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UTC

Member
Vespa lxv 150
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Location: LeRoy NY
 
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Vespa lxv 150
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UTC quote
My XL150 came with Perelli 120/70-10 SL38 tires. I have 1209 miles on it and the rear tire is bald (at least I think it is), I am looking for recommendations for something that will last longer as well as the cheapest place to buy one. I drive only in the summer and in dry weather.
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UTC

Hooked
2009 MP3 400
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Posts: 472
Location: Loveland, Colorado
 
Hooked
2009 MP3 400
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Location: Loveland, Colorado
UTC quote
Michelin City Grip
@jkj-fz6 avatar
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Ossessionato
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
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Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
 
Ossessionato
@jkj-fz6 avatar
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
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UTC quote
Pirelli tires perhaps don't last as long as brands, but that one has too much wear for only 1200 miles. Do you check your tire pressure regularly?
@paladin avatar
UTC

Addicted
Vespa LX 150 "Zaporog"
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@paladin avatar
Vespa LX 150 "Zaporog"
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UTC quote
Current tire : http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/002972.html
New : 8054 miles ... German Heidenau K62 reinforced 130/70-10 62M TL.
Current: 14782 miles, 6,728 miles on the tire:
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
Got the same Heidenau for a replacement, made in Germany, from Germany -- http://www.dslretorts.com/Paladin/archives/002993.html
Got it from SIP -- http://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/main/base/home.aspx -- cheapest even with it flying from Germany to Los Angeles.
OP
UTC

Member
Vespa lxv 150
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Location: LeRoy NY
 
Member
Vespa lxv 150
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Location: LeRoy NY
UTC quote
JKJ-FZ6 wrote:
Pirelli tires perhaps don't last as long as brands, but that one has too much wear for only 1200 miles. Do you check your tire pressure regularly?
I'm embarrassed to say that I don't. I'm so used to newer cars notifying me if the pressure gets low I forget that everything isn't computerized. I will start checking them though.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Check at least once a week for a few weeks so you learn the rate of pressure loss each tyre has - and they will lose pressure far more rapidly than car tyres, and the correct pressure is far more important on a motorcycle than a car.

I now know that some of the bikes I look after need checks every week, but others can be trusted for longer. Even so, it doesn't take more than a few seconds to check the pressures, so please don't ignore it. You'll not only get better tyre wear - you might save your life with proper grip when in a dodgy situation.
@froggieposition avatar
UTC

Thunder Thief
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
 
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@froggieposition avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
UTC quote
I just replaced my front with a city grip today. I managed 10K on my stock front tire. It probably had some life in it, but why test its limits.

Did it all by myself I may add. 8)
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UTC

Member
Vespa lxv 150
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Location: LeRoy NY
 
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Vespa lxv 150
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UTC quote
froggieposition wrote:
I just replaced my front with a city grip today. I managed 10K on my stock front tire. It probably had some life in it, but why test its limits.

Did it all by myself I may add. 8)
I had a similar tire changer that In used for the wire wheels on my old MGA. I would never trust a garage to do the work.
@raputtak avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2016 GTS 300 Super - red, of course.
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Ossessionato
@raputtak avatar
2016 GTS 300 Super - red, of course.
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Location: Hertford, North Carolina
UTC quote
I vote for City Grips. I have 10,000 miles on the front and five on the rear.

I get a local dealer (actually a Honda motorcycle dealer) to supply and fit tires.

I would not trust myself to do it even if I had the correct tools.
@joachim avatar
UTC

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Vespa GTS 250 ie
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Location: Augsburg, Germany
 
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@joachim avatar
Vespa GTS 250 ie
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Location: Augsburg, Germany
UTC quote
Hi,
my recommendation is also Michelin City Grips: http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-City-Grip-Rear-Tire/dp/B009Q0G8BK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441806946&sr=8-1&keywords=michelin+city+grip+120+70+10

Not too expensive either.

For someone living in Germany I'd recommend Heidenaus, because shipping costs less within Germany. I use them here
@gingerman avatar
UTC

Hooked
GTS 300 Dragon Red
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Location: Austin, TX
 
Hooked
@gingerman avatar
GTS 300 Dragon Red
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Location: Austin, TX
UTC quote
Heidenau's are the best I've used. Long life *excellent* performance. I've been using them for years and just love them. You can get them for a good price from RevZilla.
@judy avatar
UTC

World Traveler
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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World Traveler
@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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UTC quote
Get almost 10,000 miles on my rear Heidenau K62. Front never wears out but i change it around 4-5yrs.
@froggieposition avatar
UTC

Thunder Thief
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
 
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@froggieposition avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
UTC quote
Raputtak wrote:
I vote for City Grips. I have 10,000 miles on the front and five on the rear.

I get a local dealer (actually a Honda motorcycle dealer) to supply and fit tires.

