Modern Vespa

After my fourth set of tires in just over two years (The worst luck imaginable)
I've found what seems to be a MIRACLE CURE for my GT200L.( Actually I never knew it was ill.)

The original stock Pirellis had to be replaced just after I bought the scooter used. They had bad dry rot/cracking and I didn't feel safe. This was my first modern Vespa experience so i had nothing to compare them to. Seemed OK though.

The second set, Michelin Pilot Sports, I had on for just over a week before I got 3 flats. (two in the back at once, and later one in the front. both irreparable) I was really digging the sticky feeling I got in the curves so I replaced them with the same tire.

Well after more bad luck, another puncture in the front which leaked continuously after being plugged, and a slash in the rear tire, I decided to try something a little different.

Liking the Michelins I decided to go with the PILOT CITY. OH WHAT A DIFFERENCE! It's as if I'm riding a completely different scooter.

Since My GT200L is the only only Modern Vespa I have ever ridden, I had no way of knowing what the ride could feel like. Since putting on the Pilot Citys though, The dreaded "WOBBLE" is completely gone. I never realized, until now, just how much I was having to maintain control of the scooter. Once again, with nothing to compare it to, I just thought that was the way it was. Now, with the new tires though, I feel like I'm in total control without even trying. The scooter holds a line much better. I even went so far as taking my hands off the bars for a moment to see how it reacted, and it didn't -- it kept on straight as an arrow. Also, cornering is a dream. Before I always felt I was fighting to make it through a turn. Now I'm just gliding through. They still have that sticky sport tire feeling too. I'm just kinda blown away.

Sorry to ramble on, but I am completely ecstatic about my new tires.

WOO HOO!

Who knew a tread pattern could make so much difference. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I am a firm believer in the Pilot City tire.

Good for you! I have never tried the City, so I can't speak of experience.

Different tires may differ in many more aspects than just tread design, though. There is the rubber itself (harder or softer or many more dimensions), the carcass construction, the belt, and who knows what else.

What counts most, though, is that you like it (and have no more flats).

What did those flats come from? Glass shards, nails, screws, or what? The answer might give you a hint on what to look for or what areas to avoid...

Here's a string on the Michelin Pilot Sports / City, etc.

FWIW - Personal Report: Tires (Post 622354)

Question: How critical is it to get it balance and are those who sell tires diligent to insure proper balancing.

i'mm 99.9% sure the pilot sport and pilot city are made from exactly the same rubber compound and neither is a dual compound it's simply a different tread pattern to suit different usage.

How are the Pilot Sports in the rain? I'm also wondering if they are that sticky if their life is quite short?

I consistently get at least 5k on my Pilot City rear tires. I live in the south where it gets really hot which contributes to tire wear, I do a lot of highway riding as well. I also tear away from stop lights. I am really hard on tires. I weigh 170lbs. YRMV

5k what? miles or kilometres?

i get about 3500-4000miles out of a pilot sport on the back of my GTs250 mostly motorway work so typical squared off look when they're worn out.

Two of those punctures were in one tire. They came from a giant staple in the road. It happened all at once.
Another was what appeared to be the glide off a chair leg. Like a fat nail with a big hard plastic head on it.
Another was a roofing nail (They are everywhere after the 3 recent hurricanes)
I'm not sure where the slash came from, but my first guess would be glass.

As far as avoiding them, I never saw them coming, and I only travel paved roads. Just pure bad luck. I read that thread just before I decided to go with the PCs, based on what Rex said about the tires seeming to last longer. (excluding flats of course)

Oddly enough, I took the wheels to a different shop than usual to have them installed. They said they couldn't balance the tires because their weights were too big. I was obviously concerned, but I guess they got lucky because they must be perfectly balanced. I know what an unbalanced tire feels like, so I don't think that was the problem with the old tires. I didn't like the pilot sports in the rain. They weren't very sticky at all under wet conditions.

I'm not sure how many miles, I got out of the back tire before the slash. They were down to the wear indicators though. If I had to guess I'd say maybe 4,000 miles? That's me in a nutshell... well, 180lbs . If I get 5000 out of these that would be great. Even if I don't I'm just enjoying the hell out of the ride.

You just might! I got 7,000 on mine. Good luck. Let me quote myself from another thread: https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic45790

So then how are the Pilot Citys in the rain? I'd like to have the good balance of dry and wet grip with reasonable tire life. I'm thinking that either the Zippys or the Pilot Citys fit that bill?

Maybe a Pilot Zippy then?

Well I haven't even had them on a week, so I haven't ridden in the rain yet. I have ridden on a wet road after a recent rain, and they seemed to do pretty well in the turns. I didn't push it though.

Love the pilot city's.

They always gripped well for me and I rode them very hard.

Think I have worn out at least 1/2 dozen.

Sport'n the Hidenau 61's of late...better in the twistys but not as good on wet roads.....IMHO.

Wonderful all around tire.

R

8)

My broken left thumb raises an eyebrow in mute agreement.

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All this raving about Pilot Citys has me thinking about trying them next.

I got a good deal on them from MotorcycleSuperstore:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/32/351/MANF/Shop-by-brand-Michelin-Scooter.aspx

+1

Love my Pilot Cities. They are all I ever have used since ditching the Savas. I got 4000 on my rear and I am a big guy. My rear Sava only lasted about 2k. I getting another rear put on this week. I probably got another 3k left on my front. I had the front and rear changed at the same time last summer a few weeks before AV. They were great on the ride up to the Dragon and the hills of Tennesee. They cut like ice skates. They are great in the rain <2k and get a little squirly 2k+ and we get a good amount rain down here. The wobble will return after about 2k, tho. I am hoping that replacing the rear will help that. I seem to remember it did the first time I had one put on.

Hey, 2000 wobble-free miles sounds pretty good to me.

I put a pilot city on the back of my GT and wobble left but it came back after 500km or so.

Please explain this "wobble" you all are speaking to the uninitiated. Thanks!

What size tires do you recommend replacing stock tires with if you change them to the Pilot City

120/70 - 12 on the front

130/70 - 12 on the back.

Same as stock.

Do a search for "wobble" and you'll see quite a few posts about some GT and GTS models having a front end wobble in the 30-40mph range, and potential causes and remedies.


This one covers it pretty well:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic16990

Maybe I was being a little optimistic. Let's say 2000 with little or very little wobble. Now it is pretty bad at 4K.

Either way, right now I'm loving them.

I came from a motorcycle and the first thing we talk about to improve the ride is the suspension adjustment.

I wonder how much of suspension adjustment can be done on a Vespa. But that would be something you want to look into as well, especially after finding the right tire for you.

possible loss of balance weight.............

make a note of the balance weights fitted when it has a new tyre fitted and their position then if the scoot starts to wobble you don't have to rely on memory to see if you've lost a balance weight

how did you all get so many miles out of them i averaged 2500 to 3500 out of them and im about to try shinkos, has any one tried them before on a gts 250 i. e.

I did a long ride yesterday (long for me) anyway on the road at 40 which isn't fast (seemed fast to me though) I felt that wobble you spoke of and yes my scoot seems to have to be forced into turns. I just bought this scoot and paid even more to have the seat altered, now the prospect of changing tires to get a better non-scary ride is daunting.

How much did it cost you if I may ask??