Comments on a Bridgestone Trail Wing TW22, anyone?

[Odakyu-sen]

The salesman at Cyclespot has talked me into getting a Bridgestone TW22 rear to replace the knackered (at 4,200 km) original Dunlop rear. (The Dunlop front is still good.) Some of my riding mates are also looking at Bridgestones. We'll be touring on the unsealed roads of the South Island, but won't be doing any serious off-road stuff.

How does the TW40 compare with the TW22? The TW40 is more like the original Dunlop (kind of a gentle knobbly tyre), whereas the TW22 has a road-tyre-like centre tread, and more dirt-like outer treads.

Any other TW-series suggestions?

[tri boy]

Nordie boy to the lobby phone.
Paging Mr N................

[Jantar]

I have had those deathwings (the more correct name for trail wings) fitted to two bikes (DL1000) as OEM. They are satisfactory as road tyres when new, but lose any feeling of confidence at around 4000 km. They can handle hard packed gravel with ease, but on loose gravel you need to slow down a long way before the corner. Even on straight stretches of road they are not quite adequate, but there are worse tyres out there.

If you must go the Bridgestone way then Battle wings are better than Deathwings on the seal, and are almost adequate on gravel.

I would suggest Heidenau K60s would be a far better choice. Next choice would be Conti Trail Attacks.

[Night Falcon]

I have had those deathwings (the more correct name for trail wings) fitted to two bikes (DL1000) as OEM. They are satisfactory as road tyres when new, but lose any feeling of confidence at around 4000 km. They can handle hard packed gravel with ease, but on loose gravel you need to slow down a long way before the corner. Even on straight stretches of road they are not quite adequate, but there are worse tyres out there.

If you must go the Bridgestone way then Battle wings are better than Deathwings on the seal, and are almost adequate on gravel.

I would suggest Heidenau K60s would be a far better choice. Next choice would be Conti Trail Attacks.

I havn't tried the bridgestones but can also vouch for the K60's. They are pretty good on gravel but expensive. Metzler Enduro3 is another option

[Waihou Thumper]

Nice little sticky about three threads north of this one :)

[Odakyu-sen]

Nice little sticky about three threads north of this one :)

Thanks, guys. Yes, I checked out the sticky, but when I did a search for "TW22" it drew a blank. Not wanting to read through 14 pages, many of them now out of date, I posted my little note.

I am going to go ahead and get the TW22 rear fitted. It will be a learning curve for me, and I may regret it, but that's lift. (If I wanted certainty, I'd drive on unsealed roads on my Honda Jazz and leave the KLR for the suburbs). I must confess, the OEM Dunlops have been great; it's just that the rear has worn down to the legal limit at 4,000 of mostly road riding (80%) at 27-29 psi.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

[Waihou Thumper]

but when I did a search for "TW22" it drew a blank. Not wanting to read through 14 pages, many of them now out of date, I posted my little note.



aah, that explains it grasshopper.....you didn't search Deathwings :)
Good luck out there.....Kampai!

[Woodman]

Bridgestones...not a big fan, but its only the rear you are talking about so you will get used to it. Fronts are the important ones.

[Odakyu-sen]

Bridgestones...not a big fan, but its only the rear you are talking about so you will get used to it. Fronts are the important ones.

This will be a bridge for me to cross when I get back from the South Island: what tyre to put on the front. I'll do some research.

Does anyone have any suggestions at this stage? (Before I start poking around in the sticky....)

[Eddieb]

This will be a bridge for me to cross when I get back from the South Island: what tyre to put on the front. I'll do some research.

Does anyone have any suggestions at this stage? (Before I start poking around in the sticky....)

I've just taken a D606 off which I thought was ok but never truely inspired confidence, An MT21 has just gone on and I love it so far.

[Transalper]

I've just taken a D606 off which I thought was ok but never truely inspired confidence, An MT21 has just gone on and I love it so far.

That's so funny, was the opposite for me, liked the D606, the MT21 not so much.

[Rosie]

That's so funny, was the opposite for me, liked the D606, the MT21 not so much.

Small bikes seem to have quite different tyre preferences to larger bikes. Tyres that work well on my bike aren't so good on the 640, and vice versa. That said, Clint and I both like MT21 fronts.


While we are on the subject of trailwings - Bridgestone make a very wide range of tyres under the Trailwing brand. The road-oriented ones that come stock on a lot of dual purpose bikes are (apparently) nasty and scary (thus Deathwings). This does not automatically mean that all other flavours of Trailwing are also nasty and scary - I quite like some of the more off-road oriented ones (but see above; they may not necessarily work on larger bikes).

[awa355]

That's so funny, was the opposite for me, liked the D606, the MT21 not so much.

Great video, I've just subscribed and will watch the other vids in time. Looking at the track surfaces, wouldn't the strength of tyre case construction be just as important as the tread pattern?

