New Battlax T30 vs BT-023

Guys, It's that time for a new set of tyres. I have been running the Bridgestone BT-023's on my 1998 ST1100 ABS/TCS and they have given me great grip and road holding and lasted for 6k. Has anyone tried the new Bridgestone T30's ? Any suggestions what are the best tyres to buy ?

I picked up a rear T30-GT yesterday from Chaparral (in San Bernardino). The price was substantially (i.e. $48) less than the Dunlop RS2 or Michelin PR2/3. The tire looks pretty much like the BT023. It seems to have a very rigid carcus, like prior versions.

The PR3 wins the new-tire-on-the-rack fondle comparo. It just feels more like sticky silicone, like a windshield wiper. If I lived in a rain-area, the PR3 might be worth it. But I'm in SoCal, where it never rains. And, in the summer, the asphalt / concrete temp is like 130-150 deg. The BT021 I'm replacing had 13,5k miles on it. I'm guessing there's not that much difference between the BT023 and T30.


The FRONT T30 has the new compound, according to this release: Corporate techno-babble.

Here's the rear T30-GT. You can see the dual compound mould line in the sunlight.
I bought the front also. The rear is installed, but haven't ridden yet.

Joest1100 said:

Guys, It's that time for a new set of tyres. I have been running the Bridgestone BT-023's on my 1998 ST1100 ABS/TCS and they have given me great grip and road holding and lasted for 6k. Has anyone tried the new Bridgestone T30's ? Any suggestions what are the best tyres to buy ?

Click to expand...

Hi what tyre did you go with? I have 6700 miles on the bt023's, the front is good for another few thousand I suppose but the rear is squaring off.I'll probably just fit both new at the same time.

Adding photo of front tire, mounted, with 1 oz dynabeads.
So after a few hundred miles, I'm liking these.

I will be buying a set of the new T30's very soon. Seen the thread title and hoped it was a comparison. I have really liked the BT023's in the past. My last three sets were 23's. I have high hopes for their replacements.

DsrtRngr said:

Adding photo of front tire, mounted, with 1 oz dynabeads.
So after a few hundred miles, I'm liking these.

Click to expand...

What's the tread depth (in the middle) new front and rear?

Pete in PA said:

What's the tread depth (in the middle) new front and rear?

Click to expand...

5/32" front, 7/32" rear according to the BS 2014 MC Tire Data Book. Same as the 023s IIRC.

Had a set of these mounted approx. 10k ago after a nail stopped play with the oem Dunlops.

They have worn evenly, and only recently squared off due to many motorway miles, given good grip in both wet and dry conditions with the exception of one minor rear wheel slide in dry conditions & delivered a nice feeling ride.

They are being replaced with another set this Saturday (again due to a nail !!!), and will get a photo of the old and new side by side for comparison.

The thing is, as much as I like these tyres, I prefer the bt020f (none available for this weekend) for the feed back they give and as a result are happy to trade off the milage disadvantage.

The Cheese said:

I will be buying a set of the new T30's very soon. Seen the thread title and hoped it was a comparison. I have really liked the BT023's in the past. My last three sets were 23's. I have high hopes for their replacements.

Click to expand...

Hi did you fit the T30's and how do you like them, I'm considering another set of BT023's as well,got 8000 miles out of the current set.

also considering metzeler Z6 and PR3's,though the pr3's aren't in the right exact size but UP uses them and is very happy with the wet weather grip of the pr3's, which is a big factor here with all the rain we get,thanks.

I have not bought new tires yet. Something has come up that has just killed my riding time. I still plan to use the T30, as its the updated BT-023s. BY "UP" I assume you mean "Uncle Phil". He has been riding much longer than I, has much more ST experience than I, and can ride much better than I. If he says it will work than I'd believe em. With that said I'm still going with T30s.

If you want 023s you better get hopping. I was looking for one more 170/60 GT rear but since the T30 has been out for 10 months now I have been unable to find a 023 GT at various E-tail outlets. I have a connection to the largest US importer of Bridgestone so I checked there to see if there were any available to order and their stock is zero with none on purchase order. The 023 is pretty much done in the US in ST sizes. I found a few on fleaBay but there's no way to tell the mfg date so I won't take that chance. Time to move on.

Try Iron Pony. Their site still shows the BT-023 GT as available.

So far I like the T30 GT tires. Very light steering. I haven't leaned them over all the way yet, still too much winter anti-skid on the roads.

Since They're as stiff or stiffer than the 020's I'm hoping for the same mileage. I never ran the 023's.

After a lot of figuring out I think I'll go with the T30's if I can't get BT023's, do you guys always get the wheels balanced when fitting new tyres/tires/tars?

Thanks for the link Stripper! I just ordered a set for about the price of a rear PR4.

My 2 Bridgestone BT023 GT's just came in today.
Again 2 tires for the price of 1 rear Pilot Road 3.
Here is the site:

http://www.ironpony.com/ipd/pl.asp/c3/Street-Tires/c2/Tires-and-Wheels/c1/Street-Products/brand/Bridgestone

BT023 GT Combo Deal:
BT023 GT 120/70-18 Front and a 170/60-17 Rear $165.98
Part: 301015/301019

I just ordered a set of 023s from Iron Pony....I hope they have them in stock to ship. I am at 6200 miles on a set and the rear tire is at 3/32" tread after starting at 7/32". The most I got so far out of a Pilot Road 2 or 3 was about 9000 miles. If I don't get that out of this 023 the per mile cost is still ahead. I paid $265 for the current set on the bike and this set was $185 to my door from Iron Pony. While the wet grip of the PR3 is top of the pack the 023 feels better in the dry and isn't far behind in the wet. YMMV

The manual calls for BT-020, which Iron Pony also has, but they are more expensive than the 023. Anybody know what the difference is? Are they worth the extra money? I had the 020's last year, and got about 9000 miles in. The rear is ready for new, the front still has some life.

ldriutta said:

The manual calls for BT-020, which Iron Pony also has, but they are more expensive than the 023. Anybody know what the difference is? Are they worth the extra money? I had the 020's last year, and got about 9000 miles in. The rear is ready for new, the front still has some life.

Click to expand...

If you do go with the BT-020's, make sure they end with an "F".

FRONT IS BRIDGESTONE BTO2OF F 120/70 ZR18 (59W)
REAR IS BRIDGESTONE BT020R F 170160 ZR17 (72W)

Also, I have used both and recommend the BT023 GT, I found there isn't any cupping and no squaring off like the BT020F did on the front and rear.
BT023 GT lasted longer then the BT020F.
Another tip is keep your tire pressure at 42 or 43 psi. I found a lower pressure accelerates cupping of the tire.