Modern Vespa

Specifically, has anyone fitted a Pirelli Diablo 160/60R-14 radial tire for the rear yet?

Like to see some photos and hear how it's working out for you? Thanks!

Last edited by sushiman007 on Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:40 pm; edited 1 time in total

No one is so bold to try this yet? Not even the French? I guess they would be partial toward the Michelin, huh...

There's got to be someone out there.

I don't believe that you can. There is not enough clearance on the sides to accomodate a 160 from what i can tell. I think a 150 will barely fit but I haven't tried it yet. Maybe at the next tire change....

Matt C.

Wrong!

Michelin 160/70/14




Last edited by JM on Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:09 pm; edited 1 time in total

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Beautiful! That's a Michelin Pilot Sport SC 160/60H-14 radial tire, am I right? Have you noticed any change in your top-speed, or error in speedometer reading? How's the performance, in general?

Such tight fit! Very nice! Yet have you noticed any marks on the coil spring (of the rear suspension) and the widest part (both sides) of the tire? For example, see below (not a MP3 500, but you get the idea):

Looks like a tight fit. Any rubbing on the shocks?

Matt C.

Speedo readings are from the front wheels...

Oh, my, thanks for the reminder Jim! Do you think this set up will affect the top-speed in any way compared with stock?

Pirelli Diablo 160/60H-16 Specs from DennisKirk.com:

Inflated Width/Measuring Rim Width: 6.33 in./4.50 in. (*Distance betwn springs at top=6.75 in. as measured by me)
Inflated Diameter: 21.57 in.
Acceptable Rim Width: 4.25-5.00 in.
Deepest Tread Depth: 8/32 in.
Balance DOT: Yes-Two Red
Directional Arrow: Yes
Speed Rating: H-Rated up to 130 MPH

what would be the benefits over stock (mich gold standard)? what would be the drawbacks?

would this tire last longer than the gold standard on the back?

thanks

g

Great questions, and I am dying to find out, too! So I went ahead and ordered one from DennisKirk.com

More on the Diablo later. Rally season has begun in the South. First stop New Orleans!!!

cool, let us know

i wonder if there is any size or shape difference between the michelin that JM put on and the Pirelli Diablo 160/60H-14 radial tire that you ordered?

g

i'm assuming JM is using the Michelin Pilot Sport SC Radial Rear Tire (though it is listed as 160/60R-14)

Its proper listing is: "Pirelli 160/60R-14 M/C 65H Diablo Scooter". H-rated for speed up to 130-mph.

You're right, that was JM's typo. Michelin does not make a 160/70-14 tire; it should be 160/60R-14. Shapes may differ between the two tires; but the width should be 160-mm, which is about 6.33-inches. I will post pictures when I get the tire next week.

thanks

i might try the gold standard in 150 size with my next tire change...

g

Although I think a larger rear tyre looks really good, I wonder if going up from 140/70-14 to 160/60-14 will effect the gearing in any way, and also I would have concerns about the tyre flattening out at high speed and temperature and touching the shocks? Maybe this would not be an issue but worth considering?

JM, would you like to answer some of these issues? How many miles/kms have you put on the 160?

g, I don't have all the numbers from real measurements; but I suspect the 150/70-14 will most likely affect your gearing, or even top speed:

(Estimated height of the tire, not from measurement)

140mm x 70/100 = 98mm
150mm x 70/100 = 105mm*
160mm x 60/100 = 96mm

*It appears that the 150/70 tire maybe the tallest, or having the largest diameter when inflated.

Speak up somebody if you have real measurements or more precise estimates. Thanks!

mmm, so it might be better to find a 150/65 that i like....

off to the internets

g

Who makes a 150/65-14? Actually, the 150/70-14 may give you a slight edge on the top speed, imo.

160/60R-14 Diablo just arrived! Wanna see some picture?

yes please

though i probably will only go 150...the diablo and michelin radial come in 160, the diablo and gold standard come in 150

i wonder which has the longer mileage lifespan, the GS, the pilot radial or the Diablo?

i guess the 160 should last longest? but of the 150s, would the GS or diablo have the longest potential life?

g

photos???

would love to see how it looks

g

I would also be interested in how it looks.

Top end and power sill most likely be reduced with the 150/70-14. The taller gears will reduce power and with less power comes less top end.

Wayne B

Just a lowly 250 guy asking, but with a top end in the 100mph range how often will you notice it dropping a couple miles per hour.

