Bridgestone BT020 Over-rated in the wet IMO

I've had the BT020's on for some time now. To date they have slipped almost every time in the rain. Not even when i've been pushing them really hard either. A gentle bank on an island is all it takes.

Now the first couple of times i'd have put it down to diesel or simply a slippy patch on the road, but after all the times its happened in the past 2500 miles i cant put it down to anything else but the tire.

In the dry i can't fault them. Once they're warm they are fantastic. They inspire confidence and hold the road really well.

In my opinion i think the Conti Road Attak or Metz Z6 is a far superior tyre for wet and dry riding.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions.

I too think that 020s are crap in the wet, but there again I'm of the opinion that all tyres are, full stop. What the manufacturer calls good wet weather performance is based on track conditions sprayed with water. Fine, but in the real world the road is covered in all sorts of detritus (tiny spots of diesel and motor oil, tar and God knows what else) and when it gets wet it's slippy as hell and you simply have to take it very easy.


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[fizzwheel]

I've never really had a problem with my 020's seem OK in the wet to me, but I've not ridden on the conti's or the Z6's to be able to make a comparison

They grip fine and havent slid out on me

Is this on your Gixxer ?? If so, one has to ask why you are running 020's on a such a machine ??? BT014's are the way to go, and they are fantastic in the wet, as are Corsa's...

Having ridden to Le Mans (will nearly all the way) in pouring rain, the bikes with these tyres on were clearing more water and were much less prone to sliding (in fact I don't think I slipped at all)....

It's a sportsbike, you need to run sports tyres....
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Originally Posted by Jelster

Is this on your Gixxer ?? If so, one has to ask why you are running 020's on a such a machine ??? BT014's are the way to go, and they are fantastic in the wet, as are Corsa's...

Having ridden to Le Mans (will nearly all the way) in pouring rain, the bikes with these tyres on were clearing more water and were much less prone to sliding (in fact I don't think I slipped at all)....

It's a sportsbike, you need to run sports tyres....
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I do 350+ miles a week.....

Originally Posted by mysteryjimbo

I do 350+ miles a week.....

So you're saying that you run 020's because they are more "cost effective" due to the milage you do ??

OK.... I just wouldn't run non sports tyres on a sports bike, but each to his own I guess.

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Originally Posted by Jelster

So you're saying that you run 020's because they are more "cost effective" due to the milage you do ??

OK.... I just wouldn't run non sports tyres on a sports bike, but each to his own I guess.
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Well to be fair. When i bought the bike it was running a Michelin tyre at the back and a BT020 on the front. As the rear got a puncture i replaced it to match the front.

In terms of traction, i'd expect bikes of similar weights to react in similar ways on the same tyres. As a lot of people on the SV site and the Thundercat site i used to frequent hold the BT020's in high regard i wouldnt see having them fitted to a sports bike being a problem.

Cost is a bit of an issue when the softer compound tyres last for only 3-4k miles. I couldn't justify the £200 every two months.

I need new rubber on the 'Blade and am really torn between BT014ss and Diablo Corsa's. I have complete faith in the 014's (the "SS" version is meant to be better) but Rich swears by the Corsa's on his 'Blade.

I know I'm one for saying "get out there and try something different", but with tyres I like sticking to what I know I can rely on. I'm having a hard time with this one.....

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Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

I think it's unfair to say all tyres are crap in the wet. What do you expect from a lubricated surface?

Yes but that just underlines my point. Because it's a lubricated surface all tyres are crap in the wet. What do you expect?


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I'm with Greg on this one really. I have run both 020 and z6 on my sv. I thought the z6's were better in the wet but I much prefer the 020 in the dry so am back on them now.