Bridgestone Battlax T30 Review

[Django]

Good review. Interesting as my Michelins will die soon. Wonder if the T30s are available in Oz.

Cheers, and thanks

Your welcome! If not I think revzilla sells & ships worldwide.

Django,
None taken for a 160 tire I have about 1/4 inch left of unused tire and felt that going even further would be sketchy on public road. Do you feel the tire is stiff on your bmw?

Not at all. The T30 was just very neutral on my BMW K1100RS.

However this K had front 120/70 ZR 17 and rear 160/60 ZR 18 and about 30 kg more mass than the CB. There is a link in my signature to a picture of my K. Unforunatly it died last autumn after 21 years and only 127,000 km and now I ride the CB.

May be, you experienced this stiffness coming from 140 to 160 at the rear wheel?

[Rocky_imp]

Thanks for sharing youre input Rocky! When I was younger it felt like running tires to the edge and having no chicken strips is a badge of honor ,silly me... Now I find it ridiculous.

Django or rocky, any comments on milage on the t30's

I've only had them on for one summer, which is about 3500 km's (2200 miles), so can't report on wear.

[lola_imp]

Good review. Interesting as my Michelins will die soon. Wonder if the T30s are available in Oz.

Cheers, and thanks

Your welcome! If not I think revzilla sells & ships worldwide.

Django,
None taken for a 160 tire I have about 1/4 inch left of unused tire and felt that going even further would be sketchy on public road. Do you feel the tire is stiff on your bmw?

Not at all. The T30 was just very neutral on my BMW K1100RS.

However this K had front 120/70 ZR 17 and rear 160/60 ZR 18 and about 30 kg more mass than the CB. There is a link in my signature to a picture of my K. Unforunatly it died last autumn after 21 years and only 127,000 km and now I ride the CB.

May be, you experienced this stiffness coming from 140 to 160 at the rear wheel?

Not at all. The T30 was just very neutral on my BMW K1100RS.

However this K had front 120/70 ZR 17 and rear 160/60 ZR 18 and about 30 kg more mass than the CB. There is a link in my signature to a picture of my K. Unforunatly it died last autumn after 21 years and only 127,000 km and now I ride the CB.

May be, you experienced this stiffness coming from 140 to 160 at the rear wheel?
I think your right a bout the wider profile of the rear tire. Thank you for your feedback!

[Django]

Concerning mileage: at the BMW I averaged between 6,000 and 7,000 km max (which is about 3,700 - 4,400 miles). The front tire died before the rear tire.

But then, the K was 30 kg heavier than the CB and had more power. I would expect at least 1,000 km more mileage at the CB.

I ride mostly back country roads, many curves, accelerating and braking.

[lola_imp]

Ive seen A video on youtube with a guy on kawasaki zx14, heavier and more powerfull bike and only got 4400 - 5000 miles on the rear tire but the fronts were okay.

So I think it really depends on how we ride our bikes and where. I'm not a fast rider and since the CB is lighter than your BMW K a little more out of them is a welcome . Thanks again for your input Django!!!!

RIP K1100RS

[Cormanus]

At the risk of exposing my ignorance, Lola, why did you set the pressure at 31 psi? Is that the pressure Bridgestone recommends (a lot less that Honda's recommended tyre pressure) or to allow you to expose more rubber to the road while you scrub in the tyres?

Great report. Thanks.

[lola_imp]

No worries Cornamus. youre right about getting more surface to scrub the tires but Also to not overheat the tire on a hot day when youre pushing it. A little overkill for some but it doesnt hurt trying it.

[Cormanus]

Thanks, Lola.

[the_undecider_imp]

This is a general question about chicken strips:

Gravy or BBQ sauce?

Seriously, I have a lot more strip on my front tire, close to an inch. My rear has maybe 1/4 inch. These are the OE BT54s. I am wondering if it's different tire profiles, the bike, or my riding technique. I am not an aggressive cornerer, so I was a bit surprised to see how little chicken strip was left after I got the bike. The previous owner must have been a very timid rider given how huge they were before.

[lola_imp]

Gravy Guy Here

In all seriousness for me chicken strips dont mean squat in terms of skill or quickeness, We use to ride with a fella who had them on his rear tire which is a substantial amount of chicken strips(dnt lean much) but man he was so quick.

Youre also correct on tire profile, For example Dunlops Q2 Tires have a steeper tread drop on the edges of the tire and are taller in profile meaning there is enough tire even at extreme lean angles. I remember when Magazines were reviewing and testing them they were surprised to still see a little chicken strips left despite their race pace.