An explanation

Scooter Tyres

What do all the markings and specifications mean?

Brendon Watson

So you need a tyre? In order for you to chose an adequate replacement you will need to know a few things. We've done this as simple as possible. As for what actual brand & type of tyre to use that will depend on your needs & what you ride. Best advice we can provide with tyres is "You get what you pay for", forget the cheap stuff spend the little extra, after all your tyres are a key ingredient in connecting you to the road. It's your backside on the line

Tyre Size

Usually expressed as two or three numbers, using a very common 130/70-12 (56S TL) as an example. Lets break it down.

• 130 is the width of the tyre in millimetres
• 70   is the Ratio between the tyre section height and tyre width expressed as a percentage it's 70% of the width 
• 12   is the rim diameter size in inches
• 56   is the load rating of the tyre (224kg)
• S    is the speed rating (180km/h)
• TL   is the tyre type (tubeless)

Then you have the two numbered sizing such as 3.50-10

• 3.50 is the width expressed in inches
• 10 is the rim diameter size expressd in inches
• There is no ratio expressed

Load and Speed ratings

It's extremely important that you NEVER fit a tyre that does not meet the minimum load & speed ratings of your ride. Fitment of underrated tyres can pose a risk of injury to rider and other roads users plus you have the the legal/insurance ramifications of an unroadworthy vehicle.

Speed index

      Symbol         Max Speed (km/h)           Symbol         Max Speed (Km/h)

• F              80                                   R                 170
• G              90                                  S                 180
• J              100                                  T                 190
• K             110                                  U                 200
• L             120                                   H                 210
• M            130                                  V/VB            240
• N             140                                  (V) (VB)       Over 240
• P             150                                  W                270
• Q             160                                  (W)              Over 270

Load Rating Index (LI)

     LI            Kg                      LI      KG                    LI     KG

• 15       69                      41      145                   67      307
• 16       71                      42      150                   68      315
• 17       73                      43      155                   69      325
• 18       75                      44      160                   70      335
• 19       77.5                   45      165                   71      345
• 20       80                      46      170                   72      355
• 21       82.5                   47      175                   73      365
• 22       85                      48      180                   74      375
• 23       87.5                   49      185                   75      387
• 24       90                      50      190                   76      400
• 25       92.5                   51      195                   77      412
• 26       95                      52      200                   78      425
• 27       97.5                   53      206                   79      437
• 28       100                    54      212                   80      450
• 29       103                    55      218                   81      462
• 30       106                    56      224                   82      475
• 31       109                    57      230                   83      487
• 32       112                    58      236                   84      500
• 33       115                    59      243                   85      515
• 34       118                    60      250                   86      530
• 35       121                    61      257                   87      545
• 36       125                    62      265                   88      560
• 37       128                    63      272                   89      580
• 38       132                    64      280                   90      600
• 39       136                    65      290
• 40       140                    66      300

Tyre Tube Type

• TL equals a Tubeless tyre
• TT equals a Tubed tyre

published 23/06/2010