Modern Vespa

(For what it's worth...)

2008 Vespa GTV
Mile 0 - 6,000, Pirelli Diablo (Stock)
Mile 6,000 - 13,000 Michelin Pilot City (For the first time, I did some 2-up riding during this term)
Mile 13,000 - 17,000 Continental Zippy 1 (For some reason, I felt safer knowing I had Zippys on. Smooth ride too!)
Mile 17,000 - This is where I am now -- 16,935 miles to be exact. I'm going back to the Pilot City tires tomorrow during my routine oil change and check-up. 17,000 miles in about 17 months!

Of course, the wear and tear of tires depend on a lot of factors, like riding style, rider weight, road conditions, one-up or two-up riding, etc. I weigh about 130lbs, I'm on the freeway all the time.

How do you rate?

Bonus! First change of the belt and roller weights at ~11,000 miles. I know that was pushing on the belt. My mechanic was surprised to see the even wear on the belt, with no visible signs of tearing. Last word: It pays to go easy on your baby by not doing WOT off the line all the time, by doing routine check-ups, etc. You get the picure!

Thanks for the results of your expereince...yesterday my son receive the tires he ordered for his Suzuki sportbike and they were Michelin Pilots.

Neighbor came by and saw what son ordered and gave a positive comment on the Michelin Pilots (rides sportsbikes).

Sorry...forgot to mention neighbor indicated he had used the Continental Zippy's. Mentioned that the middle of the tire composition has long wear long but does not grip as well as the Michelins. Also mentioned that (at least with sportbikes) doesn't take too much riding time for the Michelins tacky / grip.

0 to 2,415 miles: Sava (worn down to the wear bar)
2,415 to 4,200: Heidenau K61 140/70

Looks like about half of the K61 is left in the center, but there's plenty of rubber on the outer edges. Most of the riding I do is at WOT on fairly straight country roads. I weigh about 200lbs.

Rex and affects, why go back tot he Michelin and not the zippy?

I do a lot of freeways. While the Zippys are very grippy my riding style and habits allow me to get only 4,000 miles before it's time to change. I believe that the Pilot City tires are relatively grippy as well and I get more mileage out of them.

This is the assessment by my neighbor...again he rides a Suzuki Boulevard and a BMW sportbike. My son has same opinion and he rides a Suzuki sportbike. Not sure how this translate to a general scooter demands...but per the initial post...seems to offer "grippy" and a decent amount of wear.

Thanks TB, and Scott for your report. Savas are just no good.

I've got over 5k on my rear Pilot City now. Has around 1k or less to go. I weigh 170lbs and ride the piss out my bike. WOT all time, interstates, slide around corners a bit. The pilot city has been the best tire for me yet. Had the Zippy for a while, took it off, felt like a hard lump of coal compared to the Michelin.

Rexy, have you considered running a Bridgestone Hoop on the rear, I have over 8 thousand on my rear tire and it gives great traction. Max at MotoSports says his mechanic runs this on his Burgman.

Just a thought.

I will check that out after I go through this new rear tire, Michelin Pilot City. Check back after 7,000 miles or so

Ride safe Rex.