Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Zteve on June 17, 2011, 03:33:19 PM

Title: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Zteve on June 17, 2011, 03:33:19 PM
My last couple sets of tires were PR2s. So I figured I'd try the BT023s, yes  ::) even after the OEM BT021s.  Got em from Chaparral cheap.  A lot cheaper then the new PR2 prices.  I put the GT on the front as it is supposed to be for heavier bikes and should wear better.  The rear is standard.  They don't make a GT in a 190 yet. First thing I noticed was that turn-in is much quicker than a new PR2.  They make the bike feel light and confident.  Bump absorption is very good.  The tire carcases, both standard and GT seem way stiffer than the PR2s did new and they balanced with a lot less weight.   I'll report back in a few thousand miles.  So far they feel really good.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Jet on June 17, 2011, 04:33:01 PM
I have one on the front of my C10 and like it. 
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: badhabits on June 18, 2011, 01:38:26 AM
All I know is I'm mounting my second set in the morning. 021s lasted most 7000 miles, last thousand very un-nerving. I will post pics tomorrow of old 023s with 9500 miles.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: So Cal Joe on June 18, 2011, 07:38:14 AM
I have the 023's on my 09 front & rear. They feel great. The rear is a 180/55/17. they didn't have the 190/50 in stock, it works great.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Pokey on June 18, 2011, 07:55:01 AM
I will never buy Bridgestone moto tires again........period.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: S.Ga.Rider on June 18, 2011, 03:04:22 PM
I have a rear 023 in the shop that I am going to install in a few weeks. The price was great, about $50 less than the pr2s. The 021 rear is a good tire but the front sucks. I got 4500 out of the f 021 and 6500 out of the rear. I have a shinko 009 on the rear now that I will be lucky to get 5000 miles out of.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Frank ZZR on June 18, 2011, 08:10:40 PM
I'm having the 023's installed on Monday. They have been getting real good reviews. ;)

http://www2.2wf.com/index.php/product-reviews/tires/862-pirelli-angel-st-vs-bridgestone-battlax-bt-023 (http://www2.2wf.com/index.php/product-reviews/tires/862-pirelli-angel-st-vs-bridgestone-battlax-bt-023)

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/6841/Motorcycle-Article/Bridgestone-BT-023-Tire-Review.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/6841/Motorcycle-Article/Bridgestone-BT-023-Tire-Review.aspx)
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Scaffolder on June 18, 2011, 08:15:41 PM
Right on Pokey. 100%!!!
If they don't come with my bike, they'll never be on my bike. I just got my PR3s delivered today from Murph's. I ordered them on Tuesday. I can't wait to get them mounted. My Original tires are done at 8200 miles.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Pokey on June 18, 2011, 08:18:45 PM
I'm having the 023's installed on Monday. They have been getting real good reviews. ;)

http://www2.2wf.com/index.php/product-reviews/tires/862-pirelli-angel-st-vs-bridgestone-battlax-bt-023 (http://www2.2wf.com/index.php/product-reviews/tires/862-pirelli-angel-st-vs-bridgestone-battlax-bt-023)

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/6841/Motorcycle-Article/Bridgestone-BT-023-Tire-Review.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/402/6841/Motorcycle-Article/Bridgestone-BT-023-Tire-Review.aspx)

