Rear Bridgestone BT45/46 on the front of an ST1100

[paulcb]

Thought this would be of interest to other ST11 riders...

I've been running a rear 110/80-18 BT45 on the front of my two ST11s for about 160k miles. I get 23-29k miles per tire with ~1 oz. of beads at 40-42 psi. They always wear fairly evenly. I just put on a new BT46 after 26k on the BT45, so here are pics of the 26k mile BT45 and 0 mile BT46.



I couple this BT45/46 with a Michelin Commander II/III on the rear.

 

[Uncle Phil]

Do you mount it 'sipe reversed'?

 

[paulcb]

Do you mount it 'sipe reversed'?

I've tried it both ways and can't detect a difference in wet/dry handling or mileage. I've been running lately with the arrow pointing in the correct direction.

 

[kendoo]

Changed a BT45 out yesterday for a BT46. This one had 21K on my Goldwing.

 

[paulcb]

That's some pretty fancy riding on a GW!

 

[Sunday Rider]

That is very interesting indeed. How did you find the handling in wet conditions and heavy braking? Are they radials? Thanks

 

[George]

Ii like a rear Michelin on the front.

 

[Ron]

I like a rear Michelin on the front

George-You have a size and model for that Michelin? Thanks.

 

[paulcb]

That is very interesting indeed. How did you find the handling in wet conditions and heavy braking? Are they radials? Thanks

Handling and braking are fine, better than me. Both the BT45/46 and the Commander II/III are bias ply tires, not radials.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Handling and braking are fine, better than me. Both the BT45/46 and the Commander II/III are bias ply tires, not radials.

Thanks. I didn’t think you can run a rear tire in the front except maybe in emergencies. I had a bicycle tire once that had different direction arrows depending if you mounted it in the front or rear.

 

[ST Gui]

That's some pretty fancy riding on a GW!

Whereas someone would say to me 'hey those mini belt sanders are right handy!'

 

[paulcb]

Thanks. I didn’t think you can run a rear tire in the front except maybe in emergencies.

I didn't either until I read about it here many years ago.

 

[George]

George-You have a size and model for that Michelin? Thanks.

Ron, available now, Pilot Activ radial 130/70-18 rear. This is what works on the ABS2 with the wider front rim. I match it with the stock size 160/70-17 Commander II bias on the rear. STerling isn't ready yet for a new front but this is what I'll get. Ran this combination on LipSTick for many thousands of miles.

 

[paulcb]

Ron, available now, Pilot Activ radial 130/70-18 rear. This is what works on the ABS2 with the wider front rim. I match it with the stock size 160/70-17 Commander II bias on the rear. STerling isn't ready yet for a new front but this is what I'll get. Ran this combination on LipSTick for many thousands of miles.

I know stock is 120 on the ABSII front, but I guess the 130 fits OK?

 

[George]

I know stock is 120 on the ABSII front, but I guess the 130 fits OK?

Yes, works a charm. Might be a little close on the fender but it's worked for me before.

 

[sirepair]

I'm running the 110/80-18 BT45 on front of my 1100. Darkside rear. I'd have to go back and check mileage, but I'm thinking it's about 20K miles. I run the "proper" marked direction.