Tires: Pirelli Angel GT vs Bridgestone BT54

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

These are the two that I've narrowed it down to... Looking for all season traction and long tread life.

I realize I will have to bump the rear to 160/60 to run the Pirellis, but I might do that with the BT54 anyway.

Anyone experienced with either or both of these tires who might care to comment?

I actually like the stock BT54s a lot, but I'm curious about the Angel GTs...

I realize there are a bunch of other tire threads, but none comparing these two.

I'm open to other suggestions as well. Thanks in advance!

[Lord Popgun]

I have the Pirelli Angels on both my bikes and LOVE them. Hated the Dunlops that came on it originally. I have no experience with BT54s.

I think Ferret and a number of others have had both though.

[peterbaron]

I am Ok with Angels GT
My CB std clocked so far about 7+K miles, no issues.
This is a dual compound tire, which means a harder central area for increased longevity, with the outsides being a little softer for grip.

IMHO, Metzeler roadtec z8 was sportier/softer tire with better grip and cornering at higher speed but was gone quickly.
Due to fast wear of Z8 I chose the GTs.

Also had front Dunlop roadsmart 3 - no complaints, long lasting, ca 20K miles if not mistaken??

Best ever were PR3s, but no longer available.

If nothing better is available, will buy GTs again.

[the Ferret]

I've not run the Bridgestones but have run the original Dunlops, Michelin PR3s and Pirelli Angel GT's (I'm also running the GT's on my NC 750X) Not quite as good as the PR3s but very close.

Here is the rear Angel GT on the back of my CB at 10,300 miles

[GoldOxide_imp]

BT54s can last a long time. However, I found the compound hard and at times squirrely around corners.

[Cormanus]

I've had a couple of sets of Angel GTs and liked them a lot. They weren't as long lasting as the PR3s, but better, for example, than Bridgestone BT31s.

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

I've not run the Bridgestones but have run the original Dunlops, Michelin PR3s and Pirelli Angel GT's (I'm also running the GT's on my NC 750X) Not quite as good as the PR3s but very close.

Here is the rear Angel GT on the back of my CB at 10,300 miles

Thanks for the pic! Looks very good. In fact, that looks similar to the BT54 on my 2014, but mine only has 7k miles on it. I plan to ride the rest of the summer on the BT54s and swap into the Angel GTs next autumn. By then I will probably have another 3 or 4k on the BT54s.

The BT54s are much better tires than the Shinkos that were on my 2009 Shadow when I bought it. They were brand new and got barely 3500 miles...

[the Ferret]

I got 6478 miles out of a set of Shino Raven 09's on my NC 750

for comparison on that bike I got 8,579 on a set of Michelin Road 5s
7,696 on a set of Angel GT's
7,130 on a set of Metzler Tourance Next's

Funny that I get more miles out of the tires on my CB which has 30 more horsepower and weighs 75 pounds more.

[GoldOxide_imp]

... smaller wheels on the NC, hence, more wheel rotation over same distance?

But seriously, my original NC tires wore down to the cotton weave. The OEMs were not very durable.

[the Ferret]

well, to be honest I got more miles than either the CB or the NC on my ST 1300 and FJR. The NC, ST and FJR all had 17" wheels.

Tire mileage s a common complaint on the NC board.