For safety, AND performance, MAINTAIN YOUR TIRE PRESSURE...  By  oldchopperguy (Read 1,036 times)

Absolutely!

And sometimes, you need to swerve even at "zero" speed...  Yesterday I ran errands on the scoot.  Just two blocks from home, at the first traffic light I encountered I was stopped.  I always watch my mirrors, and sure enough, here comes a car full of teens all texting.

I goosed it and went to the curb on my right, and the car drove right through my former "space" and hit the car that was in front of me.  Had I been in my much-loved Accord, it would have been smashed and pushed into the car in front.  Had I not been watching my mirrors, me and the scoot would have been squashed between the offending car and the one in front of me.

The occupants in the offending car all stumbled out, laughing and still texting!  A police car was on-hand and the officer took over.  Not ONE of the brain-dead teenies had a drivers license (or ANY form of I.D. for that matter).

None of them could "remember" just WHERE they got the car... "belongs to a cousin's friend"... No surprise...  This kind of stuff is a responsible driver's worst nightmare no matter what they're driving.

Lesson learned: ALWAYS, always watch your backside... And, I suppose, use the scooter whenever possible to preserve the family car... LOL!

Leo (watchin' my "six" more than ever) in Texas

Onewheeldrive,

Great reminder!  You perfectly described the phenomenon of "the low tire that doesn't show..."

Since I had not ridden my scoot nearly all season, I didn't notice the decrease in performance UNTIL I fully inflated the tires.  WOW!  What a difference.  With only 20hp, slightly soft tires REALLY rob performance.  I recall with my old Chinese 150, with only 10hp, it was even MORE noticeable.  I do tend to be lax in checking tires since my rear tire is MISERABLE to check or inflate... The valve-stem is on the RIGHT side where it interferes with the disk-brake and caliper always in the way.  If Kymco would have put the valve-stem on the LEFT side it would be easy to use...  Cheesh!

I'm fortunate that my current tires will stay above 30psi for most of a season if they're filled to 34psi.

When I bought the Kymco 250 it had new Kenda J-rated tires (as found on many 150's).  While those were fine on my first Chinese 150, at 220 pounds and 60-mph speed, they were truly AWFUL on the old Grandvista, at 360 pounds and 80-mph top-end.  They were "squirrely" when slowing from 60 down to 20-mph and in general just handled very poorly.  Actually made the scoot feel like it had a cracked frame!

The J-rated tires are only rated for 62-mph if I recall, and that is not OK for cruising at 70.

I had my dealer change them out for P-rated tires (92-mph rating) and the difference was MONUMENTAL.  The old "Mouse" suddenly felt like a brand-new premium scoot.  Yes, there was THAT much difference...  So much difference that if I had a 150 again, I'd opt for the premium P-rated tires even though the scoot could not reach more than 60 or so...  The overall handling is THAT much better, and the cost is only a little more per tire... And, they hold air much longer... LOL!

In my case, I actually run a mix of two different tire types.  I don't recommend that, but I want whitewalls, and SHINKO is the only maker offering a P-rated whitewall in 120/70/12 for the front, and NOBODY makes one in 140/70/12 for the rear... So my dealer inquired about a good choice for a rear that I could paint a whitewall on.  Turned out to be a Michelin Power Pure.



"Minnie Mouse" just wouldn't look "right" with blackwalls...  LOL!

The mix of tires rides to perfection, and I can recommend both the Shinko and Michelin for those wanting good, affordable P-rated tires.

Just be sure to keep them aired up!

Ride safe,

Leo in Texas

Thanks!

She IS mighty obsolete and outdated by today's standards but just right or this old geezer...  I was wanting a ride as similar to a step-through 150 as possible but with enough speed for the highway for the occasional trip down the road... And, to be able to keep up with local traffic on the numerous local surface streets with 45-50 speed limits where traffic regularly runs 65-70.

For more than a half-century I rode Harleys but now at 71, arthritis keeps me from being able to comfortably climb on and off big bikes (and budget keeps me from buying one).  That's why I need a step-through frame.  In all honesty, this old 250 does everything my last Harley (1970 Electra-Glide bagger) would do except a little less top-speed.  On the flat, no wind, the old Hog would do about ninety, and the scoot will do eighty.  The scoot has better acceleration than the old Hog, and the brakes are light-years better... And to my surprise, the ride and comfort is as good or better than the old Harley.  It's not a Harley, but then it's not supposed to be... LOL!  But it's a GREAT all-round ride, and cheap to own and insure.  Not a bad trade off!  And now, I'm totally spoiled by the twist n' go CVT tranny...  A lazy riders' best friend!

These old Kymco 250's ("Grandvista" and "Bet & Win") are reliable "workhorses" that use a standard ATV driveline, last forever and don't give trouble.  This one is an '07 that had 15K mile on her when I traded in my old Chinese 150 on her.  She has 18K miles now, and has never given the slightest bit of trouble... Reliable as the family Honda car.

The saddlebags hide the 250 badging so most riders assume it's a Chinese 150.  Lots of fun!

Ride safe,

Leo in Texas

Hardly obsolete Leo. Most under 300cc scooters still use the same mechanical architecture today. About the only change is fuel injection, ABS and different bodywork.

I had the same issue with my 150cc scooter tires. I went to ride it in the Spring and the bike was all over the place. I discovered the front tire valve core was leaking and the rear tire was at about 22psi. I replaced the valve core, filled the tires and rolled off happily.

Not on a bike but on my 4 wheeled V’s,,,they work well

I’d be tempted to just replace the valve stem and then angle the new one to where it was best positioned, BEFORE the next tire change, lol. Not sure if it’d be worth the trouble though...