Obviously the test bikes used were wrong.......I will still take the Angel ST over the 023 "anyday". ;)
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Frank ZZR on June 18, 2011, 08:52:06 PM
The PR 3 were going to be my first choice. But at $463 compared to $294 (Can) for the Bridgestones, I don't think they are worth the extra cost. My primary concern was longevity as we have very little twistys where I live. I have to ride at least 3-4 hours to see some curves. I'll bet the Bridgestone will get better mileage than the PR 3s. Time will tell.... A friend of mine has the 023 on his FJR with 10,000km on them. They look to be about 1/2 worn. He says that they have been the longest wearing tire he has had so far. And he's had a few.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Scaffolder on June 18, 2011, 09:16:21 PM
I don't think the best Bridgestones could outlast the worst Michelins. I got almost 17,000 miles on PR2s and I was waiting to see how the PR3s pan out. I'll check them out for myself.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: So Cal Joe on June 18, 2011, 10:12:57 PM
Right on Pokey. 100%!!!
If they don't come with my bike, they'll never be on my bike. I just got my PR3s delivered today from Murph's.
That makes no sense at all, the PR3 didn't come on your bike but your putting them onj
A friend got 12,000 miles from the 023 on his ST1300.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: DocPigskin on June 18, 2011, 10:19:23 PM
 :popcorn:
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Scaffolder on June 19, 2011, 06:34:51 AM
I was refering to the Bridgestones. I would never buy them and get them installed on my own. If I buy a bike that has them, I'll run them. Other than that they make a good tree swing for the kids. I got 11,300 miles on my 2008 OEMs, but they wore very funny and front first. My 2010 has 8200 miles on it and the OEMs are toast. PR2s on my 2008 went just shy of 17,000 miles. I think the Bridgestones are the cheapest deal that Kawasaki could get or something.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Zteve on June 19, 2011, 08:22:41 AM
I was refering to the Bridgestones. I would never buy them and get them installed on my own. If I buy a bike that has them, I'll run them. Other than that they make a good tree swing for the kids. I got 11,300 miles on my 2008 OEMs, but they wore very funny and front first. My 2010 has 8200 miles on it and the OEMs are toast. PR2s on my 2008 went just shy of 17,000 miles. I think the Bridgestones are the cheapest deal that Kawasaki could get or something.

If I could get 17000 miles out of a tire I would stick with it too. My last set of PR2s only got about 7000 rear and 8000 front and that's well into the wear bars. They felt like baloney skins when I removed them. :o
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Frank ZZR on June 19, 2011, 08:45:16 AM
Plenty of folks around here that got very low mileage from their PR 2 due to straight roads. Centres wore out at around 7 - 8,000 miles. The 023 on a FJR with 6,500 miles are half worn. It all depends  on your roads and riding style of course. For me, in consideration of the price I paid, I KNOW the 023 were the best choice. Just because the 021 were junk does not mean that all Bridgestones will be junk from here on in. I've had good luck and bad from every brand. 
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Pokey on June 19, 2011, 09:12:13 AM
I am still "very impressed" with my current Dunlop Roadsmarts, I will stick with them if the Angels are not the better tire.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Zteve on June 19, 2011, 10:16:21 AM
Plenty of folks around here that got very low mileage from their PR 2 due to straight roads. Centres wore out at around 7 - 8,000 miles. The 023 on a FJR with 6,500 miles are half worn. It all depends  on your roads and riding style of course. For me, in consideration of the price I paid, I KNOW the 023 were the best choice. Just because the 021 were junk does not mean that all Bridgestones will be junk from here on in. I've had good luck and bad from every brand.
The roads I'm mostly on are 2 lane winding black tops. My front PR2 wore on the sides, with a little rubber still left in the center. I got better mileage out of my first set of PR2s on the same roads. All in all the PR2s got me the best mileage out of many different brands. I'm hoping to get close to the PR2 mileage out of the 023s along with their great feel and low price.
Dittos on the 021s vs other Bridgestones.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Scaffolder on June 19, 2011, 10:37:35 AM
The roadsmarts I ran I had 14,400 miles on them and I kept the front as a spare.
Title: Re: BT023 Bridgestones
Post by: Frank ZZR on June 19, 2011, 10:47:37 AM
Over the years every manufacturer  has claimed 10,20,30% better mileage than the previous model. By my calculations, tires should be lasting over 100,000 ,miles by now.  What a bunch of marketing BS. ::)

My tires today do not last any longer than they did in 1985.