Rubber

[Robbo SPS]

I've long been a supporter of BT020 tyres for any bike as i ride all year round.

But this year i am off with some others to events etc and the riding could be rapid.

I was thinking of putting a set of more sporty rubber on the bike, but was hoping someone may have used the BT014's or something else good and could testify their worthyness.

I get 7000 miles from my tyres on a CBR600 FX, but will take 3000 miles on sportier stuff for April, May and June.

[s2ooz]

tyres are a little personal. some will love them, some will hate them. it can heavily depend on riding styles.

What I can tell you is the tyre making skills have advanced hugely, to the point, you would need to be of mentalalist racing speeds before you really started to spot a poor one.
If 020's have suited you until now, going faster wont be a problem.

NB I moved to 014's and love them, much more mileage and far more feedback on trackdays (albeit girly beginner groups) I tour on mine, and get good confidence in the wet.
They take longer to warm up (3 miles) and its noticably "wobbly" when they are cold. having said that, they don't cool much, and even a slow pace will keep enough heat in them.
zooming around on 020's may over heat them and just use more tread up, rather than actually not keep up with the grip. tyre pressure changes could improve that.

[dern]

I have 014s on my blade. I'm still on the first front and half way through the second rear. I replaced my old 010s with them and I like them a lot. I'm not a track day rider and don't get my knee down but find them very confidence inspiring. I've ridden all through the winter on them and they have been predictable all the time even on the coldest of days but they do feel slightly skittish when it gets sub-zero and a bit damp but then doesn't everything? Unfortunately this may be entirely meaningless to you unless you ride in the same way as I do... which I doubt

Regards,

Mark

[black-k1]

s2ooz said:

tyres are a little personal. some will love them, some will hate them. it can heavily depend on riding styles. What I can tell you is the tyre making skills have advanced hugely, to the point, you would need to be of mentalalist racing speeds before you really started to spot a poor one. If 020's have suited you until now, going faster wont be a problem.

Not totally true. I used to have BT020s on the Firestorm. They were an option on the Bridgestone list for that bike and were great 99.9% of the time. However, when hot the rear twice let go while crancked over and powering out of a band. (Once left and once right.) While I caught both before total disaster (one was while doing about 100mph at Rockingham) I did end up in the gravel, parted from the bike. On both occassions I was pushing on but I was not going mega-fast. (Pegs not even on the ground.) When I re-checked Bridgestones web site, after the second time, the BT020 had been withdrawn from the recommended list for the Firestorm.

I still run BT020s on the BMW and think they're great, but I now have sportier tyres on the Firestorm. Thinking about how you will ride your bike, and how it delivers the power will have a big impact on what tyres you use.

[dern]

black-k1 said:

...

As an aside I'm still using the back brake as you recommended and now use it every time I'm slowing down. I now have feel from the back end and I suspect the previous lack of feel was due to the pads have never been bed in or just covered in cack through lack of use. As well as the shorter stopping distances which you mentioned I find a benefit is that unless I'm braking really hard I no longer come to a halt in as much of a nose down attitude which gives me more control. Best piece of advice I've been given for a long time... thanks

[black-k1]

dern said:

black-k1 said: ... As an aside I'm still using the back brake as you recommended and now use it every time I'm slowing down. I now have feel from the back end and I suspect the previous lack of feel was due to the pads have never been bed in or just covered in cack through lack of use. As well as the shorter stopping distances which you mentioned I find a benefit is that unless I'm braking really hard I no longer come to a halt in as much of a nose down attitude which gives me more control. Best piece of advice I've been given for a long time... thanks

You are very welcome. Ride safe and enjoy!

[Mad Dave]

Michelin Pilot Powers for me - absolutely love them

[DennisTheMenace]

quite happy with Dunlop D208's had them on the ZX6 and have one on the ace , just got to get shot of the crappy metzler on the front now .

[catso]

2 words;

Pirelli Diablo

[Robbo SPS]

Was thinking of looking atAvon or the Mezler Mez 1 ?

Times upon mine now, they are shot.

[sjtscott]

catso said:

2 words; Pirelli Diablo

Agree get some Diablos.. I got 6k out of a rear on my gixxer6 including 2500 euro touring which included Pyrenees and Alps in two weeks!
Now got a full set on the R6, got the rear one fitted today finally.

[ninjaboy]

DennisTheMenace said:

quite happy with Dunlop D208's had them on the ZX6 and have one on the ace , just got to get shot of the crappy metzler on the front now .

What metzeler you got??? i've got M1's on the ninja and i think i prefer 207 dunlop's

[rsvmilly]

ninjaboy said:

DennisTheMenace said: quite happy with Dunlop D208's had them on the ZX6 and have one on the ace , just got to get shot of the crappy metzler on the front now . What metzeler you got??? i've got M1's on the ninja and i think i prefer 207 dunlop's

I found the 207s a bit pointy, escpecially on a quick steering bike like my old R6. I found BT010s gave a more progressive turn in. They worked nicely on my Aprilia, too.