End of this tire - BT-016 Pro dual compound

[FinalImpact]

December 2012 I ordered front and rear BattleAx S20's to replace the worn BT-016 Pros as the rear was done after the 2012 riding season. The front looked like it may go through all of 2013 with good tread at the start of the season. However, the tread off center went away rapidly during the last couple rides. Total miles ~ 6400 on the front and 5000 on the rear. Certainly not 2 to 1!

They are dual compound and they did what I asked of them; they Gave their Life so I could have mine! They rode great, turn in is awesome, they were vibration free, traction wet and dry was great. Traction in the corner - Perfect, never slipped and they provide good feedback! They are/were a great tire for the exception of tread life. Perhaps they are being discontinued as dual compound tread is just too soft off center? IDK!

Here is a pitch on the Moto GP inspired S20.. .. .. http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/s20.html It compares it to the 016 Pro so look for a report at the seasons end on how well the two tires are doing. FWIW: likely the last time I do tires at different intervals.

Here is what remains of the BT-016 Pro after ~6400 miles of street use.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have over 10,000 miles on the front PR2 and it might be halfways worn down. No cupping, very sticky, seems to wearing very evenly although there's not many twisties here..

The new rear PR3, can't say, keep picking up crap in the rear tire...

 

[Erci]

This will, no doubt, turn into tire comparison thread.. and who am I to stop it?

I have 10250 miles on a set of PR2's on FZ1.

Front looks new.. rear is just now starting to square due to frequent highway commuting, but I think it'll easily do another 3-4k at this rate!!

The grip has always been excellent in dry and wet.

 

[Lefty]

I went through two sets of BT016's before switching to PP2 rear and regular PP front a couple of sets ago. I'm getting around 4,000 mi. on the PP2 rear and around 7500 mi. on the PP front. I do miss the handling and grip of the 016's though and am considering going back to Bridgestones on my next dual tire swap later this summer.

If you want to see how a BT016 can be abused wait until Wavex posts a pic of his...

 

[KingY]

I swear by this tyre and love it. the feedback and grip is amazing. saved my life plenty of times when the right wrist gets out of control, and the confidence under breaking is amazing.

 

[FinalImpact]

For those of you who use or have used the Bt-016 Pro, what tire pressure did you run in the front??!! That was 33 to 35 (35 for a harsh ride) and still chow chow to the side? Anyone run higher than 34 on average - 210 w/gear.

 

[KingY]

I think i was running 34 in front and 40 in rear, if i remember correctly

 

[FZ6Hot]

I love my BT-016's. Usually run street 32/36 or 33/38 with touring luggage. Track days I drop to 30/30. 9 track days have done in the the edges of the front tires but the rear sides are ok. The rear centre is getting a bit worn. This is my second set of these tires, too bad they are no longer available. Oh well it gives me an excuse to try the Dunlop Q2's.

 

[FinalImpact]

I love my BT-016's. Usually run street 32/36 or 33/38 with touring luggage. Track days I drop to 30/30. 9 track days have done in the the edges of the front tires but the rear sides are ok. The rear centre is getting a bit worn. This is my second set of these tires, too bad they are no longer available. Oh well it gives me an excuse to try the Dunlop Q2's.

S20's - even better than the 16's!! I really like them so far!

 

[FZ6Hot]

S20's - even better than the 16's!! I really like them so far!

S20's after the Q2's, I like trying new types of tires.
Original bridgestones - crap but they lasted a long time
Metzler M3 - liked the feel but the front cupped and rear squared very quickly
Michelin pp2 - made the bike hard to control in corners, biked wanted to turn too quickly. my least favourite tire.
BT016 - favourite
Dunlop Q2 - to be determined (edit - Q3's on order)

 

[FinalImpact]

Re: Battle Ax S20

2013-07-12, Rear S20 squaring off.
Rear tire is burning off quick. You'd think I did burnouts or something crazy. A little reading and I'm not the only one killing them early. It seems others who ride fairly aggressively in the canyons are burning them down in 3500 miles.

I need to keep a log but I'd guess roughly 1600 miles this season! Like the 16 Pro, great tire but Oh my is short lived.

A better write up than my few lines.... From 2012-10 Riding Gxr 600 Bridgestone s20 tire review - Sportbikes.net

From a couple weeks ago and it looks way different now! Plus it has air now!

