Tyres for Modern Vespa
- at SIP Scootershop
The tyre always plays a decisive role, whether on the road, off-road or on the race track. There is the right tread or rubber compound for every stress. Our range of tyres includes all common sizes of scooter tyres for Modern Vespa. From the Vespa ET2 with 100/90-10" tyres to the current Vespa HPE with 12" or 13" tyres. The choice is enormous. We stock tyres with classic tread for original equipment enthusiasts and slicks for racing, winter tyres for cold days and sports tyres for the best cornering. We also have special tyres such as whitewall tyres or tyres with a high speed index. As a general rule, a tyre should not be older than three years and the minimum tread depth should not be less than 2 mm.
Which tyre size do I need for a Modern Vespa?
The following tyre sizes are fitted as standard on Modern Vespa:
100/80-10": Front tyre for the first Modern Vespa models ET2/ET4 50-150 cc
120/70-10": Rear tyre for the first ET2/ET4 models as well as for the following LX/LXV/S models.
110/70-11": The LX/LXV/S as well as the Primavera up to year of construction 2018 of the Modern Vespa model range get the 11" front tyre as standard due to the better riding behaviour
120/70-11": Suitable rear tyre for the Primavera 50-150 cc (`13-`18).
110/70-12": While the Sprint rides on 12" as standard, the Primavera only gets the chassis update since 2018
120/70-12": Rear tyre for Sprint and Primavera (`18-) and matching front tyre for all 946/GT/GTL/GTS/GTS Super/GTV models since 2003.
130/70-12": Since 2003 the GT/GTS/GTV models are equipped with the 130 12" rear tyre ex works.
For the individual model series this means
Vespa ET2/ET4: front: 100/80-10" / rear: 120/70-10".
Vespa LX/LXV/S: front: 110/70-11" / rear: 120/70-10".
Vespa Primavera (`13-`18): front: 110/70-11" / rear: 120/70-11"
Vespa Primavera (`18-): front: 110/70-12" / rear: 120/70-12"
Vespa Sprint: front: 110/70-12" / rear: 120/70-12"
Vespa 946: front: 120/70-12" / rear: 130/70-12"
Vespa GT/GTS/GTV: front: 120/70-12" / rear: 130/70-12"
The tyre size required for the vehicle is entered in the vehicle documents. There you will find information on tyre width, rim diameter and speed index. Of course, you can also read the tyre mounted on the scooter from its sidewall.
What type of tyre should I choose for my Modern Vespa?
There are scooter tyres for almost every application. We have tried to divide the different tyres into classes. We distinguish:
Whitewall tyres: Similar to the classic tyres, the whitewall tyres also contribute to the retro look of the scooter. The flair of the 50s and 60s is palpable here. Whitewall tyres are not only available with the classic tread, but some also have a sportier or all-weather tread. Only a few manufacturers have mastered the art of ensuring that a whitewall tyre does not turn yellow in the sun. CONTINENTAL is the leader in whitewall tyres. But KENDA, MITAS, SHINKO and CST are also popular.
All-weather tyres: For all-season riders who don't stop at bad weather. These tyres are specially designed for all (except winter) seasons. Especially the modern tyres have sophisticated profiles and rubber compounds and have a good grip even in bad weather conditions. Our tip for everyday vehicles. Germans have experience with bad weather: HEIDENAU supplies with the K58, the K47 and the K66 the most popular all-weather tyres besides the MICHELIN City Grip.
Sport tyres: An absolute must for the sporty driver. The slightly softer compound compared to the classic or all-weather tyres gives the sports tyre an incredible grip on the road. Especially nice on tours when the next serpentine is calling! Tuned engines often need tyres with a higher speed index. Our most popular sports tyres are the SIP Performer, the HEIDENAU K80 and the evergreen MICHELIN S1.
Race tyres: As slick or with semi-slick tread, these are best suited for racing on dry tracks. Ideal for lap races or quarter-mile races. For rainy days, there are also Racing-Rain tyres, which offer the best properties on wet tracks with their tread. Most race tyres are not homologated for normal road use. PMT is the first port of call here. But also the HEIDENAU K61 and the MITAS MC 35 make most racers' hearts beat faster.
Winter tyres: For all those who cannot do without scooter rides even in winter, we have a wide range of winter tyres from various manufacturers and in a wide variety of sizes in stock. Optimal traction and lateral guidance in snow and high drainage in wet conditions characterise these tyres. HEIDENAU and IRC are strongly represented here.
What does the labelling on tyres for Modern Vespa mean?
Example: 90'90-10 59J (according to current designation)
90 Tyre width in mm
90 Percentage ratio of tyre width to cross-section
10Rim diameter in inches
59 Load index
J Speed index
What do the additional indications on the sidewalls of the tyres for Modern Vespa mean?
Dot number: The last 4 digits indicate the production date. So, for example, 4503 means 45 KW in2003.
TL: Tubeless indicates use without a tube. However, this type of tyre can be used with an inner tube without any problems.
TT: This refers specifically to the use of an inner tube!
R, rf, XL or extra load: Reinforced refers to tyres with reinforced carcasses and thus increased load capacity.
