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Scooters - 125 to 300 => Agility 125 => Topic started by: aschrauth on March 24, 2021, 05:34:40 PM

Title: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on March 24, 2021, 05:34:40 PM
Hello everybody,

So I was doing an inspection on my scooter this morning and I noticed that both of the wheels have dryrot around the rim. As far as I am aware of these are OEM tires and the bike is a 2009 model. Would it be worth it to get some new tires? although they are dryrotted they still have decent tread.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Neil955i on March 25, 2021, 08:32:06 AM
You really need to ask?  Bin them and treat yourself to new rubber!  I swear by Michelin City Grips...
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Iahawk on March 25, 2021, 01:25:59 PM
12+ years old and dry rotted? Please replace them! You'll be amazed at the difference good tires can make to your ride and  handling.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Neil955i on March 25, 2021, 04:44:28 PM
12+ years old and dry rotted? Please replace them! You'll be amazed at the difference good tires can make to your ride and  handling.

You forgot "and your life expectancy"!  Personally, I think this was a wind-up post?
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on March 26, 2021, 01:06:58 AM
I figured I had to change the tires soon. I don't mind it but changing tires is a PITA. I have decided to go with the Duro brand but I am confused about size.

For the rear the size is 130/70-12
for the front is 120/70/-12

I have two screenshots, one is from eBay and one from amazon. The tires that I found on eBay and amazon are both the correct sizes but the width of the tire seems different; the tires on ebay seem to be more narrower than the ones that are sold on amazon. which one would you recommend?
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Iahawk on March 26, 2021, 02:40:21 AM
they should both be the same...as long as the tire brand and size are the same...the tires will be the same. Are you referring to how wide they look in the display pic?
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on March 26, 2021, 03:12:44 AM
they should both be the same...as long as the tire brand and size are the same...the tires will be the same. Are you referring to how wide they look in the display pic?

Yes I didn't know if the tires differed in width
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Vision on March 29, 2021, 12:50:48 AM
The OEM tires are dangerous IMO.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on March 29, 2021, 01:28:23 AM
Tire specs should be listed in your owner's manual.  Buy the sizes of tires listed there. Buy the best tires you can afford.
Stig
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Neil955i on March 29, 2021, 02:32:21 PM
Tire specs should be listed in your owner's manual.  Buy the sizes of tires listed there. Buy the best tires you can afford.
Stig

Excellent advice!
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on March 29, 2021, 10:36:14 PM
I ended up purchasing two Duro tires on eBay as well as some rim guards for installation. I had a tire tread gauge handy and took a measure of the OEM tire and it was in the yellow. I agree with Stig / Major Tom, these tires are almost nine years old and need to be replaced. Hopefully these new tires help grip better in the rain and snow, I however am not looking forward to installing them. From what I have seen on YouTube they are a PITA to install but it sure beats paying some shmow at a tire shop to do it.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on March 29, 2021, 10:37:41 PM
I ended up purchasing two Duro tires on eBay as well as some rim guards for installation. I had a tire tread gauge handy and took a measure of the OEM tire and it was in the yellow ( when I was first editing this post I used the Lincoln Penny head trick that old car salesman seem to use when judging tire thickness. I agree with Stig / Major Tom, these tires are almost nine years old and need to be replaced. Hopefully these new tires help grip better in the rain and snow, I however am not looking forward to installing them. From what I have seen on YouTube they are a PITA to install but it sure beats paying some shmow at a tire shop to do it.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on March 30, 2021, 10:54:00 PM


After you remove the old tires - pop a new valve stem in there.
Safe on grief later!

Stig
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Ruffus on March 31, 2021, 08:11:48 AM
@aschrauth,
as Stig says, if you have the chance, put (let put) those 90 degrees valve stems in your rims, makes filling air and pressure checks on this small tires much easier.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on April 02, 2021, 07:50:56 PM
After you remove the old tires - pop a new valve stem in there.
Safe on grief later!

Stig
Already planned!! New valves arrive today. I got 90 degree valves from Amazon plus some tirespoons and rim guards.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQT4VDP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_0F7NBBANKM6SK0GF31HB
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on April 02, 2021, 07:51:28 PM
@aschrauth,
as Stig says, if you have the chance, put (let put) those 90 degrees valve stems in your rims, makes filling air and pressure checks on this small tires much easier.
Already planned!! New valves arrive today. I got 90 degree valves from Amazon plus some tirespoons and rim guards.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQT4VDP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_0F7NBBANKM6SK0GF31HB
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on April 08, 2021, 11:15:10 PM
Ok everybody I ended up changing both tires and let me tell you the riding quality is night and day but MAN were they hard to install. I used rim guards and tire spoons for both tires but somehow managed to end up marring the Paint lightly  on both wheels. Hardest part for me was actually getting the tire off of the rim without scuffing it. I got the bead to seat perfectly on the front tire but the rear one took some work, It wouldn't seat so I used a hairdryer to heat the bead up and used some Vaseline around the lip. With the valve core removed I attempted to air up the tire and the bead eventually set. In addition, I got a face full of Vaseline when the bead popped :P. I wasn't expecting the tire spoons to Marr the surface of the rim so I Decided to Plastidip both rims Black. Overall Make sure to wear gloves! I didn't wear them and I wish I would have, I tore up the skin on my hands so bad it hurts to even type. IMHO its worth it to have a shop do it but I enjoy a good challenge once in awhile.