I ran a couple 140 tires on my 250 then back to 130s. Could not tell a change in top end, but a barely perceptable acceleration impact. Of course with a flat ground top end around 75 mph I do hit it from time to time to know.

Here is the Diablo.







You like?

sushiman007

The Diablo is a good tire IMO. I have had several on my 250 and got 3200 mi or so out of them. I have only changed the tire on the 400 once and went with the Gold Standard thats what it came with. I want to try the wider tires on both scoots and see how that goes. Let us know what you thing of the wider tire on your 500.

R.B.

Bob, How does the Diablo mileage compare to other rear tires on your 250?

Will do, reno bob! BTW, how would you characterize your riding style, and the mileage, are they mostly city, highway, more info please?

wow, that is a pretty tire (is it strange to think a tire is pretty?)

i already ordered the gold standard in 150/70-14...but i just might get a diablo when i run through this new one (about a year)....

let us know how it rides and, later, how many miles it lasts...

thanks

and have fun

g

I had on a 150-70-14 Michelin gold for some time now and that ran great not one problem due to the fact when I was looking for tires last summer I could not find the 140 until I checked on eBay but now that I've seen the diablo I probably wouldn't go back to a 140,even though I already have a brand new 140-70-14 brand new spare, I'll have to make a decision soon cause my 150 is due to changed here soon and that diablo looks real sporty right now

Just ordered my tire from my local shop less that 100$ us but they want 85$ for the mount and balance what do u guys think about the price???

I ordered the diablo sport 160-60-14[/list]

Glad that you're in, g42873t. There's a lot to like about the Diablo. It looks tremendous and wears well in spite of its detractors (my theory is that they love it so much they abuse the sh*t out of it, probably did many burn-outs and melted it then call it a low-mileage tire). It's like the best performance scooter tire (I've ever owned since the Michelin Pilot Sport SC--aka "The Nail Magnet").

FYI, I got my Diablo from DennisKirk for $104.15 shipped free (AMT had the cheapest price but DK "beat it by $1"). A local Honda dealer will mount and balance it for $32; but I still have to remove it and unmount it first. See, I like to DIY!

Last edited by sushiman007 on Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:03 pm; edited 2 times in total

yah my dealer will remove and mount and balance for 85$ and also got me the tire at around 100$$

Worth every penny! Please post pictures and riding impressions after it's all done. I have a feeling you're going to be the FIRST in the World with the biga*s Diablo rear.

Good luck!

Typically around an hour labor to remove tire, mount, balance and reinstall. Shops around here are $70 per hour. Got one changed at Vespa St Augustine for $30 and I assume more competition there.

If you remove and reinstall the wheel yourself you will save most of the cost. There are several threads including pictures on removing and reinstalling the tire. Local motorcycle shop charges me $20 to mount and balance but wants $65 to do whole job.

Fuzzy

The most mileage I have gotten is with the Diablo about 3200 miles is all.

sushiman007

My riding style is not very aggressive I guess. I am positive that 70 mph on the freeway is harder on the Diablo than a trip to the market. On the Cannonball this last year I had a Michelin Pilot Sport(that's all they had) installed in Washington DC and rode all the way home about 3000 miles and that tire was done when I got home. That was all freeway at about 70 MPH. I think the 250 is just hard on tires as it is always pushing all that front end around and on the freeway even more so. It is just the nature of the beast.

I do all my own tire changes and take the tire and the rim to a dirt bike shop and they mount and balance it for me for $15.00. I just got a Motor Cycle Lift from Harbor Freight. I call it my island work bench. It will lift the scoot 30 inches off the ground. It really works very well. When it is lowered the jeep and the truck will go right over the top of it so storage is not a problem. I was even able to lift my utility trailer off the ground to work on it.

R.B.

Reno Bob, which lift did you get? Please let us know how you like using it.

The lift I got is the 1000 lb. Motorcycle Lift Model 91764. The lift is 86" long and 26" wide and when lowered it sits 7" off the ground. When it is raised the table height is about 30" off the floor . It comes with a tire vise but I don't use it because it would stick up to high to drive the cars over it. It has a nice ramp on one end that goes up and down with the platform. It weighs 377 lb and can be moved around easily on the steel casters that came with it.

Do I like it? He** yes. I not only use it for the scoots but it acts as an island work bench for other projects. I changed the belt and rollers the other day on the 400 and was able to sit in my old office chair to do it. This thing is so useful, it gives me another work surface.

R.B. I didn't mean to write a book here.

Reno Bob, is this the one you have? And the three-wheeler fits on it?