BT-023 rear tire

DavidR8

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Seems I'm late to this party as this is old news. Apologies for the post!

Looks like Bridgestone is no longer making the BT-023 in the 170/70-17 size for the rear tire.
Too bad as I was hoping to order a matched pair and get the rebate.


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jfheath

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Looks like you have had a lucky escape then ! My BT023 rear was excellent for the first couple of thousand miles, but the sides scrubbed away very badly after that, and the bike would wander around when leant over as if the tyre was flat. Much better in my opinion is the T30 and/or the T30 EVO. For all of these tyres, the ST1300 needs the GT version. The T30 GT rear didn't quite last the distance of the BT020 F rated rear - but inspired a lot of confidence. The front lasted twice as long. The T30 Evo GT - I have my first one fitted at the moment and am enjoying it so far.

When I went back to the BT020 - preparation for a long trip - I forgot that I had changed back to my old type of tyre and rode with the new found confidence of the T30s. Hmmm.
 
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170/70-17 size
That isn't the correct size that you want. You need a 170/60ZR-17 for your bike, and I would go with the Bridgestone BT30 on the back to match the front, as that I what I am running until the front wears a bit more. I bought a matched set of T30s and got the rebate.
 
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DavidR8

DavidR8

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That isn't the correct size that you want. You need a 170/60ZR-17 for your bike, and I would go with the Bridgestone BT30 on the back to match the front, as that I what I am running until the front wears a bit more. I bought a matched set of T30s and got the rebate.
Whoops, I mistyped. Thanks for the catch!

I did mean 170/60ZR-17.


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veefore

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I ran a set of 023gt's, tires felt great....but.......lasted about 4000 miles (42,42) and cupped so bad the rear howled at 3000. Went back to 020's and the difference in the stiffness of the sidewall was huge when we dimounted them. Never again.....
 
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DavidR8

DavidR8

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I ran a set of 023gt's, tires felt great....but.......lasted about 4000 miles (42,42) and cupped so bad the rear howled at 3000. Went back to 020's and the difference in the stiffness of the sidewall was huge when we dimounted them. Never again.....
Did the 020's ride more smoothly than the 023's?



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jfheath

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Did the 020's ride more smoothly than the 023's?
In my experience, yes. You have to get the heavier duty 'F' rated tyres. Sometimes the F to indicate 'front' is mistaken for the F rated tyre. The front is BT020FF and the rear BT020RF (or is that BT020FR - I cant remember).

The BT020 F rear tyre wears down faster in the middle, in my experience, and the normal squaring off never produces a cliff edge - cornering is smooth throughout their life. The BT023GT wore down much more rapidly on the sides. I think I posted a pic of my first experience with these tyres. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is. Link.

Note that the mileage that I get from tyres is very much down on what many report on this forum. 5000 miles is not good, but it is consistent mileage for me for the BT020GT. Compare my other mileage for the BT023 in the link, with that figure. If you get more out of a BT020, you'll doubtless get more from an 023. Our road surfaces are rough, (often tar and chipping) and we ride two up most of the time, often fully loaded. I'm a big bloke at 6'4", and not as fit as I used to be (see avatar pic). The extra weight makes a lot of difference.
 
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I just swapped my BT-023 rear out for the 30 after 16000 kms, and it was because the center was flat and down to the wear bars. The front is ok after 30000 but I am changing it out this week. I think they wear ok and I hope the 30 is as good.
 

veefore

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The 023's felt great, you can tell a difference. Not enough mileage for me though.
 
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I just swapped my BT-023 rear out for the 30 after 16000 kms, and it was because the center was flat and down to the wear bars. The front is ok after 30000 but I am changing it out this week. I think they wear ok and I hope the 30 is as good.
Wow, almost the same wear as me. My rear BT 023 GT that I changed out this spring seen 15,250 miles or 24,500 Km's and my front BT 023 GT is still on the bike at 30,000 Km's or 18,600 miles. It's almost to the wear bars, so I'm going to be changing it out in 2018.
 
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