That was un-expected.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Steelman

Why the dislike of B'stones LP? I've just fitted BT-014's and already they seem to be really good Can't wait until they've been properly scrubbed in

Read the thread, apparently 020s are well known for cupping badly. They felt nervous on tip in and not stable in a bend. They went all squirelly without warning and I really lost confidence in them.

Fitted new Avon Storms and was faster going home in the rain with new tyres than I was going to the fitters on the Bridgstones.

Can't comment on 014's cos I have no need of sports rubber on my bike, I like touring to.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Read the thread, apparently 020s are well known for cupping badly. They felt nervous on tip in and not stable in a bend. They went all squirelly without warning and I really lost confidence in them.

Fitted new Avon Storms and was faster going home in the rain with new tyres than I was going to the fitters on the Bridgstones.

Can't comment on 014's cos I have no need of sports rubber on my bike, I like touring to.

Well, thanks for the reply and, yes, I did read the thread... Interesting that you initially state "loads of tread on the centre where I usually look / check. It seems that living round here my bike spends much less time upright" and then go on to later say that you have no need of sports rubber as your riding is more suited to touring

020's have been for many years the leading tyre choice of many sports tourer motorcycle riders. I used them for years on all sorts of motorcycles. They are damn good tyres. Tyre technology has improved significantly and there are indeed better tyres out there. But they are still a good tyre. I never had any issues with the tyre on any of the motorcycles I had them fitted. That includes single cylinder 600, inline 4 supersport 750's, 600's and the SV.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Steelman

Well, thanks for the reply and, yes, I did read the thread... Interesting that you initially state "loads of tread on the centre where I usually look / check. It seems that living round here my bike spends much less time upright" and then go on to later say that you have no need of sports rubber as your riding is more suited to touring

Touring does not mean vertical at all times. Sorry if my reply was a bit off hand, am tired today. I'll try for something more constructive next time. On the whole I agree with BigApe, but the way the front went off has destroyed my faith in the tyre.

I live in n. Wales, where we have many roads chock full of bends, so meant that I spend a lot of time cranked over, thus rendering the 'hard centre' on the 020 redundant. The shoulders were badly cupped but still plenty of tread on the hard centre. Apparently this a common feature of this tyre around here (according to the dealer).

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Touring does not mean vertical at all times. Sorry if my reply was a bit off hand, am tired today. I'll try for something more constructive next time. On the whole I agree with BigApe, but the way the front went off has destroyed my faith in the tyre.

I live in n. Wales, where we have many roads chock full of bends, so meant that I spend a lot of time cranked over, thus rendering the 'hard centre' on the 020 redundant. The shoulders were badly cupped but still plenty of tread on the hard centre. Apparently this a common feature of this tyre around here (according to the dealer).

I thought the 020 was the same compound all over the tyre. The 021 on the other hand is the dual compound tyre with the hard centre/soft edges.

LP can you confirm whether you are talking about 020 or 021 as i was planning on getting the latter fitted tomorrow.

The 020 was always my tyre of choice and i never had any problems with it.

[Luckypants]

AFAIK the BT-020 was amongst the first of the dual compound tyres. I am definitely talking about BT-020 tyres with a BB rated carcass. The BB thing is how stiff the carcass is and Bridgestone do a number of different ones for bikes of various weights and power. BT-020 BB is OEM from Honda on the VFR-VTEC.

HTH

Originally Posted by Luckypants

AFAIK the BT-020 was amongst the first of the dual compound tyres. I am definitely talking about BT-020 tyres with a BB rated carcass. The BB thing is how stiff the carcass is and Bridgestone do a number of different ones for bikes of various weights and power. BT-020 BB is OEM from Honda on the VFR-VTEC.

HTH

Cheers for the info man!

I went for the 021s in the end so i will report back on my findings.

I'm riding on 021's . .... very pleased with them

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Touring does not mean vertical at all times. Sorry if my reply was a bit off hand, am tired today. I'll try for something more constructive next time. On the whole I agree with BigApe, but the way the front went off has destroyed my faith in the tyre.

I live in n. Wales, where we have many roads chock full of bends, so meant that I spend a lot of time cranked over, thus rendering the 'hard centre' on the 020 redundant. The shoulders were badly cupped but still plenty of tread on the hard centre. Apparently this a common feature of this tyre around here (according to the dealer).

It's OK, I've had a couple of bad days too Thanks for the helpful comments