I cannot find the thread with mention of different tyres that riders have tried out on the VX-1.
My second rear tyre is dead and I ordered a Michelin Pilot Sport in the same dimensions, but it turned out that is only allows inflation to 33PSI, so I guess that is not an option.
It will take several weeks wait for a new Pirelly to be ordered in, end of December....
What other tyre can go on there and works well?
And if anyone could remember/find the other threads about tyre options, please let me know!
Someone here mentioned Michelin Goldstandard.
I posted my tyre details on page 2 about half way down...
http://visforvoltage.org/forum/5801-rear-puncture?page=1
I have Michelin Pilot SportSC. I am very satisfied.
Thanks, found it now!
So how do you handle the 33PSI max inflation issue on the Pilot Sport Tyre?
How is it holding up so far?
"Michelin Gold Standard" is the tyre recommended by several others in the above mentioned thread.
Does anyone know what the maximum inflation for the Michelin Gold Standard Tyre is?
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Well the tyre has "max load....kg at 41PSI" so assume it is Ok.
I have changed to the Gold Standard after losing confidence in the Pirellis in the wet ( too many slides). And the infamous hands off bars speed wobble at 40k's is now cured, well at least 95% of it, god knows how, but there it is.
I've been using M gold standard for 5000 km.
Impressive handling in twisted roads, far better than the pirelly's. Little less range due to inertia and air friction, but really worth loosing it, they're very safe in rain.
After 5000 km their condition look excellent, I belive they will last 15.000 km more (sure more than the battery... sht...)
It is designed for 33 psi, but I'm using 2,5 bar in front, 3 bar rear, wich helps to extend my range.
This text is from the M's website:
* Developed for large-displacement (125 to 500cc) ’ultra’ scooters
* Excellent balance of grip and durability
* Unequaled comfort
In light of the increasing popularity of very large-displacement scooters, featuring more power, greater comfort and also greater weight, Michelin has introduced the first scooter tyre directly evolved from a motorcycle tyre. Its distinct front and rear tread patterns perform in concert, maximizing power delivery and evacuating water effectively. Progressive wear patterns help the Gold Standard attain impressive durability.
Looks like I cannot get the Michelin Gold Standard Tyre here; one dealer said they are no being imported to Australia any longer.
He also said he'll have Pirelly there by tomorrow, so I'll have one of the stock ones, again.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
What a shame they don't want to sell you gold standard!
As our civilitzation implodes due to lack of fossil fuel, global trade will quickly fall into the graveyard.
Every year it will be more and more difficlt to find replacements for anything. Australia is too far away from everywhere...
I use Gold Standard too. Front at 32psi rear at 42psi. Absolutely no problems, fantastic roadholding in wet and dry. I won't be buying any other tyre for the V in future!
Brian
I might put a Michelin Gold Standard on the shopping list for the next overseas trip then!
For now I've got a new Pirelli and it might outlast the battery, anyway!
The scooter shop people fitting the tire said that 7000km is OK mileage for the Vectrix with one tire.
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
You should get 7-8000k on the rear, about 11-12000k on the front. It depends on your riding style, naturally... I'm fairly enthusiastic on mine. I've not tried riding mine on just one tyre yet! ;-)
Brian
This thread has been added to the Vectrix Collaborative Handbook, please stay on topic!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Here are pictures of a worn Pirelly stock tire and a new one.
My first impression after a test ride is that the worsening gearbox noise during right (and to a lesser extent left) turns was due to the worn tire!
And the wobble / handlebar vibrations (only noticeable with rear wheel elevated "on the rock") were due to the balancing weights on the rim! After the first rear tire replacement I left the original weights in place and added a little bit more, after much testing, 90deg from the already present weight.
This time, the wobble was the same again, and then I removed the weights one by one....each time the vibrations got better, almost perfect without any weights! I ended up attaching 10g opposite of the original weight spot, now the wheel-synchronous vibrations are totally gone.
But now the wheel runs so smoothly that I can feel the (higher frequency) motor vibrations at a few key resonance frequencies. It is a much higher frequency vibration than the wheel itself.
I think the worsening grinding vibrations during mainly right turns were due to the flattened tire profile. Leaning the VX-1 into a turn with a worn tire puts it onto the edge of a rather flat middle section of the tire, which causes perpendicular forces on the bearing or something else in the gearbox/motor.
Check out these photos, you'll see what I mean:
.
.
This tire was worn to the legal limit, here is a close-up of the TWI (Tire Wear Indicators):
I have only tested this during a 10km evening ride (I gave up when I ran over a wallaby!), the gear box was not fully heated yet, and my usual commute might hold an unwelcome surprise. But so far it seems like the grinding during turns is completely gone since the new tire.
My recommendation: Change tires earlier rather than later.
(And maybe lean into curves much more, much faster, so the tire wears more evenly??? Hehehehe.....)
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
Mik,
mine looked similar and as with your experience, after proper balancing, the bike actually runs a lot smoother. Certainly worth tinkering with the weights.
My rear pirelly lasted 15.000 km. The front one was ok, but it was 2 years old and I decided to replace all both for safety reasons. I suspect also that durability highly depends on the kind of road asphalt: Some countries may use higher abrassive asphalt.
