Author Topic: Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road  (Read 280 times)

lewtwo

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Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road
« on: June 15, 2023, 05:52:48 AM »
I remember years ago when people talked about a Harley 74 having more rubber on the road (contact patch) than a Volkswagen Beetle. I was reminded of that when I ran across a set of YouTube videos about some SOBEK tires for the Like 150i that have flatter more rectangular profile than the standard rounded profile found on most scooter tires. These videos are from the Philippines (so I can only grasp about half the audio) and is two years old ... if they have already been covered then my bad (I did search).

More Rubber on the Road, Sobek Tires


« Last Edit: June 15, 2023, 06:05:16 AM by lewtwo »
The more I learn the more obvious the immensity of my ignorance becomes.
https://www.keywild.com/scooter/Kymco150i/

Neil955i

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Re: Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2023, 11:20:57 AM »
Interesting watch.  I've never ridden with a Group outing on a scooter which would be cool to do, if only for a short run!   Far prefer to ride my own ride these days so as not to get sucked into anything!

As for the "dark side" tyre choice, these did look like something specifically designed with a scooter in mind rather than a stock car tyre used on a scoot and as such, should be a more palatable choice?
Regards & ride safe,
Neil

Current garage:  Kymco DTX360 & Triumph Street Triple 675R
Past bikes: BSA C15. Honda S/wing (GL500). Kawasaki GPz750. BMW K100RS. Kawasaki GPZ900R. Yamaha FJ1200 x2. Sprint. Triumph Daytona 900. Kawasaki ZX-7R. T595 Daytona. Kawasaki ZX-9R x2. Triumph Daytona 955i. X-Town

klaviator

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Re: Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2023, 12:18:29 PM »
I have ridden a number of times with a guy who has a car tire on his Vespa.  It doesn't seem to slow him down any.
I Ride Therefore I Am

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Re: Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2023, 08:47:39 PM »
For me it isn't a question of will it work? ,. But other than extending tire changes......
Is it better in all Weathers and is it safer than riding on a normal Scooter tire.?
I think not.
I'll trust my scooter and myself to Honda, Kymco,  Suzuki , Yamaha & BMW engineers.
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lewtwo

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Re: Like 150i, More Rubber on the Road
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2023, 09:37:18 PM »
For me it isn't a question of will it work? ,. But other than extending tire changes......
Is it better in all Weathers and is it safer than riding on a normal Scooter tire.? ...

Valid points. My questions were more along the lines of:
1) How do they affect the ride?
2) Do these tires use a lower pressure?
3) Are the sidewalls more flexible?
4) Are they easier to balance when stopped?
5) Do they handle variations in the pavement surface better (i.e washboards, cracks, potholes)?

I was not able to extract all of that information from the video but I am an senile old redneck with poor language skills. It would be interesting to see more results from some longer term experience.

These days people are riding bicycles with low pressure 200mm 'Fat Tires' as opposed to high pressure 20mm 'Racing Tires'. That gets them a softer ride and does not require a 'perfectly smooth pavement' or 'board track'. They also use them for off road applications and lose material (i.e. sand or gravel or such).

Would a lower pressure, wider tire provide a better experience on the poorly maintained streets commonly found in large US cities these days?
The more I learn the more obvious the immensity of my ignorance becomes.
https://www.keywild.com/scooter/Kymco150i/

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