[JayRacer37]

The salesman at Cyclespot has talked me into getting a Bridgestone TW22 rear to replace the knackered (at 4,200 km) original Dunlop rear. (The Dunlop front is still good.) Some of my riding mates are also looking at Bridgestones. We'll be touring on the unsealed roads of the South Island, but won't be doing any serious off-road stuff.

How does the TW40 compare with the TW22? The TW40 is more like the original Dunlop (kind of a gentle knobbly tyre), whereas the TW22 has a road-tyre-like centre tread, and more dirt-like outer treads.

Any other TW-series suggestions?

Hi, I work for the Bridgestone importer so thought I would run though what is available in the sizes for the rear of the KLR650. In the Bridgestone dual sport range, there are three available options in a 130/80x17.

Most road based (80% on road base according to Bridgestone) is the BattleWing BW501, has a Silica rich compound for wet and cold grip and Mono Spiral Belt design which gives it more structure strength for stability and hard wearing. It is a radial tyre.

Next most roadie is the TrailWing TW152, approx 60-70% road based pattern and design. Has more open pattern than the BW501 but still the full rounded and shaped road profile. Should give good life and road grip with some trade off for superior offroad performace but still secondary to its fairly road based road design. This is a radial.

Finally there is the TW22 which it sounds like you have opted to go for. This is approximately 50/50 on/off road design, as you say with the rounded profile so it works on the road, but a very open tread (relative to the two above) pattern that should give you better offroad grip, at the expense of life during road use, and outright grip on the road. This is a bias ply construction.

The final option in a slightly different size (130/90x17) is the TW42, which has larger blocks but still an open pattern, probably 60 off road based. This is also a bias ply.

Sounds like you have made the right choice for the riding you are looking at, depending on construction of the front Dunlop (bias ply or radial) it may be worth looking at the TW152 for a little more longevity?


I have had those deathwings (the more correct name for trail wings) fitted to two bikes (DL1000) as OEM. They are satisfactory as road tyres when new, but lose any feeling of confidence at around 4000 km. They can handle hard packed gravel with ease, but on loose gravel you need to slow down a long way before the corner. Even on straight stretches of road they are not quite adequate, but there are worse tyres out there.

If you must go the Bridgestone way then Battle wings are better than Deathwings on the seal, and are almost adequate on gravel.

I would suggest Heidenau K60s would be a far better choice. Next choice would be Conti Trail Attacks.

Gidday Jantar, possible (probable?) you have had experience with OEM tyres that were not that awesome...Suprised though that the V-Strom Thou wouldn't have BattleWings on it not TrailWings? Or perhaps an OEM TrailWing construction that was mostly road based.


Small bikes seem to have quite different tyre preferences to larger bikes. Tyres that work well on my bike aren't so good on the 640, and vice versa. That said, Clint and I both like MT21 fronts.


While we are on the subject of trailwings - Bridgestone make a very wide range of tyres under the Trailwing brand. The road-oriented ones that come stock on a lot of dual purpose bikes are (apparently) nasty and scary (thus Deathwings). This does not automatically mean that all other flavours of Trailwing are also nasty and scary - I quite like some of the more off-road oriented ones (but see above; they may not necessarily work on larger bikes).


Hi Rosie,

Rant makes sense! They do do a very large range of model names, some only built in one size for OEM and the range is quite convoluted. In there there are some gems and we usually are able to provide some options (as with the KLR above) but it certainly helps to have the catalog available to see whats what! We certainly get good feedback from customers when we get them onto Trailwings that suit their riding. Sometimes the compromise between road and offroad is not worked though right, and the rider gets something that is one way or the other of what the need or expect.

[R650R]

Still got my OEM trailwing on the front at 8000km. Rubber went a bit hard around 6000km mark but touchwood no serious issues. The only nasty slides have been on soft loose stuff where it doesn't matter what tyre you have. On the tarmac side of things they seem primo. Just about laying the bike on its side on roadrides and feels fine. Can chiro it on the brakes a bit but your at the limits of the feeble front braking system anyway so extra grip is a bit redundant. As another member of this site says, the front wheels only there to keep the engine off the ground :)
The OEM rear trailwing was ok too although it was dead after 2800km of fun riding.

[Jantar]

......
Gidday Jantar, possible (probable?) you have had experience with OEM tyres that were not that awesome...Suprised though that the V-Strom Thou wouldn't have BattleWings on it not TrailWings? Or perhaps an OEM TrailWing construction that was mostly road based.
......

My first VStrom was a K6 model, and I replaced the OEM Trailwings with Battlewings at 6000 km. The Battlewings were far superior on road, and not too much different on gravel. In fact I did the 2007 South Island Passes ride on them. I would have stuck with them when they were due for replacement, but was unable to get them, so went for Conti Trail Attacks instead, and found them to be far superior to either Trail or Battle wings in all circumstances.

