BT21 Tyres : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Steve_k · 12-30-2007, 06:59 AM

I have now done about 3500 miles on the oem tyres they are about half worn but are now picking up all the lines and overbanding in the road.
On other bikes I have had this does not tend to happen until the tyres are near the end of their life.

I am looking in to changing the tyres before a 10 day tour around Europe at the end of March is there another make or model of tyre that works better with the GTR as I am a bit disapointed with the oem Bridgestones.

JamminJere · 12-30-2007, 07:37 AM

Steve,

I've had better luck with the Avon Storm's, and the Michelin Road 2's are supposed to be very good as well.

Jerry

greko · 12-30-2007, 10:53 AM

michelin pilot sport, are very good

uhjeen · 12-30-2007, 11:01 AM

Hi

My front BT021 was finished at around 4000 km. Now Bridgestone has received the tire and let's me know if they are going to pay a part of the new one ...

Anyway, if the new one will take another 4000 km,the rear one will also be at it's end. I will surely not buy again any tire from that manufacturer. On my CB1300, i have the Michelin Pilot road 2ct which is great! So guess what will be the next ones for the GTR ;)

regards

marc

Hitman · 01-31-2008, 08:59 AM

I'm curious as to why Bridgestone developed two BT021's 190/50ZR17TL Rear and 120/70ZR17TL Front with one designated 'E' especially for the 1400GTR. The price of the 'E' version in the UK is 20% more than the standard version.
Any Techies out there understand the rubber terminology on this one.?

This makes the Bridgestones 27% more than the equivilent Michelin PilotRoad2
which, given the mileage capability makes the OEM BT012 'E' silly money. Also it appears from media road tests that the PR2 is a better tyre anyway.

FBRR · 01-31-2008, 06:54 PM

HITMAN,
I may be wrong here, but I believe the difference in BT021 tires is the fact, as you stated, they made them for the C14. Manufacturers can request specific design changes for a specific application. ie. The FJR has a specific tire that also has a "geniric" equivelent. The generic "BT021" are cheaper as they are the mainline tire. As in the FJR tire senerio Yamaha requested a different sidewall flex from the "standard" tire. I would guess Kawasaki have also deviated from the "base" BT021 design in some aspect. Hence, you pay more to get the "designer" or Brand specific BT021 tire. I don' t know specific changes between the BT021 tires so it would be hard to determine if they are really worth the extra cost. But knowing how development works Kawasaki must have seen the need for a slight design change or "they" would have spec'd the "generic" BT021 also. ( kawasaki most likely also pays a small premium for the brand specific BT021 tire )

In that regard, knowing the C14 is heavier than many other bikes, I would think that probably drove a change>>>
Just my thoughts on the matter. ( and an informed guess. Many car manufacturers also spec a special change to a genric tire design. )

Hitman · 02-01-2008, 02:31 AM

Agreed but that now begs the question..Are the new Michelin PR2 tyres made to the same or similar spec as the standard BT021's. If that is the case surely the new PR2's will not be upto par with the BT021'E' tyres and should not really be used on the GTR.
I remember a similar problem with tyres on the BMWK1200LT and HAD to get the specific brand for that bike and wasn't able to use any other for safety reasons.

zzrjj · 02-01-2008, 04:14 PM

I have almost 7000 miles on mine, including one track day, and the back only seems 40-50% used up. The front is even better. Wierd. I like them alot.
Go figure!

PaulG · 02-04-2008, 09:37 AM

Hi All
I don't usually have much to say on this Forum but am always reading it! . Lots of great info. Anyway my front 021 only lasted 3500 miles the rear seems to be about 70% gone. It now feels like the front is going to "fold" when going around roundabouts. I emailed Bridgestone for comment and they may send somebody around to have a look. The middle is OK but it is down to the wear line on the side. I will use PR2's in the spring they worked well on the Busa.

FBRR · 02-04-2008, 05:26 PM

Just a quick heads up, but there is a thread on the Ducati boards about a recall on PR2'S!!!!

JIS · 02-05-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBRR

Just a quick heads up, but there is a thread on the Ducati boards about a recall on PR2'S!!!!

Sounds strange; I have had PR2s for the past year and find them superb. Anyway, can you post the link please? Thanks

jonathan · 02-05-2008, 02:57 PM

Michelin to Recall Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Power 120/70 ZR 17 Front Motorcycle Tyres

http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/front/a...?news_id=20122

Hitman · 02-06-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan

Michelin to Recall Pilot Power 2CT and Pilot Power 120/70 ZR 17 Front Motorcycle Tyres

Don't forget that these are not the tyres reccomended for the GTR / C14.
These are the Sportbike tyres.

victory1400gtr · 02-06-2008, 06:25 PM

I have over 6000 km in my bike and the original tires are ok, it depends of how you drive and brake.

stryder · 02-07-2008, 01:00 PM

I managed 7500 miles on my originals before having them changed on service for same tyres as recommended by the dealer as they are bike specific.

Martin

johnnyb4031 · 02-08-2008, 10:50 AM

Mine lasted 9100km for the rear and a little over 10000 on the front.

nswenson · 02-14-2008, 05:27 PM

I've got 3000 miles of hard riding and track time on the Road Pilot 2 tires and they look great. Plenty of grip as you can see here:

Davo · 02-14-2008, 07:17 PM

With over 40,000klms on 1400GTR's in 6mths with the stock OEM tyres I can say they are not good enough for a bike of this caliber in my opinion.

I am moving to the Michelins it seems at this stage

JIS · 02-15-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davo

With over 40,000klms on 1400GTR's in 6mths with the stock OEM tyres I can say they are not good enough for a bike of this caliber in my opinion.

I am moving to the Michelins it seems at this stage

Hi Davo; can you explain why; i.e. what are the shortcomings of the OEM Bridgestones and which Michelins you would recommend?

dhtmbowen · 05-20-2008, 11:28 AM

Bridgestones in my opinion are not up to the job. Once they get part worn the soft sidewalls (design feature) mean that under heavy load the front deforms too much which is why you are supposed to run 42psi - which is masses.

Michelin and Dunlop both recommend 34/42 but its probably best to run 35 in the front otherwise on cold days the tyre pressure warning chimes in. Both the Michelin and Dunlop (Pilot Road 2 and Roadsmart) have stiffer construction which allows them to maintain a consistent profile even under heavy load; cornering braking accelerating etc.

I thought the Michelin PR2 were brilliant until I tried the Roadsmart - its the next generation on.