Bridgestone BT016

tkl999 · 10-13-2008, 11:14 AM

Just wanted to give an update on my new tires. Got the BT016 2 weeks ago. I had some Pirelli Diablos before that I got from Cycle Gear during one of their big tire sales. After switching, I have to say the BT016 are fantastic! They hold through the turns and warms up nice and fast. I feel really planted on the ground and I pretty much used up the whole tire. I have never felt more confident riding my bike. I was going to get the regular Pilot Powers but the cheapest I found was 250.00.

I paid 232.90 no tax (outside of AZ) and free shipping from Southwest Moto Tires. Here's the link if youre intested. Southwest Moto Tires: BT016.

Parabellum · 10-13-2008, 11:19 AM

Subscribed, I would like very much to hear how many miles these tires last you.

Please update the thread if you can remember to let us know how they held up.

I am torn between these and a few other models.

Have you pushed them hard yet? How is the grip at the edge of the tire? One problem I have with the BT020s is that edge grip is absolute crap...once you get anywhere near the edge of these tires, they slide all over the place.

What I want is a tire that will last no less than 6000 miles and still be very grippy when leaned over.

CrazyBiker · 10-13-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Have you pushed them hard yet? How is the grip at the edge of the tire? One problem I have with the BT020s is that edge grip is absolute crap...once you get anywhere near the edge of these tires, they slide all over the place.

What I want is a tire that will last no less than 6000 miles and still be very grippy when leaned over.

+11111111

tkl999 · 10-13-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Subscribed, I would like very much to hear how many miles these tires last you.

Please update the thread if you can remember to let us know how they held up.

I am torn between these and a few other models.

Have you pushed them hard yet? How is the grip at the edge of the tire? One problem I have with the BT020s is that edge grip is absolute crap...once you get anywhere near the edge of these tires, they slide all over the place.

What I want is a tire that will last no less than 6000 miles and still be very grippy when leaned over.

The triple compound really makes a difference on the edge. The edge compound was definitely gummier than the middle when I checked the tires after riding over 100 miles. I've did read on motorcyclist that the edge might be too gummy for the track. I wont be doing any track day soon so I cant judge that. I am definitely curious about the longevity of these tires. My Pirelli Diablos lasted me about 6k. I hope these will be at least the same.

Parabellum · 10-13-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkl999

The triple compound really makes a difference on the edge. The edge compound was definitely gummier than the middle when I checked the tires after riding over 100 miles. I've did read on motorcyclist that the edge might be too gummy for the track. I wont be doing any track day soon so I cant judge that. I am definitely curious about the longevity of these tires. My Pirelli Diablos lasted me about 6k. I hope these will be at least the same.

That is fine with me, the BT016 is not an appropriate track day tire anyway.

The most "streetable" tire that I would ever run on the track is the Dunlop Qualifier.

markgm · 10-13-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkl999

The triple compound really makes a difference on the edge. The edge compound was definitely gummier than the middle when I checked the tires after riding over 100 miles. I've did read on motorcyclist that the edge might be too gummy for the track. I wont be doing any track day soon so I cant judge that. I am definitely curious about the longevity of these tires. My Pirelli Diablos lasted me about 6k. I hope these will be at least the same.

Pirelli Diablos only lasted 6k!? I get 12k out of mine!

Parabellum · 10-13-2008, 03:24 PM

Well...are you talking Diablo, Diablo Corsa, Diablo Strada, or Diablo Rosso?

tkl999 · 10-13-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markgm

Pirelli Diablos only lasted 6k!? I get 12k out of mine!

Dont know why, but thats how long it lasted. The middle was so worn out it was starting to look rough and patchy. I kept the tire pressure right all the time. It might also be because I weigh 195 and 6 foot tall. I commute to work about 12 miles a day but i ride hard on the twisties in the Bay Area. The Diablos I had were the cheapo ones, I paid like 160 for front and back from Cycle Gear.

Parabellum · 10-13-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkl999

Dont know why, but thats how long it lasted. The middle was so worn out it was starting to look rough and patchy. I kept the tire pressure right all the time. It might also be because I weigh 195 and 6 foot tall. I commute to work about 12 miles a day but i ride hard on the twisties in the Bay Area. The Diablos I had were the cheapo ones, I paid like 160 for front and back from Cycle Gear.

