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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 2, 2016 9:40:56 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
I've heard nothing but good things about the Avon tires! And GIVI windshields are definitely "uptown" quality... I'm sure you will be happy with both!
I'm concerned that your wind problem is so pronounced. Thinking back though, that first week on my Kymco was somewhat similar, and  % of it WAS the tires. I have a distinct feeling also, that yours may be badly out of balance. Good balance is very critical above even 50 mph (ESPECIALLY with my smaller 12-inchers). Do try to get your installer to do a good balance-job on your new tires. The wind turbulence you're experiencing is something I have not had. While I thought my windshield was "factory" it actually is an aftermarket GIVI the original owner installed. So, I never rode a Grandvista with the factory windshield, which is more like your Jonway shield. I don't know about the hand-swells being all that stylish... The do fit the overall look of the scoot and REALLY put your hands in a "wind-free zone". THAT I like now matter the look... Never experienced it before. On a different bike, now, I'd put deflectors on the handlebars for sure!
If your rare, one-of-two GIVI's performs like mine, you will be a VERY happy camper! I find mine places me in almost a still "bubble" making highway speed less frantic, and up to 50 mph downright "car-like"! I really hope yours will be the same! It's a better riding experience than ANY windshield-equipped bike I ever had, including Harley baggers, Brit 650's and a Honda 4-cyl. with expensive Vetter "Windjammer" fairings! But they STILL grab that side-wind... LOL!With your long wheelbase and 13" wheels, your scoot should be capable of being tweaked into a true JOY on the road! I am % sure the Avons and GIVI shield will do wonders for Yin Yang. The tires alone turned Minnie Mouse from "unpleasant" to "wonderful"! Your post about the situation making you not want to ride IS familiar. The first week on mine was the same (except for your wind-turbulence). My problem was all in the tires. Now, if only those Avons came with WHITEWALLS... HeHeHe...  I don't think anybody makes whites in the 13" size, and trust me... After 2 years of screwing around with my rear tire, I CANNOT recommend painting whitewalls... It is TRULY beating a dead horse... LOL!  Do definitely keep us posted on the improvements! Lots of us going with 250's and any info on improvements are welcome! Warm again today, but getting cold soon... So...Ride safe and stay warm! Leo
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Post by JR on Feb 2, 2016 13:45:35 GMT -5
JR... Ah, CREOSOTE! One of my favorite flavors... You have not lived until you've enjoyed a fine steak (or maybe a 'possum...) cooked over wood harvested from an old utility pole... I think BURNING the creosote must infuse some "Superman" meds in the meat... Only kidding... ONLY KIDDING! Leo Now that's damn funny Leo! I can only think of one thing worse than cooking something over creosote wood and that would be a rich pine knot!  I used to climb poles with the lineman hooks and I'll tell you one thing for sure, let a hook slip out and you have to hug one of those black creosote poles on the way to the ground on a hot July day and you'll know it for days to come with the burning it creates!  One thing for sure there will be no infection!  JR |
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Post by yelloscoot on Feb 2, 2016 22:15:04 GMT -5
oldchopperguy , Yes, to the Avon's, I had just forgotten about them until JR mentioned them again. I was looking into Pirelli and Michelin but they can get a bit pricey. This will be my first time to ride on something other than a Kenda tire. Even with Yellow, when I replaced the set, I used them. I'm really looking forward to see how the Avon's perform.  My quess-timation of the delivery date was completely Whacked. They arrived today.  I did't know they were going to ship out of Ft. Worth by UPS. Next day delivery for standard shipping ($7.99) is, what I call, good service from Chaparral. I've used them, twice before, but don't remember such fast delivery.  I have always taken the wheels and tires off Yellow myself and removed the tires. I have a 3-spoon set to get them off, but, never could get them back on. So off to Wally-World for them to refit the new tires. Usually for free, but their machine, scars the wheel a bit. Not this time  ...I'll take her into the local Honda Dealer, Saturday morning, for re-fitting and balancing with quality stems. I also use Dyna-Beads in her now and will have those transferred to the new Avons. So far, I'm the only one, who has ever worked on my bikes. In this case...I'll let the Pros do it.  They charge $35/tire to change or $55/tire to remove, re-fit, balance and reinstall. I'm taking the safe route this time and save a lot of headache of doing it myself. The Givi is still due in this Thursday and I'll install it before going for the tire swap. That should be a nice test at highway speeds crossing the long bridge going over Lake Ray Hubbard into Rockwall. Especially if its windy. Loren
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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 2, 2016 23:03:12 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
GOOD MOVE having the Honda shop mount and balance the new meats! I have a feeling you will NOT be disappointed! Speaking for my own experience with the Kymco, it's money VERY well-spent.
