Crap tires - Kenda K413

Last fall, at the end of scooter season, (in my neck of the woods) I had a nail puncture in my rear tire. (OEM, with 3000 miles) Figured if repaired, I might get a couple of thousand more miles out of it...didn't want to have to change tire again in a year...

So...I ordered new tire, the brand that starts with 'K', ends with 'A'....installed it last winter.....It now has 2100 miles on it, and is about shot, worn to wear bars in center of tread. No scuffing, or uneven wear side to side, and has always rolled smoothly (no vibes or bounce). Pressure has been maintained at scooter's data plate spec.....I don't do WOT starts, or WOT anything for that matter (see this season's fuel mileage below), I don't favor the rear brake.

By the way, my original front, Chinese, tire, at 5100 miles, is wearing very evenly and well, lots of miles left

So, I'm looking for another rear tire......and sure of one thing....it won't be made by K***a. Too soft of a compound for my style of driving.

[kz1000st]

Thanks for that. I just ordered a Vee Rubber tire for the Fashion based on stories I've heard. The tire on there now is a Very expensive tire made by Bridgestone. I heard reviews claiming anywhere from seven to ten thousand miles so I paid the toll. I'll be lucky to get six thousand. Not worth the money to me. A cheaper tire that might roll a thousand less feels easier on the wallet.

[wheelbender6]

Good report. I've heard that the Michelin S provides long wear for the money. I may try them.

[rks]

I'm kinda leaning towards a Pirelli, or maybe a Michelin. I have Pirelli's on my bigger bikes, that I'm satisfied with. Whatever I buy, will be something that doesn't have tread grooves crossing the entire width of tire from sidewall to sidewall.

Choices are limited, for my scoot doesn't have room for a tire larger than 120mm.
Forgot to mention in first post...my scoot has 12" wheels

As for the 'K' tire mentioned before, if it only lasts a bit over 2000 miles on a 150cc....I wouldn't suggest anyone with a 250cc scooter try one...at least not the K413 model.

[kz1000st]

I've been doing some research since I saw this. The K413 for my bike has a load rating of 56 which is totally at the lower end of the spectrum.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/d...ad-Ratings.pdf

I just sprung for a lot, by my standards, for the Vee Rubber which has a load rating of 66 and is built in Thailand. The Shinko SR-425 has the same load rating and cost enough less to make me consider it for my next tire.

As an aside, back in 2010 I bought a Cheng Shin for my 150cc for like $16, but $23 shipped. I have 5,500 on it and it should be replaced soon. Too bad they don't sell here anymore, it would be on my scooter again.

[rks]

I too have been studying the load ratings of different brands. The problem I've run into is, nobody seems to make a 120/70 12 that is designated as a rear tire, they are either front or front/rear (which is probably the same design, construction, and compound as one sold as a front tire). Wish I could use a 130/70 12...lots of 'rear' tires in that size (with much higher load ratings), but I have just barely enough room between shocks for a 120.

So yesterday I ordered a "City Grip", it is sold as a front tire (in my size).... 5% off plus free shipping.....$47 and change.....We will see how it goes. If I can squeeze 3000 to 3500 miles out of it, the cost per mile, will be the same as my previous bargain tire.

[Admin]

Why aren't you mentioning the name of the tire?

[rks]

Sorry...Thought I did.....Kenda K413

[rks]

Update: The Michelin City Grip replacement now has 4,971 miles on it, tread is getting thin, but I thought I might make it to the end of this season with it.

So yesterday, during my pre ride walk around, I thought the rear tire felt a bit under inflated....a closer look and I noticed one shiney little thing close to the center line of the tread......turned out to be a 1.25" nail, fully embedded in my tire. Because I have a tire repair kit in the scooter's trunk, and the scooter was in the shop, 5' away from the air compressor, 10 minutes after finding the nail, the tire was plugged, inflated, and I was off on my morning ride. Will probably be replacing this tire before I had planned on doing so. I have a new one on hand....same brand and model, but it is a 110/90-12 instead of 120/70-12. The load rating of the 110 is 64, compared to 51 for the 120, making it a better choice, plus it is 3.625" further around, or 1.15" taller, which will result in slightly higher gearing.

What I'm getting at is....The Michelin turns out to be a less expensive tire in the long run, than the bargain brand. Kenda......$32.99......2,329 miles
Michelin....$47.49......4,971 miles, and still going, but plugged.

The plugged tire has been replaced with 5,040 miles on it....hard for me to enjoy the ride when thinking about a plug.....especially when I had the new tire on hand.

[Irish]

The previous owner of my ride put B.F. Goodrichs (sp?) on the back of mine. Altho I'd like something wider (No room , Plus I have custom wheels!) Irish

[TaoTao2018]

I have Kenda tires on my scoot, been on since 5 miles, it now has 6,300 on the odometer and plenty of tread left.