Bridgestone Battleaxes

**Dafe** · 6th January 2006, 06:24

Can anybody please voice their experienced opinions on the Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres.

I've got the Battleaxes on my GSXR and a fair few times I've had some sliding.
I can understand loosing grip if the accelerator is involved or heavy deceleration but I'm sliding more than I should and I know there are times where other tyres would have held.

I'm considering trying the racetecs. Apart from Battleaxes, I've only used Michellin Pilot Sports on my old SV1000 which were excellent.

**White trash** · 6th January 2006, 06:37

Yeah but your SV didn't have 150hp. There's nothing wrong with BT014s, I'd be looking closely at your pressures Dave, they're probably a bit high.

Ractecs are fantastic tyres but be prepared to spend twice as much on rubber as you do on fuel. They're also downright squirrely in the wet.

**The_Dover** · 6th January 2006, 06:40

i actually quite like the bt014's on my gixxer, i find them fairly predictable (except on gravel!!)

the only other tyres i have put on it were the pirelli diablos, standard jobs. now those f.uckers slid! two of my pillions who had been on when i had the bridgies even asked what i had done to the bike cos they said the back end was hanging out a lot!! that i didn't mind, it was when the front used to do little slides across the t****al that i puckered up!

i have heard nothing but praise for the racetecs and pilot powers, stick like sh.it on fur apparently, and a certain gixxer killer on here seemed to think the avon viper sports were pretty good rubber.

i'd be trying either the pp's or racetecs next, just see what you can get the best deal on.

**Dafe** · 6th January 2006, 06:45

Originally Posted by White trash

Yeah but your SV didn't have 150hp. There's nothing wrong with BT014s, I'd be looking closely at your pressures Dave, they're probably a bit high.

I'm hearing ya Jimmy, I had a good slideout yesterday coming off of Haywards and turning through the lights towards the Hutt.
I was going real slow and I had a very cautious riding mate who agrees the speed couldn't be a factor.
The bike slid out and only came upright again when my foot slammed the ground. I'm wondering if this was the tyre or oil. I'm suspecting the latter.

Hey are you coming to Wellington anytime soon, would be good to catch up for a ride.

**Dafe** · 6th January 2006, 06:47

Originally Posted by The_Dover

i actually quite like the bt014's on my gixxer, i find them fairly predictable (except on gravel!!)

the only other tyres i have put on it were the pirelli diablos, standard jobs. now those f.uckers slid! two of my pillions who had been on when i had the bridgies even asked what i had done to the bike cos they said the back end was hanging out a lot!! that i didn't mind, it was when the front used to do little slides across the t****al that i puckered up!

i have heard nothing but praise for the racetecs and pilot powers, stick like sh.it on fur apparently, and a certain gixxer killer on here seemed to think the avon viper sports were pretty good rubber.

i'd be trying either the pp's or racetecs next, just see what you can get the best deal on.

Thanks Dover, I've been considering Pirellis, but it's nice to eliminate those from the equation. I may go the PP's based on price. I don't know that my riding calls for a racetec yet. Would be nice to try them sometime though.

**WINJA** · 6th January 2006, 11:44

those are a great tyre dafe , check your preasures and suspension setup, any tyre will strugle with that kinda power especially on chip seal . i hope your not confusing the tyre talking to ya and giving ya feed back with a proper slide

**SixPackBack** · 6th January 2006, 11:49

I love the Pilot Powers, but like the the pressures slightly lower than recomended for feel.

**nadroj** · 6th January 2006, 11:58

Originally Posted by sixpackback

I love the Pilot Powers, but like the the pressures slightly lower than recomended for feel.

I also like Pilot Powers. The only criticism I've heard is they loose their "advantage" after 1/2 worn but with the good mileage & price they are expendable a little earlier than some. As for any top of the line Sports / Race tyre they are NOT designed as a specialist wet tyre and don't necessarily adhere as well as a more grooved street tyre aka Pilot Street etc.

**Mooch** · 6th January 2006, 12:18

Originally Posted by Dafe

Thanks Dover, I've been considering Pirellis, but it's nice to eliminate those from the equation. I may go the PP's based on price. I don't know that my riding calls for a racetec yet. Would be nice to try them sometime though.

Agree with Dover on the BT014's and the Diablos. The BT014's were good on the GSXR1000 , nice and predicable edge to edge. Ok in the wet too, you can lean with a reasonable degree of confidence.

Diablos tend to drop in to quick on roadabouts. Wouldn’t think they are suited to a GSXR1000. Will probably change the 748R to 14's or PP next. 208gp's were the best on the Duc , but wouldn't be up to 150 hp of the 1000.

