Michelin City Grip on rear of my XTown 300i

[john grinsel]

Today checked total miles on my rear City Grip----7600 miles so far, noticed some loss of good handling feel probably due to tire wearing slightly square.   If a rider can put up with this funny feeling, I think tire will run to 10,000 miles. 

I have new Heidenau in garage  and will probably change tires in coming weeks....at 81 can still do this....but not much fun.....if only modern scooters/ had easy to take off wheels!.....guess decision makers in the industry do not ride much/wrench, etc.

When rear is mounted will have Heidenau  front and rear.  They should work well.

[Neil955i]

Hi John, as our resident mega mileage tyre tester, have you ever used City Grip 2’s or just CG’s?


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[john grinsel]

Today, Rain/wet City Grip about 8,000 miles---trip down I-75, wet, bike all over the place, I think rear City Grip worn but not worn out=the cause.  Have new Heidenau in waiting---in the morning rear wheel off, won't even bother to use my bike lift/use tools I carry onboard, just to see that it can be done in on road emergency---have bead breaker, Long Tire Irons to make up for aging loss of power on my part, compressor---will use Ride On as balance medium.  And I have new spare exhaust/muffler packing, in case.

So my experienced take on City Grip rear=save your money....seems to work and feel ok for about 5,000 miles---no City Grip available in XTown 300i front in US.  XTown seems to be very tire sensitive----My favorite for long distance scootering---Michelin Power Pure SC, available in proper size for XTown----their great feature, they wear ROUND, handling changes very little as they wear.  and in my use (SilverWing 600/Burgman 400 last a long time--rear 10,000 miles plus with Burgman.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Today, Rain/wet City Grip about 8,000 miles---trip down I-75, wet, bike all over the place, I think rear City Grip worn but not worn out=the cause.  Have new Heidenau in waiting---in the morning rear wheel off, won't even bother to use my bike lift/use tools I carry onboard, just to see that it can be done in on road emergency---have bead breaker, Long Tire Irons to make up for aging loss of power on my part, compressor---will use Ride On as balance medium.  And I have new spare exhaust/muffler packing, in case.

So my experienced take on City Grip rear=save your money....seems to work and feel ok for about 5,000 miles---no City Grip available in XTown 300i front in US.  XTown seems to be very tire sensitive----My favorite for long distance scootering---Michelin Power Pure SC, available in proper size for XTown----their great feature, they wear ROUND, handling changes very little as they wear.  and in my use (SilverWing 600/Burgman 400 last a long time--rear 10,000 miles plus with Burgman.

I got a lot different wear from my rear City Grip.
12,000 miles with tread remaining - changed due to age - on a lLIKE200iLX, which is a lighter scooter than yours.

Stig

[Neil955i]

Might be a while before I can report back on mine guys, only fitted it this week!
[emoji23]


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[john grinsel]

Also, going to check steering head bearings today---could be some of cause of bike being all over the place in rain yesterday.....but I do not think so.

[Neil955i]

No my guess would be worn tyres too, they can be very sensitive to water over road surface imperfections / white lines etc.

[john grinsel]

Steering head bearings/adjustment checked out ok. No binding/notch/loose

[john grinsel]

Decided to use on board tools to take rear wheel off (success) and not use lift to simulate on the road wheel removal (stupid)!!   15 bolts to remove plus big axle nut=pain in butt/poor design....scooter wheels should be quick on and off period !!==lots of exercise!

Taking right swing arm off---found outer bearing stuck on axle----sure it would have come off with another set of hands and some force and maybe heat[.   Put  bike back toether and will take to dealer next week---let them work problem and any warranty if necessary.   

[Neil955i]

Sounds a wise move to me John.


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[Iahawk]

the tools in my onboard kit are crappy little things. I can't imagine using them to disassemble the scoot enough to get the wheel off! How did you crack the axle bolt?

[john grinsel]

Axle nut---small breaker bar I carry, proper socket, hand hold rear brake, foot on breaker bar if needed.

[john grinsel]

This week going to make appointment for tire change at Kymco Dealer in Dalton GA and at the same time have them change drive belt with new OEM Belt I carry.  Kymco interval for belt change it 10,000 miles---bike has over 10,000 miles....I was going to run belt to 15,000 miles but might as well kill 2 birds with one stone.
Right swing arm outer bearing is stuck in case.....maybe their force can get arm off----heat will ruin sealed bearing maybe and there might be delay getting right bearing.  Expect all work should take 1-2 hours shop time.

[john grinsel]

Scooter is now at dealer in Dalton GA---tire change, free right swing arm from axle and bearing (warranty?) and change drive belt.   First time back to selling dealer.  On return will have matched set of Heidenau tires, front and rear----dealer may not be able to spin balance rear small wheel---will add "Ride On when I get it home.

Puig Touring shield cut 4 inches with Laminar Lip bolted on---working good for colder weather riding that is coming----another $1200 stimulus check comes a long, may try Givi shield (about $180).   Givi E-46 box is back on rear---dog likes it better.

Be interesting to see with fresh belt if highway revs drop much.

[john grinsel]

Had dealer replace rear tire 7719 miles....not worn out but kinda worn square----I want bike to handle right.  Think tire would have gone 10,000 miles with somebody other than me.

New Heidenau now on rear,front is also Heidenau (same series).  bike handled ok on return back roads home, about 35 miles.

Had them change drive belt, too....I was going to run it 15,000 miles. Scooter has over 10,000 miles---which Kymco says is change interval (10,000 miles)  Noticed take off Belt OEM  belt, made in JAPAN, and looks good, will  carry as emergency get home.   I furnished exhaust gasket for muffler re-installation. I have clutch/pulley holder, proper socket and breaker bar----but lack the extra set of hands to do this right without air impact wrench

With O.D. of new rear tire and new belt (maybe riding higher) I have highway RPM drop of 5-800 RPM at 60 mph. Fine with me.

When things free up plan on some trips.

At 30,000 miles will check air cleaner again and probably check valves and change spark plug.

Bill was $190--quick service--they were unable to spin balance 13 inch rear tire an wheel---Ride On goes in in the morning.

This Kymco dealer fine, been in business for 3 years, Yamaha and Suzuki---they are all dirt riders/racers.  Part Dept.=good, too

Noticed on ride home---Laminar Lip on cut down Puig screen, too high for blind/downhill corners---if come off in the AM.