Bridgestone S20 tyre review

[Drew]

The OEM S20's on my ride looked unused at 2000ks, by 3000ks the rear was very uniform in shape, but wearing fast, have 3300ks now, and in 500ks the rear will be dicked. That included hot dry flat Canturbury roads, and torrential rain on the west coast , about four riding days.
Will not be replacing S20's based on my experience of other brands.

Thanks for your feedback. That's maybe the Achilles heal about this tyre for me, how it wears! Pilot road threes are going to b hard to beat. Even though they are not cheap. Any other feedback about the s20 is really appreciated.

Bridgestone have said that the OEM S20's are different to those available for sale. They haven't said in what way though.

My experience with OEM Bridgestones, was I would NEVER run Bridgstone tyres again. That was the horrible 016 from the back of a CBR1000 I was given.

Could you tell us the type of bike and pressures used . Most tyres are pretty good nowdays, but if they wear in five minutes thats a negative.
I'm due a set of tyres and have been using the old P/Powers (not even 2CTs) for years. Although money is no problem, changing the bloody things every five mins is a pain.
I run Std pressures on the road for that reason alone.

With road tyres, the pressures are so much higher than anything I'm used to. 38PSI is not a number that computes, since it's twenty PSI higher then what we put in Dunlops at on the Superbikes.

[roogazza]

With road tyres, the pressures are so much higher than anything I'm used to. 38PSI is not a number that computes, since it's twenty PSI higher then what we put in Dunlops at on the Superbikes.

Yes, I've always run lower pressures (even way back with TT100s, like 25psi) so now at 36/38 I'm very careful with some pace on. I don't prefer it that way, but gain better mileage.

[Drew]

Yes, I've always run lower pressures (even way back with TT100s, like 25psi) so now at 36/38 I'm very careful with some pace on. I don't prefer it that way, but gain better mileage.

That's what has me so surprised about the bridgies. Running at pressures I was scared of, they are bloody great! As hard as I have pushed them, they haven't given an issue.

[roogazza]

That's what has me so surprised about the bridgies. Running at pressures I was scared of, they are bloody great! As hard as I have pushed them, they haven't given an issue.

The bike I have now came with a new set of Contis, they too run higher pressures(so Jays Dad told me?) but I went back to PPs as soon as I could.

ps Mind you I don't own a cell phone, that tells you something.

[Drew]

The bike I have now came with a new set of Contis, they too run higher pressures(so Jays Dad told me?) but I went back to PPs as soon as I could.

ps Mind you I don't own a cell phone, that tells you something.

Yeah, Andrew tried to get me to run high pressures on Conti's. I hated the tyres no matter what I did, so I am not surprised you ditched them.

I don't have a home phone. No wonder you don't like me, we're total opposites. Except for taste in bikes.

[Owl]

Mind you I don't own a cell phone, that tells you something.

Good for you!

[Coldrider]

Could you tell us the type of bike and pressures used . Most tyres are pretty good nowdays, but if they wear in five minutes thats a negative.
I'm due a set of tyres and have been using the old P/Powers (not even 2CTs) for years. Although money is no problem, changing the bloody things every five mins is a pain.
I run Std pressures on the road for that reason alone.

2012 blade straight out of the crate, standard suspension settings, standard recommended pressures, 36 front and 42 rear, 17kg of freight thrown on for the burt. Traditionally i've run 40 (cold) at the rear, but couldn't find a valid reason to change pressures over and above those who know better.

The front tyre is almost perfect, economically I should fit a S20 to the rear and they should wear down together.
I'll have to wait and see how the Drew and OAB extract milage out of theirs.

As previously stated in a previous posting, their performance was top notch, in haast in torrential run they hung on, letting go twice on bled tar, which is expected.

[Drew]

Bloody hell. At 42 PSI, I wouldn't expect a tyre to ever wear out! But I have made my uneducated feeling clear about that.

[AllanB]

If you check the makers recommended tyre pressures of new bikes you will find they are pretty uniform at 36 front 38-42 rear.

Adjust as one see's fit from those starting points. Are you getting confused with track prerssures and running them on the road?

[Drew]

If you check the makers recommended tyre pressures of new bikes you will find they are pretty uniform at 36 front 38-42 rear.