Now... I ran errands today with much freeway riding, and, I finally hit headwinds and crosswinds so BRUTAL that keeping ANY vehicle on two wheels (or four) straight was a chore... I can't remember the last time I rode in such miserable wind, and it kept changing, blowing the old mouse left, right and head-on (killing off 10 mph INSTANTLY)... I was actually having to cock the handlebars off-center, and lean just to stay straight! My arms and shoulders are as sore as if I had been pumping iron all day, instead of "pumping mouse"! I'm glad THAT phenomenon is not common... LOL!
Please keep us posted on how the Avons handle! I'm betting they will AMAZE you!
Ride safe,
Leo
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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 2, 2016 23:19:01 GMT -5
JR... Ah, CREOSOTE! One of my favorite flavors... You have not lived until you've enjoyed a fine steak (or maybe a 'possum...) cooked over wood harvested from an old utility pole... I think BURNING the creosote must infuse some "Superman" meds in the meat... Only kidding... ONLY KIDDING! Leo Now that's damn funny Leo! I can only think of one thing worse than cooking something over creosote wood and that would be a rich pine knot! I used to climb poles with the lineman hooks and I'll tell you one thing for sure, let a hook slip out and you have to hug one of those black creosote poles on the way to the ground on a hot July day and you'll know it for days to come with the burning it creates! One thing for sure there will be no infection! JR
JR,
I hate to admit I did it, but it's too funny NOT to share...
Decades ago, the missus and I went camping. We had never gone camping before, and were not exactly "experts" at outdoor living... So when dinner time came, we broke out some marvelous steaks and cooked them over a crackling fire made of 2x4 scraps from a construction site... Yeah, plenty of pine knots in 'em too...
EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!
The steaks were definitely "pine-fresh"... They tasted "like somebody pooped a Christmas tree"... Live and learn as they say... I've never looked at bathroom air-fresheners the same way since...
Ride safe, and cook smart...
Leo
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Post by rockynv on Feb 3, 2016 0:43:31 GMT -5
JR... Ah, CREOSOTE! One of my favorite flavors... You have not lived until you've enjoyed a fine steak (or maybe a 'possum...) cooked over wood harvested from an old utility pole... I think BURNING the creosote must infuse some "Superman" meds in the meat... Only kidding... ONLY KIDDING! Leo You do have to be careful with Creosote. A good friend worked dipping fence posts in it and got too much on him so that it was absorbed into his skin and ultimately the bones. 30 years later he still has episodes where the Creosote surfaces and gives him terrible burns on his skin. Some times it will be cold weather that will trigger an episode so he moves to a warmer climate than South Florida during the dead of our winter which is now too cold for him. He has spent many thousands of dollars on doctors and treatments to try and leach the remaining Creosote from his system. I knew it was not that good for you but had never imagined that it actually penetrated that deep into the body and stayed for so long. Bugs are probably smart enough to steer well clear of it. |
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Post by rockynv on Feb 3, 2016 0:52:34 GMT -5
The Avons are very nice however be prepared that some of their stickier tires may not last very long especially if you ride back country chip roads.
Let us know how they ride and hold up. I went with the Pilot Pure Power which the local mega big bike dealer was able to get me for less than $100 mounted and balanced on the bike which is not bad for a 120/70-15 Sport Tire designed for the speed and weight of a Burgman 650 which I hope will provide stellar performance on my 326 lb Aprilia 250. So far they have not disappointed.
