Modern Vespa

Hi all,
just wondering what tyres my fellow scooterists use/recommend. I'm looking at two new conti twists for my GTS 250. Any advice?
Thanks

welcome to the forum GTS

plenty of people here have contis and like 'em. other favourites include Michelin Pilot City or Pilot Sport, Pirelli GTS, and Heidenau K61 (i've got those on my GT and love them). I'm sure others will chime in with more recommendations.

Thanks genie. Mine's got the standard Sava and an Avon Viper Stryke on it currently.

general opinion of the savas is that they're a bit crap. i'm not sure about the avons.

Yeah, that's what's prompted me to change the Sava actually and I was thinking of just doing the two at the same time. The Avon is only 3 weeks old (dealer fitted it when I bought it) so not really had time to 'test' it as such.
I'll await some recommendations hopefully.

Quite a few people have the Continental Zippys and like them too.

Another vote for the Heidenau K-61's. Have them on my GTV and they are grippy. Got close to 6k miles on rear tire just replaced.

Thanks guys. Have you tested 'em in the wet? It's ALWAYS raining in UK!

Just got two Continental Zippy 1's installed and love them! It's like riding a whole new scooter. The ride is much more stable, especially cornering. I have officially joined the Cult of Zippy!

Michelin Pilot City for me - the Michelin Pilot Sports wear out too quickly and my experience is that the Citys give a more comfortable ride around London's roads.

Thanks again you lot.
Just looked at the zippy's but they don't do them in a 'p' speed rating. I'm leaning toward the conti twists still.

I recently installed a Heidenau K66 on the rear of my wife's GTS. She really likes the way it rides and handles and by reports that I've read from other people who are using them, it should last at least 5000 miles (as compared to only 2800 miles that she was able to get from the original Sava). I took it for a 10 mile test ride and I could really feel the difference in stability and handling vs the Sava.

Avon Viper Strykes wear out really fast - at least in the larger sizes. Hugely grippy, but don't expect more than a quarter of the normal mileage.

michelin pilots are the best for london riding... grip is decent enough to make those quick turns.. Sava tyres are rubbish...

Here's a rave review I recently posted for Michelin Pilot Citys. I love 'em

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic46965?highlight=knew+huge

Update: I have ridden them i the rain since and they seem to tread water quite nicely.

We get loads of rain here in Southeast Texas as well.

How much did I cost for 2 tires M&B OTB if I may ask?

i had a conti 'twist' on the front, caused extra wobble and vibration and then got lumps and deformities, only lasted 6 months. went for the the michelin pilot sport and it rocks. I would suggest putting a bit of thought into what front tyre you get as you will have it a long time.

the mechanic said that the dunlop 'hoop' is a long lasting tyre, i have it on the back, it's more slippy in the wet than the the conti but i can live with that if it lasts a long time.

For the GTS the best tyre for grip and stability is the Pirelli GTS23 front and 24 rear, Vespa fit them to the 300. Really sticky... Wear on the rear might be your compromise.

the Pirelli's are really sticky - I ride in all weathers and never had a moment's trouble with them. However they do wear out in a heartbeat - if you're riding regularly, expect to change them twice a year. That was too much for me so I swapped over to Heidenau K61s (front and back) at my last tyre change. So far I love 'em, although they took a bit of getting used to - they're much more responsive than the Pirellis and tend to leap into turns, which startled me a bit at first. Overall they are more 'squirrely' than the Pirellis but they track much better at low speeds (great for filtering) and they make cornering less arduous and more enjoyable I've been told that they lose a bit of grip at temperatures below 6C, but I've yet to experience that as they were only fitted in April. They're also rated to 90mph yay

I've got just the one and it makes me belly button an inny

Ive been riding with a Bridgestone hoop on the rear of the GTS. Put it on 12,500ks ago. It still has tread but is developing a square profile and starting to scallop. Still 12,000+ks is pretty impressive. Never had it slide out on me but it is getting toward new tyre time. Have a Metezler on the front. The original Sava lasted 4000ks
This pic is the bridgestone hoop after 12500ks

I've put about 3000 miles on my Heidenau K66s so far, and I love them.

Rear looks about 1/3 gone, front looks brand new. Handling (especially at higher speeds), tracking, grip and comfort are excellent--head and shoulders better than the OEM tires.

The K66s are supposed to be better in the rain the K61s, I couldn't tell you for sure, but at no time since getting the K66s have I felt a slip or wiggle, wet or dry.

P.

Michelin........

Hmm...some food for thought there. Not sure I like the sound of 'lumpy' front tyres .
Anyway, ordered some twists now, so watch this space.
Getting them fitted on wednesday ready for the weekend's jaunt down to Weston super mare.
I'll give you a review when I get back.
Thanks for all your replies.

$206.23. The tires were $49.99 each, plus 1.25 hours of labor at $85.00 per hour, which included mounting and balancing. Had it done at Vespa of Oceanside.

Black round ones made of rubber

zippys

Heidenau K61 120/70 front and 130/70 back tyre (with groove; the 'K66 LT' is the one without groove)

Heidenau K61

Thanks for info

Check out Massimo for the best price on having your tires changed. I think I pay $25 for the front and $40 for the rear but don't quote me on that.

Last week I replaced the OEM Sava with a Michelin Sport City. So far I like it. Bought the tire online for $38, Les Schwab tire shop mounted it for free (twice because they put it on in the wrong direction the first attempt) and $14 for a m/c shop to balance it. Then I installed it myself for the price of two beers. Not hard to do yourself at all.

Ditto on the Heidenaus, except I have 120s and 140s. I have no groove on the 140 in the back. They give a little bit more stability on the highway and feel firmly planted in curves.

These are GREAT tires. I have nearly 4500 miles on mine, and they barely show an wear at all. They stick like glue in the rain and in the dry. I love them.

+1 I have the same set up.

Hey,

What do you all think about the Michelin Gold tires?

2,000 miles into Heidenau K-58's: 130 front, 140 rear. Front still shows cordoury. Rear looks like it has another 1,000 miles in it - wearing faster than I had expected. Most of my riding is highway with a twisty hill at either end.

Very grippy. Lots of tred buzz. Seems to work well in the rain. I haven't experienced slippage.

I'll probably try the K-66 next time.

I agree, I had a set of Conti Twists on my old PX and they were rubbish, wore very unevenly, and the rear tyre only lasted 3,000 K's and when leaning into a high speed corner they made so much noise you would think the rear wheel bearing was shot.