Bridgestone Battlax S20R review - 5,000km

[SPP]

Why so cheap??

I'm gonna give these a go on my new bike and start doing some road rides again with mates (having an R6 put an end to road trips).

These sound like they'd be primo for that. Thx for the heads up.

[Corse1]

I fitted a FRONT S20 to the 999 before my last track day and it was so confidence inspiring compared to the power 1 it replaced that I have just fitted a 190/55 to the rear. Different feel to 190/50 but on the 100kms I have spent on the road with it I love it. Have another track day Monday so well looking forward to that. Thumbs up to S20 tyres. Price I paid is $172 NZD for the rear from the states
Had some stuff coming from the states for work so no Freight cost
Great to see they look good after 5000kms. Have you reached the 7500 yet OAB?

[SPP]

190/55 to the rear. Different feel to 190/50 but on the 100kms I have spent on the road with it I love it.

I haven't found any measurements for the S20, is the 55 taller and pointier or just taller?... I'm undecided on 50 (stock) or changing up to 55.

[Corse1]

I haven't found any measurements for the S20, is the 55 taller and pointier or just taller?... I'm undecided on 50 (stock) or changing up to 55.

The 55 is about 14 mm larger in diameter than the 50. Yes a pointier radius on the tyre. I had to space the hugger up.
The 999 only has a 5.5 inch rear rim so most guys who track them fit a 180/55 which is closer in diameter to the 190/50. 190 has a 6" rim as recommended with the 5.5" an acceptable option. I found this info out after I ordered the tyre so will go with 180 next time around

Definitely better turn in with a 55 profile. Stock the 999 is known to turn in slow buy super stable. Probably why Ducati fitted the OEM tyre as most bikes would be ridden on the road

[SPP]

The 55 is about 14 mm larger in diameter than the 50. Yes a pointier radius on the tyre. I had to space the hugger up.
The 999 only has a 5.5 inch rear rim so most guys who track them fit a 180/55 which is closer in diameter to the 190/50. 190 has a 6" rim as recommended with the 5.5" an acceptable option. I found this info out after I ordered the tyre so will go with 180 next time around

Definitely better turn in with a 55 profile. Stock the 999 is known to turn in slow buy super stable. Probably why Ducati fitted the OEM tyre as most bikes would be ridden on the road

Thanks, that's what I was after.

[Corse1]

Thanks, that's what I was after.

Check this out for details. Tyre specs bottom of page. Actually 16mm larger in diameter.
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/...ttlax/s20.html

[SPP]

Check this out for details. Tyre specs bottom of page. Actually 16mm larger in diameter.
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/...ttlax/s20.html

ha ha thanks.

I flicked over a page like that, got as far as the pictures and thought marketing fluff and moved on.

Pointier profile was the info I was looking for.

Awesome, cheers.

[gripper]

5000kms !! ?? Ive had two riding buddies with the s20's and neither of them got anywhere near 5000kms

[onearmedbandit]

5000kms !! ?? Ive had two riding buddies with the s20's and neither of them got anywhere near 5000kms

I hear what you're saying, a friend of mine only got 3000 out of his rear before it was junk. We ride hard but he does a lot of slower speed hill corners where most of my riding is high speed open road corners. In saying that mines virtually poked now.

[Ender EnZed]

In saying that mines virtually poked now.

How far has it been?

[Coldrider]

I'm guessing 6K.

[onearmedbandit]

How far has it been?

I'm guessing 6K.

And Coldrider is about bang on the money. Going to have to make it last a little longer yet, not working at the moment.

[JayRacer37]

I haven't found any measurements for the S20, is the 55 taller and pointier or just taller?... I'm undecided on 50 (stock) or changing up to 55.

Hi SPP, as Corse1 said the 55 is taller, 632mm outer diameter for the 190/50, 650mm for the 190/55. By virtue of this the tread area is also slightly wider - 193mm for the 190/50 and 198mm for the 190/55. For your bike on the 6" rim I would highly recommend the 190/55 as an upgrade - why some of the manufacturers are still using the 190/50 on their Superbikes as new is beyond me, I guess for higher grip at low lean angles (larger contact patch) although the 190/55 is a superior shape for the 1000cc bikes and 6" rim.

The 55 is about 14 mm larger in diameter than the 50. Yes a pointier radius on the tyre. I had to space the hugger up.
The 999 only has a 5.5 inch rear rim so most guys who track them fit a 180/55 which is closer in diameter to the 190/50. 190 has a 6" rim as recommended with the 5.5" an acceptable option. I found this info out after I ordered the tyre so will go with 180 next time around

Definitely better turn in with a 55 profile. Stock the 999 is known to turn in slow buy super stable. Probably why Ducati fitted the OEM tyre as most bikes would be ridden on the road

Not quite the same as the 999 I admit, but we were (and for many riders still are) running a 190/55 on a 5.5" rim on the 600 Supersports bikes for more mid corner and early exit grip than the 180/55. Was worth about 1second a lap at Manfeild for me when we first made the change. I would have thought with the lean angles the 999 is capable of in the right hands and the torque it produces, the 190/55 would be a better option in almost any application than the 180, by having more edge grip? Also gives you a free ride height increase, if it's anything like the 748R I raced for a few meetings it will appreciate that!

Jay

[Corse1]

Not quite the same as the 999 I admit, but we were (and for many riders still are) running a 190/55 on a 5.5" rim on the 600 Supersports bikes for more mid corner and early exit grip than the 180/55. Was worth about 1second a lap at Manfeild for me when we first made the change. I would have thought with the lean angles the 999 is capable of in the right hands and the torque it produces, the 190/55 would be a better option in almost any application than the 180, by having more edge grip? Also gives you a free ride height increase, if it's anything like the 748R I raced for a few meetings it will appreciate that!

Jay

Yeah the grip on exit was much improved yesterday. Not dissappointed with the choice of size at all. It was AB's in Nelson that recommended the 180 on a 999 as thats what they have found worked best. Pretty impressed with the S20.

[SPP]

Hi SPP, as Corse1 said the 55 is taller, 632mm outer diameter for the 190/50, 650mm for the 190/55. By virtue of this the tread area is also slightly wider - 193mm for the 190/50 and 198mm for the 190/55. For your bike on the 6" rim I would highly recommend the 190/55 as an upgrade - why some of the manufacturers are still using the 190/50 on their Superbikes as new is beyond me, I guess for higher grip at low lean angles (larger contact patch) although the 190/55 is a superior shape for the 1000cc bikes and 6" rim.

...
Jay

Hey thanks Jay.

Yeah 190/55 sounds like the go.