bdalameda
PaleoCyclist
Well I now have a little over 2000 miles on a new set of BT023's on my ST1100. Previously I had a set of BT020 and considered them my favorite tires for the ST1100. My last BT020 160/70/17 lasted 11,500 miles it was the last Bt020 rear radial in this size I could find - the new BT020 in this size are bias belted.
I decided to try the new BT023 on my St1100 - 120/70/18 front and 160/70/17 rear. The bike feels completely different with these tires both good and not so good. As far as handling goes these tires speed up the handling of the St1100 quite a bit and are very very good in tight twisties. Very confident inspiring low to medium speeds with quick transitions from left to right turns - much quicker with much less input than with the older BT020's. The tires are smoother riding and also very quiet. So as far as riding the tight stuff I give the tires a thumbs up. Now to high speed - The ST1100's are usually very very stable and mine was always this way until now. The bike feels fine up to about 90 just a lot quicker handling but over 90 it does not feel planted as it did before. Last weekend I was way out in the central valley and I cranked up to 125 indicated on my GPS and I did not at all feel comfortable at speeds over 100. The bike was so sensitive to input that the slighest movement felt as if it was going to start a weave. Before with the older BT020's the bike never felt this way at all. The good news is that I will hardly ever need to worrry about the high speed handling much as I don't often need to go this fast.
As far as wear goes, after about 2200 miles I can barely detect any wear at all other than the nubs have worn off. I know some others have reported short life on the ST1300 but so far wear looks very good but time will tell. Maybe the St1100 rear tire size being different than the ST1300 makes a difference in wear, we'll see.
Dan
I decided to try the new BT023 on my St1100 - 120/70/18 front and 160/70/17 rear. The bike feels completely different with these tires both good and not so good. As far as handling goes these tires speed up the handling of the St1100 quite a bit and are very very good in tight twisties. Very confident inspiring low to medium speeds with quick transitions from left to right turns - much quicker with much less input than with the older BT020's. The tires are smoother riding and also very quiet. So as far as riding the tight stuff I give the tires a thumbs up. Now to high speed - The ST1100's are usually very very stable and mine was always this way until now. The bike feels fine up to about 90 just a lot quicker handling but over 90 it does not feel planted as it did before. Last weekend I was way out in the central valley and I cranked up to 125 indicated on my GPS and I did not at all feel comfortable at speeds over 100. The bike was so sensitive to input that the slighest movement felt as if it was going to start a weave. Before with the older BT020's the bike never felt this way at all. The good news is that I will hardly ever need to worrry about the high speed handling much as I don't often need to go this fast.
As far as wear goes, after about 2200 miles I can barely detect any wear at all other than the nubs have worn off. I know some others have reported short life on the ST1300 but so far wear looks very good but time will tell. Maybe the St1100 rear tire size being different than the ST1300 makes a difference in wear, we'll see.
Dan
