For comparison, the last two sets have been a G547 front (Bias) and a BT020 rear (Bias)
For reference, I have been riding for 45 years, blah-diddy-blah :smile:
The two most noticeable differences are these-
1) Tires are noticeably stiffer and make slightly more road noise.
2) The roll-in is a little smoother than the bias pairing.
Grip seems to be the same, straight up to out on the edge.
Slightly more nervous on gravel and loose dirt.
All that's left to be seen is the mileage.
That said, I've been very happy with the bias pairing.
T30's were $318 Cdn, the pair, installed (off the bike).
Update on the T30's, about 5K (3000 miles) in.
Grip is consistently good in the dry and fine in the wet, no surprises.
Wear is even, with no evident scalloping.
As another inmate mentioned, they REALLY dislike tar strips, to the point where I was nervous going through sweepers laced with them.
Very nice ride at higher speeds (70-95+ mph)
Wear seems to be in line with what I was seeing with the bias setup.
T30 update. . . 8-30-2015
I'm at 9000 km's now (aprox. 5400 miles)
Tires are basically toast, though I could probably squeeze another 500 km's out of them.
Wear front and back even.
Front shows even wear, but there's evidence of beveling or stepping.
Rear shows even wear, with some light scalloping at the siping.
'Some' of that unusual wear may be down to not being religious with tire pressures, but never more than two psi out of spec.
Bottom line(s)- comparing G547/BT020 bias ply to T30r's.
Higher speed (70-100+ mph) running goes to the T30s.
Tar strips? The bias pairing is markedly better.
Wet weather riding? Nod to the bias setup. The T30s had me second guessing grip and slowing, particularly in the damp and light rain.
Overall ride and feel go to the bias setup, by a small but measured difference.
Probably not as stiff a carcass as the T30s.
Roll in behavior was fairly even, with a very slight edge given to the bias tires as it was easier to make inputs mid turn.
High speed sweepers on smooth pavement goes to the T30s, on less than ideal pavement the bias plys.
Gravel and loose dirt go to the bias setup, due to a softer carcass I think.
I'm going to go back to the bias setup next time, but will not rule out the T30's as an option. I just prefer the bias feel overall.
I will consider other radial options.
For reference, I ride an '01 ST1100.
Most of my riding is on the 'sporty' side of sport touring.
I hope you find this of some use
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