Battlax BT-021 review
James Whitham, Visordown:
James Whitham, Visordown:
Damp: 1:22.12
A totally different feeling to this tyre. Mid-corner I had loads more confidence and under braking too. Even splashing through the big puddle at the hairpin, the bike didn’t get upset. Downside was rear grip under hard acceleration. These will spin forever, but they won’t get you into trouble so long as you’re smooth with the throttle cranked over. I think it’s the dual compound giving that feel. As you come off the soft compound on the edge of the tyre and onto the more durable centre compound there’s noticeably less grip. Overall though, very confidence inspiring and as good as anything here in the wet.
Dry: 1:13.56
Much more mid-corner confidence than the Maxxis with the BT-021s, but you still have to be a little careful getting on the gas, Again, with the dual compound you can really feel the change in grip coming off the soft shoulder of the tyre onto the harder centre compound. When it does spin, the bike is more upright anyway, so it never feels as though it’s going to do anything untoward. The front is really good. It seems to hold it shape well and gives loads of confidence over the odd remaining damp patch but still tackles bumps well. As all-round performers these are very good.
John Hogan, Visordown:"...we’ve had time to fit them to our GSR600 long-termer and get an idea of how they perform – and that’s pretty damn well. The 021s give a plush ride, they’re incredibly stable, giving a noticeable calming effect to the otherwise skittish Suzuki in crosswinds at motorway speeds, and their wet grip is astounding. They also warm up fast and, on less-than-perfect cold, winter Tarmac, deliver confidence inspiring levels of grip.”
From Bridgestone:
When we launched the BT-021, we said it would become ‘the world’s favourite sports-touring tyre’, delivering, as it did, confident front-end feel, great grip, high stability, both on motorways and winding roads with plenty of shock absorption.
Time and technology may move on, but good things live on – and the 021 still has a lot of roads left to ride and an army of dedicated riders who know this is a sports-touring tyre they can trust… bend after bend, mile after mile. With 5 front and 7 rear sizes, the BT-021 is ideal for most of today’s ‘naked’ road bikes and a majority of 600 to 1200cc. sport touring bikes.
James Whitham, Visordown:
Damp: 1:22.12
A totally different feeling to this tyre. Mid-corner I had loads more confidence and under braking too. Even splashing through the big puddle at the hairpin, the bike didn’t get upset. Downside was rear grip under hard acceleration. These will spin forever, but they won’t get you into trouble so long as you’re smooth with the throttle cranked over. I think it’s the dual compound giving that feel. As you come off the soft compound on the edge of the tyre and onto the more durable centre compound there’s noticeably less grip. Overall though, very confidence inspiring and as good as anything here in the wet.
Dry: 1:13.56
Much more mid-corner confidence than the Maxxis with the BT-021s, but you still have to be a little careful getting on the gas, Again, with the dual compound you can really feel the change in grip coming off the soft shoulder of the tyre onto the harder centre compound. When it does spin, the bike is more upright anyway, so it never feels as though it’s going to do anything untoward. The front is really good. It seems to hold it shape well and gives loads of confidence over the odd remaining damp patch but still tackles bumps well. As all-round performers these are very good.
John Hogan, Visordown:"...we’ve had time to fit them to our GSR600 long-termer and get an idea of how they perform – and that’s pretty damn well. The 021s give a plush ride, they’re incredibly stable, giving a noticeable calming effect to the otherwise skittish Suzuki in crosswinds at motorway speeds, and their wet grip is astounding. They also warm up fast and, on less-than-perfect cold, winter Tarmac, deliver confidence inspiring levels of grip.”
From Bridgestone:
When we launched the BT-021, we said it would become ‘the world’s favourite sports-touring tyre’, delivering, as it did, confident front-end feel, great grip, high stability, both on motorways and winding roads with plenty of shock absorption.
Time and technology may move on, but good things live on – and the 021 still has a lot of roads left to ride and an army of dedicated riders who know this is a sports-touring tyre they can trust… bend after bend, mile after mile. With 5 front and 7 rear sizes, the BT-021 is ideal for most of today’s ‘naked’ road bikes and a majority of 600 to 1200cc. sport touring bikes.
