Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Marco1018 on April 01, 2012, 11:27:36 AM
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I think we can all agree that the or bt021 tires suck. How about the bt023? I have them mounted on my Yamaha fzr600 ( predecessor to the r6) and I have about 5kthe miles on them and they look brand new still and I really like the way they ride on that bike. How does the concours like them? I know I can't compare a 400 pound sport bike tire wear to the way concours uses tires.
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Running them now. Front is at 9k, rear got pulled at 8k and replaced with the track takeoff (when I switched from street to track only tires) from my Superhawk (180/55R17). They treat me well, and as long as I keep the cold pressure up at 42/43 on the front and around 44 on the rear, they have no cupping issues. I'll be going with the GT-spec 023's when these need replacing.
They are a lot better than the stock tires. Can't speak as to their capability compared to the Angels or PR3s, but they're sufficient for me. I've got 60k+ miles in the last 11 years, and got my race license last year, so I ride reasonably conservatively on the street, but have had some 'push-it-up' sessions and have been pleased with these tires.
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I had them on my 09, good wear and traction. I had my front TPS replaced when I had 8,000 miles on the tire so I had the dealer put on a new one at that time since the labor was free, it still had about 3 or 4000 miles on it.
The rear one gave me about 8,000 miles but changed it a little soon due to an upcoming trip. I have a friend that runs these on his ST1300 and he get almost 20,000 from a set.
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Only got 4500 out of the rear BT023. PR2's usually get a little over 7000 for me. I put the BT023GT on the front and it has 3500 on it and looks almost brand new. Won't buy another BT23 for the rear unless they start making a GT. I just put a PR3 on the rear and it feels pretty good with the BT023GT on the front.
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Zteve, does the front gt feel any different than the regular 023 ?? (i think they make a rear gt but its a size smaller ?? )
here in the twisties in WI and MN i get about 4500-5k out of rears and more out of the fronts. Have run a few sets of pr2, and a few 023. spirited riding
the 023 feel very good to me.
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Zteve, does the front gt feel any different than the regular 023 ?? (i think they make a rear gt but its a size smaller ?? )
here in the twisties in WI and MN i get about 4500-5k out of rears and more out of the fronts. Have run a few sets of pr2, and a few 023. spirited riding
the 023 feel very good to me.
I've only run the front GT. Yeah they only make the rear GT in a 180. Can't really say if the front GT feels different or gets any better mileage than the regular. I do feel the front 023 has quicker turn-in than the PR2's. If my front GT gets around the same mileage as PR2's I will keep running the BT023GT front PR3 rear combo. I'm assuming the rear PR3 will get the same mileage as a PR2.
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W
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I must be the most un-aware motorcycle rider in the world. I bought new B16 tires for my ZX14 and I didn't see a dime's worth of difference from the stock Bridgestones. I have a 2009 C14 with ABS and stock, B21 tires. I think that it rolls just fine. What am I missing here? Now granted, I don't drag my knee on either of these bike but I ride both of them a whole lot harder than anyone I know except the 20 year olds on the GSXR 600's. I don't think those B21's suck at all - I just measured the chicken stripes on my Concours and they are 1/4". Is that bad for a Viet Nam vet on a sport turing bike, on the street, with stock tires? The chicken stripes on my ZX14 are somewhat skinnier but not by much. Are you guys SURE you ain't just woofin' about them new tires (tyres for the Limeys - I lived there for about a year and picked up some of the local language). I mean, you paid a LOT of money and you researched the magazine tests and the internet. All those knee draggin' fast guys said that this was better than that and they ran around on race tracks and they scored those tires hot and cold and wet and dry and ever way else except inside out. So they got down to the molecular level and they assigned a final number or a final grade or first, second, third and p.o.s. - something like that. And THEN you bought the best of the test at the absolute rock bottom price. It has GOT to be better!!!! What is the MATTER with you if you can not SEE that this one is so much better than that one!!??? Look at the tests for heaven sakes!!!!
