Bridgestone BT023 vs. Dunlop Roadsmart

[Recluso]

Mornin' all.

This IS a bit of noob question, but it's the first time I've faced getting tyres changed so I'm in the deep end a bit (I have no mechanical brain )

Currently the Divvy has the standard BT021s it came with but as they are seriously starting to square off (the front in particular) and I have a service due, I realise that there's a very good chance they'll need replacing in the near future.

My manual has said that Bridgestone BT021 (BT023 now as it's replaced the 021) or Dunlop Roadsmart is the 'recommended' tyre to use. However, despite looking for reviews, I am unsure which may be the better tyre to consider to best suit my riding to get the best life out of them. Or if there's any difference.

Currently I do a fair chunk of motorway miles per week. Anywhere between 300 and 600+ which I appreciate is what has squared off my current tyres. I also use the bike all year round so something confidently sticky in the rain would likely also be helpful.

Does anyone have any experience with these two different tyres? Moreso, based on any experience, can anyone give a reasonable suggestion as to which, if applicable, would be better suited to my riding requirements?

All input appreciated as always


R.
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[P.addy]

Never heard a bad review of the 023 and the R6 I took out had those on, nothing but positive from me.

Roadsmarts seem to also get the same praise... especially from CaNsA and Tot, and neither "hang around"

[Marmalade]

If you are going to be sticking mainly to motorways I'd go with 023, if you are going to be playing the lanes then roadsmarts.

I had roadsmarts fitted to a zzr that i thrashed the living daylights out of and they held on and lasted well.

Currently use 023 on pan euro and gsxr as they do mainly long haul with a bit of playing.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[0l0dom0l0]

I'm a big fan of the 023.

I never had any 'moments' on them at all, very predictable tyre, with great feedback and grip in all conditions (apart from a wet trackday where they were not as good as I was expecting, but had nothing to compare them against in the same conditions so it might have been they were great compared to something else).

Since I replaced my rear with the pilot road 2, I've had a couple of big moments, one was a near high side pulling out of a junction in the wet which very nearly had me off and there have been a couple of other bits.

I'l be going back to the 023 when the rear is worn.

Not tried the roadsmart.
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[sebastianw]

I always had BT 023 until the last set when I ended up with roadsmarts (already on the bike). I'm not confident in them when it's wet and the rear tire is very square after about 4000 miles,about half on motorway. It's going to need replacement soon where I could expect at least 8000 miles from the BT023

[Polarbear]

8000 miles from a rear tyre . I so wish.

2500 on original Bridgestones on my busa. 3500 on my street triple r (Pirelli dragon corsa). I just hope my explorer tyre is gong to last a bit longer. (Metzler something or other)
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[CaNsA]

I would never go back to Bridgestones since rocking a set of Dunny Roadsmarts.

I'm on my 2nd set now

[StevRS]

I replaced BT21s with Roadsmart 2s. I won't be replacing the Dunlops with Bridgestones when they need replacing, put it that way.

Unbelievable amounts of wet grip. So much so you have to reassess your wet riding. Tracked them in the dry and they were sticky and predictable. Wearing well too.

tl;dr Dunlop Roadsmart 2 > BT021
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MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, Unfinished 1978 XS250

[Sam_Y_93]

I use bt023's and can't say a bad word about them, they are the only tyres I've used from new so can't really compare to others.

Just scrubbed in a new rear, got about 6000 miles out of the last one, and that was about half and half motorway/hooning.
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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[magpiemale]

I had both on my fz1 fazer and thought the bt23 a better tyre but it comes to personal choice.
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[Coxyzxr]

Went with the 023 myself, was so impressed I replace them with the same. I feltonfident breaking in the wet almost as hard as I could in the dry, grip on rear starts dropping off once they get past a certain tread depth tho, regardless would still use them and replacing the dunlop 204 my zx10 come with for the 023 asap. (204 is worse than a greased slick in the wet, and believe me on my 05 zx10r I need grip)
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Fowlersrs]

Where are people getting there 023's from and what are u paying

[Seb]

Had Roadsmarts on a couple of different bikes now, incredible tyre in the wet and still very capable in the dry. Not ridden them myself but I believe one of the big race schools uses 023s as a wet tyre so they can't be half bad either. Just to mix it up some more, Pilot Road 3s have been my most recent vice and again, nothing but praise for them
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[magpiemale]

I get a guy to do my tyres (mobile fitter). Costs around 280 - 300 fitted
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NSR125 1992 (sold) kawasaki Z750S,fazer FZ1 07 now gone present bike 2012 fz1s Fazer,beowulf rad protector,heated grips,sw motech gps holder,power socket.

[Marmalade]

About £150 for a rear, £110 for front fitted to the bike
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[bazza]

Another vote for Roadsmarts here. Previously on BT021s, might try Pilot Road 3s next for comparison. Or not, depending on price...
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'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[MinhDinh]

Had Road smarts, loved them in all weather.
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Hit the G spot.

[0l0dom0l0]

My last set of 023's brand spanking new, fitted to wheels was £209.
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[evoboy]

Whichever is cheapest.

Id have PR2/3's over either the Roadsmarts or 023's though.

Feel like a more sporty tyre than the rest, yet still give the mileage and wet weather grip.

Chances are anything new will feel better than a set of worn out tyres...
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[N cee thirty]

never had a slip out on pilot road 2's.
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[pits]

FWIW I wouldn't even get on a bike with a Dunlops on point blank refuse to ride it, I have had way too many moments on Dunlops which I have never had on any other make of tyre.
RS125 refusing to lean over
RS125 spinning rear tyre in second, which I didn't even think was possible
Duke refused to lean over
Duke ran me wide and almost into opposite kerb
Duke slipping out in the wet
Duke feeling like it just wants to fall from beneath my legs
BMW 5 series hit roundabout at speeds I would normally hit that roundabout out, back end just snapped out, didn't even do it when someone fitted Triangle Sports
BMW 3 series understeering and slipping on the front in the wet

List goes on and on, will never ever fit them to anything I own, will never ever ride a bike with them on, if I change my bike and the bike I buy is wearing Dunlops I will not ride it till the tyres were changed, couldn't care if they were brand new.

But that is just personal opinion, as seen here a lot of people have had great experiences on them and will happily use them, I would rather stick to Michellins or Goodyears when it comes to cars and bikes, sure Dunlops are good but I have had too many moments on various Dunlops to make me want to venture anywhere near them.

Personally I would go either Bridgestone or Michellin, but that is my personal preference
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[Kris]

[Polarbear]

Best tyres I have had for all round performance and a decent life were Avon Storms. They lasted 3 times as long on my busa as the Bridgstones.
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[pits]

[Kris]