Modern Vespa

I need to replace the rear tire on my GTS. Have a bunch of questions..

1) My front tire still has good tread on the stock tire. Do I have to change the tire as a pair, or can I simply change the rear?

2) I need a tire that maintains good traction in wet weather as I'm located in Vancouver, BC, and rain is part of life. Needs to obviously be able to do basic city driving as well as highway. I've been looking at the Continental Zippy 1, Michelin Grand Touring, as well as the Michelin Pilot Sport.

Any and all suggestions would be welcome!

Cheers,

C.

Welcome new person to Modern Vespa. I haven't had to change my tires yet but have heard good things about the zippys.

Welcome!

My original rear tire on my GTS was starting to look bad at about 3k miles or so, while the front looked fine. I changed both the front and the rear since it seemed like a good time to do it and the front only takes a few minutes to remove. While you have the rear tire off, its a good time to adjust the rear suspension!!! Easy to get to the shock adjustments!

I have had very good results with the Michelin city pilots.

Great wear and a great tire for the twistys.

It is said to run the same kind of tires front and back.

I am currently running a Sava on the rear and a city pilot on front. Bike seems to handle fine and I want to wear out the Sava.

Rubber can be expensive when you ride alot...

Call me cheap......

R

8)

I have the mich. pilot sports only had for about 500 miles but there great in the twisties and good grip

Don't mix the front and rear brands or types.

Either put a new Sava on the rear and squeeze another cycle outta your Sava front, or get a matched set front and rear. I'm a Conti Zippy fan, but the Michelins, Strykers, etc. are all good.

Make certain whatever you install, gets put on so the directional arrows are correct for proper handling ESPECIALLY in your wet climate!

Good luck, and welcome aBOARD.

Howdy - well, being a local Vancouver rider - who actually likes riding in the rain (how peculiar am I?) - I would recommend replacing your tire with an - err, MP3 !! Enhanced traction - guaranteed !!

But seriously, I've never had any issues with my Savas - maybe my ride style is appropriate for the tire.

Will be interested to hear about the tire you choose and future experiences.

Ms D

Matt, Why shouldn't you mix brand of tires from front to back? Rear tires seem to wear much quicker than front tires. My hubby changed his rear Sava tire to a Zippy, and doesn't seem to have a problem. Just curious , not picking a fight here!

I wear out 3 rears to every front.
Might as well wait until then to change both.

Welcome to MV.

I'd reccomend Michelin or Goodyear. Goodyear tires hold up well on the cage, and Michelin's advertising promises their tires will take you once around the world before needing replaced.

Helpful Link: http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=66

Since you're London based, Simes, mind me asking how much you normally pay to change a rear tyre? I've pretty much got through my first one so had better start investigating.

Gotta love the Zippy 1's. Reasonable wear rate, lots better 'feel' than the stock Sava's

Anyone tried these Conti Navigators?

They look like a nice fall/winter choice.

I've got them on now.Nice and grippy in the wet.

Thanks Ian,

They looked like they would be good in the wet, I may have to try them after the comming summer season.

Simon

I had looked into the navi's, but couldn't find a dealer with them in the US.

I had wondered if they were over here, i haddn't looked for them

Hey, those look spiffy!

Well, they are designed with particular adhesion and handling characteristics which vary by tire and manufacturer. Including bias in the plies, and the properties of the contact patch areas. To mix them up essentially means your front tire has characteristics which may or may not clash with that of the rear tires, and in the case of wet weather riding the mismatched tires may slough off the rain differently causing for instance the rainwater from the front tire, to collect at the contact point of the rear...instead of away from as engineered to. Yuo never know. In the end they are meant to work together, it's really quite a science. Tires are designed by engineers who know a lot more about it than I, but I do know they anticipate the fronts and rears being matched when they design them to maximize the properties they build into them.

Spiffy indeed, I do wonder how well they'd hold up in the summer though. I think they're made of softer rubber compound for winter temps. Not that that will be an issue for you Ian