I like beer at room temperature, I hate professional sports, I don' t believe that the United States is on the wrong track or slowly going to hell and I like the stock Kawasaki tires that I have ridden. Nicholas Jasper
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I must be the most un-aware motorcycle rider in the world. I bought new B16 tires for my ZX14 and I didn't see a dime's worth of difference from the stock Bridgestones. I have a 2009 C14 with ABS and stock, B21 tires. I think that it rolls just fine. What am I missing here? Now granted, I don't drag my knee on either of these bike but I ride both of them a whole lot harder than anyone I know except the 20 year olds on the GSXR 600's. I don't think those B21's suck at all - I just measured the chicken stripes on my Concours and they are 1/4". Is that bad for a Viet Nam vet on a sport turing bike, on the street, with stock tires? The chicken stripes on my ZX14 are somewhat skinnier but not by much. Are you guys SURE you ain't just woofin' about them new tires (tyres for the Limeys - I lived there for about a year and picked up some of the local language). I mean, you paid a LOT of money and you researched the magazine tests and the internet. All those knee draggin' fast guys said that this was better than that and they ran around on race tracks and they scored those tires hot and cold and wet and dry and ever way else except inside out. So they got down to the molecular level and they assigned a final number or a final grade or first, second, third and p.o.s. - something like that. And THEN you bought the best of the test at the absolute rock bottom price. It has GOT to be better!!!! What is the MATTER with you if you can not SEE that this one is so much better than that one!!??? Look at the tests for heaven sakes!!!!
I like beer at room temperature, I hate professional sports, I don' t believe that the United States is on the wrong track or slowly going to hell and I like the stock Kawasaki tires that I have ridden. Nicholas Jasper
Other than poor/premature tire wear, I've really have no problems with the stock tires either. I'm on my second (used) set now.
I don't do much ridding in the rain, so maybe that's it...
I'm no slouch when it comes to ridding. The sports bike group I ride with will routinely put me up front because I generally push the pace in the corners. Last year I lead a small group of seasoned riders through some aggressive curves and literally got 1 - 2 miles ahead of them before I pulled off at the designated rest area. I don't consider myself a "knee dragger", but I do scrape the feelers from time to time.
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gnique,
I don't know much about subtle differences when testing vehicles, but the difference between my OEM stones and the Angel's is so obvious that even my girlfriend noticed the improvement. And she thinks that from the fuel pump to the actual movement of the vehicle there's nothing else but wizardry.
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gnique,
I am not an aggressive rider and most of my riding is on flat slabs. The OEM tire was not a good tire in terms of wear. My front tire was replaced (do to wear) at about 5K miles. I replaced it with a PR2, which now has over 10K miles with no signs of wear.
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I must be the most un-aware motorcycle rider in the world. I bought new B16 tires for my ZX14 and I didn't see a dime's worth of difference from the stock Bridgestones. I have a 2009 C14 with ABS and stock, B21 tires. I think that it rolls just fine. What am I missing here? Now granted, I don't drag my knee on either of these bike but I ride both of them a whole lot harder than anyone I know except the 20 year olds on the GSXR 600's. I don't think those B21's suck at all - I just measured the chicken stripes on my Concours and they are 1/4". Is that bad for a Viet Nam vet on a sport turing bike, on the street, with stock tires? The chicken stripes on my ZX14 are somewhat skinnier but not by much. Are you guys SURE you ain't just woofin' about them new tires (tyres for the Limeys - I lived there for about a year and picked up some of the local language). I mean, you paid a LOT of money and you researched the magazine tests and the internet. All those knee draggin' fast guys said that this was better than that and they ran around on race tracks and they scored those tires hot and cold and wet and dry and ever way else except inside out. So they got down to the molecular level and they assigned a final number or a final grade or first, second, third and p.o.s. - something like that. And THEN you bought the best of the test at the absolute rock bottom price. It has GOT to be better!!!! What is the MATTER with you if you can not SEE that this one is so much better than that one!!??? Look at the tests for heaven sakes!!!!
I like beer at room temperature, I hate professional sports, I don' t believe that the United States is on the wrong track or slowly going to hell and I like the stock Kawasaki tires that I have ridden. Nicholas Jasper
I can only wish I felt that way. It would make buying tires so much easier but probably more often.
