Bridgestone BT023GT

[Hans]

Just had the bike fitted with the new Bridgestone BT023GT yesterday. No "test-trip" yet... will keep posting!

Fronttyre profile differs from PR2/3 with "cross-ply" construction. Should give more flex with great comfort and greater ability to deform. Reartyre is raised from 190/50 to 190/55 who put a bit more weight on the front and somehow balloon'ish rounding. It's same dimensions as VFR1200, K1300GT/S and K1600GT.

This link tell's a bit more about the feeling:
http://www.i-bmw.com/showthread.php?t=33911&goto=nextoldest

[O.C.]

mmmmm interesting that the rear tyre profile has been raised.. wouldn't that potentially affect huggers

It'll be interesting to hear how you rate the tyres 

[Nok12rs]

mmmmm interesting that the rear tyre profile has been raised.. wouldn't that potentially affect huggers

It'll be interesting to hear how you rate the tyres 

Having just read the hugger thread, that was my first thought also.  This would be particularly relevant with le jobbie francais.

Why don't mfts provide huggers as standard? 

[O.C.]

some do and in many cases they are more about style than function....

The lack of a hugger on GTRs remains a constant topic on here 

[jenros]

very intresting read was that

[mecki]

Question is, do you have the right size rear tyre mounted?
You can get the PR3 in 190/55 as well.
When I was looking for a new rear they only had the 190/55 PR3 in stock so I opted for the Pirelli because it was considerably cheaper and could be mounted straight away.

I read that some American bike testers were complaining about the 190/50 as being too much hard work on the twisties compared to the 1600 BMW and proposed to put a 190/55 on to improve cornering performance.
But I didn't want to be the guinea pig for that.
By your experience it seems to work, though.
So maybe putting a 190/55 on might be not such a bad idea at all.

[Hans]

Nope!

It's working quite well.... had a quick test-run for about 400km yesterday. Comfort up compared to PR3. A bit soften cornering but no bell & alarms on that! No idea on grip on wet... or milage! But I'll have those info ready end may - when we're back from test-run to Italy.

[Hans]

Has now run 1500km on the new Bridgestone BT23GT. It is still too early to comment on performance in the rain. It must wait until we returned from our test-run to Italy (late May). However, I can tell that BT23GT provide much more comfort in everyday driving. The tyre seems more soft compared to Michelin PR3 and captures many shocks from road conditions. Control and reaction with front wheel can seem a bit slower compared to PR3, but not something that makes the big difference. When you are driving fast on winding roads, you get used to different handling. Regarding rear tire, so you can easily feel the difference in tire profile, but this also gives a much better comfort. So far it's "give and take."

It will be interesting to see how the durability and handling in wet weather becomes. More information later.