My second VStrom was an L0 model and also had the Trailwings as OEM. Once again they were replaced at 6000 km with Trail Attacks. Shortly before I sold that bike I fitted Heidenau K60

It was suggested that possibly Bridgestone make a cheaper (and slightly inferior) tyre for OEM applications, but I can't imagine any manufacturer wanting to give potential future customers anything but their very best for their first experience.

[JayRacer37]

My first VStrom was a K6 model, and I replaced the OEM Trailwings with Battlewings at 6000 km. The Battlewings were far superior on road, and not too much different on gravel. In fact I did the 2007 South Island Passes ride on them. I would have stuck with them when they were due for replacement, but was unable to get them, so went for Conti Trail Attacks instead, and found them to be far superior to either Trail or Battle wings in all circumstances.

My second VStrom was an L0 model and also had the Trailwings as OEM. Once again they were replaced at 6000 km with Trail Attacks. Shortly before I sold that bike I fitted Heidenau K60

It was suggested that possibly Bridgestone make a cheaper (and slightly inferior) tyre for OEM applications, but I can't imagine any manufacturer wanting to give potential future customers anything but their very best for their first experience.

What often happens is a spec is requested from the motorcycle manufacturer that usually includes a tyre weight (so the bike feels like it handles lightly on test rides, usually compromising tread depth) and a price (bottom dollar for keeping the bike cost down). They also often have TUV approval (or similar) to pass which require a fast, loaded test for the bike and tyre which often makes the tyre worse for general use as it is built harder and to work at a higher temp than what would normally be obtained, we see this more regularly in more road based tyres. Certainly it is not a new thing for an OEM spec tyre from any tyre manufacturer to be worse after some KM's or right off the bat in some cases than the aftermarket options. Tyres that are OEM spec usually have a letter designation after their model code on the sidewall. Unfortunately this is something we encounter fairly regularly where people have a less than optimum experience with a tyre brand on their brand new bikes that puts them off for some time, when it is an OEM spec tyre made specifically for the bike manufacturer.

[Night Falcon]

What often happens is a spec is requested from the motorcycle manufacturer that usually includes a tyre weight (so the bike feels like it handles lightly on test rides, usually compromising tread depth) and a price (bottom dollar for keeping the bike cost down). They also often have TUV approval (or similar) to pass which require a fast, loaded test for the bike and tyre which often makes the tyre worse for general use as it is built harder and to work at a higher temp than what would normally be obtained, we see this more regularly in more road based tyres. Certainly it is not a new thing for an OEM spec tyre from any tyre manufacturer to be worse after some KM's or right off the bat in some cases than the aftermarket options. Tyres that are OEM spec usually have a letter designation after their model code on the sidewall. Unfortunately this is something we encounter fairly regularly where people have a less than optimum experience with a tyre brand on their brand new bikes that puts them off for some time, when it is an OEM spec tyre made specifically for the bike manufacturer.

insight into the mirky world of marketing. fortuneatley honourable companies like KTM don't subscribe to this type of skulduggery let the flamming commence :dodge:

[NordieBoy]

The "DeathWings" are the common oem TW42 and 43.

I never had a problem with them.

Even when not quite new...
<img width=640 src=http://sports.nelson.geek.nz/motorsport/mybikes/Trips/20080705%20Maungatapu%20snow%20hunting/slides/20080705-105348-000010.jpg>

[Transalper]

The "DeathWings" are the common oem TW42 and 43.

I never had a problem with them.

Even when not quite new...

I note that you do not have one on front in your picture.

[GPS MAN]

Deathwings~that about sums it up:nono:

[NordieBoy]

I note that you do not have one on front in your picture.

I was getting 2nd hand rears off Triumph Tiger rental bikes.

The Shinko/Goldenboy SR244 front is one front I really don't like. Although if I tried one now I can ride better, I'd probably be happier with it.

[Odakyu-sen]

I got my Bridgestone TW22 fitted. It has a real "road tyre" centre and more "knobby" sides. I'll be off with two other KLRs, a DR, a Yamaha XT and a couple on a KTM motart. One other guy will rent a bike in Christchurch.

We're taking camping gear, and will "free camp" as much as possible. The KLR is a good mule for this kind of work. I've got a Sony HDR AS-10 action camera that I have mounted on my helmet (damn KLR vibrates too much for the camera to be anywhere else).

My personal goal: get to the top of Magic Mountain* near Omarama https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_S6Efstnl8 (The access road is on private land. The views from the top are sublime.) *The name given to it by hang glider pilots.

Only a week to go! (Oil change and service on Tuesday.)

[Crim]

get to the top of Magic Mountain

cool vid - and it's got two wheels :clap:

[bluninja]

Well my OEM Trailwings have lasted 13K..The rear is a little squared off, but the front is bald on the right side :eek5: This is the first time I've ever had the rear outlast the front.

I have some Metzelers being fitted next week.