It's nearly time for new tyres. Does anyone have any experience - performance and mileage for Bridgestone Battlex BT 023's?
Any experience with Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 tyres
- Thread starter Aussieboy
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Blrfl
Natural Rider Enhancement
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If good handling is desired over long mileage I like the BT023. I ran one set and found it to be a great tire on my ST1300 with very responsive handling in wet and dry conditions. It wore very evenly with very little cupping and was not a noisy tire. I ran this tire harder than average and got 5700 miles out of the rear tire. If I had been a little less aggressive it may have returned 7000 miles. At that time I was averaging about 6000 miles out of other rear tire fitments (Original equipment Bridgestone BT020, Michelin Pilot Road I, Metzeler Z6, Avon Storm).
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?79083-Bridgestone-introducing-new-sport-touring-tire-BT023R&highlight=
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?79083-Bridgestone-introducing-new-sport-touring-tire-BT023R&highlight=
I managed over 20,000 km from the BT 023 front, which is about 30% more than my experience with BT 020's in similar riding conditions (solo touring). BT 020's are a solid choice for the 1300, but I have had difficulty getting them, like the handling of the BT 023's a bit better, and prefer the BT 023 front overall. Mark is probably right about the rear BT 020 lasting longer (my 023 rear was short-lived due to a stone cut). Last week I ordered another set of BT 023's.
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My rear lasted a tick under 6,000 miles. I switched it to a BT020. I can't tell the difference. Right now running BT023 front and BT020 Rear. We will see if the 020 rear lasts longer.
The only thing I don't like about the 020 and 023 is that they have a really stiff sidewall which makes them a bear to mount/dismount. Only an issue if you put on your own tires. If you take it somewhere it isn't your issue.
The only thing I don't like about the 020 and 023 is that they have a really stiff sidewall which makes them a bear to mount/dismount. Only an issue if you put on your own tires. If you take it somewhere it isn't your issue.
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I like the tires and I am on my second rear tire now. Here is a post on my first tire
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?94033-Bridgestone-023-rear-tire-after-1-month&highlight=
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?94033-Bridgestone-023-rear-tire-after-1-month&highlight=
OP
OP
Thanks for all the feedback. Think I will give them a try and see how they go. Most of my riding is 2 up and fully loaded. Have got just over 12,000Km (7,500 miles) on the BT020 originals and will probably get another 1,000Km out of them. So it will be interesting to compare the BT023's. Again thanks for the responses.
In Australia, just don't expect some of the higher mileages that seem to be more common in the US. I don't expect any more than 10,000kms out of a set of tyres on the ST11, and this includes Avons, Z6s, Roadsmarts (mostly solo, normal riding). Pilot road 2s may be better mileage wise but I have not tried them myself. Ozstoc forum is the place in Australia to find out what people are getting, as there seems to be a lot of ST13s many in Queensland.
+1
I had an interesting discussion regarding tyre type for the ST1300 with a suspension specialist in Sydney. I'm about to go down the path of having the rear shock rebuilt - revalved shock body + heavier spring, heavier front springs and gold valves. I do a lot of 2 up riding and the stock suspension set up just isn't cutting it, particularly on rough road surfaces.
Whilst speaking to the guru he mentioned how critical it was to run the correct tyres on a heavy bike to help make the suspension work more efficiently. I've been using PR2's which I like despite the harsh ride. The guru suggested I replace them with a more touring orientated tyre which had much stronger side walls. He explained how stiffer tyre walls act as an extension of your suspension, in regards to their ability to soak up bumps etc. In his opinion, he thought the PR2's were too light and subject to too much deformation under load. He reckoned this was a common mistake made by owners of heavy tourers/cruisers running a sport touring tyre which was too light for the bike and suspension. This went some way to explaining the cupping I had on my rear tyre despite me being anal with tyre pressures.
