Whitewall tyres - at SIP Scootershop
Similar to the classic tyres, the whitewall tyres also contribute to the retro look of the scooter. The flair of the 50s and 60s is palpable here. Whitewall tyres are not only available with the classic tread, but some also have a sportier or all-weather tread. Only a few manufacturers have mastered the art of ensuring that a whitewall tyre does not turn yellow in the sun. CONTINENTAL is the leader in whitewall tyres. But KENDA, MITAS, SHINKO and CST are also popular.
What size do I need for whitewall tyres?
The tyre size required for the vehicle is entered in the vehicle documents. There you will find information on tyre width, rim diameter and speed index. Of course, you can also read off the tyre mounted on the scooter from its sidewall.
Tyre fitting service:Some customers want to combine other tyres and rims beyond our complete wheels. We are happy to take on this work, provided the combinations fit together.
What does the lettering on the whitewall tyres mean?
Example: 3 .50-10 59J (by inch designation)
3.50 Tyre width in inches (1 inch = 25.4mm)
10 Rim diameter in inches
59 Load index
J Speed index
Example: 90'90-10 59J (according to current designation)
90 Tyre width in mm
90 Percentage ratio of tyre width to cross-section
10Rim diameter in inches
59 Load index
J Speed index
What do the additional indications on the sidewalls of whitewall tyres mean?
Dot number: The last 4 digits indicate the production date. So, for example, 4503 means 45KWin2003
TL: Tubeless indicates use without a tube. However, this type of tyre can be used with an inner tube without any problems.
TT: This specifically indicates the use of an inner tube!
R, rf, XL or extra load: Reinforced refers to tyres with reinforced carcasses and thus increased load capacity.
What does the load and speed index mean?
The load index (also load index, load index or LI value) indicates the maximum load a tyre may be subjected to. The speed index (also speed index, speed category, speed class, SI value or GSY) indicates the maximum permissible speed of a tyre. The load index and speed index can be found on the side of the tyre.
Speed index | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S |
V (km/h) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 130 | 140 | 150 | 160 | 170 | 180 |
Table part 1
Load index | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 |
Load per tyre (kg) | 136 | 140 | 145 | 150 | 155 | 160 | 165 | 170 | 175 | 180 |
Table Part 2
Load Index | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 |
Load per tyre (kg) | 185 | 190 | 195 | 200 | 206 | 112 | 218 | 224 | 230 |
Example: A tyre marked 120/70-12 51L has a load capacity of 195 kg at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. If the speed increases to 150 km/h, the load capacity of the tyre is reduced by 75 %, i.e. 146 kg.
If the speed increases to 150 km/h, the load capacity of the tyre is reduced to 75 %, in our case to 146 kg.
Which manufacturers of whitewall tyres are there?
Not many manufacturers have mastered the art of producing whitewall tyres. In the past, there were always manufacturers whose tyres turned yellowish over time or whose whitewall coating came off the rubber of the tyres. For a long time CONTINENTAL was the unrivalled player in this field. But other brands have also established themselves. This is especially good when there are again supply bottlenecks for the whitewall tyres of certain brands.
CONTINENTALThe traditional German manufacturer provides a price-performance ratio for scooter tyres of all models and sizes that is hard to beat. Its K62 whitewall tyres, formerly Zippy 3 , are among the most popular models. The high quality is also in great demand.
MITASThe Slovenian tyre manufacturer MITAS is one of the leading manufacturers of motorbike and scooter tyres in Europe and has been selling tyres worldwide with great success for almost 100 years. MITAS has the largest selection of white wall tyres.
KENDAKENDA was founded in 1962 as a bicycle tyre manufacturer. As a leading original equipment manufacturer for scooter manufacturers such as Peugeot and Kymco, KENDA tyres are produced under very high quality standards.
CSTCHENG SHIN TIRE is the company behind this acronym. The brand tyres offer innovative technology for high performance demands. The various CST tyres offer the right tyre for every application and terrain.
SHINKO: After its foundation in 1946, the Japanese SHINKO Company initially produced bicycle tyres and inner tubes. Through the merger of the SHINKO Company with the Korean SHIN HUNG Company, the company became unbeatable. SHINKO tyres became quality goods, made with Japanese technology and superior Korean craftsmanship.
Safety first: what tread depth should I not go below for whitewall tyres?
According to the law, the tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm, otherwise the tyre must be replaced. However, a tread depth of at least 1 mm is sufficient for bicycles with auxiliary motors, mopeds and light motorbikes. To make this easier to see, some tread grooves have small protrusions, the so-called TWIs = tread wear indicators. These indicate the remaining tread depth, which can vary depending on the manufacturer. A scooter rider who rides with less than 1.6 mm tread depth has fallen below the legal limit (StVZO §36: Tyres and treads, Article 2) and must expect a fine and points in the central traffic register.
If the tread depth is low, the tyre's grip decreases significantly in wet conditions. The tyres can no longer displace the water film. They lose contact with the road, and the vehicle can no longer be steered and braked. Therefore, do not wear tyres down to the legal minimum tread depth. Depending on the width of the tyres, replace them at the latest at 2 to 2.5 mm, winter tyres already at about 4 mm remaining tread depth.
For more information on tyres, visit our tyre technology blog.