Modern Vespa

I'm a little over 6,200 miles and am getting ready to do a 1,000 mile jaunt (or so) around part of Texas next week. My MGS original was getting smooth and flat in the middle so I went in to see about another tire. My service guy was PO at Michelin because his wife had run hers into the treads on a trip to CO and another in TX. As he said, "She isn't a small woman. She weighs about 200 and was carrying her camping gear," on her Piaggio 500 (not an MP3). I think she got just over 3,000 miles out of MGS.

He replaced her tire with a Metzler 150/70-14. He said it was recommended by the supplier because it is basically a sportbike tire but has a harder rubber down the middle (where you would be riding when cruising) and progressively softer rubber as moves out to the edges in a turn. Supposedly, this should give better wear while still handling well on the curves.

So his wife has about 1,500 miles on the new tire. It is showing no wear and she likes it so far. The service guy put one on his bike recently and I have one with about 10 miles on it at this moment. I will try to post the results but this may be an old thread by then. I weigh about 145 and guess I'm not that tough on tires. I can report, however, that my bike is running MUCH better with the new tire. I didn't realize how much difference it would make.

I don't know about the supplier's story. It sounded decent to me but I'm sure you guys know more about it than I do. I'd like to hear your comments.

The big difference is the different shape because of the 150 width rather than 140. The MGS is multi (not just dual) compound too, so that's not the main thing. I get 6,000 miles out of my MGS rears and I'm a progressive rider (though I do try to ride smoothly).

Michelin Gold Standards - on an MP3 400

rear: 140/70-14 - 6,000 miles before replacing

front: 120/70-12 - 12,000 miles before replacing

Am moving to a 150/70-14 Michelin Gold Standard for the rear tire come around the end of October.

Was considering the Perelli Diablo but had concerns about longevity coupled with wet weather riding. Come next April or May I'll give the Diablo's a run, during the middle of an insanely hot TX summer. The cost difference between the two is mayble $5

Would consider moving the fronts to the 130/70-12 but have concerns after reading GoPam's reports on the 130/70-12 Diablo on her 250.

chris

JerryW,

I have 6000 miles on my MGS and it is time for a change. I also purchased the Metzler 150/70 and it will be installed next week. The MGS was on back order and I wanted to try a different tire (including size) to see what kind of difference it will make.

Reading other threads about tires, very few seem to be using the Metzler. So any reports we can give will be new news.

That is too funny. I was literally online about to ask if anyone had heard of them. We are looking for my next tire and I was going to ask if anyone had heard of them here is the link - http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=144
To us, they looked like a good compromise between the Pirelli and the MSG.

why not this:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=145&osCsid=a215cf66a90918d53cb06862e33f2f81

im curious is the diablo worth trying now the autumn and winter is coming, i dont expect snow but what do you guys think of the diablo as an autumn tire?

Works well all year round for me on the GP800. Great in the wet.

Was wondering just the same thing as I'm just a few clicks away from ordering a full round of tires for my 400. Good to know, as I had concerns too that the Diablo would not respond as well in the wet as the Michelin Gold Standard. We've been in drought for sometime here in Austin TX and I expect it to rain down buckets this autumn and winter.

chris

Try the Dunlop Run Scoot RS207.

I just replaced mine today with another one...after 8700 miles.

I stayed with the same OEM size that came with the 500

8,700! NICE!!!

What is the distribution of your driving style like? I.e., 70% low speed urban (25 to 45) and 30% highway (55 to 70mph) or????

Ride two up often? Weight 160bs?

That mileage out of a single tire is incredible.

Thanks you must admit that its hard to believe, it looks like a slick. No problem with treeleaves and light snow?

If so its my next buy!

I think you'd want a 'chunkier tread' tyre for those conditions - I was only considering wet but clean tarmac!

The MGS has always been my favourite on X9's and the Fuoco - good all-rounder.

If you ride as fast as you reply, the English have to watch out on the streets!
Do you know a good tire 160/60 which does ride safe in the fall and winter? A real yearround tire.

Not from personal experience, no.

Most (75%) of my riding is highway, 70 mph or less.

I weigh 165 and only carried a passenger once (my sister) for a slow ride around the neighborhood.

The OEM Dunlap RS 207 wore out in the middle because I don't go around enough corners!

9100 miles in 5 months!

I'm puttting one of these on today bought from http://www.smalltires.com/store.cfm?action=Products&subaction=List&brand=9057055e-7d5d-4666-a7e3-a1ad1f611204&size=14&totalSize=160%2F60R14&Description=
BRIDGESTONE TH01-M BURGMAN 650.

The "M" is a new version with new formula for longer wear in the center. Watch out for suppliers charging for the "M" version and shipping the older less expensive tire.

Oveer 10,000 miles in less than 3 months. I ride hard and long. Weight 200 and frequently carry over 100 pounds of camping and other gear.

Wore out one MGS and two Diablos. 3800 miles on second Diablo and threads showing.

Fuzzy please post a pic or 2 of your rear diablo worn out. thanks OAD

Here you go. Diablo on left and Bridgestone on the right. I think the one on the left is the used one.

I have a Pirelli Diablo 160/60-14 on the way. I'll post pics after we install it. I have approximately 4400 miles on an Avon on the rear. I'm at the wear marks. Mine looks just a wee bit better than Fuzzy's.