New Tyre Time - Sports Touring

Griffo

Griffo

Griffo

Associate
Joined
9 Oct 2005
Posts
2,493
Location
Berkshire
Hey,

The rear on my lovely F800ST is getting a bit low on tread-depth, my front is looking a bit peaky too. It's currently sitting on Bridgestone BT020R front and back. (Rear: 180/55R17, Front: 120/70 (i think))

I'm looking for two pieces of advice please:

1. Recommendation on replacements. So far I'm thinking BT023, they seem to get decent write-ups, but is there better for the money? My riding style isn't mentally agressive and I commute quite a lot.

2. Where should I go? Being a car owner I'd normally get the guy in a van to come over and stare at him hoping he doesn't scratch the alloys. Is this the same on bikes? Forgive my ignorance, but I'm also then thinking "Will it confuse someone that it's belt drive?". Could I go to BMW for this and not get bottom-loved on price? I definitely want to avoid some back-street garage that - in my car owning history - virtually never get balancing right, let alone torque wrench being used etc.

Thanks in advance for advice/ridicule.

Oh p.s. I love my F800ST :)
 
Just had Pilot Road 2's put on my CBR600RR, had proper sports tyres on before but these actually outperform them, so nice to ride on, great confidence even from cold, I'm yet to find any limits to them, even pinning it mid corner.

My mate on a Gixxer 750 (who rides it like a granny may I add) has the BT023's, his rear is like a 50pence piece after 5000miles, he says it's almost dangerous as it just tips over now, hoping to get 5000miles from the rear of these PR2's even on a sport bike.
 
I can't comment on the others suggested here but I can give a very positive vote for the Pilot Road 3s. Had them fitted to my SV and they were brilliant in wet or dry.
 
Not massively impressed with the BT023's, but it could've been a bad batch, basically I got a set fitted back in March, rear tyre managed 3900 miles by which point it was quite squared off but worse was that the centre section of the tyre had a shed load of cracks in it, hence getting it replaced (it probably could've done another 1000-1200 more miles although you'd be pushing it I think)

With the wear (it's the cracks that I think may be a 'bad batch') it may be crappy because I ride the A46 for 37 miles each way, it's a fun road but to get the bike properly leant over round the 'corners' you need to be going the wrong side of 3 figures really, which of course I don't do... :p

Grip wise they're great though, I can at times ride like a loon and I've not had any issues when I do, just a shame the wear/weird cracks really...

I did go for another BT023 though, done ~1300 miles on that so far and it's looking fine, if it goes the same way I'll be getting the Pilot Road 2/3's as they get very good reviews.
 
Interesting thoughts about the BT023 then! I think I'll do a bit of reading about the PS3. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the link growse, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately :p) I live out Reading way. I'm tempted by just using BMW at the moment for ease. It's time for my 12k and annual service soon too - though they want 380 quid at the moment for that, which is hilarious sounding (as is 17 odd quid for a courtesy bike).
 
BT023's as fitted by FWR to my GSXR750 - frankly astounded me with the grip they offered. Id consider speaking to a few tyre dealers and see what they reccomend for your bike then compare what they say with online reviews mate.
 
Griffo said:
Interesting thoughts about the BT023 then! I think I'll do a bit of reading about the PS3. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the link growse, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately :p) I live out Reading way. I'm tempted by just using BMW at the moment for ease. It's time for my 12k and annual service soon too - though they want 380 quid at the moment for that, which is hilarious sounding (as is 17 odd quid for a courtesy bike).
Click to expand...

12k is valve shims remember.
 
Griffo said:
Interesting thoughts about the BT023 then! I think I'll do a bit of reading about the PS3. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the link growse, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately :p) I live out Reading way. I'm tempted by just using BMW at the moment for ease. It's time for my 12k and annual service soon too - though they want 380 quid at the moment for that, which is hilarious sounding (as is 17 odd quid for a courtesy bike).
Click to expand...

I don't live in the city but work there, so it was a no-brainer really.

Oh, and welcome to BMW servicing costs. The 12k on my S was similar to that about 4 months ago, and I've got 18k coming up within 2 months. 12k is valve clearance checks (don't think they do the shims) which does up the labour somewhat though.

Courtesy bike charging is also a joke.
 
just come from a BT014 to a Bt023 after reading good things about it on various bike forums. This is on my 2003 (Fzs600) Fazer.

Only had it fitted on Monday and rode it home <2 miles in the wet. So not even scrubbed in yet and as I have only been riding 2 years (summer/dry rider) I am taking it very easy as you hear a lot of stories about new tyres.


But the 023's get good write up's thats for sure.
 
I have been using BT023 on my FZ6 since January with no problems I got them after reading great write ups & a friend also recommended them.
 
acemastr said:
Just had Pilot Road 2's put on my CBR600RR, had proper sports tyres on before but these actually outperform them, so nice to ride on, great confidence even from cold, I'm yet to find any limits to them, even pinning it mid corner.
Click to expand...

Ive got a set of those on my RF600, good touring tyres and perform great on track days too!!

Would recommend them highly, the PR3's have very good reviews but if price is an issue then the PR2's are just as good in most conditions.

Not sure how long the PR3's will last in warm weather.
 
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