Psychological New Tyre Issues.

[Gazz]

I have recently put a new rear tyre on the bike. And just found out that my new tyre is aimed primarily for 'touring' rathing that being a 'sports' tyre.

When I was looking at buying tyres, the 3 different garages I tried all told me that I couldn't get the BT-56 anymore and that the BT-020 was the replacement for that tyre since it had been discontinued - so I assumed it would be basically the same grip, etc.

But I have checked the Bridgestone website and it looks like the tyre is meant for loads of mileage, and NOT being thrown into corners.



Since reading this information I have been a bit scared of leaning right over on the bike just in case it slips out from underneath me. The tyre is fully scrubbed in now so there should be no problems with this, but the fear is still there....

Anyone else had any problems like this ??? Or is it just me ? Is the problem all in my head ?

Will the tyre be OK for getting the knee down on roadabouts, etc or should I try and stay upright like a proper touring bike ? Here is the information if anyone fancies a wee read:

https://www.bridgestone.co.uk/bfe/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=7291f5ee10355010VgnVCM1000005101a10aRCRD&vgnextchannel=000000000000000UK0000000000000000396RCRD

[mooserx]

Just scrub it in and crack on you'll be fine.

Usually, (i think) touring tyres have a harder wearing compund in the centre of the tyre but still have grippy edges for hustling through the twisties. I had bt-o21 on my old cbr and the stuck like shit to a blanket when i cranked it over.
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TL1000r-handful.

[BadDog]

See this thread.
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VFR400 NC30 > Kawasaki ZX6R > YAMAHA YZF-R1 > Moto Morini Corsaro Veloce

[G]

The 020 is fine for knee down etc. Now, I did actually crash with an 020 on the back getting my knee down on a roundabout.
However, I was going quicker than a rider with two sports tyres and after I realised the tyre was giving masses of signs that it was going to let go. Glad it happened as I now know exactly what to look out for.

Don't be silly and you'll be fine. Just means you can't get on the power quite as early, or brake quite as deep into the corner (not that I'd be doing the latter on the road anyway.)

[Squiffy_The_Wombat]

i second what G's said, the 020 while being a harder compound is still a very good tyre. I used them on a VFR750, topbox and all and would easily roundabout surf with them on. Though i have to say, i do prefer 014's etc. even to tour on because, like yourself, personally at the back of my mind i like to know ive got something up to the job!

i recently crashed quite epically on track because i had shit tyres and pushed too hard...wont be going down that road (or track hehe) again i can tell you.

that said, winters on its way and both stickys and tourers alike arnt so great so i would get used to them and muddle through, the extra miles will be great in winter!
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Squiffy_The_Wombat
Eagles may soar but wombats dont get sucked into jet engines

[T0MMY]

I've got 020s on my CBR, more than enough grip for the road, no chicken strips on my tyres Maybe a bit poor in the wet however.

I thought the 020 had just been replaced?
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[kitty kat]

the 020 has been superceded by the 021 (which I have on a fazer). You can still get hold of the 020 if you search for them.
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Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
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[Paulington]

I had a Continental SportCity or something on the back of the RS50 before I changed it, was as hard as rock but you could still knee-down on it.

Got Sport Demons or w/e on the 125, feel much more solid than that ever did.
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[MarJay]

I don't think anyone needs much better than an 020 for the road.

The tyre is better than you are, unless you are Valentino Rossi.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[temeluchus]

Aye modern touring tyres are excellent. I've had BT020, Avon Azaros, Dunlop D220s, D207s, Contiforce, Macadam 90s and Pirelli Dragon GTs. And thats just the radials, not getting into crossplies.

All worked fine, even at a spirited canter.

I mostly ride older high powered 4's (GSXR1100s, FJ12, FZRs etc) and the sports touring and touring tyres these days are better than the sports tyres that they would have originally come with.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[G]

[temeluchus]

The difference between an 020 and an 016 on the road is purely psychological.

You cant get them to warm up in normal use and they if anything grip worse than the touring tyres in the wet or pootling around.

I ditched a set of pirelli diablos for the Dragons for that reason.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[G]

[MarJay]

[G]

[sickpup]

This is the rear 021 (touring tyre) on my ER-6f work bike. This bike is only used for work often in the most atrocious conditions you can think of.

As you can see, little chicken strips and a lot of chain lube.

Trust me there's enough grip on them.

[MarJay]

OK, let me put it another way:

This guy is asking for reassurance that his tyre is not a chinese piece of plastic, and that it will actually provide some grip. It is a modern Bridgestone designed for sporty riding.

My Powervalve has a general reputation for having poor tyre choice. I fully expected that as soon as I rode the bike I'd be scared by the lack of feedback and grip that I would get from the best yet clearly awful choice of BT45s. In actual fact I needn't have worried as they are perfectly fine for the type of riding that I do, or can do on the 'valve.

You say that you felt that the 020 broke grip when opening the throttle hard in damp and wet conditions. Most people (including me) tend to avoid opening the throttle hard in damp conditions. The fact that YOU noticed a supposed deficiency in the tyre is kind of irrelevant because the OP might not notice the same deficiency.

Modern tyres are good. They are good enough to my mind that pretty much all tyre problems are either down to a lack of 'feel' (possibly caused by poor suspension setup, rarely a genuine tyre issue) or more often than not a psychological barrier rather than a genuine one.

I'd estimate that 60-80% of tyre issues are psychological.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[sickpup]

[G]

[T0MMY]

Just to reiterate and expand on my first post for the thread starters benefit...

When I bought my CBR it had 020s on it. I know feck all about bike tyres but need to replace the rear soon so was looking at them. Basically, I was VERY surprised to read that the tyres I had were "touring" tyres, I'd just assumed they were super sticky sports jobbies as the bike feels great on them and was pleased to discover I can get similar replacements which will last a long time and be grippy. I have no end of confidence in them and had ZERO chicken strips within a couple of weeks of getting the bike (original owner must have been rubbish ) so they can take a decent lean angle.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[sickpup]

[st3v3]

Well, I'd say with the riding the average biker in commute or ride or quick blast does; unless you're leaning into a corner on squared off jobbies then you'll be fine and well.
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Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[G]

Sounds like they're fine for you then Tommy.
Just a note that given the right situations, even the very worst tyres it's possible to get rid of the chicken strips on generally.
The telling thing is when a deer runs out into the road while you're in the middle of getting rid of the chicken strips - that's when you really work out how good a tyre is .

[rhone81]

[temeluchus]