When I returned home, I went to my local bike shop and began comparing the Metzeler Z6 & Z8, PR2 & BT 020F in regards to weight, profile and side wall strength. These were the only suitable tyres available to compare on the rack. I was surprised at just how light the PR2 was out of all of them. The new Z8 looks like a great tyre but it wont be available in ST1300 sizes until mid yr in Oz. As I hadn't run 020's for sometime I was amazed at how rigid the tyre was and how heavy the side walls are. Well......after careful consideration in regards to the type of riding I do, and the rough roads I ride on, I'm going back to the OEM BT 020's. Sorry about the length of this post but I thought it might be of interest to some 2 up riders.
FJRHank
"Scooter Pimp"
Bridgestone is confusing things IMHO.
They make a GT spec version of the BT023. That stands for Grand Touring and is made for the heavier ST bikes. It does not come in ST13 sizes though (last time I looked anyway).
But in the latest issue of MotorCyclist magazine, they have a full page ad for the BT023 tires (Not the GT), and guess which bike is featured? You got it, unmistakably, it's an ST13.
The confusing part is the GT spec version states specifically it's for the heavier sport touring bikes, like the FJR, but the ST13 is heavier??
Personally I don't really care about this. I have the GT version on my fjr and they are fine and seem to be wearing well. But if I had an ST13 I'd be asking bridgestone where my GT spec versions are...
They make a GT spec version of the BT023. That stands for Grand Touring and is made for the heavier ST bikes. It does not come in ST13 sizes though (last time I looked anyway).
But in the latest issue of MotorCyclist magazine, they have a full page ad for the BT023 tires (Not the GT), and guess which bike is featured? You got it, unmistakably, it's an ST13.
The confusing part is the GT spec version states specifically it's for the heavier sport touring bikes, like the FJR, but the ST13 is heavier??
Personally I don't really care about this. I have the GT version on my fjr and they are fine and seem to be wearing well. But if I had an ST13 I'd be asking bridgestone where my GT spec versions are...
OP
OP
Thanks saaz, I will have look there. I will get about 13 - 14,000 out of the oem 020's. We run to Adelaide from Melbourne quite regularly, not normally using the highway, but the road surfaces are not bad. So I am not upset about the mileage. Had just heard that the 023s were better in the wet.
FJRHank
"Scooter Pimp"
Iain that's another reason I posted about the ad in MotorCyclist. It seems very odd they would point out on the website the GT version is for the heavier bikes, but then post an ad featuring the ST13, for the BT023 tires (not the GT version).
I don't know what more of an endorsement, indicating the basic BT023 tires are for the ST13, then that Ad? I mean it's in print, how could they then turn around and say they are not for the ST13?
Just seems really crazy somehow...
Gene
That's MR CUPCAKE to you!
So is this another tire we cant use ? Because why ? Thats right the europe powers that be say so ? Here we go again another unaproved tire !
Yes, horrilbe. Only 2600 miles on front tire and it is worn completely. Rear tire is a little better but I need to replace them. My local car tire resource guy who rides a Concours says the ST is too heavy for the 023. He suggested Metzlers or Michelins.
bdalameda
PaleoCyclist
Are you sure you are talking about the Bt023 or the BT021 - The BT021's fronts will wear out quick often before the rears in my experience - My experience with the BT023 fronts has been good so far I have 3K on them and the front looks brand new - rear showing very minimal wear - that is on mt St1100.
I also agree with George - i have been seeing this ad for Bridgestone featuring the ST1300 - seems pointed directly at heavier bikes - may also be capatilizing on the Avon problems.
hi, what pressure do you use in the bt023's on your st 1100? 36-42? or higher, thanks
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That seems strange. My rear lasted around 5800 miles but my front lasted almost 18,000. I ran it longer than I should have as it was pretty much a slick but it did have good life.
Hi Des, I'm just wondering whether to run them at 36-42 or to put more in the front,fitted them yesterday,even though they aren't scrubbed in yet I road 40 miles home in the wet and they felt great,bike feels more flickable but the old tyres were squared off badly,good news though when the mechanic/tyre fitter had her stripped down the collector box and and swingarm are perfect,this bike had one owner in Ireland from new so I think as we dont salt the roads here nearly as much as in the UK that has been a factor in it.The guy only rode her in the Summer,so thats made my day as they say