Which tyres?

[samgab]

I'm due for new TYRES! for the VTR250, and it comes down to 2 options:

• Michelin Pilot Activ
• Bridgestone Battlax BT-45

This limitation is due to availability, tyre size, and intended use (commuting)

So I'm putting the question out there:
Which would you buy, given those two choices?
The price is almost the same for each.
I prefer the look of the Pilot, just a better looking tread pattern IMHO.
But the Battlax is a dual compound, which is very good for commuting.
Having said that, The Pilot is supposed to have really good life anyway.

End of the day, I would choose the grippiest, if I knew which that was.

So what would you choose out of those two, and why?

Michelin Pilot Activ website


Bridgestone Battlax BT45 website

[Gubb]

I had the BattleAx's on the Hyosung, and found them really good. Then again, the only comparison I had was with the stock Shinkos which isn't saying much.

[samgab]

I had the BattleAx's on the Hyosung, and found them really good. Then again, the only comparison I had was with the stock Shinkos which isn't saying much.

Cheers mate, so that's one kinda vote for the Battlaxs...

[klingon]

In New Zealand we call them TYRES!

Love from the BDOTGNZA
xxx

[klingon]

Oh I almost forgot to say:
I have the Battlaxes on my Volty and have found them brilliant commuting tyres. I think they'll do me for another 50,000k at the rate they're going!

Battlax on the road, Balttleaxe on the bike. Works for me.

[samgab]

In New Zealand we call them TYRES!

Love from the BDOTGNZA
xxx

Oh Good Lord, how embarrassing! I get so confused. Are they still the same color though? I'll do the honorable thing, jump on an (aluminum) airplane and head over to the States with my head hung in shame.

No but seriously, I'm a grammar and spelling nazi from way back, can I join your group?

[MSTRS:Me]

BT45 all the way. Dual compound. Great life. Brilliant performance wet and dry. Keep you upright at high lean angles. Readily available. Fair prices.

[klingon]

Oh Good Lord, how embarrassing! I get so confused. Are they still the same color though? I'll do the honorable thing, jump on an (aluminum) airplane and head over to the States with my head hung in shame.

No but seriously, I'm a grammar and spelling nazi from way back, can I join your group?

You have redeemed yourself in the eyes of BDOTGNZA.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=10
We may let you join if you grovel enough.

[Little Miss Trouble]

Another vote for the BT45's from me. I had them on my GPX, alot more confidence inspiring than the stock tyres.

[samgab]

Oh Good Lord, how embarrassing! I get so confused. Are they still the same color though? I'll do the honorable thing, jump on an (aluminum) airplane and head over to the States with my head hung in shame.

No but seriously, I'm a grammar and spelling nazi from way back, can I join your group?

Sorry, MAY I join your group?...

And it looks like a walk-over for the Battlaxs (not Battlaxes, cos it's a plural of the trade mark name "Battlax").
I wonder if that's because they're better, or if it's just because more people have experience with the Bridgestones.
The guy I talked to yesterday at Cycletreads also recommended the BT45s, he said he used to own a VTR250 and it's what he used.
Trouble is they're out of stock of the rears right now, and so is the NZ supplier.

[MSTRS:Me]

Pirelli Sport Demons are also excellent. But you may be wasting them on commute riding.

[EJK]

Another vote for the BT45.

I can't critically say about the 45s but c'mon, MotoGP Ducati uses Bridgestone.

[samgab]

Alright, I'm convinced. BT45s it is then.
Now I just have to wait for more to arrive in the country!

[klingon]

...(not Battlaxes, cos it's a plural of the trade mark name "Battlax")...

LOL I look forward to slugging this out with you in the appropriate forum

[davebullet]

Actually, the name Battlax comes from the lack of recycled pink batt fibreglass traditionally found in normal compounds. Hence the tyre "batt lacks" or battlax for short.