Bridgestone introducing new sport touring tire BT023R

[dduelin]

Bridgestone Europe announced late last year their new sport touring offering, the BT023R. It will be available for sale in Europe in a month or two with later 2010 availability in the USA. The press release promises good handling and mileage. We shall see.

http://www.bridgestone.eu/press/press-releases/all/2009/new-battlax-bt-023-a-?full-spec?-sport-touring-tyre

The BT023R isn't available in the USA yet but a certain 2005 ST1300 got new tires today. I only rode about 50 miles on them with half of that in a pouring rain but initial impressions are they offer a soft compliant ride and exhibit none of the nervousness at freeway speeds my previous PR2s had. More will be revealed.

 

[Mellow]

Thanks for the sneak peak Dave!

 

[Mondo]

Thanks for the heads up. The 21's that I had cupped badly after 4,000 miles. I went back to 20's and they look good at 9,000 miles. I liked the way the 21's handled when new. Hopefully, this will be a combo of both. I will be anxious to hear how they do.

Greg Kane

 

[DsrtRngr]

The BS server is down, but the page is cached on google.

"Bridgestone have announced the BT023 sport touring tyre which is to replace the oft maligned BT021."
(the new one is triple-compound)

 

[MeanST]

Had the BT021s on my VFR. Liked the handling. Rear was great but the front fell off quickly, lost its contour/shape and lasted only as long as my 21 rear.

Best Mileage Tire I have had on the rear is a Roadsmart.

 

[Don B]

So, Dave, are you a good friend of Mr. Bridgestone

 

[wjbertrand]

But, will they have an ST-spec fitment?

 

[Shadowfax-ST]

But, will they have an ST-spec fitment?

Exactly. And this time we need it in writing from Bridgestone.

I recall all too well the 021's squirrelly nature at 42psi, a tightening up finally at 44psi, and subsequent attempt to 'take me with it' as it bore through the pile within a 20-mile trip close to it's 7000th mile.

Without an official endorsement the 023 is just a marketing ploy to make up lost ground from a sub-standard knee-jerk response to the new dual compound fashions - the 021.

Even my local STealer has dropped Bridgestones as tyre of choice on their STs! Should we trust them if they are not EXPLICIT in ST safety? No. My frustration with them is still too raw.

 

[dduelin]

As a US resident I am not sure what "ST 1300 fitment" means.

The 023 sizes offered include those needed for the ST1300 including the "odd" 18" front. If it means "ST1300 OEM" like the retired Dunlop 220L and the still available BT020F then only BS and the appropriate governmental body knows at this time. I was never troubled by the lack of Honda or UK/EC endorsement of tires I have run on my ST after replacing the OEM BT020s four years ago but then there is no legal requirement in the USA to run "approved tires". Of course I would not run tires that did not meet standards set on the DOT sticker and in the Honda manual. (Load ratings, speed ratings, and size). These have nothing to do with later satisfaction with how the tire ultimately wears or performs.

I am glad that we continue to have lots of choices, that manufacturers are investing in new choices, and that BS wants to know how this tire performs for the average ST1300 rider over here before general release.

 

[Blrfl]

As a US resident I am not sure what "ST 1300 fitment" means.

Just means the tire and/or bike manufacturer specifically recommends them for the 1300.

--Mark
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[RaYzerman]

More links .......
http://www.bridgestone.eu/press/press-releases/all/2009/new-battlax-bt-023-a-“full-spec”-sport-touring-tyre
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Products/productsresults/Tyres/2010/January/jan1310-new-bridgestone-bt-023-tyre/?&R=EPI-121478
http://www.tyrepress.com/News/1/18/18210.html
http://cbr1100xx.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/bridgestone-bt023/

 

[dduelin]

Just means the tire and/or bike manufacturer specifically recommends them for the 1300.

--Mark
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah but some tires specifically recommended for the ST1300 are illegal to mount in some countries or jurisdictions. Fitment means something completely different in the UK compared to CA or FL, USA.

 

[Blrfl]

Yeah but some tires specifically recommended for the ST1300 are illegal to mount in some countries or jurisdictions. Fitment means something completely different in the UK compared to CA or FL, USA.

I Googled the tar out of it and couldn't find anything meaningful.

Most European countries ban mounting tires that are speed-rated below the vehicle's top speed, but I can't see where a tire manufacturer would recommend something insufficient to handle it (other than mud and snow tires).

--Mark

 

[Dinkie Diesel]

Anxious to hear how they wear and work for you, Dave. Can you get 10,000 miles on'em real quick so we'll be ready to pull the trigger later this year?

The Battlax BT-023 will be introduced with 5 sizes for the front (60 to 80 series) and 7 sizes for the rear (50 to 70 series). An optional specification will also be available for heavyweight bikes such as the BMW K1300GT (120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17). With a special pattern and cross belt construction on the front, combined with an MSB + 1 belt rear construction, this option is designed to give heavier bikes light handling, sharp braking and long wear life.

This is my concern again. Michelin makes a spec tire for the BMW in the PRII stating it is for two-up riding. If Dave gives these a thumbs up I might be forced to try the alternate size (180/55-17) on mine if it helps with portly riders.

 

[nm6r]

But, will they have an ST-spec fitment?

+1

That is the real question regardless of what some people may think it means.

Here is an excerpt from the OP link...

"The Battlax BT-023 will be introduced with 5 sizes for the front (60 to 80 series) and 7 sizes for the rear (50 to 70 series). An optional specification will also be available for heavyweight bikes such as the BMW K1300GT (120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17). With a special pattern and cross belt construction on the front, combined with an MSB + 1 belt rear construction, this option is designed to give heavier bikes light handling, sharp braking and long wear life."


It's hard to say if they will offer the "optional specification" for the ST1300 size. If they do, we might finally have a second tire option for the ST1300. Until then, it's the BT020F for me.

Ray

 

[Shadowfax-ST]

...An optional specification will also be available for heavyweight bikes such as the BMW K1300GT...

• K1300GT = 545lbs (wet)
• ST1300 (ABS) = 730lbs

Still, to an idiot like me the ST isn't a heavyweight bike such as the K1300GT.

That's why I'd like Bridgestone to write down in a document, "designed to excel with the ST1300 ABS", or advise tyre fitters / mounters the World over NOT to stick them on MY bloody bike - as they ought to have done for the 021.

:soapbox

...It's hard to say if they will offer the "optional specification" for the ST1300 size. If they do, we might finally have a second tire option for the ST1300. Until then, it's the BT020F for me...

I believe we do; my beloved and sorely lamented PR2? :banghead:

 

[roginoz]

If the weight rating on the 023s is equal to or greater than those for the 020s, and the speed rating is equivalent, we should be OK, right?

 

[jdpfms]

I'll just stick with PR2s until or unless I read overwhelming reviews of the BT-023. I've tried most sets of sport touring tires (not all though) and haven't found any that give the miles and smiles that the PR2s give.

JDP

 

[TMUS]

Remember they (Bridgestone) said the 021's would give better mileage than the 020's. Only got 7k from 021's and almost 10k from the 020's and I pushed the 021 closer to the wear bars, like gone.

 

[ToroGuy]

I'll just stick with PR2s until or unless I read overwhelming reviews of the BT-023. I've tried most sets of sport touring tires (not all though) and haven't found any that give the miles and smiles that the PR2s give.

JDP

+1....