Modern Vespa

Hello All,

I live in Phoenix with looming 110 degree days coming. On my Piaggio BV500, I went through the original Michelin tires in 7000 miles. Not sure if that is good or not, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a good set of tires for high heat, no rain conditions? Yep, that is right, I am a wimp. When it rains I park it!
Should I get OEM replacements, or another brand. I am a basic commuter on city streets.

Thanks,
Mark

7000 miles is not bad for scooter tires at all. I would be more than happy with that. I think go OEM again...

With the larger wheels on the BV500, you should get at least 9-10k miles from a rear tire and more from the front. What pressures were you using?

The BV500 is very similar to other Piaggio maxi-scooters, and 7-8,000 miles is what their rear tyres do. Except for Avon Viper Strykes - 4,000 miles for them!

I would have recommended Michelin Gold Standards - now superseded by City Grips, but with zero rain the large area of tread pattern is superfluous, so my thoughts would turn to the Pirelli Diablo Scooter - which are great on the GP800, and perfect for the track, so would be OK in the heat.

I am pretty religious about checking air pressure and run at the recommended pressure per BV500 manual. I don't recall what that is off the top of my head.
Good to hear 7000 miles is somewhat expected. I should also note that at least 1/3 of the miles are with a passenger as we tool around town. Combined weight is 290 lb.

With that extra bit of info, I stand by my first comment...

Lots of periods of acceleration with a passenger would certainly lower tyre life - so 7,000 sounds even more reasonable to me.

When I owned a BV500, I corresponded with several people who said that they got 9-10k from their rear tires and a couple of thousand more from the fronts. All were using the Michelin Gold tires. I sold mine at around 3500 miles and the rear tire hardly had any noticeable wear. I ran the tires at two pounds higher than the suggestion in the owners manual for the front and five higher in the rear.

I'm not sure if they're available in the size for the BV500, but the Heidenau K61 is an excellent tire for dry hot weather. It's a little bit of a firmer ride than other tires, but it's also very grippy yet extremely durable.

Hey mdkmdg,

I live in Tucson with similar weather extremes. After 10k on my BV500 I switched from the original Michelins to the the Pirelli Diablos. They seem a little wider with more tread up the sides for cornering. The front tire does not have a longitudinal center groove like the Michelins. I love the Diablos. Some have complained that the Michelin gold standard front tire is very sensitive to small grooves and ridges in the road. Ask Glen from Phoenix scooter club about the front Michelin.