 I started at 12:00 on 4/3 and didn't get done until around 9:30. Weather was pleasant at 74 degrees. This was my second attempt at changing tires and the experience was just as I suspected.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on April 09, 2021, 12:18:15 AM
Thanks for your post here!

Stig
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Ruffus on April 09, 2021, 09:27:50 AM
@aschrauth,
 " chapeau" to your achievement. I have to admit I'm not a sissy if it comes to experimental work, but doing tires (especially those small old tough ones) just like that, I would chicken out and give it to a shop.
Again, congrats!
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: TBR125 on April 26, 2021, 05:07:35 AM
Congrats on going through with it. Must admit, I quit on my first tire change on the Agility when I couldn't get the bead set. The local shop was kind enough to blast set it for free. Ive done enough tire changes now that Ive found a fairly quick system that works for me.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Mezo on May 02, 2021, 01:00:02 AM
The OEM tires are dangerous IMO.

I swear by Michelin City Grips...

I was going to start a new topic but i have my answers, iv`e nearly come a cropper three or four times on this 'new to me' scooter, the front end just wants to tuck in & only because of my quick reactions have i managed to save it, the OEM rubber is utter crap.

So i read up on the Michelin City Grip & nothing but rave reviews, so thanks everyone.

Mezo.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Ruffus on May 02, 2021, 11:45:11 AM
Talking about challenges,
since I have some spare tires, which are run down and have to be replaced anyway, I tried a (for me) new method to get them off its rim.

-choice of weapons were,..
my workshop vice
my workshop kneeling board

To get this tough old rubber off its rim, it was pinched into my vice pretty hard.
But make sure the vice-grips are not biting into your rim, they just lurking for. It let go eventually..

And, of course this rubber does not have the tendency to leave both of its beads voluntarely, you have to apply brutal step two.
Using the board and all your bodies weight..

YES, it leaves its seat hesitantely.
Taking off requires some tyre-irons and brute force but also some consideration to keep your brims unharmed. I used some thick leather between rim and lever. Went without splitted teeth, broken eyeglasses and swearing.
Having it off, made a brake-discs service and rim polishing easy.
Have a nice Sunday from Italy.

Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Iahawk on May 02, 2021, 01:48:32 PM
impressive work to all of you who are changing your own tires...looks like a brutal job!
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Vision on May 29, 2021, 08:45:45 PM
Already planned!! New valves arrive today. I got 90 degree valves from Amazon plus some tirespoons and rim guards.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQT4VDP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_0F7NBBANKM6SK0GF31HB

How did this go? With a few tire changes behind me I'm not able to effectively use the rim guards so the rims get torn up.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Kansas kymco on May 30, 2021, 03:15:25 PM
impressive work to all of you who are changing your own tires...looks like a brutal job!
Many years ago (make that decades) I changed the tire on my dirt bike and put on  a new knobby rear tire and swore it would be the last tire I ever changed. 
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Ruffus on May 30, 2021, 07:34:17 PM
Lots of kitchen soap, really long, for grown ones, tyre irons and thick leather pieces between rim and iron. Tyre has to be completely off all two beads, does the trick.
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Mezo on June 03, 2021, 06:22:01 AM
impressive work to all of you who are changing your own tires...looks like a brutal job!

I thought it was going to be but it wasn't that bad, had a mate (ex tyre fitter) help me out with just a couple of my tyre spoons & some soapy water, did manage to scratch some paint of the edge of the rim but i`m not bothered about that, its an easy fix with an aerosol/rattle can of black.  :D

Went with Michelin City Grip 2`s & what a difference from them crappy (Chinese made) OEM tyres, i can now lean the bike over with confidence.

Mezo.

Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: Neil955i on June 03, 2021, 09:47:11 AM
I do so love a happy ending!
Title: Re: Time for new tires?
Post by: aschrauth on June 04, 2021, 04:05:25 AM
How did this go? With a few tire changes behind me I'm not able to effectively use the rim guards so the rims get torn up.
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It was a pai but I got it finished, as of today tires are wearing evenly and constantly holding pressure.