I replaced mine at 4500miles and it looked worse than Mik's. US-Southern region, pretty rough asphalt. At least roads are paved...
I just ordered a set of the Michelin Gold Standards. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an reasonably priced online retailer that stocked the same speed rating, so I'm mixing a Front 120/70S-14 with a Rear 140/60P-13. Since both are rated to at least 150 kph (94 mph), I'm hoping this won't be a big deal.
I'm about to order a new set of tires. These is new model from Michelin:
City Grip Front 120/70 -14 TL 55P
City Grip 140/60 -13 TL 63P
I think this is a good set. Any opinions?
They are a decent looking tyre Andy. I like the tread design as it looks like it would be superior to the Pirelli's on wet roads and grooves closer together should help with the cupping and subsequent vibrations found on the Pirelli's. Cupping happens on all tyres and is caused by braking (even regen) forces to slow the bike down. With the grooves closer together the cup will be smaller. Effects of cupping are noticed while cornering and can sound like wheel bearing noise.
I'd go with them but do be careful for the first 100 miles to scuff the mould release agent from the tyre surface as it can be deadly on a wet road. And keep those tyre pressures correct!!
Cheers!
Doug Townley
info.DTES [at] gmail.com
(Formerly Vectrix Europe Technical Supervisor)
One door closes, another door opens
Thank you for your expert opinion! I really appreciate it :-)
Which, in your opinion, is better fit and more range for the Vectrix (I try to avoid driving in rain):
City Grip
or
Pilot Sport SC
Thank your for your reply!
Hi andy,
Only you know your riding style and the majority of conditions you would be riding in. If you reference both tyres they each have some unique features. You need to decide which you will be most comfortable with. I'm not a big fan of wet weather riding but it does happen and I am not comfortable tippy toeing around on tyres which give great wear at the sacrifice of that extra grip. I have nearly come off on damp roads and roundabouts and then there is always the dreaded oil film at junctions and roundabouts which can be like black ice when damp.
Personally, I would take the City tyre for my riding needs!
I know I have been a little vague in my answer but my opinion is only meant to serve as a guide for you.
Cheers!
Doug Townley
info.DTES [at] gmail.com
(Formerly Vectrix Europe Technical Supervisor)
One door closes, another door opens
Thank you!
I think the City Grip tires is my choice as well.
P.S.: I'm not English speaking person, but, I'm confused - tire or tyre? Firefox underlines red the tyre but not wortd tire. Is that the same as aluminium (English) and aluminum(American)?
Yes Andy, tyre is from England and tire is North American. English can be such a confusing language!!! I'm a Canadian who lives in the UK so I need to be bilingual. LOL
Take care my friend and let me know how you like those tyres/tires!
Doug Townley
info.DTES [at] gmail.com
(Formerly Vectrix Europe Technical Supervisor)
One door closes, another door opens
Thank you! I will report when I get my tires replaced aprox. at the end of June, when I trail my V to my dealer to Italy for a yearly checkup.
P.S.: Is it a lot of work to replace the 125A fuse with 200A? I'd like to have it replaced so I wouldn't get stranded on the road. My nearest dealer is 450km away. Just to be safe, I never drive above 70km/h and accelerate to hard.
Andy,
I studied this forum to see how to access the fuse, and I think its still a 2-3 hour job.
Part of the battery must be removed (and so you need an ICL).
But I think it's worth the trouble, I blew mine exactly on the 4000km mark..
"doing nothin = doing nothing wrong" is invalid when the subject is environment
Just ask them if they have a WORKING ICL and also know how to use it!
This information may be used entirely at your own risk.
There is always a way if there is no other way!
I guess they do since they replaced my battery a year ago.
if you dont have an ICL,
you could use 0.12mm wire x ~10M of it.
that gives around 2 ohms which is plenty to keep the current down.
replacing my fuse took me 5 hours, alot of it scratching my head with some cursing.
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
If anyone is still interested in alternative tyres, I've had both my tyres replaced. Unfortunately, the place where I bought my Vectrix from doesn't do maintenance, and I have no access to any authorised Vectrix maintainers (apart from getting someone over from Melbourne - long trip). So, I got my local bike guy to replace each of the tyres. He didn't have exactly the same size, so we went for tyres that he said would be about 1mm smaller in overall diameter. That didn't sound like much of a difference, although I realise it will have some long term effect on effeciency/power...
Anyway, I now have on the front:
Dunlop Sportmax GPR-100F 120/70R14
and on the rear:
Bridgestone Hoop B02R 130/70-13M/C
I couldn't see anything on the tyres about what their max pressure rating is, so I did a quick Google and found that the Bridgestone is rated to 32psi (and that it is suitable for the Suzuki Bergman :) but couldn't find definitive numbers for the Dunlop...
I've been pretty happy with these tyres so far.
MAtt.
Does anybody have any experience with winter tyres on the Vectrix?
I ride all year round and last winter it was really slippery over here.
I found these that should fit:
Tyre Price
HEIDENAU K66 SNOWTEX
Scooterbanden - 120/70 -14 TL 55 S 65,50 €
HEIDENAU K62 SNOWTEX RF
Scooterbanden - 140/60 -13 63 P 62,37 €
Total incl. TAX: 127,87 €
Any thoughts, tips?
Thanks
Once you go EV, Gas is history!
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