Tire size and measurements By rurc (Read 717 times)

[rurc]

OK I have a Kymco Xciting 500. I am getting new tires for it. I have been using the Michelin City 150/70-14 on the rear. I was thinking of getting Avon or Perelli this time.

I go the local moto shop and i see something that seems very strange to me. The Perelli tire with the exact same measurements as the Michelin is visibly much wider. Now before you say that's because it was not mounted, let me tell you that this was mounted and on scooters that were on the floor for sale.

It looks about 10 to 15% wider. The people at the shop did not have an answer for me on this so I bring it here to you guys. Am I seeing things or do they measure different?

Basically it seems to me that there is no 'standard of the industry' from the DOT on these measurements. I work in aerospace and we live by 'standards'.

Thank you for any help in understanding this.

[jct842]

There is one more item in the equation, the rim width....you would just about have to have a way to be sure the mounted pirelli is on the same size rim as yours. I always liked the sticky pirelli tires for scooters. Smaller and fatter tires need to lean further than a taller motorcycle tire and I do not want to loose it on a turn.

[rurc]

Yes that makes since. I did not check the rims but both bikes on the floor that had the tires on them were the same Piaggo bikes. Both 250 cc and the same model. Like I said even the guys that worked there could not explain it.

Thank you very much for that thought. I dont know if they were the same year so they have had different rims.

[rurc]

I am going to buy the Perelli tire. But before I remove the Michelin I am going to measure the clearance on both sides and see if there is a difference with the Perelli installed. I will know for sure then.