Funky tyre wear, BT-021s

[Noxious89123]

Ok, well I've got a set of BT-021s on my CBR. Probably done about 3~4k on them. Huge amounts of tread left on the back, Should be good until 7~8k. The front however, is well fucked. It's got about 1mm of tread left before its on the wear markers in the centre. Wheres it has about 3mm left on the sides. Now i've only had these since the beginning of winter, so not getting much lean angle out of them. But bloody hell, they're meant to be a sport-touring tyre. I don't break particularly hard, and tbh, rarely use the front brake to slow down rapidly. Mostly use engine braking and a little rear brake when coming to a stop.

Is this normal sort of milage for a front BT-021?

Also, what are my options for other good sport-touring tyres? I've heard that the Dunlop RoadSmarts are good, and the Michelin Pilot Road 2's. I've found that all the Dunlops i've used were really shitty for picking up lots of little stones etc. They seem to stick to the surface of the tyre really easily. Not so much on the Bridgestones.

EDIT: And before it's said, pressures are spot on, 36psi front, 42psi rear.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[TheDonUK]

Oh damn i was gonna say pressures.

But BT020's/021's are known to square off more than other tyres, They are really good before they square off.

Try Michelin Pilot Road 2's i have them on my ZX6R and they are perfect.

Pirelli Diablos are decent also...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Noxious89123]

Pilot road 2's it is then. They seem to get really good rviews, so there we go.

When they were new, they were great, but now the front profile is all phucked up.

Thing is, the rear still has *loads* of tread... Seems i'll be back to miss-matche tyres soon enough then. Will put a Michelin on the front and keep the bt-021 rear until it dies.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[TheDonUK]

Its a good choice you will like them, make sure you dont get the Pilot Powers or 2CT's You want the Road 2's,

If i was in your situation and i had the money i would buy a set of the michelins and take the part worn rear home and save it for when your new rear wares. But then i hate mis-matched tyres and do alot to avoid them and i also love scrubbing in a new set and then having 100% confidance...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[motobiker]

This isn't the first I've read about BT021 fronts wearing out quickly... or having groteaquely uneven wear.

I have used 020's in the past and now - with no problem or premature squaring. a front lasting the life of two rears. (the trick is to do lots of corners and keep well away from dual carriageways and Motorways)

I won't be using 021 fronts though... no way.

When this current 020 rear wears out then I'll happily fit an 021.

and then after that... I'll think of something.
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1999 R1100GS + 2006 F800S
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Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.

[The Tot]

Sod pilot roads, it's all about the Dunlop Roadsmarts - the more i keep campaigning people to get dunnies on their 600's, the sooner they realise they've made the best choice for road riding. 4000 miles and still as fresh as new! Very stable, very planted and very responsive, gives me all the feedback i need even in this inclement weather. Dunlops the way to go. Won't be going back to bridgestone for a while now after the disappointment that was the BT020.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[stinkwheel]

Out of interest, what profile are they?

The 120-70 BT021s on my VFR used to square off. I dropped the profile to 120-60 and it now does almost the opposite with the sides markedly feathered (and corners better).

Evens out nicely though because I do a fair bit of motorway work using a spare wheel with a cheap shit rear on which evens out the middle again.

Dropping the forks through the yokes slightly can make a big difference to the wear pattern too. Just be certain it doesn't make the handling too twitchy.
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I thought it was only in the paddock that tyre manufactures messed up. I use Bridgestone BT45s and i'm very happy with them, so in my mind i'd be thinking Hmm all Bridgestones must be good, but after reading about the BT021s it looks like i'll have to researching to do for my next bike.

good post this..Ta people

Pat
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[TheDonUK]

[tafflade]

I've used the D220ST which is the old sports touring tyre before the roadsmart and they were excellent, I've had 207's and 208's and not been particularly over excited about them.

[craigs23]

I'd vouch for Pirelli's Diablo Strada. Just fitted a pair and despite requiring scrubbing in, feel a lot more confident in these conditions than the 015s I had previously.

A little disconcerting with the BT021s - I nearly fitted a pair instead, but decided to go with what I was happy with before - especially considering the mileage I do.

I'd only stick to supersports tyres on my summer toy now.

[neatbik]

I run a bt021 on the rear and an 014 on the front. The 021 is wearing really well, and im coming up to about 7000 miles on the 014. Its about 1 mil off the wear bars so will be changing it soon, but considering i do a lot of straight line commuting im happy with the way it has worn.

[The Tot]

Well i'd rather buy a british tyre than something the french have come up with plus it's about 15 quid cheaper per pair... just have look at what most magazines have had to say when they've compared sports touring tyres - Roadsmarts generally tend to get 5 stars whilts PR2's get 4 or so - this is from a load of different sources - tested blind. Either way, TWO voted the roadsmarts as the tyre to have for winter, and i propose they're the tyre to have on my bike, all the time! But it's swings and roundabouts really - if you were to have them on your bike, chances are you wouldn't believe if they were dunlops then..
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[TheDonUK]

Theres only one thing for it Titz, as today im not in the mood to agree to disagree. Message me when you are next in old Londinium down and there must be some sort of test arranged as we have quite similar bikes, I dont really take much heed from the mags, theres too mich commercial interest there for it to be unbiased.
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Walloper]

Buy a new Tyre pressure gauge.
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[bigwill]

[Mr Nice Guy]

Pilot Road 2 are better than Roadsmarts.
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Noxious89123]

It's not pressures. The garage set them to 36 / 42 when they fitted them, and i checked them myself after 100 miles and thy still showed 36 / 42. Check them regularly since.

It isn't my riding style, don't do any harsh braking or wheelies or anything else to excessively wear the front tyre. One of the front calipers was dragging a bit, but only for about 80 miles tops, before i got it sorted. The tyre was wearing alot even before that problem.

Riding with them for the last 4000 miles, i have to say they are excellent tyres. They don't heat up alot, but they heat up quickly, and grip very well at a low temp. ALso have amazing grip in the wet. When i had my little off, it was because i locked the front up in the wet. But fucking hell, they took ALOT before they broke grip. Back end skipping along the floor and all that.

I just can't justify only getting 4k to a front tyre though.

Is the BT-014 softer than a 21? Would it be a suitable relpacement for my front tyre, to use with my rear bt-021?

And Stinkwheel, it's a 120 / 70.

Thanks for all the replies
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[nick606]

I dont think they do the bt0-14 now i think the bt0-16 has took it over.

[Noxious89123]

The bt-014s are still listed on the Bridgestone website, no sign of the 16's though. Linky
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[nick606]

oh well im talking shit then. I though i heard the bt0-14 have stopped

[Noxious89123]

Might be the otherway round? Although that would go against the logical numbering sequence...
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[TheDonUK]

From what i understand the 014/16 is softer than the 020/021...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[trevoriv]

I had a 020 rear that got raped and didnt last more than a few thousand miles, im since on my second set of 021's.

The first 021 rear didnt last too much longer than the 020, maybe about 4-5k but my current 021 rear is on at least 7k miles and nowhere near the tread limit and I do loads more motorway miles these days, granted it's a bit square but still got tread.
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Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
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[Kris]

The 021s on the Bandit wear okay, although with a lot of M-way miles the front does square off a fair bit I agree. But, they are great for wet and damp grip levels and are a very predictable tyre IMO.

Front wear definately creates a 'flat' bottom surface with maybe two chamfered edges at the sides making turn-in on worn tyres interesting.

Rear tyre just squares off like most.
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