Bridgestone S21 Launch

**Owl** · 21st March 2018, 04:26

Originally Posted by Berries

After reading this thread I am not as sure about the S21's so wondering how you got on, and how were the Power 3's?

S21 is the far superior tyre IMHO, though PP3 front will outlast S21 front. New T31 could be an interesting option?

**Berries** · 21st March 2018, 06:17

Originally Posted by Owl

New T31 could be an interesting option?

Starting to lean that way but not seen any honest reviews to base my decision on.

I know it is just sales bullshit but not quite getting the second bullet point below from the Bridgestone website -

Recommended for:
● Riders who enjoy riding on winding road with a touring motorcycle.
● Riders who enjoy riding a super sports bike with touring tires.
● Riders who want high performance in wet conditions.
● Riders who want to ride safely even when caught in unexpected rainfall

Not sure that riding beyond the tyres ability is actually a good thing, which seems to be the implication there.

**AllanB** · 21st March 2018, 17:17

The new Michelin Road 5 looks interesting.

**Blackbird** · 21st March 2018, 19:30

Originally Posted by AllanB

The new Michelin Road 5 looks interesting.

Several of my mates have them and are pretty impressed. My Roadtec 01's are coming up for replacement and I'm chewing over the Road 5's too. A recent Ride magazine blind test still put the 01's at the top closely followed by the 5's. Most top of the line tyres are way beyond what I need anyway. It's more about "feel" and turn-in rate.

**SaferRides** · 21st March 2018, 19:51

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Several of my mates have them and are pretty impressed. My Roadtec 01's are coming up for replacement and I'm chewing over the Road 5's too. A recent Ride magazine blind test still put the 01's at the top closely followed by the 5's. Most top of the line tyres are way beyond what I need anyway. It's more about "feel" and turn-in rate.

How are the 01's wearing? I've read a couple of reviews where the front has worn unevenly.

I'm looking at touring tyres for the R1 next time because even at 7000 km for a rear, the M7RR's are an expensive habit. Not sure I want to quit just yet though.

**Blackbird** · 21st March 2018, 20:16

Originally Posted by SaferRides

How are the 01's wearing? I've read a couple of reviews where the front has worn unevenly.

I'm looking at touring tyres for the R1 next time because even at 7000 km for a rear, the M7RR's are an expensive habit. Not sure I want to quit just yet though.

The rears last around 12k, about the same as the PR4's I had. The OEM D214 rear lasted 3700km - terrible things. I did a write-up on the first set of 01's here:
http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...fe-review.html .

**nzspokes** · 21st March 2018, 20:41

Originally Posted by Berries

Did you?

Need to replace the OE BT16s on my 750 and have three options, Power 3's, S21's and T31's. Was heading for the Michelin but can get a deal on the Bridgestones. No track days but all weather road riding which includes a few wet days (it's not Auckland) quite a lot of cold days and a few too many sub zero days. Would like to just swap with BT16's as I have been happy with them but not available in NZ apparently. Never gone past Metzeler on previous bikes due to wet weather confidence which is a biggie for me. After reading this thread I am not as sure about the S21's so wondering how you got on, and how were the Power 3's?

Yes I did and like em. But keep in mind its a dry day bike.

Ive run the back to the edges and it feels good. Not run them on track though.

**nzspokes** · 21st March 2018, 20:45

Originally Posted by Blackbird

The rears last around 12k, about the same as the PR4's I had. The OEM D214 rear lasted 3700km - terrible things. I did a write-up on the first set of 01's here:
http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...fe-review.html .

It will be interesting to see how these wear with your new suspension setup. The photos show that rebound issue.

**SaferRides** · 21st March 2018, 20:46

Originally Posted by Blackbird

The rears last around 12k, about the same as the PR4's I had. The OEM D214 rear lasted 3700km - terrible things. I did a write-up on the first set of 01's here:
http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...fe-review.html .

Thanks, most interesting. You're not the first person to wear an 01 front like that.

**Blackbird** · 21st March 2018, 20:50

Originally Posted by SaferRides

Thanks, most interesting. You're not the first person to wear an 01 front like that.

There are earlier photos on the blog of my PR4's which had a similar wear pattern. Not exclusive to 01's!

**SaferRides** · 21st March 2018, 21:01

Originally Posted by Blackbird

There are earlier photos on the blog of my PR4's which had a similar wear pattern. Not exclusive to 01's!

There are a lot of grooves in both front tyres, which probably doesn't help.

It could also be a front suspension issue. My front has worn more evenly since replacing the fork oil last year.

**nzspokes** · 21st March 2018, 21:22

Originally Posted by SaferRides

There are a lot of grooves in both front tyres, which probably doesn't help.

It could also be a front suspension issue. My front has worn more evenly since replacing the fork oil last year.

Coving can be caused by out of control rebound.

**Blackbird** · 22nd March 2018, 07:07

Originally Posted by SaferRides

There are a lot of grooves in both front tyres, which probably doesn't help.

It could also be a front suspension issue. My front has worn more evenly since replacing the fork oil last year.

My suspension has just been set up by Dave Moss and is hugely better, even though the rear shock Is a budget OEM one and getting a bit tired. Yep, good suspension makes a huge difference to tyre life. Got on average another 2000 km from a set when I upgraded the front and rear on the Blackbird. I'd sooner spend money on suspension every time than on a noisy can and pretty farkles.

**SaferRides** · 22nd March 2018, 08:14

I replaced the worn out shock on the R1 last year. Tyre life is the same, probably because I can get the power down and corner faster! But the tyre wear looks much better now.