Tubed tires?

[perkussion]

Hi all,
I was wondering if the tires on a 2008 or 2009 Grand Vista have tubes in them.
Thank you.

[Urbestfriend]

If the valve stem looks like it has a grommet around it on the rim,
it's likely tubeless.  If it looks like the stem sticks right thru the
rim,  then it has a tube.   However... several articles indicate
a sound reasoning for Tubeless construction.  This is prevention
of blow-outs.  As the air pressure get reduced, it finally breaks the bead
and the air slowly bleeds off. 

In my experience,  scooter tires can bleed off in certain temperatures overnight
(usually cold).  If you just push the bike,  you can notice that it's difficult.   About 2
months ago this happened to me.  Rode the 10 miles to work.  Knew something
didn't feel right,  but just kept going.   At 7 miles, the back end started to sway,
At eight miles all the air was gone and there was no steering.  Also was dark
and 5:00 am.   The tire had spun on the rim and shreaded the bead, so it cost
$100 for a new one.  I now have a plastic mallet and I hit both tires to check for the full tire sound.

[perkussion]

Thanks Urbestfriend,
  The reason I was asking is that a few weekends ago I was riding a Genuine International 150 at top speed, (67 mph on gps),
when the back (tubed) tire blew out.
  Like your experience, the back end of the scooter began to sway violently side to side.
It was frightening and uncontrollable but luckily I was on a straight section of road and I remembered to avoid using the brakes
as long as I could.
  If my Grand Vista has tubes I want to change them out because I never want to go through that again.
  Your reasoning about a grommet around the stem makes sense and I believe you're right.

  Has anyone else changed tires on a Grand Vista and knows for a fact whether it has tubes or not?
Thanks.

[axy]

I have never seen a scoot in the past 15 years from Kymco or European manufacturers with tubes in tires.

[Portland Steve]

The Grand Vista should have tubeless tires as do the vast majority of scoots and motorcycles.
Glad you survived the blow out!

[Agent Bob]

The only tires that have tubes any more, as far as I know, are those with wire spoke wheels since they wouldn't seal a tubeless tire. If the rims are cast, I'm sure it's tubeless.

[perkussion]

Thanks everyone!

[Urbestfriend]

I think the only things that use Tubes anymore are
Bicycles and Wheelborrows.   Tubeless is mainly cheaper,
so that's the way everyone goes.  My Vino wore down so bad
that the air actuaqlly leaked out thru the tread.

[jprestonian]

If the Genuine (Buddy) International 150 you were riding had a tubed tire, someone has swapped out the original rims and tires. They don't come that way from PGO, I can tell ya that.

The scooters with tubed tires are the old-school Vespas, the Genuine Stella and the various mopeds still in service. All the modern scoots I know of use tubeless, with the exception of the Stella.
.

[axy]

If the Genuine (Buddy) International 150 you were riding had a tubed tire, someone has swapped out the original rims and tires. They don't come that way from PGO, I can tell ya that.

The scooters with tubed tires are the old-school Vespas, the Genuine Stella and the various mopeds still in service. All the modern scoots I know of use tubeless, with the exception of the Stella.
.

Just for correct information: if the outside tire is damaged, it is POSSIBLE to put inside the tube, instead of repairing (by plugging or thermal patching) outside tire.
I would say that was the case.

[jprestonian]

Just for correct information: if the outside tire is damaged, it is POSSIBLE to put inside the tube, instead of repairing (by plugging or thermal patching) outside tire.
I would say that was the case.

It's possible, but not effective... at least not for long. You don't see too much of this done in the U.S., where most scooterists have their tires changed in a shop, rather than doing it themselves.
.

[Urbestfriend]

Totally in agreement with JPrestonian and Axy.  I have been able to
take my tires off the rim,  but my air compressor isn't big enough
to pop it back on.  I only live 1/4 mile from a terrific still family
owned tire shop that will handle anything.  Cars, Trucks, Tractors,
Wheel Horses,  You name it.

[axy]

It's possible, but not effective... at least not for long. You don't see too much of this done in the U.S., where most scooterists have their tires changed in a shop, rather than doing it themselves.
.

The same here.
Rubber plugs are used instead (have two of those in my rear tire).

[jprestonian]

At the shop I work in, we try to discourage scrimping on tires or repairs to tires. The most popular scooter we sell is the Genuine Buddy, and you can get a decent tire for it for $30. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to pay $37.50 (tire mounting charge) to do a $5 patch on a $30 tire, is our way of thinking.

After all, you only have two tires... for the difference in cost, it's worth it to me (and my tires are a good bit more than $30/each).
.

[Portland Steve]

You don't have to remove the tire to put a plug in (assuming that it is tubeless).  A plug should not cost more that $20, if you can even get a shop to do it.
I would not recommend going too long on a plugged tire, but it works well to keep you rolling.
If I'm going to replace my tire (usually I replace both at the same time) I want to put on a good tire, not the cheapest one that I can find.
I figure $50 per tire at least and another $50 to mount, which gets the total up to $150 at least.
If your wallet is tight, a plug will do for a 1000 miles.