The tyre review thread

[Boomer]

I hear that the BT023's are OK.
You could try the PR2's if you don't ride in the wet much.
Pirelli Angel GTs
Metzeler Z8s
Dunlop Roadsmart 2s
All good tyres.
Just for all round use in the UK, and anywhere else that it rains occasionally, the PR3s are the canine danglies.


BT021

[100milesaway]

I hear that the BT023's are OK.
You could try the PR2's if you don't ride in the wet much.
Pirelli Angel GTs
Metzeler Z8s
Dunlop Roadsmart 2s
All good tyres.
Just for all round use in the UK, and anywhere else that it rains occasionally, the PR3s are the canine danglies.


BT021

Funny old world, I tried Dunlop Roadsmarts, not bad but didn't last too long. Then I put some PR3s on after many on here raved about them, but was quite shocked at how badly they deformed, after 5 thousand miles with loads of tread left they were f      Everyone else rates them, and yet I found them truly shocking. So shock horror  Whilst most on here slag the BT021 off, I like them for the kind of biking I do I think they are good. And for me and in my experience of the other 2 sets they are a better tyre.   Like I said  funny old world

[mecki]

Well, I just ordered my second Pirelli Angel ST for the rear since the first one finally needs replacing after over 8000 miles.
I am going for a 190/55 this time even though I was quite pleased with the performance of the 190/50. I'll let you know if the 55 really improves cornering.
I was quoted £118 for it, which sounds like a good price to me.

BTW the BT021 only lasted just over 4000 miles on the rear and the front was a really weird shape after about 6500 so I replaced that one with an Angel ST as well.

I just found out that there is also a GT version out now that supposedly lasts 15% longer than the ST.
Anyone had any experience with that one?

[Boomer]

I am going for a 190/70 55 this time

DAMN!!! A 55" rear wheel. Gonna look like a reverse Penny Farthing. 
I think you meant a 190/55-17.

[mecki]

Thanks Boomer, of course I meant to write 190/55ZR 17 and have it now corrected.

[pistole]

BTW the BT021 only lasted just over 4000 miles on the rear and the front was a really weird shape after about 6500 so I replaced that one with an Angel ST as well

- same here. The stock front was a crazy shape. The rear flatted in the center early into its life.

- am also on the STs front and rear. Brilliant tyre , amazing dry grip (and I never push in the wet).

- the GT is dual compound , which may please those who do alot of highway miles.

.

[Hans]

...55 profile will lower the front and make it more directional stability. Tried by 55 profile in relation to testing Bridgestone BT23GT and there was absolutely no improvement in terms of changes of direction. I could feel an improved comfort due to the increased profile - that's it!

Incidentally - the best tires are Michelin Pilot Road 3

(end of story) :-)

[Rusty]

"Visor Down" have just yesterday put on their website a write up on the PA Gt's ... look pretty good to me .. might just try them next time .... 

[Ros]

Just picked up my BT023s... I hate riding new tyres in the rain grrrr 

Ros

[Deon]

Just picked up my BT023s... I hate riding new tyres in the rain grrrr 

Ros

Please let us know how you get on with them Ros.

Deon

[Ros]

Well the sun popped out today so went out for lunch...

The BT023s are the same as my last set so, no surprise that once scrubbed in a bit the precision was right back there again!  Superb!  I'm not going too hard on them just yet though but basically I'm as happy as I was last time!  This time, i'll count the KMs properly and see how long they really last.

One thing that I do notice, and did also in the beginning on the last set i got, is that in the slower corners, like roundabouts etc, the bike tends to want to 'fall into' the corner. I seem to remember that this sensation disappears after a few hundred kms.  They could just be slipping about a bit, i guess

Ros

[Bryn]

One thing that I do notice, and did also in the beginning on the last set i got, is that in the slower corners, like roundabouts etc, the bike tends to want to 'fall into' the corner. I seem to remember that this sensation disappears after a few hundred kms.  They could just be slipping about a bit, i guess

Ros

I got the same feeling with my PR3's when I first got the bike.. It was fitted with the Tyres just before I got it....

Don't notice it now.   

[mecki]

One thing that I do notice, and did also in the beginning on the last set i got, is that in the slower corners, like roundabouts etc, the bike tends to want to 'fall into' the corner. I seem to remember that this sensation disappears after a few hundred kms.  They could just be slipping about a bit, i guess

Ros

I noticed the same with the new 190/55 Angel ST I had put on yesterday.
First I thought, 'Wow, it really turn so much easier!'
But now I think it has to do with me having gotten used to the old squared off tyre requiring more force to turn that I just over-steered.
Getting used to the different behaviour of the bike with a new tyre is also part of the scrubbing-in process, I guess.

[Ros]

I think you're right. In fact, it's 25°C today, a bank holiday, so I might just plonk the missus on the back and go for a scrub....

[Martin#30]

My 3rd set of PR3s are about to be replaced, got 10k out of this set. Still monumentally magnificent tyres.

As I have a garage full of racebike scrubs in the right size (mainly Dunlop Sportsmarts and Metzler Z8s), I will be spooning some of these on for the summer and back to PR3s for the rainy season. Don't think I will be getting 10k out of sticky road tyres 

Martin.