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I must be the most un-aware motorcycle rider in the world. I bought new B16 tires for my ZX14 and I didn't see a dime's worth of difference from the stock Bridgestones. I have a 2009 C14 with ABS and stock, B21 tires. I think that it rolls just fine. What am I missing here? Now granted, I don't drag my knee on either of these bike but I ride both of them a whole lot harder than anyone I know except the 20 year olds on the GSXR 600's. I don't think those B21's suck at all - I just measured the chicken stripes on my Concours and they are 1/4". Is that bad for a Viet Nam vet on a sport turing bike, on the street, with stock tires? The chicken stripes on my ZX14 are somewhat skinnier but not by much. Are you guys SURE you ain't just woofin' about them new tires (tyres for the Limeys - I lived there for about a year and picked up some of the local language). I mean, you paid a LOT of money and you researched the magazine tests and the internet. All those knee draggin' fast guys said that this was better than that and they ran around on race tracks and they scored those tires hot and cold and wet and dry and ever way else except inside out. So they got down to the molecular level and they assigned a final number or a final grade or first, second, third and p.o.s. - something like that. And THEN you bought the best of the test at the absolute rock bottom price. It has GOT to be better!!!! What is the MATTER with you if you can not SEE that this one is so much better than that one!!??? Look at the tests for heaven sakes!!!!
I like beer at room temperature, I hate professional sports, I don' t believe that the United States is on the wrong track or slowly going to hell and I like the stock Kawasaki tires that I have ridden. Nicholas Jasper
Warm beer is un-civilized, and Congress is taking this contry straight to hell. Round tires are the best!
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Hey! Lets do a "warm beer" VS "bt021" survey. I'm betting big money on the stones.
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Wtf with drinking warm beer? That's not right.
However, I believe in stock or just round/new tires. I don't care about the mumble jumble test this and test that. :o
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Wtf with drinking warm beer? That's not right.
Better to drink warm beer than no beer at all though right... ;)
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Warm beer is more than half-way to used beer... :o
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Bridgestone will never see any of my money for their inferior motorcycle tires, although they do make excellent car tires.
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Bridgestone will never see any of my money for their inferior motorcycle tires, although they do make excellent car tires.
So a car tire on your Connie is coming Poke?? :o ;) :rotflmao: :stirpot:
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So a car tire on your Connie is coming Poke?? :o ;) :rotflmao: :stirpot:
Either that or a motorcycle tire on my Impreza! :yikes:
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Either that or a motorcycle tire on my Impreza! :yikes:
:rotflmao:
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looks like there is a gt spec 190/55 in the 023. any feedback or anyone run the gt tires??
looks like this will be my next set.
(sure would love to see how some of the guys get 18k out of a pr2, my bike eats tires around here. 4k+ for the 023 rear and fronts about 6k. Any MN or Wi guys get tire life having fun in the twisties?? :o)
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I guess we Brits are uncivilised then as we drink "warm" beer. :chugbeer:
But then it's often wet and cold here so who would want cold tasteless lager when yer already cold and wet.
The best beer makers in the world (the Belgians) serve some of their beer chilled and some at room temperature.
It depends on the beer and the individual drinking the beer.
As for the tyres, the OEM BT-021 front tyre on my C14 was sh!te, crap, trash, and inferior.
After just 2000 miles the abnormal wear was seriously affecting the feel, and thus my confidence when cornering.
I ended up having to "reprofile" the tyre with a rasp.
I actually managed to do nearly 7,000 miles on that front tyre but wish I hadn't bothered as even when new it was only adequate.
The PR2 I replaced it with (the rear BT-021which was probably still good for another 2000 miles but replaced it anyways) was confidence inspiring right through it's life, wore pretty evenly, only started to feel mildly squirrely when it was approaching the wear bars and was replaced after 12,000 miles. The next PR2 front lasted 11k miles. Rears lasted about 7k miles.
My first PR3 was quite an eye opener. In the dry it feels like a PR2 but in the wet it is remarkable.
Decent mileage, predictable feel and grip, awesome wet grip. It's a no brainer for me.
As for those who stick with the OEM tyre, personally I think you are missing out, but it's your bike and your money.
I've never understood why someone would spend $$$$ on a powerful bike with awesome handling and then fit anything less than the best tyres available.
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The best beer makers in the world (the Belgians) serve some of their beer chilled and some at room temperature.
It depends on the beer and the individual drinking the beer.
Nothing like a frosty Belgian white on a hot summer day :P
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I'm not a very agressive rider, but really didn't have any complaints with the 021's. I got about 8900 miles out of them, and they were wearing "funny" towards the end. Then I got the PR2's and have had no desire to go back to the 'stones. I have PR3's on other bikes, and have been happy with them as well. No experience with the 023's, but I'll probably stick with the Michelins.
As to the warm vs cold beer - I'm lol. Never had any desire to drink, but if I had, it would have been cured in college. Having to go through stairwells full of beer-fueled barf every weekend sort of takes away some of the glamour.