Some tire advice?

[bluegoatwoods]

I have a vague notion of how to read tire sizes. The first number will tell me the distance from the rim out to the tread. The second number gives the width of the sidewall as a percentage of the first number.

No doubt I can learn more from googling. And no doubt I will. But I'd also value the opinions and experiences of those around here who have experimented with different sizes and brands and so on.

I'm the sort who will ride in bad weather. So I'm inclined to get tires that are a bit wide and have an aggressive tread. And I suppose I want to do it before summer is out.

So....my front tire, for instance, is an 80/80-16. Suppose I wanted something a bit wider. I might go with an 80/90-16. Or maybe an 80/100. How do I determine just how wide I can go with my existing rim? I suppose there must be some limit.

I was browsing tires on Amazon the other day. I spotted a Metzeler that ought to fit my wife's bike.

Now I remember Metzelers from my motorcycle days. Some 30 years ago now. They were my tire of choice and I bought several. The way I recall, they were pricey and wore a bit quickly. But I loved them because they felt just great. It felt like there was a nice layer of some sticky glue between your tread and the road.

I remember once settling for a Dunlop on my front. I was scared to death of that tire. It probably wasn't Dunlop's fault and maybe I'd become a bit spoiled by those Metzelers. But it felt to me as though there was a giant billiard ball where my front wheel should be.

So how about today's Metzelers in scooter sizes? Are they like I remember? Do they stick to the road as though they're nailed down?

And does anyone have any other insights or recommendations for tires that are maybe wider and more aggressive than these city/summer tires that we have on our scoots?

[bluegoatwoods]

Something else comes to mind.

Can someone like me change these tires with a decent set of tire irons? Or should I spring for one of those jigs that holds the wheel and 'shoehorns' the tire on and off?

[FrankenMech]

You are off on the tire size meanings. First is width, next is profile height %, and the next is rim diameter. Google for more info, it is far easier than explaining.

Users here will have tire opinions.

[aeroxbud]

You can change the tyres yourself. You will need some sort of bead breaker to get the old tyre off. You can make one yourself, have even seen people use a G clamp before.

[tiny]

this might help
www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/option/index.html
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL9KqYDAjxg

[bluegoatwoods]

Thanks, folks!

I don't have time at the moment, tiny, to have a look at those links. But I'll make sure to do so this evening when I'm winding my day down.

There's something else that I'd like opinions on, please. I look at the tires that came with my wife's Honda Metro or my Kymco People 150 and I find myself thinking that those treads don't look very deep. That these look like semi-slick tires to me.

On the other hand a scooter is a new sort of vehicle to me. Different handling characteristics than a car, a bicycle, motorcycle, and so on. And for that matter, perhaps the tire companies have come up with rubber "alloys" that have different characteristics than my last motorcycle days. Which was some time ago.

So I don't want to be too quick to decide that I simply must have some tire that was designed for use in Siberia.

So picture a rider who is willing to ride in rain. Even mildly heavy rain. Even in fairly cold temps. Even in temps a bit below freezing. (I'll stay off the roads when there's clearly a good deal of ice out there, yes. But I'm willing to do some low-level scooting even in winter as long as the roads are pretty clear).

I guess I'm answering my own question here. Obviously I want something a bit more aggressive than stock tires.
I suppose that's settled. But I'll welcome input and, particularly, specific tire brand/model recommendations.

[tiny]

when you have the time check out bikebandit.com they have decent choice of tyres for scooters.

[FrankenMech]

Scoot tires are a really soft rubber compound. The tread grooves are very shallow which combined with the soft rubber makes the tires wear very quickly.

[bluegoatwoods]

May 29, 2016 10:10:06 GMT -5 tiny said:

when you have the time check out bikebandit.com they have decent choice of tyres for scooters.

Good to know! Thanks.

[bluegoatwoods]

"Scoot tires are a really soft rubber compound. The tread grooves are very shallow which combined with the soft rubber makes the tires wear very quickly." --FrankenMech.

Also good info.

For that matter, I'm glad they're soft. I want that traction. And if quick wear is the price we pay, then I'm willing.

[tiny]

You're welcome. I know the rear tyre on a scooter wears out a lot faster then the front because all the weight on it