I would not trust myself to do it even if I had the correct tools.
It is actually really easy. I used to take it in to shops for all work before, but with the correct tools (boyfriends), it is pretty damn easy. I would assume without the tire mount lubricant it would be more difficult, but once the tire is seated into the rim properly via inflation with a compressor air tank, screw back in the valve stem, inflate, balance, and back on the bike. Just be sure to put it on with the correct rotation for front vs back. Hard to miss since the tire has the FRONT (arrow facing direction). I actually really enjoy doing my own work. Makes me want to be a scooter mechanic (if only it paid better)
@froggieposition avatar
UTC

Thunder Thief
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
 
Thunder Thief
@froggieposition avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
UTC quote
judy wrote:
Get almost 10,000 miles on my rear Heidenau K62. Front never wears out but i change it around 4-5yrs.
that is exactly why I changed mine. 5 years on the front.. I don't need to test it further just to see what life I can get out of it. It started having little hairline cracks in between the treads. I would go for a ride and be freaking in my head about catastrophic front tire failure. Not something I like to think about while going 80 down the freeway.. lol
@froggieposition avatar
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Thunder Thief
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
 
Thunder Thief
@froggieposition avatar
2010 GTS 300 Super & 2015 Kawasaki Concours 1400 ABS
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Location: in the blue ridge mountains of Virginia... on the trail of the lonesome pine..."
UTC quote
New and old
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@bleverone avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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Location: Charlotte, NC
 
Molto Verboso
@bleverone avatar
GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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UTC quote
Another vote for the Heidenaus. Have them front and back on both bikes. Awesome tires that wear forever!
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Addicted
et 2 50cc
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@lord_ickenham avatar
et 2 50cc
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UTC quote
Not my experience, but I read a test about et2/4 tyres (LX are the same in tyres as far as I know) in a German article, and the Heidenau won almost in all cathegory. I would choose this, but my Pirellis are good yet.
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2009 MP3 400
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Hooked
2009 MP3 400
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UTC quote
Heidenau tires are good not doubt and we install a "ton" of'm here. I have run into one compatibility issue here and that was on a Sport City. They are one of the few companies a few years ago that made the sizes but they were not comfortable to ride. Most of them we put on got taken back off very soon. The ones that kept them ran over 10k miles and they were very happy with them. Don't know if they didn't ride the speed that the issues were occuring or what but they did good on miles.
@midnight_rider avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
@midnight_rider avatar
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
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UTC quote
I had a K61 on my GTS once and only got about 3500-4000 miles out of it. And when it started to get close to the wear bars, it really wore out fast.
@scooter_west avatar
UTC

Sponsor
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@scooter_west avatar
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UTC quote
Fritz wrote:
Michelin City Grip
@trotter avatar
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Roughhouse Sport. Buddy 150(sold)
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@trotter avatar
Roughhouse Sport. Buddy 150(sold)
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UTC quote
GingerMan wrote:
Heidenau's are the best I've used. Long life *excellent* performance. I've been using them for years and just love them. You can get them for a good price from RevZilla.
Heidenaus get my vote also. Great grip and they last for many miles. A fantastic combo.


Hey GingerMan, nice redfish(puppy drum, drum). I can't wait til they start running on the Outer Banks.
@bleverone avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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Molto Verboso
@bleverone avatar
GTS 250ie, GTV 250
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UTC quote
Midnight Rider wrote:
I had a K61 on my GTS once and only got about 3500-4000 miles out of it. And when it started to get close to the wear bars, it really wore out fast.
But that's when you lived in Texas, right, Midnight? and never had to turn your bike right or left. In the land of the "twisties" the k-61 would have much more even wear and wouldn't just wear down the center of the tire.
@judy avatar
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2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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@judy avatar
2007 LX150 Daring Plum Leonardo Da Vespa
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UTC quote
MR try the K62 on the rear. The rear 61's do wear out sooner back there but not the 62's.
@drscooter avatar
UTC

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2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
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@drscooter avatar
2007 GTS 250ie 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 803 2005 Sportster 883XL 2010 GTS 300ie
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UTC quote
I went with "City Grips" I like them a lot ...... Nerd emoticon
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gt200
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Location: Tennessee
 
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gt200
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Location: Tennessee
UTC quote
Right now I have Cont Zippys on there - i like them. They have good thread left.

