Modern Vespa

I am replacing the rear tire on my 2019 Primavera 150. I bought a Michelin City Grip 2. Please see the attached photo. The tire has arrows for FRONT and REAR. Which way does this tire go on?

Do the marks mean:

1) IF the tire is on the front, the rotation is this way and IF the tire is on the back the rotation is this way?

OR

2) This is a REAR rated tire. When it is installed properly, the front of the scoot is this way and the back of the scoot is that way…?

Which way do I install it?

I am much better with one arrow and no text….

Thanks,

Chris from CLE

Choice #1

are you changing the tire or having someone else change it?

direction of rotation for the position its mounted. so when mounted in the rear the direction arrow for the rear goes clockwise when looking from the right side

Looks like I will need to have someone else change it… I can't seem to break the bead. Interesting way to mark the tire. It is listed as a REAR ONLY tire.

Chris from CLE

the tire CAN be used in either position front or rear thus the reason for the 2 different arrows.

Thanks for the info guys. The wheel is at the shop now…. I marked both the rim and the tire very clearly. Fingers crossed that it comes back right.

Chris from CLE

My failsafe method: a Harbor Freight oscillating saw that I bought for about $20, which I equip with bimetal blades for it from a big box store. 100% successful removal rate, and takes one minute.

Ha! As usual, the simplest answer is the right one! I just did not think of that. If I had, I would be riding right now. 63F in NE Ohio today.

Chris from CLE

Any kind of vice could work too (workworking vice, table vice, etc.)

Next time

PS: I was just in Cleveland yesterday and the day before. Small world!

You must mean "vise." (Personal vendetta of mine.)

But after you break the bead with a vise, or a clamp, or (Robot-style) a 2x4 onto which you've lowered the weight of a car from a jack, or whatever, you still have to finagle the beads over the rim to get the tire off. Not with the saw!

I tried my go to - two very large (16") C clamps. Just couldn't get it to pop. Will try the vice next time.

Hope you enjoyed your time in CLE. Next time, let me know and we could meet for a beer. This is an open any MV'er.

Thanks,

Chris from CLE

Holy crap! I've been getting it wrong my whole life TY Juan. Thanks man! We go once a year but usually just in and out in 24 hours. Sucks that the C clamp couldn't get her done. I'm assuming valve was out and still nada? Bummer.

Clearly a life misspent - or at least misspelled.

A tyre can be mounted on the front wheel or on the rear wheel but then in opposite direction.

That is a general thing on motorcycles, it seems.

On my BV the front and rear tyres are mounted opposite but on my car they are mounted in the same direction.

Not clear to me why the difference.

Maybe someone here can explain?

I think it's because of the tread pattern. The front wheel's biggest challenge is in braking hard. The rear wheel's biggest challenge is in accelerating. I'm thinking that the tread pattern is optimized for its major challenges, thus being in opposite positions according to the front/rear usage. (Hope this makes sense...)

I see what you mean. It definitely makes sense.
Is there any source that can confirm?

Tire rotation has been discussed numerous times here. You could start by searching "tire rotation" in the MV forums.

Thanks JKJ,

I did read several tire rotation threads over the years. That's how I even knew it was a thing to look for. Where I got off track is that the tire I bought is listed as a REAR ONLY tire on all of the websites I checked when buying it. When it arrived, it had markings for both front and rear.

Old as Dirt pointed out that this tire could be mounted on the front in spite of the internet's insistence otherwise, hence the dual markings.

I understand now, but it was not what I was expecting.

Chris from CLE

if you look at the michelin website their specs clearly show it can be used in both positions.

I think that's right. Front tire tread is designed for grip and stability in braking and cornering. Rear tread designed for traction in acceleration and cornering.

On pretty much any matching set of motorcycle or scooter on-road tires from any brand, if you ever see the treads going in the same direction, one of those tires is probably on backwards