BT45 Tyre Behaviour

[LongRanger_imp]

I've had good success with Bridgestones on several of my bikes and would recommend you consider the T31 EVO radial, which is available in OEM sizes in the U.K. (but not in the U.S.). Recognize your bike was originally fitted with radial tyres, but your BT45's are bias-ply. That said, I seriously doubt you'd be able to feel the difference.

[flynrider]

They're not new but they looked in decent nick. The bike was bought from a dealer so they should be good. The bike has done just shy of 10k miles and I have no idea if these are or were as originally fitted. It only did 1k of those 10k miles in the last 2 years which makes me think these are as originally fitted so perhaps they are a few season too old? I don't know.

Suggests maybe that they're getting a bit 'tired'!

Check the numbers again. If they are original tires, they would be BT-54 radials, rather than BT-45 bias ply.

My guess is that they are probably not the original tires, as the BT-54 front tire is notorious for wearing out long before the 10K mile mark.

I use the BT-45 bias tires on my CB750 and have experienced very good performance in wet and dry conditions, although they do tend to track imperfections in the pavement due to the narrow profile.

On my CB11 I have gone with the popular Michelin Pilot Road 3 radials in 120/80 front and 160/60 rear. I've noticed no perceptible performance difference with the wider tires. A big plus is that I get better than 10K miles out of a set.

[Cormanus]

beardyweirdy—a UK member—speaks well of the Dunlop Road Smart tyres which have the advantage of coming in the correct sizes for the bike.

[Haggard Rider_imp]

Been able to get out to check the pressures today - 32 front, 36 rear, so I'll pop along to my nearest air vendor to partake of their delivery machine (pump up my tyre a bit).

[Cormanus]

It will be interesting to hear whether that makes any difference.

Are they BT54s or BT 45s?

[jimgl3_imp]

just my 2 cents... manhole covers and white lines are slick no matter...

[emullick_imp]

It will be interesting to hear whether that makes any difference.

Are they BT54s or BT 45s?

I just had Bridgestone BT 54, 140/70R-18 and 110/80R-18, total cost $334 installed on wheels. Limited riding so far, (weather cold in mountains, Lake Arrowhead, Cal.) but they feel good.

[Rocky_imp]

just my 2 cents... manhole covers and white lines are slick no matter...

I agree. I'm very cautious no matter what tire I'm on. If it's wet, they are/can be a killer regardless of what make of tire is on the bike.

[Cormanus]

It will be interesting to hear whether that makes any difference.

Are they BT54s or BT 45s?

I just had Bridgestone BT 54, 140/70R-18 and 110/80R-18, total cost $334 installed on wheels. Limited riding so far, (weather cold in mountains, Lake Arrowhead, Cal.) but they feel good.

That's interesting. They're one of the two OEM tyres. I don't know that I've ever heard of anyone putting them on again.

I had some Battlax T31s fitted today. Both are the correct size for the rims.

[Django]

It will be interesting to hear whether that makes any difference.

Are they BT54s or BT 45s?

I just had Bridgestone BT 54, 140/70R-18 and 110/80R-18, total cost $334 installed on wheels. Limited riding so far, (weather cold in mountains, Lake Arrowhead, Cal.) but they feel good.

That's interesting. They're one of the two OEM tyres. I don't know that I've ever heard of anyone putting them on again.

I had some Battlax T31s fitted today. Both are the correct size for the rims.

I guess, you'll like 'em.

Just got a new set of T31 at my bike (CBF1000F).