16 inch front tyres - Bridgestone S20 or RT016 Pro?

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 09:16

I have a 16 inch front on the bike and it chews out the shoulders fairly rapidly. Currently have a BT016 F. I'm happy with the grip but not impressed with the milage ( about 3500kms and I'll be lucky to get another 1500-2000 out of it ) The Metzler before that was about the same.
Does anyone have experience with these tyres? Am considering a BT016 Pro or an S20. Though the S20 is about $40 more so I'd want some kind of assurance it would last a bit longer. I could put a shinko on it, but I like to enjoy myself, rather than worry about the front washing out.

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 17:22

"Anyone? ... Anyonoe? ... Anyone?"

**FJRider** · 26th July 2012, 18:07

Originally Posted by Damantis

"Anyone? ... Anyonoe? ... Anyone?"

Perhaps they're not wanting to laugh out loud.

5000 km's from a front tyre ... ??? look more at YOUR riding style first.

But look more at less sticky compounds .... and ride accordingly. If you choose to ride with tyres that provide great grip in all (most) conditions ... that is your choice.

I do know of a Ducati (916) rider that can and often does change BOTH tyres at (or about) 1500-2000 km's ...

5000 km's by comparision isn't that bad ...

**Ender EnZed** · 26th July 2012, 18:24

What sort of size are you after? I can get 10000km out of a Pirelli Sport Demon on the 16 inch front of my VFR750. Might be too narrow for a 'Blade though.

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 18:30

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

What sort of size are you after? I can get 10000km out of a Pirelli Sport Demon on the 16 inch front of my VFR750. Might be too narrow for a 'Blade though.

130/70 16 Choices are a bit limited in this size.

**slofox** · 26th July 2012, 18:42

016's will get me around 9000km - but that's on 17 inch wheels.

Running Pro's just now - supposed to do more km but look about the same at this point in time.

**Drew** · 26th July 2012, 18:51

Since teh S20 was only released here a couple months ago and it's winter, you're not likely to get any mileage info just yet. They're fuggin good though, I've got a set on the RF.

I'm willing to bet though, that you are not basing what you say about the Shinko, on experience. Because that is what I had on the RF, (and I raced with it at the Cliffhanger hill climb to second place), and it was fuckin awesome! I would have put those back on if the S20's weren't free from the supplier for testing.

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 19:02

Originally Posted by Drew

Since teh S20 was only released here a couple months ago and it's winter, you're not likely to get any mileage info just yet. They're fuggin good though, I've got a set on the RF.

I'm willing to bet though, that you are not basing what you say about the Shinko, on experience. Because that is what I had on the RF, (and I raced with it at the Cliffhanger hill climb to second place), and it was fuckin awesome! I would have put those back on if the S20's weren't free from the supplier for testing.

You found him someone willing to "test" the s20 in the 16 inch size.

I'm sure the shinkos are fine once warmed up, but I had some on my MC19 CBR250 and and they were pretty scary in the wet.

**hayd3n** · 26th July 2012, 19:17

mu hornet has the same tyre profile
currently fitted a seconed hand bt016, and has done about 4000kms,
had a shinko podium and got 7000 kms out of it, never had a problem with it always stopped on a dime , the mechanic actually liked the profile of the tyre

**Drew** · 26th July 2012, 19:33

Originally Posted by Damantis

You found him someone willing to "test" the s20 in the 16 inch size.

I'm sure the shinkos are fine once warmed up, but I had some on my MC19 CBR250 and and they were pretty scary in the wet.

What model Shinko? The ones I ran were spot on. Quick warm up, sublime feed back, and very good grip from the get go.

Free S20s were comp run on here.

**caspernz** · 26th July 2012, 19:54

Originally Posted by FJRider

Perhaps they're not wanting to laugh out loud.

5000 km's from a front tyre ... ??? look more at YOUR riding style first.

But look more at less sticky compounds .... and ride accordingly. If you choose to ride with tyres that provide great grip in all (most) conditions ... that is your choice.

I do know of a Ducati (916) rider that can and often does change BOTH tyres at (or about) 1500-2000 km's ...

5000 km's by comparision isn't that bad ...

5000 clicks from a sticky front tyre is not bad at all...so what's the problem then? Maybe Mr FJRider is on the right track?

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 20:53

Originally Posted by Drew

What model Shinko? The ones I ran were spot on. Quick warm up, sublime feed back, and very good grip from the get go.

Free S20s were comp run on here.

Can't remember now. I was new to riding so I may have been a little less smooth on the throttle back then but in the wet it was tail happy and the front would lock up pretty easy. From memory, the tyres had quite a sporty looking tread pattern but can't remember much else about them besides them giving me the shits.

**Drew** · 26th July 2012, 21:06

These are fuckin good. Dunno about getting a 16 inch 010 apex.

**Damantis** · 26th July 2012, 21:08

Originally Posted by caspernz

5000 clicks from a sticky front tyre is not bad at all...so what's the problem then? Maybe Mr FJRider is on the right track?

5000kms just clocks up so quickly! It's not a heavy bike and though I don't exactly dawdle around, I'm no Rossi either! I like to have the grip and don't mind paying for it, but I just wonder if I'm developing a sort of tyre snoberry with my aversion to Shinkos. Id be happy to throw another 016 on if I knew it was good for at least 7000kms. Maybe I'm just splitting hairs and need to bite the bullet?

**gammaguy** · 26th July 2012, 23:46

My RG has a 16 front

dont forget it rotates more times per KM depending on the diameter of the wheel mmmkay?

Dont worry about tyre life,as the most expensive tyre is always cheaper than the cheapest front end lose and crash.

Personally I run Metzeler Lazer front and although its technically not a radial it is still a dam good tyre.

There are still a few good choices around for the early blades,stick to the ones that give the best grip and feel and to hell with wear I say!!