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Michelin City Grip 2 vs Michelin Pilot Road — 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 Road |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 80 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 78 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 90 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 95 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | City Grip 2 | Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin City Grip 2 | Michelin Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 92 | 85 |
| Dry | 96 | 80 |
| Wet | 94 | 78 |
| Comfort | 86 | 90 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 95 |
| Handling | 93 | 80 |
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 Road is generally regarded as a durable and versatile sport-touring tire that excels in longevity and all-weather performance. While most users praise its predictable handling and impressive tread life, some riders find its limits insufficient for aggressive, high-performance sport riding.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity compared to dedicated sport tires
- Reliable wet weather grip and confidence-inspiring feedback
- Versatile performance across varied road conditions and surfaces
- Predictable behavior when approaching traction limits
Cons
- Lack of high-end dry grip for aggressive cornering
- Susceptibility to flat-spotting during extended motorway use
- Inconsistent performance for riders transitioning from dedicated sport compounds
Observations
- Users on middleweight sport bikes like the SV650S report excellent versatility for both commuting and spirited riding.
- Riders of older 600cc sport bikes may find the tire's performance envelope too conservative for spirited canyon or track-style riding.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin City Grip 2 | B · Michelin Pilot Road |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Michelin
Michelin
Winner: Michelin City Grip 2 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Michelin Pilot Road if treadwear and comfort matter most to you.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 96 vs 80 on dry.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 94 vs 78 on wet.
Michelin City Grip 2 scores 93 vs 80 on handling.
Michelin Pilot Road scores 95 vs 90 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.