New BattlAx tires

[02SE]

So I got some new tires for the touring bike. I'll see how well they grip, and how long they last. The last set of tires were Dunlop Roadsmart IV's. They lasted about 3500 miles. The grip was okay, but not up to the best sport tires, to say nothing of trackday, or racing tires. It was about what I've come to expect from modern sport-touring tires. I've heard some good things about these new T33 tires from a friend who rides lots of miles every year, so I thought I'd give them a try.

The touring bike.

 

[bioilcurious]

If that is your "touring" bike, you might want to try the new Bridgestone s23. That is what I have been running on my 600 and the rear seems to last forever and yet the grip is very similar to a dunlop q5 or pirelli super corsa.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

I ran T31s once, they were excellent. I think you’ll like these.

 

[john_pifer]

@02SE

Are these dual-compound?

I would think that would be the ticket for great cornering grip while still maintaining at least some longevity in the center of the tire.

I've been out of sport bike riding for years now, but my favorite tires on my R1 (circa 2010) were the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.

 

[Ride_Red]

I ran two sets of T31's on two different bikes (ST1300 and NC700X). Then a set of T32's on each bike. I thought they were excellent tires. Good ride, turning and grip. Long lasting, too.

I haven't tried the T33's.

 

[AZjeff]

You must tour like Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

 

[02SE]

If that is your "touring" bike, you might want to try the new Bridgestone s23. That is what I have been running on my 600 and the rear seems to last forever and yet the grip is very similar to a dunlop q5 or pirelli super corsa.

The bike came with Bridgestone S22 tires, which were okay but they were done before 2k miles. That was trying to ride somewhat moderately as the bike was new, and I was getting used to it and breaking it in. But I do love to run through a nice set of twisties, which is hard on tires.

The sport-touring tires of today are better than the sport tires of, say, 25 years ago. They do better in cooler temps, wet conditions, but can overheat and become greasy on a hot day if pushed.

Our other sportbikes all have Dunlop Q5 tires on them at the moment. It is considered a 'Trackday' tire, very good grip, but not as dependant on being hot for the best grip like a racing tire. Of course they don't last like a sport-touring tire either.

 

[02SE]

@02SE

Are these dual-compound?

I would think that would be the ticket for great cornering grip while still maintaining at least some longevity in the center of the tire.

I've been out of sport bike riding for years now, but my favorite tires on my R1 (circa 2010) were the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.

The rear is, the front is a single compound, but according to Bridgestone the front tire tead pattern is designed to increase stiffness in the center of the tire, for better wear.

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

I just put a T33 on the rear of my 1290 SDGT. Only 500 miles on it so far, but I'm liking it a lot.

 

[02SE]

You must tour like Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

At the height of my riding ability, I wasn't good enough to be a factory rider. I raced in club level racing, several times I had the privilege of riding on-track with some amazing AMA pro riders, but it was a case of seeing how long I could keep them in sight before they left me in the dust.

 

[Hohn]

You must tour like Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

I have to wonder if that is actually faster than keeping both tires on the tarmac. Forfeiting the rear tire's contact patch means also forfeiting the rear brake's ability to sink heat and dissipate energy. IN addition to losing engine braking.

 

[02SE]

I have to wonder if that is actually faster than keeping both tires on the tarmac. Forfeiting the rear tire's contact patch means also forfeiting the rear brake's ability to sink heat and dissipate energy. IN addition to losing engine braking.

Getting the rear tire in the air with maximum braking on-track is common, even at the less than Pro level. If he eased off on the front brake to keep the rear tire on the ground, his rate of deceleration would decrease, which means he'd have to brake earlier and/or ride slower, reducing his overall average lap speed. Ultimately making for a slower lap.

When on track most want as little influence from engine braking as possible, as it can be inconsistent, which could be enough of variable to cause a crash when right on the edge of tire traction. There are a couple ways to minimize engine braking. Either with the ECU keeping the throttle valves open, a high idle speed, and/or a back-torque limiting clutch. It's much better to control the speed on the edge of traction with the more consistent and predictable brakes.

 

[Hohn]

Getting the rear tire in the air with maximum braking on-track is common, even at the less than Pro level. If he eased off on the front brake to keep the rear tire on the ground, his rate of deceleration would decrease, which means he'd have to brake earlier and/or ride slower, reducing his overall average lap speed. Ultimately making for a slower lap.

When on track most want as little influence from engine braking as possible, as it can be inconsistent, which could be enough of variable to cause a crash when right on the edge of tire traction. There are a couple ways to minimize engine braking. Either with the ECU keeping the throttle valves open, a high idle speed, and/or a back-torque limiting clutch. It's much better to control the speed on the edge of traction with the more consistent and predictable brakes.

^^ the difference between a rider with experience and and engineer with speculative curiousity. Great post.

 

[bioilcurious]

The bike came with Bridgestone S22 tires, which were okay but they were done before 2k miles. That was trying to ride somewhat moderately as the bike was new, and I was getting used to it and breaking it in. But I do love to run through a nice set of twisties, which is hard on tires.

The sport-touring tires of today are better than the sport tires of, say, 25 years ago. They do better in cooler temps, wet conditions, but can overheat and become greasy on a hot day if pushed.

