BT023 vs Pilot Road 3 - K6 650

[thrawgoon]

I know there are masses of tyre posts but I have 2 mismatched Dunlops on a newly aquired and I don't care for either.
So a change is required and is needed rather quick.
Now then, I have always liked Bridgestones, Pirelli not so much but have Michelins on the Guzzi and they work well.
So, I would like to hear from anyone who has fitted either BT023 or Road Pilot 3 on their 06 650s and how they find them.

[otaylor38]

I've got the pilot road 3's on my curvy. Brilliant tyres. Always seems very stable and plenty of grip.

Only had the back slip a little once, on the cat and fiddle after a very severe rain storm, it was dark and I was going steady, but the back hesitated for a second (my heart also hesitated by the way haha) and then it found grip again. Must have been mud or over banding. This is the only time that they've ever showed anything less than 100% confidence. I believe if I was on the old metzelers that were on when I got the bike, id of been off.

I think most tyres these days grip far beyond most road riders needs in the dry. It's in the wet that's impressive for me with the pilot 3's

Highly recommended from me. :)!

[thrawgoon]

Thanks

[DJ123]

Think there are probably a few reviews worth reading in the Tyre section.

[savage86]

As stated above nearly every tyre nowadays will give more than enough grip for most riders in the dry it's in the wet you'll notice the difference. I've got the bt023's on at the moment and have had no problem. There's a certain roundabout near me and the exit's are always greasy as! With previous tyres there was no mission of getting power wound on at all in even mildly moist roads with out spinning the rear up. But have never had a moment with the bridgestones there once so there a good tyre in my books.

[thrawgoon]

Right, have had a look around site.
Will probably shuffle down to FWR in Kennington this week (anyone remember Sones near Selhurst?).
Am inclined to go for the PR3 rather than the BT023 although they are about £25 more - I also believe Bridgestone have just brought out a 030 to replace the 023.
As someone said, dry is not the problem. Only time I came off because of tyres in the dry was on a knackered R100RS.
Current UK weather should give wet a good testing and will report.

[Fordward]

PR3 are extremely good in the wet, to the point that you can almost just forget it's raining and ride as normal

[Luckypants]

I've had Bridgestones on the VFR and currently run the PR3. The Bridgies were a little slippy in the wet compared to the Avon Storms I had my previous VFR. The dual compound front also suffered from bad wear on the shoulders as I live in North Wales and do very little straight line riding. The PR3 are much better on the heavy VFR than the Bridgies, no shoulder wear on the front and the rear has worn nicely. The PR3 is superb in the wet, the heavily treaded front clearing loads out to give the rear good grip.

For the SV my preference was for Avon Storms (and after on the VFR) but the newer Avon Storm Ultra went for a dual compound rear which gave some issues for me (and others) with the rear spinning up under acceleration as the hard centre part of the tyre lacked grip in the wet. If you can get the original Storm, it is a great tyre for the SV and cheaper than the other options.

You won't go wrong with the PR3 if you decide to go for that.

PS for lots more information, have you seen the tyre section of this forum? http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=138

[Fordward]

The Bridgies were a little slippy in the wet

bridgestones are affectionately known as 'slipstones'

[saucysaunders]

I'm going for the PR 3's next. I've got the bridgestone's on at the moment, they were good when I got them, but once part worn they lose their pizazz.
I had a pretty bad crash on them in damp conditions when the front locked up, not blaming the tyres there though as that may not have been the reason.
From what I can see PR 3's are cheaper than BT023's and I'm yet to find a bad review.

All the journo's seem to say that if there's one thing that seems to work for everyone it's the PR 3.

[thrawgoon]

Went for PR3s.
Due to curious sub-zero effect of global warming, got Rubber Ranch to do them at home.
Not the cheapest option but Mike is a good lad, knows what he is doing, gives a good service and I had no intention of going out in that lot.
Thanks everyone for the replies.