 

[FinalImpact]

Between the Mr bubbles and these below it, is roughly 450 miles. Its going fast!! Anyone else seen this happen?

S20 has about 2300 miles on it as today for 2013 season.

The Pinstripe of Dust!

 

[Motogiro]

What's that bubble? Slow leak? I got about 4K out of my last BT-016 Pro. I don't expect anymore miles out of the 016 pro but I don't expect any less miles either. The only time I've felt movement on mine was once I punched it a little getting on an on ramp (I expected it there ) and then a few weeks ago on a super hot tarmac descending in a turn into the desert. Not a pucker moment at all and didn't really notice it until I was watching a video of it. I don't think it was the tire and in fact another rider (also on BT-16 pro) felt his back end give on the same ride and few seconds ahead of me. I love these tires and I have pushed them a little. Maybe the S20 is not the tire for our type of riding?

 

[FinalImpact]

What's that bubble? Slow leak? I got about 4K out of my last BT-016 Pro. I don't expect anymore miles out of the 016 pro but I don't expect any less miles either. The only time I've felt movement on mine was once I punched it a little getting on an on ramp (I expected it there ) and then a few weeks ago on a super hot tarmac descending in a turn into the desert. Not a pucker moment at all and didn't really notice it until I was watching a video of it. I don't think it was the tire and in fact another rider (also on BT-16 pro) felt his back end give on the same ride and few seconds ahead of me. I love these tires and I have pushed them a little. Maybe the S20 is not the tire for our type of riding?

Everything I read said it was formulated to run longer than BT-016 Pro. It'll be stretch to get 5000 from this point. Not sure what I'll run next as just tossed the S20 up front. I do love these tires! Only time they move is on tar snakes and they all do that!

Thanks Cliff! So, you have any suggestions? Oh - sprung a leak an had to plug it!

 

[Motogiro]

Everything I read said it was formulated to run longer than BT-016 Pro. It'll be stretch to get 5000 from this point. Not sure what I'll run next as just tossed the S20 up front. I do love these tires! Only time they move is on tar snakes and they all do that!

Thanks Cliff! So, you have any suggestions? Oh - sprung a leak an had to plug it!

I couldn't really give an educated recommendation because I don't know the difference between the S-20 and BT-016 Pro and I believe they're pretty close in performance. I know Bridgestone made some great improvement on the BT-016 to BT-016 Pro with the nano technology used in the compounds which for one thing brought the wet performance up from the BT-016

Here's a BT-016 (on my R1) after warming it up on Palomar Mountain's South Grade.

 

[FinalImpact]

Rear S20 - is toast! Wear bars are flush now.

Gonna roll the dice and mix it up a bit tossing on a BT023 on the rear w/a S20 up front. Needless to say a little disappointed about the tread depth being ZERO at 3100 miles. A great tire other than that!

Any thoughts on mixing these flavors S20 Front and BT023 rear?

 

[FB400]

I can't read a tire thread without giving a shameless plug for the PR2's. On my second set now. First set got 12k with more tread left. It's an overall great tire!!

Was thinking of maybe trying the Angel GT next. Anyone have these?

 

[FinalImpact]

I can't read a tire thread without giving a shameless plug for the PR2's. On my second set now. First set got 12k with more tread left. It's an overall great tire!!

Was thinking of maybe trying the Angel GT next. Anyone have these?

I don't mind a shameless plug, but changing topics entirely, NAhhhhhh!!!! :spank::spank: :BLAA:
You could at least mention the intended use tho! :thumbup: Commuting/Slab time for the FZ is minimal; as such, I'm happy to have a sticky new tire every season!
So that is my requirement; ride quality, good feedback, turn in, traction, STICKINESS, and wear about 5500 miles!

 

[FinalImpact]

Recap: Stated this year with BT-016 Front from 2012-01 and it was done at 6400 miles. Installed the S20 front which was the mate to the rear S20 which had clocked 2500 miles by June. So for a couple months I had a pair of S20's but now the rear S20 is done after 3500 miles!

With that I'll be joining the ranks of Lefty with an S20 Front and a BT-023! Lets roll the dice and see if it sticks, turns, and lasts any longer!

This concludes this thread of BT-016!!

3500 miles S20 and New BT-023: