16 inch front tyres - Bridgestone S20 or RT016 Pro?

[Damantis]

I have a 16 inch front on the bike and it chews out the shoulders fairly rapidly. Currently have a BT016 F. I'm happy with the grip but not impressed with the milage ( about 3500kms and I'll be lucky to get another 1500-2000 out of it ) The Metzler before that was about the same.
Does anyone have experience with these tyres? Am considering a BT016 Pro or an S20. Though the S20 is about $40 more so I'd want some kind of assurance it would last a bit longer. I could put a shinko on it, but I like to enjoy myself, rather than worry about the front washing out.

[Damantis]

"Anyone? ... Anyonoe? ... Anyone?" :brick:

[FJRider]

"Anyone? ... Anyonoe? ... Anyone?" :brick:

Perhaps they're not wanting to laugh out loud.

5000 km's from a front tyre ... ??? look more at YOUR riding style first.

But look more at less sticky compounds .... and ride accordingly. If you choose to ride with tyres that provide great grip in all (most) conditions ... that is your choice.

I do know of a Ducati (916) rider that can and often does change BOTH tyres at (or about) 1500-2000 km's ...

5000 km's by comparision isn't that bad ...

[Ender EnZed]

What sort of size are you after? I can get 10000km out of a Pirelli Sport Demon on the 16 inch front of my VFR750. Might be too narrow for a 'Blade though.

[Damantis]

What sort of size are you after? I can get 10000km out of a Pirelli Sport Demon on the 16 inch front of my VFR750. Might be too narrow for a 'Blade though.

130/70 16 Choices are a bit limited in this size.

[slofox]

016's will get me around 9000km - but that's on 17 inch wheels.

Running Pro's just now - supposed to do more km but look about the same at this point in time.

[Drew]

Since teh S20 was only released here a couple months ago and it's winter, you're not likely to get any mileage info just yet. They're fuggin good though, I've got a set on the RF.

I'm willing to bet though, that you are not basing what you say about the Shinko, on experience. Because that is what I had on the RF, (and I raced with it at the Cliffhanger hill climb to second place), and it was fuckin awesome! I would have put those back on if the S20's weren't free from the supplier for testing.

[Damantis]

Since teh S20 was only released here a couple months ago and it's winter, you're not likely to get any mileage info just yet. They're fuggin good though, I've got a set on the RF.

I'm willing to bet though, that you are not basing what you say about the Shinko, on experience. Because that is what I had on the RF, (and I raced with it at the Cliffhanger hill climb to second place), and it was fuckin awesome! I would have put those back on if the S20's weren't free from the supplier for testing.

You found him someone willing to "test" the s20 in the 16 inch size. :headbang:

I'm sure the shinkos are fine once warmed up, but I had some on my MC19 CBR250 and and they were pretty scary in the wet.

[hayd3n]

mu hornet has the same tyre profile
currently fitted a seconed hand bt016, and has done about 4000kms,
had a shinko podium and got 7000 kms out of it, never had a problem with it always stopped on a dime , the mechanic actually liked the profile of the tyre

[Drew]

You found him someone willing to "test" the s20 in the 16 inch size. :headbang:

I'm sure the shinkos are fine once warmed up, but I had some on my MC19 CBR250 and and they were pretty scary in the wet.
What model Shinko? The ones I ran were spot on. Quick warm up, sublime feed back, and very good grip from the get go.

Free S20s were comp run on here.

[caspernz]

Perhaps they're not wanting to laugh out loud.

5000 km's from a front tyre ... ??? look more at YOUR riding style first.

But look more at less sticky compounds .... and ride accordingly. If you choose to ride with tyres that provide great grip in all (most) conditions ... that is your choice.

I do know of a Ducati (916) rider that can and often does change BOTH tyres at (or about) 1500-2000 km's ...

5000 km's by comparision isn't that bad ...

5000 clicks from a sticky front tyre is not bad at all...so what's the problem then? Maybe Mr FJRider is on the right track? :eek5::eek5:

[Damantis]

What model Shinko? The ones I ran were spot on. Quick warm up, sublime feed back, and very good grip from the get go.

Free S20s were comp run on here.

Can't remember now. I was new to riding so I may have been a little less smooth on the throttle back then but in the wet it was tail happy and the front would lock up pretty easy. From memory, the tyres had quite a sporty looking tread pattern but can't remember much else about them besides them giving me the shits.

[Drew]

These are fuckin good. Dunno about getting a 16 inch 010 apex.

[Damantis]

5000 clicks from a sticky front tyre is not bad at all...so what's the problem then? Maybe Mr FJRider is on the right track? :eek5::eek5:

5000kms just clocks up so quickly! It's not a heavy bike and though I don't exactly dawdle around, I'm no Rossi either! I like to have the grip and don't mind paying for it, but I just wonder if I'm developing a sort of tyre snoberry with my aversion to Shinkos. Id be happy to throw another 016 on if I knew it was good for at least 7000kms. Maybe I'm just splitting hairs and need to bite the bullet?

[gammaguy]

My RG has a 16 front

dont forget it rotates more times per KM depending on the diameter of the wheel mmmkay?

Dont worry about tyre life,as the most expensive tyre is always cheaper than the cheapest front end lose and crash.

Personally I run Metzeler Lazer front and although its technically not a radial it is still a dam good tyre.

There are still a few good choices around for the early blades,stick to the ones that give the best grip and feel and to hell with wear I say!!

[koba]

Dont worry about tyre life,as the most expensive tyre is always cheaper than the cheapest front end lose and crash.


So true.

Unless you ride a bike as shit as mine (16" front)

[koba]

I have a 16 inch front on the bike and it chews out the shoulders fairly rapidly. Currently have a BT016 F. I'm happy with the grip but not impressed with the milage ( about 3500kms and I'll be lucky to get another 1500-2000 out of it ) The Metzler before that was about the same.
Does anyone have experience with these tyres? Am considering a BT016 Pro or an S20. Though the S20 is about $40 more so I'd want some kind of assurance it would last a bit longer. I could put a shinko on it, but I like to enjoy myself, rather than worry about the front washing out.


What bike do you have that has a 16" front?

That's oldschool shit so it's likely to have oldshools shit suspension too, that can be quite hard on tyres...

[Drew]

What bike do you have that has a 16" front?

That's oldschool shit so it's likely to have oldshools shit suspension too, that can be quite hard on tyres...

He has a 1997 fireblade, and Honda in there infinite wisdon put a 16 front hoop on it.

The rolling radious of that tyre is damn near the same as a 120/70r17 though, so it doesn't turn any more times than a 17

The bike also weighs twice what yours does Malcolm, and half again on the RG400

[koba]

He has a 1997 fireblade, and Honda in there infinite wisdon put a 16 front hoop on it.


Strange, I could understand them doing that in 1987 when it was all the rage but 1997?! Bloody Honda.

[baffa]

You obviously havent ridden a Fireblade Koba.
The external diameter of the tyre is the same as a 17 inch, but it has less unspring weight, giving less gyroscopic forces and quicker turn in. It feels a little nervous, but thats the pay off.

You wont find a better handling bike in that class, until 98 onwards.

Diamantes: have you tried Metzler M3s? They are a good tyre, wear isnt fantastic but it should see more than 5000

[Fast Eddie]

You obviously havent ridden a Fireblade Koba.
The external diameter of the tyre is the same as a 17 inch, but it has less unspring weight, giving less gyroscopic forces and quicker turn in. It feels a little nervous, but thats the pay off.

You wont find a better handling bike in that class, until 98 onwards.

Diamantes: have you tried Metzler M3s? They are a good tyre, wear isnt fantastic but it should see more than 5000

bt016 on the front of my blade, mint.. track time and fun rides and general commute.. its getting near the end but it has done about 6,500ish kms.. they are pretty soft eh? the rear gave me half that.. runnin a pirelli donation on the back its mint..

i like tyres, free ones are great eh drew. what shinkos did you have on that particular outing? I had IRC on the blade once.. the front did feel funny I always thought.. vague.. not that bad.
I did lowside once though on that irc thing. but always blame the road.. oil on the road, something like that for sure.

[Coldrider]

The blades were ridden from the front, heavy front tyre wear, but easy on the back.There's on ol '92 one just a couple of houses down from me, and it still excites.

[Fast Eddie]

The blades were ridden from the front, heavy front tyre wear, but easy on the back.There's on ol '92 one just a couple of houses down from me, and it still excites.

lol mines not that easy on the rears.. 2 rears to a front usually..

twist the thing on the right handle bar a bit more..

[Coldrider]

lol mines not that easy on the rears.. 2 rears to a front usually..

twist the thing on the right handle bar a bit more..yeah, i know what you mean, like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mti49dFcLlY&feature=related

[Damantis]

You obviously havent ridden a Fireblade Koba.
The external diameter of the tyre is the same as a 17 inch, but it has less unspring weight, giving less gyroscopic forces and quicker turn in. It feels a little nervous, but thats the pay off.

You wont find a better handling bike in that class, until 98 onwards.

Diamantes: have you tried Metzler M3s? They are a good tyre, wear isnt fantastic but it should see more than 5000

There was a Metzler M3 on it when I got the bike and the shoulders lokked like it had been grated. Got another 2000 kms out of it but I don't know how many kms it did from new.It stick well till it was akmost bald tho so maybe I'll see if I can get a good deal on one.

[orangeback]

i owned a blade for about 6 years, 1998 it had the 16 on the front , i always found that bridgstone worked well , think it was an 014 or 12 , i tryed a 17 inch on the front and reverted it back to the 16 all it really gave me was more options on tyres , it didn't handle any better. tyres are cheeper than fairing panels, i've alway gone for the stickest front i could get, but i think from memory there was only 3-4 options. back then.
Look up as you could own a ducati (puso) PASO with a 16 inch rear and you cant get them at all , or very really.

[Fast Eddie]

yeah, i know what you mean, like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mti49dFcLlY&feature=related

haha you got it :D


i owned a blade for about 6 years, 1998 it had the 16 on the front , i always found that bridgstone worked well , think it was an 014 or 12 , i tryed a 17 inch on the front and reverted it back to the 16 all it really gave me was more options on tyres , it didn't handle any better. tyres are cheeper than fairing panels, i've alway gone for the stickest front i could get, but i think from memory there was only 3-4 options. back then.
Look up as you could own a ducati (puso) PASO with a 16 inch rear and you cant get them at all , or very really.

yeeep, running a 97 blade. no probs with fronts, have either had shitty IRC stuff for the first couple and then worked a bit harder and had bridgestones last 2.. this one is about to show some canvas so gotta start thinking of replacement. Bridgestone seems easy to get, im not aware of any other 16" fronts apart from IRC..

Drew said shinko did a good one but dunno if 16" and 130 wide.. they are fat suckers.

[Kickaha]

they are fat suckers.

Like your bikes owner

[hayd3n]

haha you got it :D



yeeep, running a 97 blade. no probs with fronts, have either had shitty IRC stuff for the first couple and then worked a bit harder and had bridgestones last 2.. this one is about to show some canvas so gotta start thinking of replacement. Bridgestone seems easy to get, im not aware of any other 16" fronts apart from IRC..

Drew said shinko did a good one but dunno if 16" and 130 wide.. they are fat suckers.

its a shinko podium and not to bad at all

[Fast Eddie]

Like your bikes owner

:motu:

I got a road bike last week (push bike) so should be able to shed some kilos..

cheaper than buying carbon fibre parts haha

[Drew]

its a shinko podium and not to bad at all

Your frame of reference is the Shinko on the front of a 250 Hornet yeah? Worlds away from 180kgs (and that's being kind) of fairyblade.

I have no idea what the 006 will be like, I've never used one at all and cannot comment either way.

[Damantis]

its a shinko podium and not to bad at all

the Shinko podium is $189 and the Bridgestone 016 is only $199. Decisions, decisions!

[Drew]

the Shinko podium is $189 and the Bridgestone 016 is only $199. Decisions, decisions!

How did you have decision spelled to begin with?

Go with the bridgy.

[hayd3n]

Your frame of reference is the Shinko on the front of a 250 Hornet yeah? Worlds away from 180kgs (and that's being kind) of fairyblade.

I have no idea what the 006 will be like, I've never used one at all and cannot comment either way.

bahahahahahha it s a 600 hornet and im 100kgs aswell

[Drew]

bahahahahahha it s a 600 hornet and im 100kgs aswellI thought they had a seventeen inch wheel. Learn something everyday. Your say so on the podium is the one of enlightenment after all.

You guys really should just buy a proper sized front wheel. The unsprung weight thing is negligable, and tyres are really good nowadays, come into the current century and have a hoon.

[hayd3n]

I thought they had a seventeen inch wheel. Learn something everyday. Your say so on the podium is the one of enlightenment after all.

You guys really should just buy a proper sized front wheel. The unsprung weight thing is negligable, and tyres are really good nowadays, come into the current century and have a hoon.

its easier just to upgrade the bike its on 103,000 kms but i cant decide whats next

[Damantis]

How did you have decision spelled to begin with?

Go with the bridgy.

Doubt it's worth the gamble to see if I get $40 woth more milage from it though.

If it ever stops bloody raining, I might get out to wear what's left off the one thats on now.

[hayd3n]

I thought they had a seventeen inch wheel. Learn something everyday. Your say so on the podium is the one of enlightenment after all.

You guys really should just buy a proper sized front wheel. The unsprung weight thing is negligable, and tyres are really good nowadays, come into the current century and have a hoon.

the 98 and 99 model had the 16 front and the f3 engine