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Post by yelloscoot on Feb 6, 2016 23:53:44 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,GOOD MOVE having the Honda shop mount and balance the new meats! I have a feeling you will NOT be disappointed! Speaking for my own experience with the Kymco, it's money VERY well-spent.Now... I ran errands today with much freeway riding, and, I finally hit headwinds and crosswinds so BRUTAL that keeping ANY vehicle on two wheels (or four) straight was a chore... I can't remember the last time I rode in such miserable wind, and it kept changing, blowing the old mouse left, right and head-on (killing off 10 mph INSTANTLY)... I was actually having to cock the handlebars off-center, and lean just to stay straight! My arms and shoulders are as sore as if I had been pumping iron all day, instead of "pumping mouse"! I'm glad THAT phenomenon is not common... LOL!Please keep us posted on how the Avons handle! I'm betting they will AMAZE you! Ride safe,Leo Thank you Leo. The Honda shop did a bang up job on the exchange today. They even swapped over my Dyna-Beads for me.  The ride back on the highway was quite rough though, but, I think that may have been the roadway itself. I could see ripples in the pavement on the trip back. But, once off the highway, everything seemed to smooth out nicely. The Avon's do have a nice grip that makes cornering a breeze. I did call them back to inquire about the rough ride on the Interstate. He said that the Avon tires were more of a performance tire than the stock Kendas. I did notice on the tech's notes, that he had set the pressure to 36 and 38 psi. Thinking that was pretty high, I checked the sidewalls,... they state a max of 40 psi. c old. So.....that could also explain some of the rougher ride.  Either way, I'm quite pleased with them so far, and can't wait to get out and put some miles on the new "Meat". rockynv , you did get a really good deal on your tires and install. Honda did mention to me, when I got there, it might be extra if the exhaust had to be removed. I agreed with no problem. I wasn't going to be busting my knuckles over a few extra bucks. Anyway..they didn't charge anything extra to remove the exhaust, but, they got me for Honda Valve Stems at $15 each. So the total out the door with mount, balance and re-install was a Buck and a Half. I'm happy and that's what matters. What really made the trip nice was the new GIVI I received it Thursday and couldn't wait to get it on. After getting the stock windshield off, I was surprised to find speed-clips instead of the "dwell nuts" that JR had mentioned. JR , you are correct, this thing is apples-for-apples. Fits like a really tight glove. I was able to get 4 of the 6 bolts back in with no problem. But two of the speed clips wanted to play a different game than I did. So I changed the rules and made two small access holes, with a Dremel and a grinding bit, to help align the clips into place with a pick tool.  It was getting late and I had to finish, but, I wasn't about to take it back off.  If I need to, in the future, I may replace the speed clips with some "stubby" wall anchors. I had read in other posts that they were 3" taller, but this one had a different model # (D210ST A) when it arrived. I'm guessing it's a compromise between the taller and shorter versions. It measures in at about 4 1/2". The improvement of the Givi over stock is substantial. The ride is much more comfy and I can leave my visor up while riding. Though I'm looking through it, instead of over it, I am getting used to it. There's only one thing that gets my goose about this windshield...........The LOGO is centered, but, not LEVEL.  Not by much, but enough that, that's the first thing I see.   Oh well, I'll take care of that later. Until then I'll just sit back and relax as the wind just blows over the top. Loren |
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Post by JR on Feb 7, 2016 7:10:11 GMT -5
yelloscoot drop the psi to 32 and they'll feel a lot better. Do you have 13" tires on front and back? If so then you may want to do like I did on the next set and go one size bigger. I even on the back went a notch wider and it's smoother and looks neat!   JR
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Post by rockynv on Feb 7, 2016 11:10:28 GMT -5
Go by the tire pressures on the bikes tire placard and not by the MAX on the sidewalls which is for the heaviest bike the tires will support with the bike loaded to its maximum capacity.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 7, 2016 19:48:31 GMT -5
Sounds like you're getting Yin Yang dialed in!I knew you'd like that GIVI windshield!  I think you'll like the Avon tires too, once you get used to them and find the pressure you prefer. JR is right about the tires. A few pounds more or less can make a big difference in performance. My dealer usually puts the tires at 26 pounds, but I find THAT too soft. I usually run mine about 34 pounds, and when they get below 32, I air 'em up some... Minnie Mouse seems to perform her best with the tires a tad "hard". But it's all a matter of personal preference. Anywhere between 28 and 36 will work, but somewhere in there is the "sweet-spot" for your individual scoot. My guess is about 32 pounds. I snuck the Mouse out yesterday and today... Couldn't resist this warm weather! Errands to run, give the car a rest... LOL! Besides, I freshened-up the paint on my rear whitewall with some house-paint, and it looks like it MAY be the best stuff yet, so I'm putting on as many miles at speed, and on bumpy roads as possible, just to test the stuff... So far, so good!I started a thread on the paint update. I've had such a miserable time with that whitewall, and it looks like just MAYBE I accidentally hit on something that may work! Only time and miles will tell...Lots of differing opinions on looking THROUGH, or OVER the windshield... After 2 full seasons, I'm sold on looking THROUGH my GIVI, after 50 years of looking OVER the old-school windshields... but that's just me.
