APH1967
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« on: September 20, 2015, 18:46:27 » |
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I have recently sold my X9 250 SL and now own a low mileage X10. It has come fitted with Michelin City tyres and my impression after 2 weeks is despite appearing virtually new they are AWFUL ! I have had a couple of front end scares already which after 20,000 miles on the X9 having never lost the front is quite worrying. I find the bike doesn't like to turn in and fights to stay upright. I was convinced the brakes were seized but they are not. What tyres would be the OE ? I fitted Diablo's to my X9 and had complete confidence whatever the conditions.
Anyone else have any opinion ?
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roadster
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« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2015, 07:30:07 » |
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What you describe is not typical for the X10 and I had no such problem on the O.E. tyres from new. I suggest you check your steering head bearings which can often be tight from the factory and can quickly become notchy. I am now running Michelin Power Pure on the rear which is better than the original so far.
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APH1967
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« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2015, 09:43:04 » |
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The head bearings don't appear too tight and aren't notchy YET !
I had that issue with the X9 and took a few attempts to get the new set tightened correctly.
I will drop into my local dealer later and get their opinion.
What are the OE tyres ?
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poldark
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« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2015, 13:09:02 » |
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The OE tyre is the Michelin City Grip and they're excellent tyres (unlike some others used for OE).
There are many people on here running City Grip on many different scooters, I have them on X9 250 & 500 & SH125, they have excellent all weather capability but are sensitive to under-inflation, check you have right pressures.
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frankiej1949
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« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2015, 14:08:50 » |
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Must admit I had a few front end scares on my X10. I ended up putting Power Pure SC's on.
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Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive in Pearl Racing White on a 14 plate
Piaggio X10 500 Executive in Bianco Perla on a 13 plate
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Mike H
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« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2015, 21:54:10 » |
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Afraid I have to agree with poldark and roadster, also have city grip as OE and I also think yes they're not as good if soft. The OE fitment is city grip 'summer', there is alternatively 'winter' but finding someone that sells them seems difficult.
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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APH1967
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« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2015, 23:59:29 » |
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Tyre pressures are bang on and tested regularly. My X9 had leaky rims so became a two day habit. What sort of mileage would you expect to get from the Michelin Citys ?
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Mike H
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« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2015, 08:45:09 » |
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Don't know yet!
Is your tyre gauge accurate, I was surprised to find what I'd been relying on for years exaggerates by 3 - 4 psi. Even so bike still handled OK, only difference was a slight sort of squidgy feeling from the tyres.
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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poldark
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« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2015, 11:26:45 » |
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What psi are you running, Piaggio like most manufacturers quote a generic tyre psi recommendation irrespective of the actual tyre fitted. Appreciate they're now OEM for an X10 but I don't believe Piaggio change recommendations as they source different rubber.
I emailed Michelin UK when I fitted City Grips into my X9 500 and I therefore use 32/36 (f/r).
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APH1967
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« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2015, 11:28:12 » |
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Yes I have two of the old school type.
:-)
33 and 35.
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spannerman
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« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2015, 18:18:42 » |
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Is the tyre fitted correctly, there are arrows on it, and it's on correctly if it looks wrong, if you know what I mean. Wheel bearings?
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Dave Weller, Chatham VespaGTS250, Royal Enfield 350 HNTR. NC750X
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APH1967
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« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2015, 18:56:08 » |
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I reckon it's probably the head too tight. I have it booked in for replacement shocks and have asked them to check the tightness. Good to know the original piaggio dealer in Southend not only used the wrong oil on 2 services but also failed to pick up on the shock recall. Not surprised to learn they are losing their dealer status !
I will replace the Michelins with Diablos soon.
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APH1967
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« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2015, 14:47:35 » |
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Having had a bit of time to reflect and look again I think these tyres could actually be the originals ? The tyres appear quite new but if you examine closely they have the aged appearance within the tread. I presume bike has been run gently long distance possibly as edges are like new. This would explain the difficulty leaning over the hump ? What sort of mileage does one get from the summer city grips ? I am just looking to order some new tyres and see what the result is .....
