Kymco Xciting 250i - Owner's Manual > Tires

Failure to follow these warnings may result in an accident due to tire failure. The tires on your scooter are a crucial link between your scooter and the road. You and your passenger's personal safety are dependant upon the condition of your scooter's tires.

Follow these instructions:

• Check tire condition and pressure, and adjust the inflation pressure before each ride.
• Avoid overloading your scooter.
• Replace a tire when worn to the specified limit, or if you find any damage such as cuts or cracks.
• Always use the proper size and type of tires as specified in this Owner's Manual.
• Balance the wheel after tire installation.
• Read this section of Owner's Manual carefully.

Failure to perform a reasonable break-in of the tires could cause tire slip and loss of control.

Use extra care when riding on new tires as the grip will be limited. Perform proper break-in of the tires, as stated in the break-in recommendation section of this manual.

Avoid hard acceleration, hard cornering, and hard braking for the first 100 miles (160 km).

NOTE: Check the tire inflation pressure and tire tread condition at the periods listed in the periodic maintenance schedule. For maximum safety and good tire life, the tire pressures should be inspected more often.

Tire pressure

Insufficient air pressure in the tires not only accelerates tire wear but it also affects the stability of your scooter. Underinflated tires make smooth cornering difficult and over-inflated tires decrease the amount of tire in contact with the ground which can lead to skids and loss of control. Make sure that the tire pressures on your scooter are within the specified limits at all times. Tire pressure should only be adjusted when the tires are cold.

Tire tread condition

The tire's condition and type affect vehicle performance. Cuts or cracks in the tires can lead to tire failure and can lead to you losing control of your scooter Worn tires are susceptible to puncture failures and the subsequent loss of control when the tire deflates. Tire wear also affects the tire profile, changing the scooter's handling characteristics.

Check the tire condition each day before you ride your scooter.

Replace the tires if they show visual evidence of damage, such as cracks or cuts, or if tread depth is less than 0.06 in (1.6 mm) in the front, 0.08 in (2.0 mm) in the rear.

NOTE: These wear limits will be reached before the wear bars molded into the tire make contact with the road.

Measure the depth of the tread, do not rely on a visual inspection only.

When you replace a tire on your scooter, be sure to replace it with a tire of the size listed below. If you use a different size tire, scooter handling may be adversely affected, possibly affecting your ability to control your scooter.

NOTE: Be sure to balance the wheel after repairing a puncture or replacing the tire. Proper wheel balance is important to avoid variable wheel-to-road contact, and to avoid uneven tire wear.

An improperly repaired, installed, or balanced tire can cause you to lose control of your scooter or shorten tire life.

• Ask your KYMCO dealer, or a qualified tire speciality shop, to perform tire repir, replacment, and balancing because proper tools and experience are required.
• Always install tires according to the rotation direction shown by arrows on the sidewall of each tire.

Failure to follow this manual's instructions about tubeless tires may result in an accident due to tire failure.

Tubeless tires require different service procedures than tube-type tires.

• Tubeless tires require a tight seal between the tire bead and wheel rim. Special tire irons and rim protectors, or a specialized tire mounting machine, must be used for removing and installing tires to prevent tire or rim damage which could result in an air leak.
• Repair puncture in tubeless tires by removing the tire and applying an internal patch. Repairs of this type should only be done by a qualified tire service professional.
• Never use an external repair plug to repair a puncture since the plug may work loose as a result of the cornering forces experienced in a scooter tire.
• After repairing a tire, do not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) for the first 24 hours, and then never exceed 80 MPH (130 km/h) thereafter. This is to avoid excessive heat build-up which could cause the repair to fail; resulting in tire deflation.
• Replace the tire if it is punctured in the sidewall area, or if a puncture in the tread area is larger than 3/16 in (6 mm). Punctures of this size cannot be repaired adequately.

Cleaning

Clean your scooter regularly to protect the surface finishes and inspect for damage, wear, and oil, coolant or brake fluid leakage.

Avoid cleaning products that are not specifically designed for scooter, motorcycle, or automobile surfaces. Non-specific cleaners may contain harsh detergents or chemical solvents that could damage the metal, paint, and plastic on your scooter.

NOTE: If your scooter is still warm from recent operation, give the engine and exhaust system time to cool off before washing. Avoid the use of high pressure water spray (typical in coin-operated car washes) as the powerful spray can damage components on your scooter.

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