Ride safe, and enjoy that swell new 250!Leo in Texas
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Post by yelloscoot on Feb 7, 2016 21:21:50 GMT -5
Thanks JR . Yes, by bumping down the pressure, that REALLY helped on a short ride around the side streets. I went with the 32/32 to start, then later saw rockynv 's post. I went ahead and bumped the front down for a 29/32 combo per the placard. Then it was off to the test track. A quick buzz down I-30 for a couple miles, reaching the staggering downhill indicated speed of 90mph (yeah, whatever  ). It was like riding on new tires now. oldchopperguy , Leo, you may have something there with the "Sweet Spot"and getting things dialed in. The Givi has some squeak to it because it's riding against the front panel (which I will trim some), but with the lower psi in the Avons, the squeak has almost disappeared until a bump gets in the way. During the quick run down the interstate, the Givi worked great at the break-neck speeds. I had my visor up all the way and the air was flowing the way anyone would hope for. The Givi logo on the windshield is gone for good now. The bike was sitting in the sun and the emblem was warming up. I couldn't take it anymore... off it came... nice and clean. It may have only been 1/16" off level, but, it was driving me CrAzY.
For the occasional rainy day (in Texas), with a windshield, I'd like to have a rain repellent. Came across Cee Baileys the other day with their line of cleaning products.  Anyone try this or what do you use? Thanks Ya'll Loren |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 8, 2016 1:00:29 GMT -5
Yelloscoot,
NOW, you're starting to have FUN! Yeah, with enough down-hill and a good tailwind these little wheezers WILL near the century-mark... It will surely let you know how well your wheels are balanced! It's fun once in a while to run with the fast-lane traffic!
I've never used any of the rain-dispersing products, but they sound like a good idea.
It's funny you mention the squeak in the windshield. Mine does that sometimes. The original owner put small Velcro tabs between the mounting points, which tells me it must have squeaked a LOT when new... Mine is made of "genuine" brand-name Plexi-Glass (probably yours also) and I recall from past experience that it DOES tend to squeak like saddle-leather. Good stuff though!
These scooters ARE a lot of fun. Just up-sizing 100 cc from a 150 to a 250 puts you in a whole new world of performance. These are just plain GOOD transportation!
Ride safe, and ENJOY THAT RIDE!
Leo
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Post by JR on Feb 8, 2016 14:54:31 GMT -5
rockynv yelloscoot oldchopperguy Again Ace hardware, thin flat rubber washers:  Put one on each side of the windshield screws and screw it down tight, squeak over.  JR
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Post by oldchopperguy on Feb 9, 2016 11:32:25 GMT -5
rockynv yelloscoot oldchopperguy Again Ace hardware, thin flat rubber washers: Put one on each side of the windshield screws and screw it down tight, squeak over. [img style="max-width:100%;" src=" JR JR, Thanks for the tip! Those rubber washers ARE mighty handy for all sorts of "Red Green" fixes... I don't have any idea WHY the "hook" portion of Velcro for his fix, but it worked "OK"... When I finally get to removing the windshield and nose-plastics I'll replace the Velcro with rubber washers... A lot more professional! I have a number of simple things I want to do which require removal of the front plastic and simply need to find time. Too much time spent with doctors for the missus, and trying to earn a little to augment the Social Security. If I can find some time this season, I want to pull the front trim and make good solid mounts for the LED road-lights I got last year. They are tiny, but throw some SERIOUS light more than 100 yards down the road! I already tried them hooked up to a battery and hand-held and they are INCREDIBLE!
The last pic from the eBay listing does NOT exaggerate! That is EXACTLY how they actually perform!
Also, while at it, I want to install my infamous "illuminated swan" hood ornament... Yeah, oh, SO fifties-tacky, but SO in character for this old geezer... Those ornaments are hard to find in original condition. I had one on a 1950 Ford... Oh, the memories! No pix of the birdie. It's still in pieces as I convert it to LED.
Once the swan is "nested" on Minnie's rodent-nose, I may have to put some fringe and silver conchos on her saddlebags... and a row or two of multi-color reflectors. When I think "bagger" I revert to a time even BEFORE I was riding... Like around the time I was BORN... 1946.
A Hog with leather bags, lots of fringe, dozens of colored reflectors and lights and the obligatory "illuminated swan" OR "winged-nekkid lady" ornament on the front fender was almost as cool as those European scooter-gang Vespas with 20 headlights and mirrors... LOL! Naah... MUCH cooler!
I know, I'm old and lost in the past... Good place to be lost in though!
Ride safe, and squeak-free!
Leo in Texas |
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% of it WAS the tires. I have a distinct feeling also, that yours may be badly out of balance. Good balance is very critical above even 50 mph (ESPECIALLY with my smaller 12-inchers). Do try to get your installer to do a good balance-job on your new tires.
Not by much, but enough that, that's the first thing I see.