Bridgestone T30 review

[AllanB]

Do they not make a 'GT' spec T30 for the heavier bikes?

[JayRacer37]

Haha, I've been following both the S20 and T30 user reviews and pondering which Bridgestone to go for once I've shredded the BT015s on my Busa...and since I do both a bit of touring and I do like to give the bike a bit...by your reckoning the S20 is the one to get...which is in keeping with the sporty intent of the bike anyway
So cheers Jay

I reckon so. If you give a Busa a hammering mileage is always going to be a compromise, so why not enjoy a little more grip while you are at it?

Do they not make a 'GT' spec T30 for the heavier bikes?

Yes they do, they have actually expanded the GT range for T30 into a fitment to suit the Honda ST1300 also. The 190/55 rear is available only as a 'GT' too (same as the BT023) so the range of GT versions is up to five tyres.

[Zapf]

Yeah a bit counter-intuitive, but we used to see in particular with Triumph triples that a softer tyre would last a few thousand KM's longer as it wasn't being torn as frequently as the more touring tyre. The same goes for bikes like the Hayabusa, if the rider is gentle and uses it for touring, the touring tyre lasts better, but someone who gives it a bit might find the sports one last better for them.

Well I am being gentle. And yes it was a 190/55 on my bike and can confirm it was a GT spec. Will give you a bell when I get back to NZ.

[willytheekid]

IVE GOT A FLAT SPOT!!!

The headset bearings have just the "slightest" notch in them, it was Barely noticeable in fact...even Roger commented how faint it was...but its there!

So my apologies to Bridgestone NZ..Ive prematurely worn the front Tyre(Its not bad tho!...one quick run over the hill should deal to it)....but it seems the old girl needs some attention

Hence I have ordered my Infidel some new bearings and Roger is gonna rip the front end off, swap the bearings & fork oil out, and then realign everything all snug as a bug for me...sorted!

pic's below...1.front "looks ok"....2.Nope...it aint!...3.backs doing great!...4....over 5k done on that Tyre, unfortunately its been mostly all work commute*


*tis true, Ive only been up in the hills about 5-6 times since putting these tyres on , but even so!, thats great wear!!

[Trade_nancy]

Why does the knotchy headstock wear the centre off your tyre?

[willytheekid]

Why does the knotchy headstock wear the centre off your tyre?

The combination of boring straight road riding due to the daily commute, combined with slightly blown headset bearings (there's slight movement, which is amplified by braking forces etc), has led to enhanced Tyre wear

...But Im also looking at the forks, wheel bearings, brakes, the lot!...just to be sure

[caspernz]

I've yet to see a tyre that doesn't develop a flat section after many miles doing the commuting thing.

Worn bearings would only be a minor contributing factor to that

[willytheekid]

I've yet to see a tyre that doesn't develop a flat section after many miles doing the commuting thing.

Worn bearings would only be a minor contributing factor to that

Christ sake, not you too!

Yes...Ive yet to see a tyre that dosn't get flat spots from straight line commuting
Yes...Ive been doing alot of said boring straight line commuting that would cause this.
But my post CLEARLY states "prematurely worn" (As it has happened to fast for "normal wear")

Surely I am not the only one on here that notice's such obvious signs as pitted bearings, and then gets these minor faults investigated and fixed straight away? (And my money is actually on the whole front end being slightly out of whack...hence the complete strip & rebuild being booked in with Roger )

I may not know much about the world etc(because lets face it...Im basically an idiot!)...but when it comes to my bike, I know every inch, bolt & nut on her, and the warning sign's when shit aint right...and shit...aint quite right (hence the increased wear)

ps...I think some idiot has been power standing her far to often...dunno who tho officer

[caseye]

Reckon, I could HAZARD a guess there Mr Willy! Sad news, but good news too really, fixed up shes really gunna hug that tarmac.
Got to Ride for two whole days last weekend mate, bewdiful it was, ol coal burner goes like a bundle of arseholes in a farting contest whens she's allowed to have her head.
Been there done that with head and wheel bearings, makes a big difference to feel and the rightness of things, good for you.

[willytheekid]

Ive had the bike back for a week now

....Roger did an amazing job on the front end strip down, bearing replacement and alignment
Bike feels great!

