Nankang scooter tyres | PRODUCT TEST

It’s not often I get excited about scooter tyres, in fact, the last time I swapped brands was when the Dunlop ScootSmart arrived around a decade ago. Up until now I’ve used the Dunlops ever since on all of my road-going scooters.

In February this year, I was introduced to Nankang, a Taiwanese brand that has been making tyres since 1958 and are big in the world of modified cars and campers, as well as with ordinary enlightened motorists. Now they’re also available for us scooter riders (and bikers).

The thing that caught my eye to start with was that the new range of Nankang scooter tyres were available in most popular scooter sizes, they also had a selection of tread patterns and even had wider tyres for 10” and 12” rims. I must admit, I also liked the look of them as well. You can see the differences in widths/heights in the photo above, from left to right we have 100/90-10 in the different tread patterns, followed by 90/90-10 (seventh from the left) and a couple of 3.50-10s on the right. Remember that 100/90-10 is just the metric equivalent of our more familiar 3.50-10 tyres. It means they’re quite handy if you want to up your gearing slightly.

Looks aren’t always everything though so I arranged to get a few pairs to try out. For starters, I fitted them to my Vespa PX 251 and to my Lambretta Quattrini 210. I also got a pair of tyres sent to SLUK reader and regular GTS rider, Glynn Thompson.

Front and Rear specific

The Nankang tyres are front and rear-specific with a letter denoting which wheel it’s for, SF is Front, SR is Rear. The front tyres can also be used on both front and rear (just to confuse things). They’re also directional, as are most decent tyres.

I opted to try out the Nankang SF327 and SF328s for no other scientific reason than that I liked the look of the sporty tread pattern. I’m not a big fan of block pattern tyres so always opt for something sportier.

Wide fit?

I still prefer to use split rims on my scooters, so fitting was straightforward at home and the tyres went on easily enough. I fitted the 3.50×10” to the Vespa and used the 100/90-10 on the Lambretta. The metric 100/90-10 is slightly wider than a 3.50-10 (100mm wide x 90mm high), that’s good for putting extra contact rubber on the road but some brands of tyre can catch engine casings/clutch covers/inner mudguard and can also be more troublesome to change – especially on the rear wheel of a Lambretta S1/S2. Neither of my scooters had any clearance issues whilst fitting, or in use.

 

Speed/load rating

The Nankangs have an M speed rating which is 81mph, which is lower than the 94 mph ‘P’ rated Dunlops but still quick enough for most scooter applications and remember all tyres have a built-in safety margin so the speed rating is just a manufacturer’s guide. Their load rating is 62 which means each tyre can cope with 265kg (the Dunlops are a 51 which equals 195kg). A higher load rating is good for rally-going scooter riders who find themselves doing high mileage whilst loaded and/or twos up.

Every scooter rider needs decent tyres, not only do they lessen your chances of losing grip or control but they also help you to feel more relaxed whilst riding, especially in damp or wet weather. On my very first ride on the Vespa with these fitted, I was impressed with how they felt. You should always allow new tyres a few miles to get some heat into them and to wear off the releasing agent used to get them out of their moulds at the factory but I was soon confident enough to throw these around the bends.

On both my Lammy and Vespa they grip very well in the dry. The tyres have a sporty tread pattern and drop into the turns nicely. They also warm up quickly and feel planted at all times. In the wet they’re very stable and predictable, allowing a much greater margin of safety. Even when I try to get them to break traction they stick to the road. That wet weather performance is built into their design with a gradual groove extending from the centre of the tyre and a groove extending to the shoulder to increase drainage.

I’ve ridden in both wet and dry on both scooters and so far can’t fault them. They’re not showing signs of wear yet after around 900 miles on the PX and 1000 on the Lambretta. You can’t fault them for value for money either, they’re £30 a piece. Bargain.

We asked SLUK reader Glyn to try a pair out on his GTS 300, this is his only scooter so it gets used all the time in all weathers both for work and pleasure.

Vespa GTS 300

I have had these Nankang tyres to try for SLUK and can honestly say I can’t fault them. I’ve covered 2900 miles on them in all weathers and they grip really well and they don’t seem to be wearing at all.

They’re definitely better than my last Michelin CityGrip that delaminated after 1300 miles on my way back from the Modrepheniacs rally

My only niggle is I had to put more pressure into my rear tyre because it kept triggering my traction control, which I think is down to the softer compound. Before fitting these tyres looked much wider than standard and in use the scooter isn’t hitting the rev limiter like it does on standard tyres. In effect, the rear Nankang is doing the same job as a 140-section rear which GTS riders often fit to increase the gearing slightly and to stop it hitting the limiter.

Would I buy some more of these tyres? Definitely, well worth the money.