Modern Vespa

I noticed today that my 4 month old tire already needs replacing, so I'm looking back at my records to see how long I've gotten on each tire.

My OEM City Grip was replaced at 6324 miles. The center tread was tissue-thin by the time it got replaced. The pandemic started at 3333 miles. This changed my commute from ~10 miles round trip on city streets to ~35 miles to visit family, 1/3 of which is on the freeway.

The City Grip 2 it got replaced with met its untimely end with a screw at 9388 miles. (Thankfully, State Farm covered the towing and the labor, so this wasn't a total waste.)

The next City Grip 2 was just barely to the wear bars when I happened to be at the dealer at 14,687 miles. That's 5300 miles, and includes an 1800 mile tour that had maybe 100 of freeway riding.

Now I'm at 18,700 miles, and this City Grip 2 needs replacing after barely 4000 miles. I've been diligent about checking the pressure. I did have a pillion a couple times, but I doubt it even totaled 200 miles, maybe 5 on the freeway.

I'm shocked that this last tire only lasted 4000 miles. I know they are a wear item, and that it's impossible to prove that I took care of them, but it still has me wondering why it wore out so quickly, and if I should be considering a different tire for next time.

Tires do that. Sometimes it's because of a different factory. Sometimes grey marketers will bring in the version for a different market and the compound is different. If you go to a BMW forum, you will see that the same Metzler tire can last the life of the bike or wear out leaving the driveway. If you like the tire buy another one. It's a well regarded tire and the odds of getting another quick wearing one are slim. Buy it somewhere else.

But above all, keep posting your experiences, your spending is my savings ... maybe.

mayo, I have the CityGrip 2 on the rear of my GTS. I have the CityGrip 1 on the front still. Because I could not find a supply of the CityGrip 2 in the 62P rating (as recommended) I had to opt for the 62S rated version. This was pretty much the same price, however as it's the 'S' rated version it is capable of much higher speeds and is therefore slightly more heavily constructed. I'm told the compounds are very similar (maybe the same in my view) to the CG2 62P but may last a bit longer. So although I don't need the 62S for it's speed rating, it just might be rather good at longer term use. I've covered only 1k miles on it so far and the handling is superb with no mismatch with the front CG1. Absolutely no wear showing at all so far, but then it wouldn't most likely at 1000 miles. I'll let you know how it goes as the miles go on it.

(not a comment about CG)

I've had Pirelli Diablo Rosso front and rear for about 6months / 8000km / 5000miles and the front looks about ok whereas the rear is down onto the wear indicators. will be replacing rear with another diablo pretty soon.


bonus pic: a couple of hours after fitting I already had a screw in the front tire. So I got it plugged (from inside) and went on a 4 day / 1600km road trip the next day


note: front is 58P and rear is 62P both in standard gts sizes.

https://www.givi.it/givi-products/motorbike-accessories/safety-and-comfort/s450-tubeless-tyres-repair-kit-

For the size available for my scoot, I have a rear CG2 62S and a CG2 58S on the front. I have only put 100 miles on them right now as they are on the scoot I am riding in this years Cannonball. Will be interesting to see how they wear under these conditions.

I haven't been paying attention to the speed ratings of the tires I buy, because I thought CG2 only came in S:

https://www.michelinman.com/motorcycle/tires/michelin-city-grip-2

Looks like Pirelli only sells the less-robust P:

https://www.pirelli.com/tires/en-us/motorcycle/all-tires/fitment/piaggio/vespa-gts-touring-300-i-e-m-45-2014

Heidenau's rears are also only P:

https://www.heidenautires.com/product/k-66-lt/
https://www.heidenautires.com/product/k-80-sr/

The whole reason I've never considered Pirelli is I'd heard they have a much shorter life.

Like all tires there are different rubber compounds, each suitable for different surfaces and uses.
Excuse me if I seem pedantic (I am not, at all ...) but each brand produces different tires not only for speed but also for conditions of use; this is why for some users the tire lasts longer and for others it lasts less.
Example, if a year is warmer, you go to town more often and use the brakes more often (it depends which ones you use the most) and many other non-calculable parameters; you can have an average tire wear but the average is an approximate calculation ... I don't know, tell me if I'm right or it's just paranoia.

Depends on a lot of factors for sure such as riding style (city vs highway), weather, pressure, weight, storage. Agree that tires are different when manufactured so no two tires (especially if you buy months apart) will be the same. Usually I get around Rear 4,000+ and Front 8,000+ before I notice they need changing.

Like WBVT above, I have a set of CG2's mounted for Cannonball. Only about 75 miles on mine, but I will monitor the pressures and wear everyday. I also have front and rear spares already mounted to swap out when needed.

P is 150kmh and S is 180kmh. Fastest I've been is 127kmh so i don't care which rating 😉

This is probably a dumb thought - but cold weather/outdoor temps be any issue?
Heat/hotter roads causing softer rubber/more wear?

Other guess might be different roads causing more/less wear?

I'm still new to scooter/mc tires so prob way off.

I'm always delighted if a GTS rear tyre gets to 4000 miles! Original City Grips for the last few years.

Riding style, load, typical regional road surface - all these play a part.