Modern Buddy

So this has been bugging me for at least the past year or two since I noticed. I always felt a little vibration or bumpiness and thought it was just the scoot. Well I finally noticed when revved up on the center stand that the rear tire at least looks a bit lumpy and out of round. Has anyone else noticed this? I am wondering if a certain amount is common or If I just got lucky with an egg shaped tire.

They only have 2,000 miles on them/6 years old and I'm thinking of yanking them for something else. Thanks!

Yes, it is likely time to replace them. It doesn't sound like s safe situation.
Though I'm about to put on my fourth rear tire, I wear them out, last year at 16000 miles I replaced the front, it had become so cupped and lumpy I could not ride above 30 bmph it was throwing me all over the place.

I consider about 5 years as the life of a scooter tire regardless of wear. So, at least by that standard, you are due for replacement tires in any case. There are, of course, brand new tires that are out of round or out of balance to such a degree that they should not be used. Add in the fact that there appear to be quality issues with many of the available whitewall tires which fit the International editions, and the potential for tire problems becomes even worse. My advice is to replace with a quality brand, be sure they can be balanced, and keep an eye on how they perform and wear.

I personally found the maxxis tires to be garbage. They came on my buddy, and I replaced them after 3k miles, felt a ton better. YMMV

skully93 wrote:I personally found the maxxis tires to be garbage. They came on my buddy, and I replaced them after 3k miles, felt a ton better. YMMV

I got about 3k on my maxxis rear tire and replaces with heidenaus. What a difference. The compound on the maxxis tires suck. It isn't sticky and it wears quickly.WTF?

As to the OP, replace ASAP.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Most seem to be echoing my thoughts exactly, they are old enough and the scoot feels much better with better quality tires. I'm thinking Michelin, Heidenau or Vee Rubber. Any thoughts on pluses or minuses considering costs and the fact that they will be replaced due to age way before wear?

Well, I'd just add one more to the list. I like Continental Zippys. Well made tire and available at a reasonable price. We run them on our 125.

Dooglas wrote:Well, I'd just add one more to the list. I like Continental Zippys. Well made tire and available at a reasonable price. We run them on our 125.

How many Buddy owners come through here wanting good whitewalls?

Heidenau could make a small fortune if they would do that.


There is only one good WW and that is the Conti Zippy.


That said, if I'm leaning at a CRAZY 50mph.....I want my Heidenau rubber....

Schwalbe Weatherman DSC. Comes in 3.50-10, load index of 59 (536 lbs) and a speed rating of P (94 mph). Should work on a Buddy.

Well I ordered the Vee Rubbers from scooterworks.

I searched through as many old threads as I could find and it seemed like no one had a bad thing to say about them. For my 5 mile commute to work I need to get on a two lane divided highway, cross a bridge, and climb a hill up to my exit. It will be wot the whole way up and back down to get home in the evenings. With that in mind the high speed rating of the Vee Rubbers made sense.

It was also a good excuse to buy that Cuppini windshield I've been wanting for years...and that gen-u-bin drink holder in matching italia green...and that magnetic oil drain plug...and I went a bit overboard after reaching the $100 free shipping limit. Oh well!

KrispyKreme wrote:There is only one good WW and that is the Conti Zippy.

I agree, though that is the K62 (Zippy 3). That one is a bit expensive. The bargain in a quality Buddy tire which I mentioned above is the Continental Zippy 1, which is only available as a black wall (though you could get out a can of whitewall paint )