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Avon Cobra Chrome vs Michelin City Grip 2 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Cobra Chrome | City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 96 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Cobra Chrome | City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 94 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Cobra Chrome | City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 86 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Cobra Chrome | City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 90 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Cobra Chrome | City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 93 |
| DriverReviews owners | 90 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon Cobra Chrome | Michelin City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 92 |
| Dry | 89 | 96 |
| Wet | 84 | 94 |
| Comfort | 89 | 86 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 90 |
| Handling | 83 | 93 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon Cobra Chrome is widely regarded as a high-performance cruiser tire that excels in wet weather handling and cornering confidence. While many riders praise its stability and grip, the user experience is polarized by reports of inconsistent tread longevity and isolated, severe structural failures.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip and handling confidence
- Improved cornering stability compared to OEM alternatives
- Effective at tracking over road imperfections like white lines and cat's eyes
- Strong performance on heavy touring motorcycles like the Honda Goldwing
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, particularly in high-heat environments
- Reports of structural issues including tread separation and blistering
- Lack of a center wear indicator makes monitoring tread depth difficult
- Occasional reports of sudden loss of traction in damp conditions
Observations
- Goldwing owners report high satisfaction with wet-weather performance, though some experienced dangerous tread separation at highway speeds.
- Harley-Davidson riders report mixed results, with some noting premature wear and others experiencing traction loss on damp surfaces.
- Users in high-ambient-temperature climates (e.g., Australia) report significantly lower mileage than those in cooler regions.
The Michelin City Grip 2 is widely regarded as a superior upgrade over OEM scooter tires, offering significant improvements in cornering confidence and wet-weather performance. Users consistently praise its predictable handling and enhanced grip, though experiences regarding ride comfort and road feedback remain somewhat polarized.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and stability during cornering
- Strong performance in wet weather conditions
- Predictable handling and improved road feedback
- Noticeable performance upgrade over stock scooter tires
Cons
- Requires a short warm-up period to reach optimal stickiness
- Can feel stiff or transmit excessive road imperfections
- Front tire wear can be accelerated on heavier scooter models
Observations
- Users on Vespa models report high satisfaction with cornering confidence and reduced bumpiness on rough roads.
- Owners of heavier scooters, such as the Yamaha Tricity, note that front tire wear is more pronounced due to suspension weight distribution.
- Performance on small-diameter wheels (12-inch) is noted as highly effective, providing braking power that exceeds the limits of standard scooter suspension components.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon Cobra Chrome | B · Michelin City Grip 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Avon
Michelin
Winner: Michelin City Grip 2 — better treadwear, wet and handling. Pick the Avon Cobra Chrome if comfort matters most to you.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 90 vs 65 on treadwear.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 94 vs 84 on wet.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 93 vs 83 on handling.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 96 vs 89 on dry.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.