Bridgestone BT021 recall.

[Eyegasm]

You put the hoop on backwards didn't ya, ya numbnuts!!!

[Hitcher]

My Claytons Bandit had a set of 021s on it as OEMs. Just like the 020s they were presumably supposed to supersede, I found them to be disturbingly average. I don't rate them at all as a sports touring tyre. They made the Suzuki's steering particularly heavy and labourious. They didn't wear that well either, with the front starting to cup before the 10,000km mark.

There are way better tyres available. The Metzeler Interact Z8s I replaced them with have transformed the TNAB's handling to what should be expected from a modern sports touring motorcycle. I imagine that Conti Road Attack IIs, Avon Storms, or Dunlop Roadsmarts would all leave the Battlaxes sadly wanting.

[george formby]

My Claytons Bandit had a set of 021s on it as OEMs. Just like the 020s they were presumably supposed to supersede, I found them to be disturbingly average. I don't rate them at all as a sports touring tyre. They made the Suzuki's steering particularly heavy and labourious. They didn't wear that well either, with the front starting to cup before the 10,000km mark.

There are way better tyres available. The Metzeler Interact Z8s I replaced them with have transformed the TNAB's handling to what should be expected from a modern sports touring motorcycle. I imagine that Conti Road Attack IIs, Avon Storms, or Dunlop Roadsmarts would all leave the Battlaxes sadly wanting.

Hmmm, do I see a trend? I have had the conti on my TDM & it was exceedingly average & had to be treated with caution in the wet. The OE dunlop roadsmarts on the TDM 900 were bloody awful too, perhaps the 021's suit a lighter bike better?
I'm amazed you got over 10'000k on your 021 front, I triangulate one in about 7'000k but have huge confidence in them up to that point.
The conti rear lasted half as long again as the 021 front I was running.

[Bob]

I've been running Bridgestones on my bikes for years. BT020/021 I find give a good balance between decent lifespan and roadholding (especially in the wet).

I find Bridgestones normally let you know they've reached the edge and are about to let go (you get a small 'slip'), so let you back it off.

Regarding handling, the 021s aren't race-tyre sharp by any means, but they do let you push the front. When I owned one of the original Fazers, it came with the 010 front/020 rear combo (wasn't recommended BTW, it was just that an 020 wasn't made in the right profile originally). With the 010 on the front, the Fazer's handling was awesome. By the time I wore out the 010, they had brought out an 020 with the correct profile, so I had one fitted. Suddenly the handling was SO much slower!