As for the tyres, they are still wearing well and providing great grip and feed back as usual...these tyres just love this bike!

I will head up into the hills and try to tidy up that front Tyre's profile soon, I will post some more pic's of the wear after that


ps:...Im a tad upset that no-one noticed the new 90's carbon bling! on the rear end of the bike!...harris no-less FFS, and I thought this was a bike enthusiast's site

[willytheekid]

Sorry for the delay in updates KBers...its been a rough few months leading into Xmas...between work overload and our house being sold...the updates have been lacking

So heres one with pictures!

The tyres have just over 5500 miles on them now (Nearly 9000ks), and they are STILL going strong ...sure, Ive only been up in the hills about four or five times since my last update, but between those runs, my daily grind and the occasional blast here and there, they have held up amazingly!

Check out the wear in the pictures attached, these hoops are working out great for my old girl, the VFR truly loves these tyres.
The summer runs have not effected the tyres much at all, I was actually waiting for the hot days to turn these into a molten mess...just because of the level of performance in winter conditions, and the softness if the tread....nope!...they don't seem to over heat at all, no signs of excessive wear and the same amazing levels of grip I enjoyed over the cooler months, I'm truly impressed.

ps...check out the front tyre wear now that the front end has been rebuilt & aligned....So much better! (Thanks Roger!)

[JayRacer37]

Sorry for the delay in updates KBers...its been a rough few months leading into Xmas...between work overload and our house being sold...the updates have been lacking

So heres one with pictures!

The tyres have just over 5500 miles on them now (Nearly 9000ks), and they are STILL going strong ...sure, Ive only been up in the hills about four or five times since my last update, but between those runs, my daily grind and the occasional blast here and there, they have held up amazingly!

Check out the wear in the pictures attached, these hoops are working out great for my old girl, the VFR truly loves these tyres.
The summer runs have not effected the tyres much at all, I was actually waiting for the hot days to turn these into a molten mess...just because of the level of performance in winter conditions, and the softness if the tread....nope!...they don't seem to over heat at all, no signs of excessive wear and the same amazing levels of grip I enjoyed over the cooler months, I'm truly impressed.

Awesome Willy, thanks for the update. Really pleased they are working out so well for the VFR.

[caseye]

House sold???
So ya all living under the VF then??
Good to see you've got her back to 100% mate.
Hope Christmas and new years have been good to you all.

[browjo]

1st impressions from freshly fitted front with half worn Bt023 rear was the front felt instantly grippy. I still couldn't mentally push the front until after about 100kms as it feels too strange after riding bikes for nearly 40 years.

I put a 170 T30 GT on the rear after completing a total of 12'000 Km on a BT023 non GT rear. The rear tyre felt grippy straight of.

I'ved one a winter season and summer up to present. This has included a combination of motorway commutes, rides to Kaiaua, Thames/Coromandel loop and Kopu/Waihi, in mixtures of dry wet and cold conditions.

The tryes always have felt sure footed using care depending on the conditions. I didn't notice much difference in wet conditions between the Bt023 and T30, but I think the T30's had the edge in the dry.

I've done a total of 15,000 kms on the front and 10'000 kms on the rear and both tyres are near the wear limits. I probably could get another 1000 kms out of both, but will replace them end of this week as I'm doing a trip and prefer a bit more tread in the variable conditions at the moment. There has been no cupping on the front tyre as is so common with telelever front ends

I would recommend these tyres and will give further impressions about the second set after a South Island trip.

Cheers

JB

[steelestring]

First of all thanks for the review! Good work!
Just opted for the T30's over the S20's ...since there is a looming 4 day ride down south and wanted something with a bit more milage. Plus a mate with a fireblade thou, said they are doing good things.
I have been riding with a pillion in the twisties and in highway mode plus a track day, the b16 pros did an amazing job at a higher presure 36/38. They also performed very well for me in the cold.
I am thinking of running the same pressures on the 600 with the T30's. After reading Jays comment about over heating the tire carcus and serious wear occuring I am having second thoughts. Should be an interesting test.

Proposed cold pressures:

Just me road 34/36
Spirited road 2 up 36/38
Track warm 34/32