Which German Tyre?

[GP Kevo]

It's accepted in the UK and the USA Lambretta clubs that German sport tyres Schwalbe Raceman and Heidenau K61 are the best available sport tires for a Lambretta. I'm still running Michellin S1's on my TS1 but I'm almost ready for a tyre change. Which tyre is best and why? What are the differences between the two? Which has strongest sidewalls? What about subjective observations, i.e. the S1 on the back of my GP 230 can slip without warning when accelerting out of a turn or roundabout especially on a hot day. Danke schön! :)

Bearbeitet 20. Juli 2010 von GP Kevo

[Martin.Moby]

The allrounder Heidenau K58

[amazombi]

I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find a modern tire as crappy as your old S1. It's shit in the rain, without being much good in the dry, and it used to last for just over 1000km on the back tire of my TS engine. It's only claim to fame probably was and is that it sort of replaced the even shitier Pirelli SC28.

[gonzo]

For me the Raceman has the advantage over the K61, because it is slightly better when wet.

But if my Raceman have done their job I will go for the Schwalbe Weatherman, I've got these on 2 other scooters and am pleasantly surprised how well they perform, even though they look pretty "off road".

-

[LambrettaSX]

The Continental Twist Race is the best tyre for road driving at the moment. As it was designed for race use it has a very soft compound but a relatively hard shoulder. Despite the Dunlop TT92 it does not need long time to heat up to make the tyre working. Due to its soft compound it is also very good in the wet despite its tiny grooves. For race use it was useless because it overheated too quickly, when the Dunlop TT92 was still working or getting even better. But the TT92 has no grip when cold which makes it terrible in the wet and not useful on the road unless you go fast on twisty roads all the time.

But nothing comes for free, the Twist Race is very expensive and gone after 1500km.

PS: The Heidenau K58 is really an "allrounder", shit when dry, shit when wet and shit in endurance.

Bearbeitet 20. Juli 2010 von LambrettaSX

[Stampede]

For me the Raceman has the advantage over the K61, because it is slightly better when wet.

But if my Raceman have done their job I will go for the Schwalbe Weatherman, I've got these on 2 other scooters and am pleasantly surprised how well they perform, even though they look pretty "off road".

-

Would recommend the Schwalbe Weatherman, too - but it don´t last very long, got mine about 1.500km on my TS1 engine and it´s nearly gone.

Does somebody know where the Weatherman is available in 3.50-10?

[LambrettaSX]

The weatherman is only available in 3.50-10 as a white wall tyre.

[Arne]

plus the K58 looks like what i just flushed down the bog.

[poppa]

@Marco: i was under the impression that the k58 is quite good in wet conditions (never had a better rain tyre) any recommendations for a good rain tyre...i am about to get new ones.

oppa p.

Bearbeitet 21. Juli 2010 von poppa

[floryam]

...I had very good experiences with Conti Navigator.

Very good in rain and marked as 'M', which means allowed for 130 km/h

[LambrettaSX]

@Marco: i was under the impression that the k58 is quite good in wet conditions (never had a better rain tyre) any recommendations for a good rain tyre...i am about to get new ones.

oppa p.

Maniac was using them in the last race 4 years ago, when all others went on TT92 and Twist Race. If he had won this race he would have been champion. It was raining so he put on the K58s. But he made a mistake he bought "K58" instead of "K58 RSC" which is the Rainrace version of the K58. The outcome was that Falco lapped him on the outside of the corner and became champion.

The best raintyre is the K58 RSC but after 3 laps in the dry it overheats and after 10 laps it looses parts.

[LambrettaSX]

...I had very good experiences with Conti Navigator.

Very good in rain and marked as 'M', which means allowed for 130 km/h

Thanks to Mrs. Schäffler two of the best tyres from Continental, Zippy and Navigator are not produced in 3.50 anymore.

[floryam]

uuups, thx for information.

so i will order some...

[Lacknase]

I prefer the Raceman. Good grip on almost all road conditions (wet pavement included, but no snow). The feeling is firm. No mushy wobbling in "lean angles". I guess, it's the rigidity of the carcass. It's got speed rating 59P and lasts reasonably long (though endurance highly depends on load and suspension).

It's all "road experience". The race track may reveal some weaknesses.