Do you need radial tires for this one?

[Zurg1960]

Hi! First post for a really long time!

Just bought a -14 model MyRoad with 11000 miles on it and --- it needs a new set of tires (badly)! Found out that radial tires are specified and began wondering are they really necessary (at least in Europe you can get a set of bias ply tires at a price less than one radial)?

OK it seems a little weird to complain about tire prices for as expensive toy as this but I'm quite sure that a set of Citygrips are better tires than this Maxxis crap. Silverwing runs on bias tyres and the difference on performance and weight is negligible.

Any input is welcome!

[CROSSBOLT]

Welcome back! ANYTHING better than Maxxis! MJR posted on the 500 about how bad his Maxxis rear was separating the tread. Michelin, Avon, Metzler, etc. in that category should be fine for the reasons you stated.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Me too, always wondered why some scoots ride on radials.
Radials certainly are the go-to tires for autos - but scooters are a different fish.

MJR, what say you?


Stig

[MJR]

Radials are better for performance bikes. Here's some reading below. Does any manufacturer make a sport bike with bias ply tires? All the performance maxi scooters use radials, Tmax, B650, MyRoad, BMW, Aprilia, Gilera, etc. Some of the Burgman 650 owners have tried various tires like bias and darksiding. I prefer to stick with the radials because I use the performance on my bikes but if you do go bias do not mix bias with radial because the way each handle differently can make the bike unstable. And if you want to stick with radials and you are in the EU I'd suggest the Dunlop Scoot Smart. I had a set shipped from the UK to me and have so far put 7,000 miles on them on one of my B650's. Keep in mind the MyRoad is a very heavy scooter at 600 lbs.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/why-things-are-bias-ply-and-radial-tires
https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/bias-ply-vs-radial-which-one-is-best-for-you

[Zurg1960]

OK folks thanks for a input!

Unfortunately it seems that tire manufacturers had made the decision easy for us, it seems that only one maker (Heidenau) is making a bias tire at a size 160/60-14 so no luck for rear end.

Have to have look for those Dunlops!

[Stig / Major Tom]

Thanks MJR!
My Honda Forza came with Dunlop Scoot Smarts. No idea if they were the radial type. Good tire until I  punctured it, and discovered that Honda was selling a scooter with no replacement size found in the USA! Had to go oversize...which corrected the speedo😊
Stig

[MJR]

OK folks thanks for a input!

Unfortunately it seems that tire manufacturers had made the decision easy for us, it seems that only one maker (Heidenau) is making a bias tire at a size 160/60-14 so no luck for rear end.

Have to have look for those Dunlops!

Here we can get the following rear in that size in bias, not sure I'd recommend either.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Scooter Tire
Shinko SR567/568

[Zurg1960]

HMM it seems that all red devils I found from usual suspects are radial in Europe and those others are not available at all.... But thanks for input!

[MJR]

Another thing to think about comes from folks in the UK. If you put tires that aren't like the factory type insurance companies apparently can deny claims over there should you get in an accident.

[stuo]

When squirting soapy water to find your leak, make sure you check the valve stem opening (where the air goes in) Sometimes all you need to do is tighten the valve, or replace the whole unit. You can replace it without removing the wheel or tire (see how in the Technical column, using a C clamp).

[stuo]

Oops. I answered the wrong question. i thought you were asking about a leaking tire. Don't mind me, I'm losing it...

[MJR]

Don't mind me, I'm losing it...

Too late. :-)

[Zurg1960]

So decided to bite the bullet and ordered Metzeler radial for rear wheel and bias for front wheel. Both are FeelFrees so lets see how she goes afterwards!

[Stig / Major Tom]

So decided to bite the bullet and ordered Metzeler radial for rear wheel and bias for front wheel. Both are FeelFrees so lets see how she goes afterwards!

Mixing a radial with a bias on a 600lb MyRoad 700cc scoot?
Stig

[MJR]

Mixing a radial with a bias on a 600lb MyRoad 700cc scoot?

Yah I wouldn't do that but I haven't ever tried.



Good video explaining the difference.