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Michelin City Grip 2 vs Michelin Pilot Street — 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 | City Grip 2 | Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 74 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 55 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 70 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 69 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 63 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin City Grip 2 | Michelin Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 92 | 65 |
| Dry | 96 | 74 |
| Wet | 94 | 55 |
| Comfort | 86 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 69 |
| Handling | 93 | 63 |
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 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.
The Michelin Pilot Street receives a polarized reception, with users generally finding them adequate for casual, dry-weather riding but expressing significant safety concerns regarding wet-weather performance. While some riders appreciate the value and longevity, a substantial portion of the user base reports unpredictable traction and poor confidence in rain, leading to a mixed overall sentiment.
Pros
- Acceptable grip levels in warm, dry conditions
- Competitive price-to-performance ratio for budget-conscious riders
- Good aesthetic profile and durability for some specific small-displacement motorcycles
Cons
- Extremely poor and unpredictable wet-weather traction
- Inconsistent manufacturing quality, including reports of misshapen tires and vibrations
- Vague road feedback and lack of rider confidence during cornering
- Disappointing tread life for a significant number of users
Observations
- Users on small-displacement bikes like the Ninja 250 reported varied experiences, with some noting excellent longevity while others experienced sudden loss of traction.
- Riders of 125cc-class motorcycles noted that the Pilot Street felt less confidence-inspiring than narrower, smaller-diameter tires from other brands.
- Scooter riders reported issues with rear-end grip during sharp cornering, leading many to switch to alternative brands for better stability.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin City Grip 2 | B · Michelin Pilot Street |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Michelin
Michelin
Winner: Michelin City Grip 2 — better wet, handling and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 94 vs 55 on wet.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 93 vs 63 on handling.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 96 vs 74 on dry.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 90 vs 69 on treadwear.
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.