Yes I did check rotation was correct. Tread pattern wasn't obviously wrong but I checked anyway as rightly this could be an issue.
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poldark
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« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2015, 15:20:18 » |
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Longevity is reportedly very good with City Grips, varies depending on many factors especially with a heavier scoot, but it seems that 8k+ miles is quite doable. http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic67945 |
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APH1967
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« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2015, 15:33:21 » |
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This seems plausible as bike now on 6k and loads of tread. I seem to remember this problem years ago on my CBR1000 where to go lean over you had to exceed the hump. That may have been Michelin then too as I changed to Bridgestone and not experienced anything similar until now. I do tend to ride in all parts of the tyre on my commute as very mixed roads from b to a dual carriageway.
So do I go for the soft Diablos or ????
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poldark
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« Reply #15 on: September 26, 2015, 19:13:57 » |
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I've found the opposite, the OEM Bridgestone for Burger 650 have flat profile that's stable but slow turning. I moved to Michelin Pilot Sport SC and found them much more nimble.
The City Grip aren't a sporty tyre especially, the Pilot Pure may be a better fit for you, I certainly wouldn't write off Michelin.
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Mike H
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« Reply #16 on: September 26, 2015, 21:44:48 » |
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If they're going a bit 'square' that might be it.
I've worked it out recently that if I'm having some bother getting around a bend it's most likely because I'm simply going too fast. Just recently I was running out of road on a modest sized roundabout, guessed what the reason might be so risked a quick glance at the speedo and yes it was >20 mph. Well no wonder! I still have to watch it with the X10 40 feels like 30 and 30 feels like walking pace, especially after a motorway blast.
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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APH1967
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« Reply #17 on: September 27, 2015, 05:51:24 » |
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The performance for a 330cc engine is surprising and I do use it fully even with the strange tyre situation. I have a long weekend coming up so will fit new rubber and give the bike a winter service. Grease everything up and drop the oil. New recall shocks coming the week after.
I am still dithering on the actual choice of tyre. I'm impressed the city grips have lasted but they must be pretty hard to do so ? I don't mind paying out for tyres if I get peace of mind .....
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Mike H
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« Reply #18 on: September 27, 2015, 16:46:20 » |
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How many miles do you think the tyres have done?
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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APH1967
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« Reply #19 on: September 27, 2015, 19:23:27 » |
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As above the bike is on 6k now.
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APH1967
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« Reply #20 on: September 27, 2015, 21:26:31 » |
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Diablos ordered.
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APH1967
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« Reply #21 on: October 11, 2015, 17:43:11 » |
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New Diablos fitted this weekend. Bike is transformed completely.
Having a chance to examine the Michelins closely I could feel just how hard they were and were very cracked within the tread. Still legal after 6k so I don't doubt they will do a lot of miles but at what cost in handling ?
I will add a review of the Diablos in a few weeks .....
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Mike H
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« Reply #22 on: October 11, 2015, 17:50:58 » |
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OK then so the Michelins are basically fcuk'd, despite having plenty of tread left.
Very interesting! I might expect 10+ yr old tyres to start showing signs of hardness and cracking but, assuming this X10 is one of the first ones in 2012, and the tyres are originals, that's only 3 years!
Unless they've been damaged like constantly exposed to sunlight or something like that.
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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Mike H
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« Reply #23 on: October 11, 2015, 17:52:15 » |
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Diablos ordered.
Where from? |
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Murphy's 4th law of motion states that any small object that is accidentally dropped will immediately hide itself under a larger object.
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APH1967
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« Reply #24 on: October 11, 2015, 18:34:52 » |
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Oponeo.co.uk
The Michelins were 2012 tyres. Date of production is in an oblong box on wall of tyre.
It was the front that had significant cracking within the tread that made it look much older. Now whether this is down to the bias of weight on the front end or just the way the previous owner rode it of course I have no idea. Both front and rear were as particularly hard but not anywhere near worn out.
I would definitely rather replace my tyres more often than ride with those tyres again.
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