When its time to replace them - i will do it myself and order heidenau k58s for both front and rear.
@dooglas avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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Location: Oregon City, OR
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@dooglas avatar
GTS 300ABS, Buddy 125, Buddy Kick 125
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UTC quote
Lord Ickenham wrote:
I read a test about et2/4 tyres (LX are the same in tyres as far as I know) in a German article, and the Heidenau won almost in all categories.
The LX has an 11" front wheel which reduces the available choices compared to the ET.
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
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Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
K58 on the front, K62 on the rear. bought from Scooterpartsco.com - good price and fast shipping.
@midnight_rider avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
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Location: Charlotte, NC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@midnight_rider avatar
09 GTS (sold) 2014 NC700XD
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Location: Charlotte, NC
UTC quote
bleverone wrote:
Midnight Rider wrote:
I had a K61 on my GTS once and only got about 3500-4000 miles out of it. And when it started to get close to the wear bars, it really wore out fast.
But that's when you lived in Texas, right, Midnight? and never had to turn your bike right or left. In the land of the "twisties" the k-61 would have much more even wear and wouldn't just wear down the center of the tire.
It might have been some of its time in Texas, but I remember looking at the tire 2 weeks before my iron butt and thinking it will survive the iron butt, then two days later ordering a new tire because it was nearly down to the wear bars. That was already in NC...
⬆️    About 2 months elapsed    ⬇️
@robert_olson avatar
UTC

Member
Piaggio BV250 Touring
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Location: Upstate NY
 
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@robert_olson avatar
Piaggio BV250 Touring
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Location: Upstate NY
UTC quote
Thanks for all the reply's, I ended up with the city grips from REVZILLA.
They were a little cheaper that MC super store
.

There on the way !
@elvispa avatar
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GTS 300
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@elvispa avatar
GTS 300
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Location: Pac NW
UTC quote
I have those...
and they are growing on me. I dont understand how such a durable tire can provide such good traction and performance, but there you are.
I have tried to get them to misbehave and they are equal to the task.
I still prefer the feel of the OEM Pirelli that I had, but I could get used to this. Michelin does know a thing or two about tires I suppose.

You may have to use the heavier bar end weights as the City Grips can be associated with the "Dreaded Wobble"--they are on my GTS 300.
Robert Olson wrote:
Thanks for all the reply's, I ended up with the city grips from REVZILLA.
They were a little cheaper that MC super store
.

There on the way !
@skunkhome avatar
UTC

Hooked
Burgman 400, BV250, CH80, Helix
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Posts: 450
Location: SE Louisiana
 
Hooked
@skunkhome avatar
Burgman 400, BV250, CH80, Helix
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Posts: 450
Location: SE Louisiana
UTC quote
Well, I don't have a lot of choice in tires as my Piaggio has 16" tires and I just changed them (Michelin Gold Standards) because they were too old. After 4190 miles most of the tread was still present. What a waste!
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
I changed The tires and balanced the wheels myself and for the first time since I owned the scooter I have absolutely no shimmy in the front end when I relax my grip or remove my hands from the handlebars. The new tires are City Grips.
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

This is the original front tire and the rear is about the same.
External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
@hairball avatar
UTC

Hooked
2013 Vespa 300 SS
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Posts: 345
Location: St Pete Fl.
 
Hooked
@hairball avatar
2013 Vespa 300 SS
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Posts: 345
Location: St Pete Fl.
UTC quote
I just recently went to Heidenau K61, I have used them on other scoots and motorcycles... The K61 are a sport tire and your scoot becomes very flickable with the profile and I have virtually no wobble for the first time ever!

As far as wear, They do wear out a bit faster, I guess that's because they're a sport tire... I believe K62 will wear longer... since I live in a rainy climate, I'll give up better mileage to have better grip.
@darqmommy avatar
UTC

Lizard Brain
2007 GTS 250, "Vorga"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 800
Location: NC
 
Lizard Brain
@darqmommy avatar
2007 GTS 250, "Vorga"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 800
Location: NC
UTC quote
Michelin City Grips.
I got a pair delivered to my house from El Chaparral Motorsports for 100 bucks. That is the best tire deal I ever heard of.
@tiggerz avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
 
Hooked
@tiggerz avatar
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
UTC quote
Hairball wrote:
I just recently went to Heidenau K61, I have used them on other scoots and motorcycles... The K61 are a sport tire and your scoot becomes very flickable with the profile and I have virtually no wobble for the first time ever!

As far as wear, They do wear out a bit faster, I guess that's because they're a sport tire... I believe K62 will wear longer... since I live in a rainy climate, I'll give up better mileage to have better grip.
While my total wear will probably be longer, I put rear wheel size tires front and back so I can rotate my Heidenaus. I have yet to regret the purchase. Wet or dry, they seem like they're glued to the road.
@darqmommy avatar
UTC

Lizard Brain
2007 GTS 250, "Vorga"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 800
Location: NC
 
Lizard Brain
@darqmommy avatar
2007 GTS 250, "Vorga"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 800
Location: NC
UTC quote
Hmm, didn't know you could do that.
Does it work for every model or only the 200L?
@tiggerz avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
 
Hooked
@tiggerz avatar
Vespa 200L
Joined: UTC
Posts: 165
Location: East Coast US
UTC quote
darqmommy wrote:
Hmm, didn't know you could do that.
Does it work for every model or only the 200L?
The front and rear wheel sizes should be the same for your scooter. its just a matter of putting on the tires. They should fit, but check your spacing around the front wheel well to be sure. can even stick the rear tire onto the front if you're worried. Its about an hour job.
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