What to do with a Zuma 125?

[YamaGeek]

Originally Posted by Reconstructed

At least that is my opinion as of 09/02/2010 at approximately 8:00 pm, when I had an unscheduled meeting with the asphalt.

Ninety degree left hander at the bottom of a fairly steep hill. I had slowed down to approximately 30, maybe less.

Lean it in, back tire steps out. I fight it, almost able to recover, then it starts to tankslap (can it really be called a tankslapper on a scooter?)

Down I go.

I know this drill.

Roll with it for all you are worth, minimize the road rash.

I actually walked away relatively unscathed. Long, but shallow abrasions on the left calf to mid thigh. Couple small cuts on the knee. Small scratch on the right forearm. Nice Goose Egg on the Left wrist.

The scoot suffered an amputation of the left hand guard, and other minor scuffs to the front fairing, and belt cover thingy. Picked up a little gravel.

I said all that to say that I agree with you. The stock tires are funny until you push them, then seem to grip well until the center stand levers them off the road.

I will be replacing them with either the Michelin Boppers, or the Pilot Sport SC (I think that is the right name for them...)



I also think that the main reason I went down was because there was oil or something on the road. I was not leaned over anywhere near far enough for hard parts to touch down.

Funny. 16,000 miles of pushing my luck on an SV650S, all is well. 610 miles on a Zuma, and it goes down when I'm cruising....

I had a small get off on one of the dealership Buddy's I was test riding that had come with the nostalgic whitewalls. They have no real side tread being almost the same as a 50's vintage bias ply car tire in tread and shape.

It was on a nearly 150 degree u-turn corner that trucks and cars coming from the local car wash took, the pickup trucks would leave a trail full of soap and waxy water, on the slight up hill of the curve, so I think the poor tire had some help with lack of traction. I was going about 22 mph and slowly decelerating when the tail end spun out and dumped me on my hinder at about 12 mph. I actually slid for a ways in the residue. It was like Scooters on Ice Follies.

[Reconstructed]

After a little debate with myself, I picked up the Pilot Sports. After about 150 miles or so, I'm really liking them. Much quicker turn-in. Much better feel to them. Much quieter. They feel like they stick much better.

Although I haven't pushed the tires yet, I feel these are far superior to the stock Kendas for road use.

I may try the Boppers for my next set of tires, but that is a long way off.

Oh yeah. Both front and rear tires purchased, and mounted for $99.00

Try doing that with some good rubber in a 17" size...

[Cortez]

Originally Posted by Reconstructed

After a little debate with myself, I picked up the Pilot Sports. After about 150 miles or so, I'm really liking them. Much quicker turn-in. Much better feel to them. Much quieter. They feel like they stick much better.

Although I haven't pushed the tires yet, I feel these are far superior to the stock Kendas for road use.

I may try the Boppers for my next set of tires, but that is a long way off.

Oh yeah. Both front and rear tires purchased, and mounted for $99.00

Try doing that with some good rubber in a 17" size...

The Pilot Sports are among the very few choices local stunting kids
will make in 12 and 13" sizes for their scooters, so I'm not surprised
you like them.


Should be one of the best sporty scooter tires.
I'm more inclined to get the Pilot City though for it's rain oriented
pattern/thread, but I'd love to get that thread with the Sports grip.

[Saltydog86]

New turn signals...

Had a small spill last spring that claimed a rear turn signal, finally got tired of looking at the taped signal of shame and decided to do something about it.
Ordered LED signals from here http://www.ezeran.com/Turn-Signals-LED_c4.htm along with load equalizers for both front and back. I did have to unhook the dash indicator to get the proper flash with them, this will be corrected later with a few diodes inline to the dash.
Anyhow, here are a few pics....

[Mikegigabyte]

Added some accessories that actually look good and do something

Bigger brake rotor, finned valve covers and breather cover








Got some new rear shocks coming in a few days too

[Cortez]

Nice!
Any noticeable difference in brake performance?

[wanna bECO]

OMG, thats freakin' cool!!

[AngryScot]

nice, what shock combo you going with on the rear.
Still dreaming the rear will get a bit softer, but I might have to sack up and get new ones the amount I ride this thing