Our other sportbikes all have Dunlop Q5 tires on them at the moment. It is considered a 'Trackday' tire, very good grip, but not as dependant on being hot for the best grip like a racing tire. Of course they don't last like a sport-touring tire either.

Ah, I see. I'm curious—why a Busa? Next year, if my dealer gets one, I plan to buy the new GSX-R1000. If they can't get it, I'll most likely go for the new Fireblade.

 

[02SE]

Ah, I see. I'm curious—why a Busa? Next year, if my dealer gets one, I plan to buy the new GSX-R1000. If they can't get it, I'll most likely go for the new Fireblade.

My oldest bike is a big bore stroker 1st gen Hayabusa. It's heavily modified, in the mold of the Formula Extreme 'Busa that Rad Greaves rode in that no longer existent roadracing class. I wanted huge power, and for it to go, stop, and turn like no big hypersport bikes were thought to be able to. It's my favorite bike out of all I've ever owned or ridden. I try to keep it looking close to stock for sleeper purposes.

I had a K5 GSXR1K for years as my track bike, to race in club racing. The GSXR1K is a great bike.

We have two BMW S1000RR's. A 2015 that is modified and was my race bike for five years. I still take it to the track occasionally. Also a 2020 S1000RR M, which the wife mostly rides.

A 2018 Ducati Panigale V4 Speciale. I've taken it to the track a few times, and ride it on the road occasionally, but mostly it's just a work of art.

The 3rd gen 'Busa is all stock, and is my idea of a great touring bike. Unlike the other bikes (all with Akrapovic Evolution full Ti exhaust systems), it's pretty quiet. It's comfortable, handles, goes, and stops very well, it has all the rider safety aids, plus cruise control.

 

[Carmudgeon]

I can't be the only one who glanced at the heading, and thought "They're now naming tires after Wilma Flintstone?"

Carry on.

 

[IndyIan]

So I got some new tires for the touring bike. I'll see how well they grip, and how long they last. The last set of tires were Dunlop Roadsmart IV's. They lasted about 3500 miles. The grip was okay, but not up to the best sport tires, to say nothing of trackday, or racing tires. It was about what I've come to expect from modern sport-touring tires. I've heard some good things about these new T33 tires from a friend who rides lots of miles every year, so I thought I'd give them a try.

View attachment 300639

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The touring bike.

View attachment 300644

Is that snow in the woods? I guess that bike warms up tires pretty well, but the first couple corners after a rest stop must be a bit interesting?

My boys have dirt bikes and the one is very interested in street bikes, but somehow hadn't seen a Hayabusa in his media feed. So we found a few clips, and then we went way back in time on youtube and found the ghostrider videos... I'm not sure if that was a good Dad decision or not, as I don't really want him doing 300+km/h wheelies in the future, but we had a good time watching the madness/genius of that bike and riding...

 

[Bonz]

O2SE, getting 3500 miles out of Roadsmart 4 is putting it through the paces at a level they weren't designed to be used. A stroker Busa? Cool bike however I don't know how that would ever fit in the sport touring category . That's not a sport touring bike, that's a hyper bike. Lol. I get over 10,000 miles out of the front on my ZRX 1200 and close to 10,000 miles on the rear. I don't ride easy but you're not going to find a sport touring tire that lasts longer than the RS4 in this day and age. Even if it is a newly released tire since the Roadsmart 4 was released That's my two cents worth. Look forward to hearing your report.

 

[02SE]

O2SE, getting 3500 miles out of Roadsmart 4 is putting it through the paces at a level they weren't designed to be used. A stroker Busa? Cool bike however I don't know how that would ever fit in the sport touring category . That's not a sport touring bike, that's a hyper bike. Lol. I get over 10,000 miles out of the front on my ZRX 1200 and close to 10,000 miles on the rear. I don't ride easy but you're not going to find a sport touring tire that lasts longer than the RS4 in this day and age. Even if it is a newly released tire since the Roadsmart 4 was released That's my two cents worth. Look forward to hearing your report.

For the record, it's the old 1st gen 'Busa which is a big bore stroker. It gets nothing but the stickiest tires, always. It has absolutely no rider aids, and will hurt you if you're not on your game.

It's the newer 3rd gen 'Busa which is my touring bike, and now has these Bridgestone T33 tires.

The old big bore stroker hot rod.

 

[02SE]

Is that snow in the woods? I guess that bike warms up tires pretty well, but the first couple corners after a rest stop must be a bit interesting?

My boys have dirt bikes and the one is very interested in street bikes, but somehow hadn't seen a Hayabusa in his media feed. So we found a few clips, and then we went way back in time on youtube and found the ghostrider videos... I'm not sure if that was a good Dad decision or not, as I don't really want him doing 300+km/h wheelies in the future, but we had a good time watching the madness/genius of that bike and riding...

That is a light dusting of snow.

Anyway, regarding Ghost Rider, I got the chance to meet him, as he used an MCXpress turbo system on his naked Hayabusa. Erik Marklund (The owner of MCXpress) came out to the Bonneville Salt Flats to assist in running several turboBusas one year.

Erik Marklund second from the left, in the sunglasses and ball cap and NOT looking at the camera.

The naked Turbo Hayabusa, with the flaming skull on the gas tank, ran 238 mph on the Salt.