Dinkie Diesel
------------Jeff------------
I thought it might be a good idea to make a separate thread dedicated to the BT45 tire that a few of us are running on the front of our bikes. There's a fair amount of confusion about it and I hope to be able to clear up a few things here.
I got started thinking about this tire after talking to a good friend (Jammaman) who has one on the front of his Goldwing. He is getting phenomenal mileage out of it and apparently other Wing riders are too. As with anything, there are mixed reviews about it on the Goldwing forums. Some are using it on their trikes and having good luck. I'm guessing a trike has an increase in front tire load. Possibly that is where the load rating of this BT45 comes as an added benefit.
Here's a few facts about the tire.
1. It is a BIAS-PLY tire. Not a radial.
2. It is intended for use as a REAR tire.
3. It's fitment is for the rear of an '89 Yamaha FZR600 and a '92-98 XJ600S Seca II (there may be others but this is all I found going one line at a time through the Bridgestone fitment guide).
4. It is a directional tread design with an arrow on the sidewall (some have chosen to mount it backward being used as a FRONT tire. No real data to support either method of mounting as better or worse).
5. It is a dual compound tire (the rubber down the middle of the tread is harder than that on either side).
6. The size is 130/70-18. It is 7mm wider and 11mm taller than the OEM Bridgestone 020 120/70-18
7. Tread depth is listed at 9/32" on this BT45 vs. 5/32" on the 020.
8. It is an "H" rated tire - good up to 130 mph. (OEM is "Z" rated - 149 mph)
9. It is load rated at "63" - good for 600lbs. (OEM is "59" - 536lbs.)
10. It is tubeless.
11. Maximum pressure is listed as 41 psi. (I'm running 40 in mine)
Here is the picture of it on my bike:
Here is the BT45 on the left compared to a used OEM 020F on the right:
Here is the label and part number (066257) so you can ask for the right tire if you choose to try it:
I found no installation problems and it doesn't come close to rubbing anywhere on my ST1300. I will note that the deep tread seems to pick up rocks more easily and tends to tumble them between the tire and fender. So far no harm has been done but it makes a hell of a racket when it happens.
Let me be clear (don't I sound like a president? hee hee), this is not a recommended tire for our bikes by Honda. I'm not advocating that you try it. It is an experiment on my part and I have considered the risks involved.
It has cleared up any head shake tendencies I had with both the OEM 020 and Michelin PRII. I feel no wobble at all even during deceleration with my hands off the bars. As you can see from the pictures it has a front tire profile which is unexpected being a REAR tire.
One of my initial concerns was that if this tire can last 20-25,000 miles would it be grippy enough to allow aggressive riding. Now that I have found it fits a Yamaha FZR600, I have to believe it is indeed meant for performance. There is another member here trying this tire also who rides much more aggressively than I do. I'm waiting to hear his response on how it handles when pushed at high lean angles.
I got started thinking about this tire after talking to a good friend (Jammaman) who has one on the front of his Goldwing. He is getting phenomenal mileage out of it and apparently other Wing riders are too. As with anything, there are mixed reviews about it on the Goldwing forums. Some are using it on their trikes and having good luck. I'm guessing a trike has an increase in front tire load. Possibly that is where the load rating of this BT45 comes as an added benefit.
Here's a few facts about the tire.
1. It is a BIAS-PLY tire. Not a radial.
2. It is intended for use as a REAR tire.
3. It's fitment is for the rear of an '89 Yamaha FZR600 and a '92-98 XJ600S Seca II (there may be others but this is all I found going one line at a time through the Bridgestone fitment guide).
4. It is a directional tread design with an arrow on the sidewall (some have chosen to mount it backward being used as a FRONT tire. No real data to support either method of mounting as better or worse).
5. It is a dual compound tire (the rubber down the middle of the tread is harder than that on either side).
6. The size is 130/70-18. It is 7mm wider and 11mm taller than the OEM Bridgestone 020 120/70-18
7. Tread depth is listed at 9/32" on this BT45 vs. 5/32" on the 020.
8. It is an "H" rated tire - good up to 130 mph. (OEM is "Z" rated - 149 mph)
9. It is load rated at "63" - good for 600lbs. (OEM is "59" - 536lbs.)
10. It is tubeless.
11. Maximum pressure is listed as 41 psi. (I'm running 40 in mine)
Here is the picture of it on my bike:
Here is the BT45 on the left compared to a used OEM 020F on the right:
Here is the label and part number (066257) so you can ask for the right tire if you choose to try it:
I found no installation problems and it doesn't come close to rubbing anywhere on my ST1300. I will note that the deep tread seems to pick up rocks more easily and tends to tumble them between the tire and fender. So far no harm has been done but it makes a hell of a racket when it happens.
Let me be clear (don't I sound like a president? hee hee), this is not a recommended tire for our bikes by Honda. I'm not advocating that you try it. It is an experiment on my part and I have considered the risks involved.
It has cleared up any head shake tendencies I had with both the OEM 020 and Michelin PRII. I feel no wobble at all even during deceleration with my hands off the bars. As you can see from the pictures it has a front tire profile which is unexpected being a REAR tire.
One of my initial concerns was that if this tire can last 20-25,000 miles would it be grippy enough to allow aggressive riding. Now that I have found it fits a Yamaha FZR600, I have to believe it is indeed meant for performance. There is another member here trying this tire also who rides much more aggressively than I do. I'm waiting to hear his response on how it handles when pushed at high lean angles.