What does the load and speed index mean?
The load index (also load index, load index or LI value) indicates the maximum load a tyre may be subjected to. The speed index (also speed index, speed category, speed class, SI value or GSY) indicates the maximum permissible speed of a tyre. The load index and speed index can be found on the side of the tyre.
Speed index | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S |
V (km/h) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 130 | 140 | 150 | 160 | 170 | 180 |
Table part 1
Load index | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 |
Load per tyre (kg) | 136 | 140 | 145 | 150 | 155 | 160 | 165 | 170 | 175 | 180 |
Table Part 2
Load Index | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 |
Load per tyre (kg) | 185 | 190 | 195 | 200 | 206 | 112 | 218 | 224 | 230 |
Example: A tyre marked 120/70-12 51L has a load capacity of 195 kg at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. If the speed increases to 150 km/h, the load capacity of the tyre is reduced by 75 %, in our case 146 kg.
If the speed increases to 150 km/h, the load capacity of the tyre is reduced to 75 %, in our case to 146 kg.
Who makes tyres for Modern Vespa?
From the abundance of manufacturers and brands, we have built up a range that combines, in our opinion, the best manufacturers, the most sizes and the widest range of use. The manufacturers are deliberately not the cheapest noname brands, but all companies whose decades of scooter and motorbike experience come into play in the development of scooter tyres:
SIP: Our house tyres are manufactured for us by well-known tyre manufacturers. The SIP Performance ty re has become one of the most popular sports tyres in the Vespa sector. The SIP Performance tyres are approved for speeds up to 180 km/h. A must for tuners and unique among classic tyres.
CONTINENTAL: The traditional German manufacturer ensures a price-performance ratio for scooter tyres of all models and sizes that is hard to beat. The Twist is one of the most popular tyres and is even available from Conti as a whitewall tyre.
HEIDENAUMade in Germany is the name of the game at Reifenwerke HEIDENAU! They have the highest standards of production and quality. Due to the wide range of sizes and classes, Heidenau tyres are probably the most widely represented in the scooter sector. HEIDENAU is particularly strong in all-weather tyres.
MICHELINMICHELIN has a long history in scooter tyres. The S1 and the S83 are classics. The many years of experience in racing also benefit the modern scooter tyres from Michelin. The best examples are the City Grip, which has also been used as an original equipment tyre by PIAGGIO for years.
PMTPMT from Italy has been producing high-quality racing tyres for scooter racing for years. Despite the high price level, it becomes clear after the first ride at the latest why PMT are worth every cent. Absolutely essential to be at the front of the pack on the race track! Whether in lap races or on the quarter mile.
MITASThe Slovenian tyre manufacturer MITAS is one of the leading producers of motorbike and scooter tyres in Europe and has been selling tyres worldwide for almost 100 years with great success. Even whitewall tyres come off the production line there. MITAS also offers road tyres with a good price-performance ratio.
PIRELLIAs early as 1872, Battista Pirelli founded the PIRELLI brand, which is still one of the leading tyre brands worldwide. With the SC30 scooter tyre as original equipment on various Vespa models, PIRELLI established itself in the scooter sector. PIRELLI is one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world.
KENDAKENDA was founded in 1962 as a bicycle tyre manufacturer. As a leading original equipment manufacturer for scooter manufacturers such as Peugeot and Kymco, KENDA tyres are produced under very high quality standards.
DUNLOP: One of the largest tyre manufacturers for over 120 years. Through constant research and new technologies, DUNLOP is one of the most successful manufacturers in the two-wheeler sector. The TT series has been convincing on the racetrack for many years and can also be used sportily on the road.
SHINKOThe Japanese SHINKO Company was founded in 1946. After the merger with the Korean SHIN HUNG Company, SHINKO tyres became high-impact quality tyres: manufactured with Japanese technology and superior Korean craftsmanship.
CSTCHENG SHIN TIRE is the company behind this acronym. The brand tyres offer innovative technology for high performance demands. The various CST tyres offer the right tyre for every application and terrain.
IRC: With the Urban Snow, IRC was one of the first tyre manufacturers for winter tyres worldwide. The IRC with their special sipe technology are convincing and are our absolute recommendation for the winter.
Safety: What tread depth should I not go below?
According to the law, the tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm, otherwise the tyre must be replaced. However, a tread depth of at least 1 mm is sufficient for bicycles with auxiliary motors, mopeds and light motorbikes. To make this easier to see, some tread grooves have small protrusions, the so-called TWIs = tread wear indicators. These indicate the remaining tread depth, which can vary depending on the manufacturer. A scooter rider who rides with less than 1.6 mm tread depth has fallen below the legal limit (StVZO §36: Tyres and treads, Article 2) and must expect a fine and points in the central traffic register.
If the tread depth is low, the tyre's grip decreases significantly in wet conditions. The tyres can no longer displace the water film. They lose contact with the road, and the vehicle can no longer be steered and braked. Therefore, do not wear tyres down to the legal minimum tread depth. Depending on the width of the tyres, replace them at the latest at 2 to 2.5 mm, winter tyres already at about 4 mm remaining tread depth.
For more information on tyres, visit our tyre technology blog.