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scooter tires
Tire Information World : your friendly
independent source of tire help
Scooter Tires are all That Separate You from the Road
 Want to know about scooter tires?
Picture a scooter in your mind and you are probably
thinking of a small-engine bike, with a small set of scooter tires and
a step-through design. If you have ever been to some of the areas of
Europe or Asia where scooters are everywhere, you will have a very
clear picture.
Scooters trace back to France in 1902. In the U.S.,
Cushman and Salsbury created two wheelers similar to scooters.
Cushman's rugged scooters were used by the United States military
during World War II
Modern scooters have a range of engine displacements
from under 50cc to over 799cc. Legal definitions of scooters vary; the
U.S. Department of Transportation defines scooters separately from
motorcycles to regulate compliance.
The Vespa
The Vespa quickly popularized motor scooters in Italy
after World War II. Using aircraft design and materials, it eliminated
the
belt drive by mounting the engine on the axle. Italy needed an
economical machine to transport the masses. The Vespa was born.
In the 1980s, newer versions of scooters become
popular in Japan and other areas of Asia. New trends towards dirt-bike
scooters are just beginning and may spark a completely new fad.
 The classic styling of the Vespa remains the most
popular and most copied scooter design. Almost all manufacturers now
carry both a retro model and a sport model to satisfy fashions among
enthusiasts, as well as people looking for an economical mode of
transportation. The selection of tires is equally impressive:
whitewalls, colored tires, tires for all conditions and surfaces.
Scooter Tire Tips for Owners.
Perform routine maintenance checks and learn to
recognize early warning signs of pending mechanical failure. Your
owner's manual will contain information about checking the tires for
proper inflation and watching for unusual or excessive wearing of
tread.
Check your tire pressure frequently. There is no
better piece of advice than this. If your tire pressure is too low your
tires will overheat -- especially at high speeds -- and greatly increase the
chance of tire failure.
The best time to check tire pressure is when the
tires are cold. Your tires can generate an enormous amount of heat --
especially at highway speeds. Remember, when you test the tire pressure
it will be higher after driving for a while. Inspecting you scooter’s tires for cracks, uneven tread,
gashes, blisters, bumps, dry rot, or other signs of damage or uneven
wear. It is easy to take your scooter for granted. However, all that is
between you and the road are two little scooter tires. Check the tires
every time you ride. This is not overkill considering how much you
trust those two little tires.
Protective Gear
Wear protective clothing and equipment. Your helmet is all that
protects you from a head injury and could save your life one day. It's
not just crash protection, but rocks, dust, and large insects flying in
your face can be a safety hazard, or even an unwelcome meal.
Wear a motorcycle jacket that is designed to protect you, get yourself
some gloves, sturdy footwear that covers your ankle and maybe even
riding pants or chaps. I have been a motorcycle enthusiast for years
and seen some terrible injuries, even from tumbles at supposedly safe
speeds.
Did you know we have a special
place to show-off your favorite wheels?
See the Hot Wheels Show Room
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Tire Information World's home page from scooter tires.
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