Angel GT vs Battlax T32

[peterbaron]

My rear Angel/160 will soon need to be replaced with a T32, 140 or 160 , havn't decided yet.

[michael1954]

In 2022 I showed up to the CB Rally on a set of old tires that I felt needed to be replaced. This was going to be the last trip for the set of Michelins. Little did I know, it was going to put me in a spotlight.

The Michelins had been discontinued, despite being highly coveted by our CB group. At the rally in normal conversations a tire talk came up. My old Michelins were spotted. Now, being aware and already self-conscience about my aged tires, the spotlight was unwelcome. But the spotlight was there and honestly not as bad as I internally make it out to be. Tough crowd, your peers can be at times. It was a good laugh still and the aged Michelins did not fail me at the Rally.

After the Rally, I researched for a set of replacements. Pirelli Angles seemed to be a great option, but the tread life is short for a sacrifice for additional traction. Tough choices, but I finally settled on Avon. I purchased the tires online – and in the garage they went. 2023 was a busy year. The CB was left unattended for far to long. As the 2023 Rally date approached the CB was still sporting the old set of Michelins and had not been outside the garage but once or twice. I started my routine maintenance in preparations to ride to the Rally. A week before the Rally, I made an appointment for the CB to visit the dealer. Tire swap and valve adjustments. Those at the 2023 Rally, know the story.

I rode the CB around town the week before the Rally. I could feel something was different leaving the dealership. I went back to the dealer and asked them to look at the front tire again to ensure the balance was correct. Everything checked out. I’m picky sometimes, so I dismissed it as just being me. Hours into the Rally trip, I was mad. The CB had a vibration coming from the front end. Arrived at the Rally and my confidence to lay the bike over for some turns, was not there. I was probably complaining about it when other Rally goers jumped in to help out. Tough crowd yes, but what a great bunch of friends. We reset the clamps on the front forks to proper torque specs, everything. The vibration was still there. I knew the vibration was coming from the tire. My confidence was not there, so I took a day trying to get the tires replaced while at the Rally. The local area had zero stock to support a tire change for the CB. A-Man had a new Pirelli Angel front tire, at the Rally. Seriously. Here soon, I believe we may have the spare parts to assembly a new CB … maybe. I bought the front tire from A-Man and set off at a local bike shop late at night to change the front tire.
Now, an Avon out back and a Pirelli up front. Internally, this bothered me. I am a bit particular about my vehicles and mismatched tires … it bothered me. But not as bad as the vibration. A-Man still has that Avon if anyone needs it going forward at a Rally. My vibration was gone. During the remainder of the Rally, I had no further issues. I also discovered an interesting aspect of my new tire combination. The Pirelli is a sportier compound, while the Avon has a longer tread life for interstate riding (supporting my weight). The CB was spot on throughout the rally and the bike shows no ill effects of sporting 2 different name brands. Its turning out to be a great combination, best of both worlds. Consciously, I would have never mismatched tires.

I rode to the 2024 Rally on the unique combo. It rides very well, with zero issues. 2024 has had more opportunities to ride and the CB. I have no complaints about either Avon or Pirelli. The life of these tires is holding up very well so far, with great performance results.

I did choose two different tires, but my dilemma was the crappy from front BT54 I sent back. I have yet to mount them, but I kept the BT54 rear and bought a T-32 for the front. I foresee no problems. In the "old" days we mounted whatever tire the dealer had, regardless of matching. I rode my old CB175 with mismatched tires all through college, never an issue. Heck, I even installed rear shocks from a CL350 I bought at a bike junk yard for $10 because the CB175 was too heavy for those skinny stock shocks, especially ridden two up.

[Cormanus]

My rear Angel/160 will soon need to be replaced with a T32, 140 or 160 , havn't decided yet.

Can you not get Angel GTs, peterbaron?

[peterbaron]

Np to get it here, but I want to see how it wears and handles

[Cormanus]

Ah.

[Davidjill]

I fitted the Bridgestone T32 at 6,000 miles, the bike had the original factory fitted Dunlop D205, which, whilst showing little signs of wear, were a bit hard and some 5-6 years old.
Had some issues with the front losing pressure due to a dodgy tube/valve. The T32 front has not worn well and needs to be replaced after 6,500 miles. Now looking for alternatives, but choices are not great for 18" wheels!

[Nachodaddy]

I fitted the Bridgestone T32 at 6,000 miles, the bike had the original factory fitted Dunlop D205, which, whilst showing little signs of wear, were a bit hard and some 5-6 years old.
Had some issues with the front losing pressure due to a dodgy tube/valve. The T32 front has not worn well and needs to be replaced after 6,500 miles. Now looking for alternatives, but choices are not great for 18" wheels!

While it has been a couple of years, I found the Metzlers to be a good choice. Even then, 18inch tires were scarce. And of course, I'm in the US and things may be much different in the UK.
Best of luck in your search.

[jikemenkins]

When I ordered my T32s in October of 2024, the tires I received were older than I appreciated. One of the tires had a date code of "5020" meaning it was 3 years and 10 months old already when I received it. The online vendor who I ordered from declined to swap the tires for a newer pair. I was provided some boiler-plate response about proper tire storage and ageing.

The tires ride fine thus far, though I haven't put many miles on them. Tip-in certainly is quicker than the 7 year old squared-off OEM D205s they replaced.

Also, after ordering my T32s I've come to the realization that from now on ill be searching UK, European, and Pacific/Asian based online vendors in addition to US based online vendors for my motorcycle tires in the future, as they get tire types and sizes not available to me here in the USA.

[Cormanus]

This turned up in an email last night https://www.motorcycle.com/products/best...ring-tires

[bflint]

Have had Pirelli Angel GT's and two sets of Bridgestone Battleax T31's. Perellis lasted 7500mi and Bridgestones lasted 8000mi. Currently running second set of Avon Spirit STs run like the old Michelin PR3s that used to be available. Avons lasted 11,000mi, much like Michelins.