I'd say you hit diesel from the 1000's of trucks that use Haywards , used to live out that way and saw it pently of times. (Watch inlet as well)

**madboy** · 6th January 2006, 12:24

Originally Posted by WINJA

i hope your not confusing the tyre talking to ya and giving ya feed back with a proper slide

I was talking to Darkman who was behind him when it happened, and it sounded like a full-on brown trouser jobbie.

Dave, don't forget how quick the gixxer will eat back tyres, so before you go buy the mega-sticky stuff, don't forget to ask the missus

**Sparky Bills** · 7th January 2006, 08:53

Originally Posted by Dafe

Can anybody please voice their experienced opinions on the Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres.

I've got the Battleaxes on my GSXR and a fair few times I've had some sliding.
I can understand loosing grip if the accelerator is involved or heavy deceleration but I'm sliding more than I should and I know there are times where other tyres would have held.

I'm considering trying the racetecs. Apart from Battleaxes, I've only used Michellin Pilot Sports on my old SV1000 which were excellent.

Just stop pretending to be Kenny Roberts! and you wouldnt have that problem.

Racetecs are good, but WILL wear out very fast.

**Grumpy** · 7th January 2006, 09:12

Originally Posted by Dafe

Can anybody please voice their experienced opinions on the Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres.

I've got the Battleaxes on my GSXR and a fair few times I've had some sliding.
I can understand loosing grip if the accelerator is involved or heavy deceleration but I'm sliding more than I should and I know there are times where other tyres would have held.

I'm considering trying the racetecs. Apart from Battleaxes, I've only used Michellin Pilot Sports on my old SV1000 which were excellent.

I've been a fan of Michellin and Pirelli in the past but hated Bridgestone...... until I tried a set of 014's on my Z1000. I can't say that I can find any problems with them whether it's in the wet or the dry. They are brilliant. Fairly decent wear rate too.

**Will** · 7th January 2006, 09:16

[QUOTE=Dafe]Can anybody please voice their experienced opinions on the Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres.

I've got the Battleaxes on my GSXR and a fair few times I've had some sliding.
I can understand loosing grip if the accelerator is involved or heavy deceleration but I'm sliding more than I should and I know there are times where other tyres would have held.

I'm considering trying the racetecs. Apart from Battleaxes, I've only used Michellin Pilot Sports on my old SV1000 which were excellent.[/QUOTE

Battleaxes - had a set on my old CBR 600. They lasted a long time. Did wedge the front wheel.

Then changed to Pilots. Fantastic. So much more secure on the road.
Then changed bikes and it had Pilots.
Have just got a new rear tyre and have kept to the Pilots. The front tyre is still round - hasn't wedged.

And I just love the whole deal.

**Dafe** · 7th January 2006, 09:32

Thanks everybody for all your input.
I've now made my decision!
After having had much confidence in Pilot Sports and the many good replies regarding the Powers, I'll be getting some Pilot Powers very soon.

I don't think I can justify Racetecs, I don't ride that hard, I spend too much of my time riding longer distances/ cruising with my pack.

I've come to a conclusion. Many of us ride differently and I think there are tyres to suit peoples individual riding styles.
I now don't think it's a question of which tyre is best, the varied opinions point towards which tyre is best for an individual.
My satisfaction on the Michelin Sports would point to the obvious replacement as being Michelin Pilot Powers.

Very interesting how the general opinion of the BT014 is generally good.
I spoke to a Kwaka rider (MD) yesterday who explained he had the same problems on his bike with the BT014's, but they were fixed instant when he went to the Diablo Corsas.

I'll be expecting the same, once I'm on the Powers.

I'll repost this thread sometime to let you all know how I got on.

**Grumpy** · 7th January 2006, 09:39

Originally Posted by Dafe

Thanks everybody for all your input.
I've now made my decision!
After having had much confidence in Pilot Sports and the many good replies regarding the Powers, I'll be getting some Pilot Powers very soon.

I don't think I can justify Racetecs, I don't ride that hard, I spend too much of my time riding longer distances/ cruising with my pack.

I've come to a conclusion. Many of us ride differently and I think there are tyres to suit peoples individual riding styles.
I now don't think it's a question of which tyre is best, the varied opinions point towards which tyre is best for an individual.
My satisfaction on the Michelin Sports would point to the obvious replacement as being Michelin Pilot Powers.

Very interesting how the general opinion of the BT014 is generally good.
I spoke to a Kwaka rider (MD) yesterday who explained he had the same problems on his bike with the BT014's, but they were fixed instant when he went to the Diablo Corsas.

I'll be expecting the same, once I'm on the Powers.

I'll repost this thread sometime to let you all know how I got on.

I don't think you can wrong there Dafe. Damn good tyres.