ST1300 Tire experts?

[cdnemsguy]

I am trying to buy a couple Bridgstone Battlax T31 for the 1300 as they have a good promotion on and I like the past T30s. The sizing on line states 120/70R18 and 170/60R17 (GT) with no other options. I have been on the phone for the past 1/2 hour talking with very nice well meaning folks withing Bridgestone, but no Motorcycle knowledge was in that group. Question is, where is the "Z" in "ZR" and what is the GT? GT takes over for the speed rating? I have sent an email to the vendor but no return yet.

 

[T_C]

Seems to me the tires have a W speed rating, not Z. Still, you should be good there.

GT is just advertising speak.

 

[drrod]

The Z is the speed rating (sustained above 159mph I believe. Certainly higher than the ST is capable of). The GT has a bit of a higher load rating than the "regular" T31 although both seem to rated at 72W. Somewhere back in my foggy memory, I seem to recall reading that there was a slight construction difference between the regular and the GT version but I can be sure. I have T31 GT's on mine and so far (only about 3,000 miles) they are working fine.

 

[SMSW]

Here are some speed ratings. The comments apply to car tires, this came off the Tire Tack website. The Z rating is above the V - you probably will not be going that fast on your ST, unless you drop it out of a plane (I don't happen to know its terminal velocity so I might be wrong).

Speed Rating
L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
N 87 mph 140km/h
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph

 

[dduelin]

ZR means a tire of radial construction with a speed rating of 149+ mph. The bike is capable of +/-143 mph so you wouldn’t want a tire at the next lowest rating of H (130 mph). GT versions of Bridgestone tires are recommended for motorcycles over 500 lbs. There are unspecified differences in carcass construction or rubber compounds however they do not carry load ratings any different than non GT versions of the same tire. On my bikes the GT tires do last a little longer.

 

[SupraSabre]

I'm done with Bridgestone. They are a Royal PIA to take off your rim!

I've gone through many tires in the last 13 years and 95% have been Michelin. I get anywhere between 10,000 to 12,000 out of a set. Most fronts last longer than that.

 

[dduelin]

Likewise I was done with Michelin years ago as Bridgestones felt so much better under me. The value per mile on Bridgestones was just icing on the cake.

 

[SupraSabre]

Likewise I was done with Michelin years ago as Bridgestones felt so much better under me. The value per mile on Bridgestones was just icing on the cake.

Some people just enjoy the challenge of changing tires!

 

[dduelin]

Some people just enjoy the challenge of changing tires!

Some of us enjoy the joy of riding a good handling motorcycle on tires that compliment that handling. Running from home to work and back, commuting, meh.

I never changed a single tire on the ST, preferring to let the deal do it for $18 a tire. Really easy! I couldn’t get Michelin’s shipped to me for the cost of 023s or 30s shipped to me and then mounted. I went through about 30 sets IIRC.

 

[rwrolson]

I am trying to buy a couple Bridgstone Battlax T31 for the 1300 as they have a good promotion on and I like the past T30s. The sizing on line states 120/70R18 and 170/60R17 (GT) with no other options. I have been on the phone for the past 1/2 hour talking with very nice well meaning folks withing Bridgestone, but no Motorcycle knowledge was in that group. Question is, where is the "Z" in "ZR" and what is the GT? GT takes over for the speed rating? I have sent an email to the vendor but no return yet.

GT is Grand Tour. Basically a little stronger tire for a heavier sport tour...I use GT Pirrelli Angels on my ST and they perform well.

 

[cdnemsguy]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Well almost everyone. (read below) I just received an email back from the vendor and it was very helpful. Here the info is...

The speed rating for these tires are:

170/60R17 (GT) - W = 168MPH/270KMH
120/70R18 - W = 168MPH/270KMH

The "Z" in the ZR means the tire is rated for at least 149MPH/240KMH, which is the case for these tires. W exceeds Z in the charts. They are most likely labeled with the ZR rating on the tire themselves and the product description on our site most likely needs to be updated to include this.

If you would like more information, you can read more here: https://fortnine.ca/en/motorcycle-tire-speed-rating/

Also a funny part to this question I posted this morning, I asked the question and thought... Do I have to state that I don't care about the Bridgestone haters and the flavor of tire that is the only tire to run...aka tire thread? Well appears I should have as it is obvious that some people just can't help themselves. Counselling might be in order but there is not shame in that.

 

[SupraSabre]

Some of us enjoy the joy of riding a good handling motorcycle on tires that compliment that handling. Running from home to work and back, commuting, meh.

I never changed a single tire on the ST, preferring to let the deal do it for $18 a tire. Really easy! I couldn’t get Michelin’s shipped to me for the cost of 023s or 30s shipped to me and then mounted. I went through about 30 sets IIRC.

Since I do change my own tires, I'll stick to the Michelin, that I seem to get with no problems.!

Don't forget, I also do a lot of long distance riding, not just commuting! And I've had VERY good luck with the handling of the Michelins in tight corners (just ask anyone in the group I rode with in Oregon), as well as out on the open hwy. So I think my experiences are as good as anyone elses!

 

[Mellow]

Yeah, the Bridgestones typically have some pretty stiff sidewalls.. The flip side is if you ever have a fast flat hopefully those will help maintain control long enough to get to the side of the road.

I always went with Mich for the ST..

 

[drrod]

As a bit of an aside regarding the stiff sidewalls of Bridgestone......the set of T31's, I last installed, went on quite easily with just spoons. I started with the spoons, fully expecting to have to use the longer lever of the NoMar to finish, but did not have to (unlike the last Pirellis and Michelins). No explanation for this. Maybe it was because I used a different oil the last time I changed it

 

[cdnemsguy]

Maybe it was because I used a different oil the last time I changed it

 

[drrod]

It is too cold and snowy to ride so may as well make my own fun!!!

 

[Al-Hala]

Faster responses than the oil or molybdenum threads...

 

[SupraSabre]

It is too cold and snowy to ride so may as well make my own fun!!!

It might rain next Tuesday, I "might" not be able to ride that day. I'm not sure HOW I will cope that day!

 

[cdnemsguy]

It might rain next Tuesday, I "might" not be able to ride that day. I'm not sure HOW I will cope that day!

Put on a set of the good Bridgestone T31 Snow radials and come on up to Canada. Tire chains are optional but highly recommended.

 

[SupraSabre]

Put on a set of the good Bridgestone T31 Snow radials and come on up to Canada. Tire chains are optional but highly recommended.

I'm actually thinking to break out the 2010 with ABS. does very well on wet roads! BTDT!