Modern Vespa

Can you tell which new tire set is going on my Vespa GTS300 early next week, and which are going on my Gonzo Triumph?

I know it's not easy, but there ARE some subtle differences that may provide a clue...

Surely this is as much a question of perspective, as it is of tread?

And possibly raw poundage as well.

Don't you have to inflate them to check their size?

Size queen.

Obviously a trick question as neither pair are whitewalls.

True, nary a whitewall among them, but not a trick question

My whitewall period has lapsed...for now.

Henceforth, I shall only inflict whitewall pneumatic rolling devices on large-ish V-twin cruisers...should I own another at some point.

"That's what SHE said...."

I can only but imagine you are showing them, because of the cost

An obvious attempt at deception by AI induced lens flare.

Cost wasn't as much as it could have been, had I bought two OEM Avon tires instead of the Bridgestones for the Triumph. The rear Avon by itself would have been as much as BOTH Bridgestones combined. They're fine-ass tires those Avons, but the less costly Bridgestones are also very good on that bike, with the Avons giving a slight edge in handling and corner stability, but it's hardly noticeable, and I'm not a particularly aggressive 'corner-carver' in any case.

The pair of City Grip 2's were about $190, shipped, a bargain in comparison to most motorcycle tires, even if they do have relatively short mileage lives.

Perhaps this view will clear things up (from last year)...

Not to turn this thread into a Triumph motorcycle thing, but one would think, looking at it, that the huge 240mm rear tire would make the bike handle like crap, but it somehow doesn't, and the bike is amazingly stable and composed taking it through the turns (for a bike it's size anyway).

I test rode a Harley for Trixie a couple years ago that had a rear tire of similar size, and I made it one block before turning it around and giving it back to the dealer. It was absolutely terrifying with how unstable that thing was, and I didn't exceed 30 mph with it.

This, of course, is never an issue with the GTS300.

That's not a tire, it's a T*I*R*E!

I'm not a big fan of oversized tires on motorcycles, especially on the front, but at least on this bike, it's not a detriment to either safety or performance, and I will grudgingly admit that they visually fit right in with the general styling and outrageousness of the Rocket 3R.

But back to my GTS.

I have really liked the appearance of the whitewalls on my Vespa, but the Shinkos need to go. If there was a quality alternative whitewall for this scooter, I'd have them, but the market for such a tire is undoubtedly very small, so it's understandable why they are so difficult to find for these bikes.

If I could get City Grip 2 tires, or similar, with the white sides, I"d definitely buy them.

Keeping a whitewall clean on the rear of a Vespa is a frustrating experience, however, and a mere fifty miles on a previously scrubbed and pristine tire will have it amazingly 'dirty' with a fine, brownish dust who's source I wonder about, and hope that it's not from the belt drive system. It covers both sides of the tire/wheel and doesn't
seem to be just road dirt, but is heavier on the left drive side than the right.

Trixie's Triumph Speedmaster also has Shinko wide whitewalls on it, but even with it's exposed chain drive, it's rear whitewall will remain nearly spotless and bright for many many miles before needing a cleanup.

Only because you only have straight roads in the USA, try some nice European roundabouts with that big rear and then you will feel the pain.

It's obvious that you've never been to the Black Hills of South Dakota. You should visit sometime, you'll find all the curvy roads you can stand. It ain't interstates and straight lines everywhere.

We have tons of great gentle sweepers, (everywhere), and some butt-clenching hairpins (Iron Mountain Road, for one).

I ride my bikes relatively fast on these roads, but don't do it to scare myself or find the limits of rider or machine, wherever they are. I just have a good time on whatever I'm astride at the time.

I'm sure I'm in the minority on these, but I'm willing to try stuff it it looks viable. I've worked on a non-trivial number of Genuine Buddies lately and almost all of them lane with Shinko or Prima whitewalls. Both these tires are subpar handlers, especially on less-than-perfect roads.

One of the scoots was a 50cc and I rebuilt it to be a fair bit quicker and faster. For the troll factor, I wanted to keep the whitewalls.

While shopping around, I found the CST-6017 on SIP. It had a P speed rating, which is pretty ridiculous. I bought two pair and installed them on said Buddy 50 and a Vino 125. The cornering grip and confidence they inspired was a big improvement over the Shinkos and Primas. Both owners had positive feedback, so I ordered a third set for my own Buddy 150 St. Tropez and I love 'em.

They are available from SIP:

Front
https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/whitewall-tyre-cst-c-6017-120-70-12-58p-tl-front-or-rear_CST21590

Rear
https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/whitewall-tyre-cst-c-6017-130-70-12-62p-tl-front-or-rear_CST21830

Full disclosure, "CST" is Cheng Shin, a Chinese tire company. I used their stuff in the past on slower scoots and they've been wholly suitable for purpose as long as I've used them.

I parked my PX150 next to a friends Ferrari once and when I looked over I realized his brake rotors were just as big or bigger than my whole tire.

Baby got back...