Modern Vespa

If you really need to ask any of us if this tire is bad, I honestly question whether or not you should be buying a machine to mount your own tires.

If you want a non-destructive way to test out your tire, and to give you an idea of just how thin it is getting. Do this.
With the scoot on center stand, let all the air out of the tire in question. (you do have a powered pump??) The best way is to remove the valve stem.
Then with all the air out, press on the center of the tire.. See how much it gives.. Best to compair to a new tire. You will be shocked.

When I got my LX150 around June of 2008, I thought the tires had tubes, so figured I could push it. Well by the time I had gathered all the tools needed to change it myself, I had 4, 587 miles on it, and I could almost put my thumb through it. So an Angel was riding with me. So glad that tire did not blow out on me..

Does anyone have a good use for the old tires?? I was thinking of making a mold so I could fill with concrete to make wieghts out of them to be used to hold down Sun Umbrellas or some such, they could be stacked up when not in use. Though at 2 to 3 used tires a year, plus the occational front tire.. they could add up fast.

Bloody hell mate, riding with a rear tyre in that condition in rain, a blow out is the least of your worries. Get it changed ASAP if not sooner if you value your life

I've changed my own motorcycle tires for years with a modified Harbor Freight changer, lots of rim guards and RuGlyde. When I got my scooter I bought the HF Mini Tire Changer thinking it would be a lot of work like my larger motorcycle tires, but doable. Well, I found it impossible to lever on new very stiff Heidenau tires on my 12 inch wheels. I didn't want to tear up the rims so I was careful, but I did not even get that close to getting the 2nd bead over the lip. It's way harder to do the smaller tires, at least the Heidenaus were very tough. I ended up finding a shop to do it which was hard b/c I did not buy the tires there. Cost me $30 per tire, but I had no choice. I have a Marc Parnes balancer with the correct GTS cones for balancing.

i never had a problem with the Michelin Pilot 12" tires but the zippy's 10" are a bear! What I found is a Tire Iron for the last 3-4 inches works the best.

I had to replace my rear tire at 2100 miles. It still looked good but when I looked at the tread wear indicator, it was time to change. I bought the Michelin Pilot City's for $30 online and the dealer charged me $70 to put it on the scooter.

Got the new tire on Friday!! $98 for a the new Michilan City Pilot, installed, and I bought a quart of nice oil for Just $98! sweet deal, they had to take off the muffler and all to get the tire on. and he checked both my brakes for wear and suggested I bring it back for an oil change soon, I new I was due for a change as well so that was cool that he new it was time. Great service! I highly recommend Scooterville in Minneapolis MN!

rotate rotate rotate

spare to front-front to rear-rear in the trash, which is where your rear belongs

peace..I'm out...

You can't rotate tires on the LX, GT, GTS, LXV, S, Super or GTV since the front and rear tires are different. On the LX and S the front is 11 and the rear is 10. On the GT, GTS, Super and GTV the front is a 120 while the rear is a 130.

The rear axle nut is a 24mm Torque to 70 lb./ft. It's also a good practice to always replace the cotter pin with a new one every time.

They also don't carry spares. I think jimmyb865 must have been referring to a vintage.

On the other hand, I run 130's front and rear on the GTS, and since the wheels are identical, I could certainly rotate mine, but I'd rather just get a new one when it's due.

It's true. I can do 12's and usually even LX 11's on the machine, but the 10's just won't allow the thicker tip on the machine tool enough stretch when fitting the second bead. I generally have to fit the 2nd bead cowboy style with the tire irons on the 10 inchers.