DUBLINCHRIS Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I realise this is a well worn subject but I am putting it out there again for updated opinions I have used BT020's back and front up to now on my ST and time has come to change the back 020 - (front will be due a few thousand miles down the road) I have the choice of sticking with the 020 or moving to 021/023. I have been told that mixing the existing front 020 with a new rear 023 is not the best combination due to slightly more "pointed" profile of the 023. I am not looking for high mileage from tyre and prefer grip/wet performance to high miles. So should I stay with 020 move to 023 or try 021? Taking into account that I will need to change front before the "new" rear wears out - and due to the fact that in this bankrupt little green isle I cannot afford to change both front and back at this time what opinions are out there - and it will be Bridgestones I am staying with. Link to comment
racer7 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Mixing issues will be minor in street use- I'd just use what you want there long term. However, the rest of your note is a bit odd. The BT020 is a poor wet weather (and cold weather) tire compared to the best available. That plus the propensitiy of the front tread design to tramline is why I have never used as it a replacement after the OEMs on my RT died (which was early- their tread life is also shorter than many others). US riders would generally consider the PR2 rven better PR3 when hunting touring tires and on my RT both the Michelins and the Dunlop Roadsmart are better in the wet and cold than the BT020 was. Link to comment
Jerry Duke Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Mix and match front and back and save your pennies. Unless you're a trackday rider, you'll never notice the difference. Link to comment
DickieBoy Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I put 023's on my ST, replacing 020's. Only have less than 2k on them, but I find them far superior. Way better feel on turn in, much more confidence inspiring in the dry, and world's better in the wet. Now the 020's were pretty squared off when I took them off (they came on the bike from the PO, whom I suspect did lots of superslab)so none of this is too surprising. No idea how many miles were on the 020's when they came off, but the 023's are "supposed" to give increased lifespan, we'll see. It's my understanding the 020 is more of an OEM tire, while the 023 was aimed at competing against the other premium sport touring tires. I personally would not consider 020's when the 023's are available. Link to comment
DUBLINCHRIS Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 Hi DickieBoy Thanks for that info I think I am going to move to the 023 now for the rear and follow up with the front later. Jerry/Racer7. whilst not using bike currently for track days our roads here are no comparison to your freeways and smoother back roads. We have now got motorways/(tolled) linking most cities but we tend to avoid them. We use our older main roads and back roads and having just watched the Skerries 100 road race last week you could say that we have a track day everyday Remember racer7 that the ST has completely different riding position/weight distribution compared to the RT and coming from the Emerald Isle with lots of rain and enjoying my riding I have to confess that I have not had any serious moments in the wet on the 020's in 5/6 years. Link to comment
jaytee Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I had bt020s as the last tire on my ST. Compared to every other tire I had on there they sucked balls. They were hard, slippery in wet, and the profile was compromised only half way through their life. I have never run an 023 on my ST so I can't give an opinion there. I can say, pilot road 2, pilot power, BT 016, all were vastly superior tires. If I was putting new tires on an ST today I would go PR2's. Great wet weather traction, decent turn in, the profile maintains far into tread life, and now that the pr3s are out they are even a skooch cheaper. JT Link to comment
Lmar Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 The PR2's IMHO are excellent tires. Good mileage and good wet traction. Link to comment
brianbmw Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I've been getting around 10K out of pilot road II's on my ST. I've had a few sets of them and i often ride aggressively and have it loaded with gear. Brian Link to comment
jaytee Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 I got about 7k out of my PR2's on the ST as compared to 4000 out of the BT-016s. Having riden them again on my buddy's ST I have to say the PR2 seems very well suited to the mid-weight boxer. Link to comment
DUBLINCHRIS Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 Good feed back thanks for all the info Link to comment
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