoot.

[DMblues01]

Thanks PeTrol! Good to know I have options without modding the rear end.