Adjust as one see's fit from those starting points. Are you getting confused with track prerssures and running them on the road?

I usually only run race rubber. It does not work out well to over inflate such things.

Have you read the whole thread?

[AllanB]

I usually only run race rubber. It does not work out well to over inflate such things.

Have you read the whole thread?

Yep. The tyres you are reviewing are not race rubber - sport rubber designed for the road. The BT 003 may be closer to what you usually run.

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/...ory/index.html

[Digitdion]

That's what I thought?!

[JayRacer37]

With the replies I am making here this will be rather long, I apologise in advance.

Lots of feedback about this tyre. But what about it when being used as a sport touring everything tyre?
I ride a triumph Tiger 1050. Use it for everything. I like to ride in a spirited fashion at times and currently using Michelin pilot road 3. PR3 is a great tyre in all conditions. It's pricey, and currently the s20 is going for a good price.

Are these two tyres comparable?
Or am I comparing apples with oranges?

To a point, apples with oranges. The PR3 compares most directly with BT023/BT023GT - a harder wearing touring tyre with more emphasis upon wet grip than fast pace, providing very even feedback with no nasty suprises and quite a 'relaxed' or round profile. The S20 compares closest with Pilot Power/Pilot Pure, though by the sounds of it the S20's performance would suit what you are doing, it will give away mileage to the more touring oreinted tyres you have been using however.

The OEM S20's on my ride looked unused at 2000ks, by 3000ks the rear was very uniform in shape, but wearing fast, have 3300ks now, and in 500ks the rear will be dicked. That included hot dry flat Canturbury roads, and torrential rain on the west coast , about four riding days.
Will not be replacing S20's based on my experience of other brands.

2012 blade straight out of the crate, standard suspension settings, standard recommended pressures, 36 front and 42 rear, 17kg of freight thrown on for the burt. Traditionally i've run 40 (cold) at the rear, but couldn't find a valid reason to change pressures over and above those who know better.

The front tyre is almost perfect, economically I should fit a S20 to the rear and they should wear down together.
I'll have to wait and see how the Drew and OAB extract milage out of theirs.

As previously stated in a previous posting, their performance was top notch, in haast in torrential run they hung on, letting go twice on bled tar, which is expected.

Good that you enjoyed their performance, usually OEM tyres are less liked for both grip and wear rates. Yes, the S20 that comes standard on the 'Blade is a different beast to what we stock and sell here in the aftermarket. As I don't have a Fireblade spec S20 here, I can't advise what the specific differences are, although from what I understand I would assume it will have a thinner carcass that requires more air pressure (this makes the bikes feel light and responsive when the tyres are new for 'demo' purposes) and the tread depth will be less than the aftermarket also, for the same reason's as above. They tend to wear quicker as the tyre is less resiliant to heat wear because it isn't thick/meaty enough to disperse temprature.

If you enjoyed how it felt and the mileage was about half of what you would normally get from aftermarket, I would recommend trying one from aftermarket as it should feel better again to you, and wear very similar to what you have experienced in the past on other brands. I would also run the rear pressure at 38 in the aftermarket, not the OEM 42 - this is to give the tyre more 'shape' and a lighter riding feel, though a lower pressure will generally give more grip.

Yep. The tyres you are reviewing are not race rubber - sport rubber designed for the road. The BT 003 may be closer to what you usually run.

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/...ory/index.html

The closest Bridgestone to what Drew is used to is the R10 racing tyre - ultra lightweight, designed for low racing pressures, and really ideally used with tyre warmers. The BT003 is discontinued, and BT003-RS (RS stands for Racing Street, a road/trackday version of the prior racing tyre) is between the full racing R10, and the S20 Drew is using at the moment.

[roogazza]

Thanks for your input Jayracer, I look forward to recorded mileages from both low pressure scratchers and normal pressure touring/sport riders.
There seems to be no debate on the stickability of the S20.

[Drew]

Thanks for your input Jayracer, I look forward to recorded mileages from both low pressure scratchers and normal pressure touring/sport riders.
There seems to be no debate on the stickability of the S20.

I had to go up in pressure to 36, to get sability. Happy coincidence was no drop in
traction.