Modern Vespa

I have happily owned my MP3 since July, and am hoping to ride it this winter if I can find a way to get some grip on the road. I have seen the marketing information from last year that winter tires would be available, but haven't seen any evidence that they are. Has anybody got any information on potential winter tires for an MP3.

I have also considered studded tires, but can't seem to find any tires that would fit that are thick enough, let alone aggressive enough, to stud. I think the best thing might be to stud some myself with carbide bicycle tire studs (shorter than automotive studs), but don'e have a source for them, or for the essential insertion tool. Any practical ideas?

Check the Continental Zippy 2's at SIP Germany. Perhaps you can find them in the USA also through American Motorcycle Tire. These Contis are the closest thing that resembles a dual purpose tire.

Thanks for the tip on the Contis.

Anyone out there have a source for bicycle tire studs?

Studded tires are ... misleading. At least on cars there are non-studded tires that work better. My parents are really all about safety so we have always had nice, new tires on our cars and paid the premium for them. Some years ago the dealer told us studs were not the best to be had anymore.

After some parking-lot wheelies we didn't take him up on his refund offer...

-Z

Well, I certainly have heard good things about some rubber compounds, but they simply don't do enough on glare ice, which is where studs will save you. But as for great winter scooter tires for the MP3, it seems there aren't any. All of the original marketing information about Piaggio's "Winter Package" seems to have been wishful thinking.

look here

http://sip.sipww3.de/pages/index.php?ID=25401&EXPLODIM=px&_requested_page=%2Fpages%2Fdetails.php

search heidenau k58 snowtex

and here

http://www.bike-equipment.net/04_rollerteile/html/reifen.htm

look at irc urban snow

Do you mean black ice? I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one, I am pretty hardcore skier and getting up those switchbacks, well, I would say test it.

The new tires had a different shape and groove pattern from what I recall...

-Z

Billdbr,

Thanks for the tire tips. I will start searching the states for these tires to save on shipping at least, but I will be happy to know I can get them when I need them.

indolering,

I do mean black ice; do you mean to say that your winter tires grip significantly on the stuff without studs--tell me more! I ride a bicycle in winter with studs, and it seems the only way to bicycle on ice, and I have a hard time understanding how softer rubber will do enough to hold me on ice. I love to ski, too, but not on my scooter, and frankly, those of us who ski eastern ice know we only get by with metal edges (aka "ski studs"!)

For most bikes, including scoots, winter tires would not be big sellers. The MP3 would be different, being more of a tripod than a balanced beam. It wouldn't be a big market, but I think a dealer could do well selling one of the newer compound tires. If not for deep snow, just for the cold and sludge that gets left on the roads.