Another Bridgestone BT023GT tire issue

This is my second set of these tires on my ST1300. I was quite happy with the first set and decided to go with another set despite some of the negative things I was reading on here. I put a new set on and had them spun balanced before mounting them. I them took a 5500 mile trip out west and into Canada. I started to notice a vibration from the front end and passing speeds about 1/2 way through the trip. When I got home and went to wash the bike I check the front wheel and tire for anything unusual and this is what I found. These are pics of 3 different places on the tire, and there are a few more spots like this. I bought the tires from Keel Brothers put they had Parts Unlimited stickers on them when I received them, so I will be contacting them to see where to go from here.

Just out of curiosity, what tire pressures were you running? This looks like either low pressure wear, or your preload adjuster was cranked up too high....and a common problem with dual compound tires...try running some continental road attack 2 GT's, steel belt, one compound, great grip!

That type of cupping is pretty usual however, not to that degree for such few miles - I agree with Larry on the tire pressure check.

Not all tires - even the same tires - are made perfectly identical so sometimes you do get a bad one.

The tire pressure is at 40 psi, which is where I ran the last set. Preload is set at 36mm of rider sag, which is also where I ran the last set.

I typically run 42 but if that's what you did on the last set I don't see why it should matter. I'd go with your original thoughts to see if the supplier can do anything for you.

I kept the old BT023GT that I took off of the front. It has 9500 miles on it and doesn't look near as bad as this tire. Both tires had the same pressure and preload settings.

Looks like loww tire pressure wear to me as well. Exact same wear pattern my front tire exhibited on my first ST1100 after routinely unknownigly running it at low pressure due to a porous rim.

+1 on the 'looks like wear from a bit low tire pressure' ... but it is worn odd.

Regarding the rear shock preload.... that doesn't change the weight on the front and rear tires except by a few pounds at most.

I understand what you are saying about low pressure, but that kind of wear tends to be the same all around the tire. This tire just has several spots that look like this and not the whole tire.


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Yes Michael, that's what's odd to me also. But I don't know how the tire flexes at sipes when pressure is low... it could be that those tread surfaces are pressed harder into the pavement as the tire flexes (at slightly low pressure)

I'm not a fan of multi-compound tires for this reason. I suspect it is (will be explained as) normal wear. Not a defective tire. It's obvious the cup is only where the tread pattern with the "V" shape transitions the two different compounds. If manufacturers insist on using multiple compounds they are going to have to give more consideration to the tread pattern used.

BakerBoy said:

+1 on the 'looks like wear from a bit low tire pressure' ... but it is worn odd.

Regarding the rear shock preload.... that doesn't change the weight on the front and rear tires except by a few pounds at most.

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Oh, now I see where you are going with the other thread. Key words - I Go To Far?

Perhaps check your favorite tire gauge for accuracy against another one? I tend to use a favorite one a long time and if it is getting less accurate I wouldn't know if I didn't cross check it occasionally.

I use a TPMS monitoring system for my tire pressures.
It really shows you what's going on in your tires.
I have found that when it fires up in the morning, the best pressures I have liked are 43 psi in the front and 44 psi in the rear.
Now after work and if the bike has been sitting for 8-9 hours, when I fire up the bike, the pressure mid day has been up to 46 psi.
So, check your tires first thing in the morning and if it is above that mid day, no harm
The warning sticker on the tire says to never exceed 57 psi, so don't sweat it if your not near that.
Highest I have seen my tires are 52 psi with the ambient temperature being 101 F driving down I-5 in CA.
15,250 miles on my BT023 GT's and it looks like I may have another 1000 miles to go before the wear bars blend in with the tires.
Both front and rear seem to be wearing at the same rate also.
I'll post some pictures once they are worn down to the wear bars. Also they are wearing true so to speak and do not have the ridges your tires have. Also bought mine from Keel brothers and they had the parts unlimited tag on them.
My only suggestion is to keep your pressures up by a few Psi on your next set.

Bridgestone has been contacted. We'll see what they say. I will check my tire pressure gauge, but it is not the pencil type, it is a Accu-Gage dial type. These are suppose to be very accurate.

I've had my ST1300 for 7 years and have always run 40psi in the front with no issues until now. I've had PR-2's and the non-GT version of this tire and they didn't do this as quickly as these did this time.

I had 15000 miles on my last Bridgestone GT and have 8000 miles on the new one and it sure doesn't display the wear pattern you are getting. We ride two up all the time and put 42lbs pressure in the tire. As for all the tires I have tried, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin the Bridgestone give me the best mileage.

Bill144 said:

I had 15000 miles on my last Bridgestone GT and have 8000 miles on the new one and it sure doesn't display the wear pattern you are getting. We ride two up all the time and put 42lbs pressure in the tire. As for all the tires I have tried, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin the Bridgestone give me the best mileage.

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Hi Bill,
I ride solo and I'm looking for miles close to yours and beyond. It is time to purchase a new set of Bridgestones; BT 023 GT is where I'm looking. Question: What are the size(s) of GT's you've put on your bike?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Maceco SoloWe

any word back from Bridgestone, Michael? Mine is wearing in an almost identical pattern.

Macedo said:

Question: What are the size(s) of GT's you've put on your bike?

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BT023 GT
Size: Speed Rating: Load Rating:
170/60ZR17 W (168 mph). 72 (783 lbs) $119
120/70ZR18 W (168 mph) 58 (520 lbs). $101
I found the prices above from
http://www.jakewilson.com/

170/60ZR-17 (72W) Bridgestone Battlax BT023 GT Rear Motorcycle Tire
Part# 1360770002

120/70ZR-18 (59W) Bridgestone Battlax BT023 GT Front Motorcycle Tire
Part# 1360760003

I have over 15,500 miles on mine.
Just about down to the wear bars.
Your mileage may vary on your driving habits.