Its not your weight...and if you did a lot of riding in the twisties...wear should be fairly even.

What exact model of diablo were you running, and was it the original OEM size?

I know for a fact that if you put (as an example) a 190 tire on a wheel designed for a 180 you will wear out the middle VERY fast, as crowning reduces the contact patch significantly.

tkl999 · 10-13-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Its not your weight...and if you did a lot of riding in the twisties...wear should be fairly even.

What exact model of diablo were you running, and was it the original OEM size?

I know for a fact that if you put (as an example) a 190 tire on a wheel designed for a 180 you will wear out the middle VERY fast, as crowning reduces the contact patch significantly.

Its just the normal stock OEM size, 180 and 120. Only thing I can think that might increase the wear is when i ride 2 up. I ride 2 up maybe once every two months and I think my shock is set to 6. There is a little bit of crowning but its very minimal. Tire pressure I use is 32/36.

Parabellum · 10-13-2008, 04:05 PM

Hmm...yeah, I can't think of any reason you wore through tires so fast????

markgm · 10-13-2008, 07:22 PM

I got mine through the same Cyclegear sale, so I'm guessing they're the same Diablo non-strada. I picked up three sets of them and as long as they keep going on sale I'll keep buying them! I'm 6'5", so I don't think it's a size issue, and I go cross country on them, so I have you beat with weight too!

Scab · 10-13-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parabellum

Have you pushed them hard yet? How is the grip at the edge of the tire? One problem I have with the BT020s is that edge grip is absolute crap...once you get anywhere near the edge of these tires, they slide all over the place.

What I want is a tire that will last no less than 6000 miles and still be very grippy when leaned over.

This may just be your tire. I've got about 2600-2700 miles on them so far. I'm not a real aggressive rider, but these have me riding more aggressive than my usual. I do get the tire over to the edge, but not a real hard ride on the edge. (if that makes any sense) However, I have experienced NO slip or mis-step from this tire. Even when disrupted by gravel, the tire regains traction immediately, once off the debris. Unfortunately, I have ran upon some serious gravel. (think boulders)
It is really hard to say on the mileage at this point, but I suspect they will make the 6k mark. Which, for me, is the best that I've gotten on the FZ. The road surfaces here are typically course. The set that did make it to 6k on my FZ were Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's.
The tire is wearing very evenly thusfar. There is a bit more effort required in the counter-steer vs. brand new, but that is with all tires and is nothing negative in the handling of this tire. It's just when new, it took nearly only thought for the bike to respond. Now, there is input required, but only the proper amount. Feedback is fantastic. You always feel as though you know exactly what this tire is doing. One thing, I think this front tire will wear out at about the same time as the rear. For me, that's fine, I always change in pairs. It may bother some, though. I still have yet to ride in the rain. I did, however, run wet roads just after the rain. It is hard for me to really say anything intelligent about wet traction though. I once crashed in the rain, and I turn very conservative on wet roads because of this. I just can't bring myself to push on wet tarmac.
So, for now, the love affair with this tire continues. If I can make at or near the 6k mark, I'll not be looking for another tire for quite some time.

Parabellum · 10-14-2008, 12:59 AM

I'm at 7600 miles on the BT020.

I corner it somewhat hard (suspension is really the limiting factor of the bike right now) so my wear is very even. I just got down to the wear indicators about 100 miles ago.

I will definitely not replace it with the same tire. I have this feeling that a lot of the non SS bikes come with crappy tires. Even my warrior came with Dunlop D220s and they offered less grip than the Avons I replaced them with, that lasted 2000 miles longer than the dunlops.

I suspect that even the BT021 may offer more grip AND better wear than the BT020, but to be on the safe side, I think I will try the BT016 next.

Zircon · 10-14-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkl999

The triple compound really makes a difference on the edge. The edge compound was definitely gummier than the middle when I checked the tires after riding over 100 miles. I've did read on motorcyclist that the edge might be too gummy for the track. I wont be doing any track day soon so I cant judge that. I am definitely curious about the longevity of these tires. My Pirelli Diablos lasted me about 6k. I hope these will be at least the same.

As far as I know, the edge compound is the same as in BT002, which is a good track tire.