Winter tyres - at SIP Scootershop
For all those who don't want to miss out on 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. Optimum traction and lateral guidance in snow and high drainage in wet conditions are the hallmarks of these tyres. HEIDENAU, METZELER and IRC are strongly represented here.
What size should my winter tyres be?
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.
Complete wheelsChanging tyres becomes plug & play. The SIP complete wheels are pre-mounted tyres on rims. They are available with SIP steel or SIP tubeless rims for Vespa or Lambretta scooters. The tyres are ready to ride and are also perfect as spare wheels or even as a set of winter tyres.
Tyre fitting service: Some customers want to combine other tyres and rims beyond our complete wheels. We are happy to do this work, provided the combinations fit together.
Note: SIP has favourable prices for all vehicles. Rims. It is best to put a set of winter or all-weather tyres on rims, then you can change easily and quickly when the weather is right. You don't have to get your fingers dirty unnecessarily or visit a workshop to mount them.
What manufacturers are there for winter tyres?
Winter tyres are a niche in the world of scooter tyres. Only a few manufacturers produce them in small series. IRC is the leader here, along with HEIDENAU.
HEIDENAUMade in Germany is the name of the game at Reifenwerke HEIDENAU! In Saxony, they also know their way around snow. The HEIDENAU Snowtex is available with different treads. Perfect for cold days.
IRCWith 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.
What does the labelling on winter tyres mean?
Example: 3 .50-10 59J (by inch designation)
3.50 Tyre width in inches (1 inch = 25.4mm)
10 Rim diameter in inches
59 Load index
J Speed index
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 winter tyres mean?
Dot number: The last 4 digits indicate the production date. So, for example, 4503 means 45KWin2003
TL: Tubeless indicates use without a tube. However, this type of tyre can be used with an inner tube without any problems.
TT: This specifically indicates 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 %, i.e. 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.
Are winter tyres compulsory?
From December 2010 to 2017, according to §2 para. 3a StVO, two-wheelers in Germany also had to be equipped with winter tyres in case of black ice, slush, ice and slippery tyres. There was no restriction regarding temperature, time or regions. Basically, in order to really be considered winter tyres, the tyre had to have the following marking: The M+S (mud and snow) symbol and a mountain pictogram (with snowflake) (Alpine symbol) on the tyre sidewall.
Since 2018, this obligation no longer exists. However, if you ride a two-wheeler in the winter months, we strongly recommend that you change to winter tyres. If you have to freeze on your scooter, you should at least have the best grip.
For more information on tyres, visit our tyre technology blog.