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Michelin City Grip 2 vs Pirelli Diablo Rosso — 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 | Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 70 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 33 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 74 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 70 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 58 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin City Grip 2 | Pirelli Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 92 | 59 |
| Dry | 96 | 70 |
| Wet | 94 | 33 |
| Comfort | 86 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 70 |
| Handling | 93 | 58 |
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 Pirelli Diablo Rosso receives polarized feedback, with users praising its performance in warm, dry conditions while expressing significant concerns regarding its reliability in cold or wet weather. While some riders appreciate the tire's neutral handling and grip for spirited riding, others report sudden, unpredictable traction loss that compromises rider confidence.
Pros
- Excellent grip and handling in warm, dry conditions
- Predictable and neutral steering characteristics
- Strong performance on smaller displacement vehicles and scooters
- Good feedback for spirited street riding
Cons
- Sudden and unpredictable loss of traction in cold or wet conditions
- Poor performance and safety concerns during rain
- Inconsistent tread wear patterns
- Faster than expected wear rates for some users
Observations
- Users on smaller displacement scooters reported high satisfaction with grip and longevity.
- Riders on mid-sized naked bikes, such as the Ducati Monster, reported significant instability and safety issues in sub-optimal weather.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin City Grip 2 | B · Pirelli Diablo Rosso |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Michelin
Pirelli
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 33 on wet.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 93 vs 58 on handling.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 96 vs 70 on dry.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 90 vs 70 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.