bridgestone bt021 any problems?

[jagueri]

I just mounted a bt021 front tire and it sounds like mud grips on a jeep and my fingers go numb from the vibration in about 15 minutes. Anyone heard or experienced this.

 

[Rajah]

I had a 021 on the front for 4,800 mi. No problems with it, a nice quiet tire. It just wore out too quick. I went back to a 020F.

 

[ChipSTer]

I like the 020's better... but my next set are going to be road smarts...

 

[Tankereng]

BT021 on the rear right now....leaving in the AM for a 2,400mile road trip through Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri,Arkansas,Lousiana.... I'll let you know. 100 miles on it now...nice solid feel in the rear..

 

[Gonzo]

Got new ones front and back with only a few hundred miles so far, but no issues yet.

 

[STPaulK]

I just mounted a bt021 front tire and it sounds like mud grips on a jeep and my fingers go numb from the vibration in about 15 minutes. Anyone heard or experienced this.

Hmmm, the last tire I had that happen was mounted backwards.

 

[thumperjdm]

I like my 021's, and I'm on my second front--the second rear is in my garage and will go on in about 1,000 miles.

They wear somewhat quickly, but provide great grip and confidence, and have very neutral handling characteristics.

I would never put the stock Dunlop 220's back on my bike--they sucked!

 

[Mondo]

8,000 miles on front and back 021's. CUPPING, CUPPING, CUPPING. Will not buy again.

 

[naustin]

I had a set of BT021s on my Buell and hated them. The Rear lasted OK to 5,000mi the front wore very strangely. There was a ridge on either side of the center of the tire. As if there were 3/4in of harder compound down the center and it wore faster on either side. Pressures were kept up in both 38/42. The buell was 500lbs and I know the 021s were supposed to last longer on much heavier bikes.

I did some research and found that Bridgestone makes several versions of the tires for OEM specific applications. A universal 021 could have a significantly different compound and even profile than a OEM-specific 021.

Make sure you are getting the right Version as designated by the letter 021 "F,B,G, Etc"

 

[Bliz]

I have a BT021 both front and rear on my 2005 ST1300. 6000 miles on the rear and it has about a 1000 miles left. The front has 3000 on it and has some problems. Half of the tread is gone, and there are 2 ridges running the entire length of the tire in the middle. Cupping on both sides and vibration when cornering. I'm getting the front off as soon as possible and have a new 020 on order. Bridgestone has a real problem with the front tire. I run 40-42 psi in front and check every week. 020 original tires are much better than the 021's.

 

[Bones]

I found the BT021's very quiet after two sets of Pilot Roads. Any chance they're mounted with reverse rotation?

They were quiet, but that was their only redeeming quality. I got very disappointing tread life out the 021's (<5,000 miles). I also had a wobble at highway speeds with the topbox on. Never had that with any other tires (OEM 020's, Z6's, 3 sets of PR's and now PR2's). I won't buy 021's again.

 

[naustin]

Half of the tread is gone, and there are 2 ridges running the entire length of the tire in the middle. I run 40-42 psi in front and check every week.

THe exact same wear pattern occured with the set I tried. Very fast wear on the rear, and this unusual pattern on the front. And I was running them on a much lighter bike, too... I'm not inclined to buy another set, that is for sure.

 

[Tankereng]

No problems on the rear BT021 after a 2300 miles road trip...barely looks worn at all...performed nicely both dry and in Heavy rain...

 

[Lou65]

I did not like them because of the noise and seemed a little squirrely on the front...when the back blew at 5K I
was glad to go back to the 20's.....I am happy again.

 

[naustin]

I should note, my BT-021 was a "U" universal designation. It was not an OEM specific tire which could apparently have different profile, load rating, and compound yet look identical in the same same size.

 

[captgray]

I agree, dissappointed with the BT-021. The front was a little noisy but smooth, no performance problems but lasted only 7K. The rear still has approx. 1k left on it. I commute year round (17k per year) and need something that is durable. I have had two sets of the 020 and was much happier. Although I only get about 10k out of the 020's, they wear evenly and perform well enough.

I ride about 100 miles round trip daily, 50% Interstate/50% curvy two lane on my commute. Anyone have any advice on a longer lasting tire?

 

[TMUS]

I now have about 3k on a set of BT021's, the rear started to look like it was wearing a flat spot about 2" wide already. Just took off the bags to wash the rear end area, looks like the rear tire is in deed flat in the center but it is raised higher than the sides. Anyone else noticed this?