Bridgestone Battlax S20R review - 5,000km

[onearmedbandit]

Five effing fantastic thouasnd kilometres to be honest. How much do I like these tyres? Maybe the picture below will demonstrate it better than I could describe.



They have served me well, in all conditions (wet and dry) and at all speeds. I've enjoyed them so much and found the sweet spot at 36 front and 38 rear, that they have been the only tyres I've checked the pressures on every time before a ride. Not because they perform poorly at other pressures, but because they perform so well at those levels.

Under hard braking and acceleration they are stable and secure, giving plenty of feedback. Something I was missing from my last set of tyres. The same can be said for their cornering ability, very stable feeling giving precise feedback, but responsive to change of lines as well.

The rear has had some abuse now and is starting to move a bit exiting corners with some serious throttle application, but nothing unnerving or cause for concern, it's just more feedback. The front is in a class of its own I feel, providing so much feedback and allowing you to take the piss throwing the bike around. It doesn't care whether your harsh with the steering inputs or smooth as Lorenzo (yeah ok I wish) it does as required with no fuss. Over potholes, ruts, etc cranked over you'll get the expected kick from the bar(s) but no silliness afterwards. Like I've said, confidence inspiring.

I've recommended these tyres to all, and a number of people have since fitted them to their bikes. All with the same results as me. Hand on heart when it comes time for me to be replacing them I will be going back to them again, or whatever Bridgestone bring out as their successor. Considering how they are looking after 5000km, I might even try the next step up the rung.

Lets see if they make it to a 7500km review.

[george formby]

T'is a funny thing. Bridgestones are often rated 2nd best but the best riders I know use them. I love the BT 021's on my TDM, particularly because the front lets a numpty like me get away with murder, wet or dry. Agile & secure.
Good, succinct write up. Cheers. You've obviously been having some good bike time

[mulletman]

Is this mainly Akkas riding ? Many trips to the coast or kaikoura ?
Only ask because there doesnt look like much squaring off.
Great to have progress reports - cheers.

[onearmedbandit]

Is this mainly Akkas riding ? Many trips to the coast or kaikoura ?
Only ask because there doesnt look like much squaring off.
Great to have progress reports - cheers.

Mainly Birdlings Flat road to Little River, a couple trips over the Akaroa Hill, one trip down to Timaru and back and the rest commuting around town. Oh and a day out at the drags running mid 10's.

[steve_t]

Awesome review update. Thanks! And they're looking pretty good for 5000km for this sort of tyre. Will be keen to see if they make the 7500km mark too

[Trade_nancy]

Are you happy with 5,000 k's? Or are you hooning it to get that mileage? Not sure why you are so happy unless you own the tyre factory.
I got about 16,000 kms from my rear Pilot Road 2. Equally happy with their road holding.

[steve_t]

Are you happy with 5,000 k's? Or are you hooning it to get that mileage? Not sure why you are so happy unless you own the tyre factory.
I got about 16,000 kms from my rear Pilot Road 2. Equally happy with their road holding.

Kinda hard comparing a 'hypersport' tyre with a 'sport touring' one

[roogazza]

Mainly Birdlings Flat road to Little River, a couple trips over the Akaroa Hill, one trip down to Timaru and back and the rest commuting around town. Oh and a day out at the drags running mid 10's.

Thanks bud, great review. I going to have a go with a set of these.
How you do that to a set with just one arm amazes me, you're a champ.
As someone else said, interesting to see how far they go ?

[willytheekid]

Great stuff frazer

Looks like the only chicken strips you ever see are at KFC!

I just put a Battlax on the back of the VFR...as my michelin power pilot just destroyed its self! (went from WOFable to farked in under three weeks...Im blaming the hot weather! )
I have always liked the battlax range, good millage, great grip and worth the money.
But as murphys laws seems to like me...I got a puncture on the way home the same day it was fitted

....now I just have to avoid Rastuscat & Co until my mechanics WOF guy gets back from his "extended" holiday (tomorrow...but murphys law an all that has me riding around with the mechanics bill that states "WOF"...paid, not recived!....wof & reg expired on 23rd of dec ...and the shreaded tyre didn't help speed things up lol....meh...shit happens aye)

Take care mate, look forward to your follow up review


ps...Ive also been looing at conti's new "motion" range (budget tyre apparently...but they seem to get really good reviews, might just try some out)

[JayRacer37]

Really pleased to hear you are having so much fun with them!

Given your bike usually is running pretty quick (not too much open road 100k action I don't think?) 5000km thus far seems reasonable - how are they holding out Vs. other tyres you have run on the same bike with similar riding?

Jay

[Gremlin]

Are you happy with 5,000 k's? Or are you hooning it to get that mileage? Not sure why you are so happy unless you own the tyre factory.
I got about 16,000 kms from my rear Pilot Road 2. Equally happy with their road holding.

You need to compare apples with apples. I'm shocked you only got 16k from a PR2 rear. My last, I got 24k.

On the other hand, I smoked a Conti Race Attack tyre (different bike) in 1500km (and to get that far it was basically a slick)

Apples with apples matey...

[onearmedbandit]

Are you happy with 5,000 k's? Or are you hooning it to get that mileage? Not sure why you are so happy unless you own the tyre factory.
I got about 16,000 kms from my rear Pilot Road 2. Equally happy with their road holding.

As others have said this is a sports tyre, I expect increased grip with decreased life.

Really pleased to hear you are having so much fun with them!

Given your bike usually is running pretty quick (not too much open road 100k action I don't think?) 5000km thus far seems reasonable - how are they holding out Vs. other tyres you have run on the same bike with similar riding?

Jay

Yeah it's seeing some reasonably high speed work, the tyres encourage it. So far I'm rapt with their longevity, so much so I wonder whether I'm working them hard enough! Compared to other rubber, the grip is as good as anything I've run yet they are mainaining their shape and integrity well better than most.

I honestly have no criticisms of these hoops. For the money they are outstanding (Ive paid more than these are worth on other tyres yet have not been as impressed) and they haven't let me down once. I've tried to shake them (I love the feeling of a bike kicking under me) but they just don't give up.

[Timmeh:P]

Getting these fitted today! Glad to hear good things about them.

[Trade_nancy]

OK - my bad. Point taken. Didn't see from your thread narrative that you were rating a sport tyre...I guess your thread was for a "select" audience who know these things.
However I just finished off a set of Battlax BT-45's (yep - crossplys) on my classic CB750 - got to 4,500 km and had about 2,000 at most left in them. I guess you did real well...for the sort of riding you describe. My usage being much more sedate on the K2.

[slofox]

Just had the S20's fitted to The Vixen.

OK, so brand new and I only rode them home and then to work (via the scenic route of course) so I've only done about 70km so far.

As with all sets of new tyres, there's that wonderful feeling of progression from one side to t'other. But the most obvious first impression is that these buggers run on a rail. I frigged around with lines in a couple of corners and they didn't turn a hair - just went wherever I pointed them. Maybe I was imagining it but they felt better than I remember other new tyres.

I had the usual warnings about "go easy on those new tyres" which I duly did. For about five minutes. By then I had forgotten they were new. They didn't seem to think they were new either. Course, I didn't really have a chance to wring their necks but all the same, very positive first impression.

Nothing like new hoops, eh?


DAY TWO:

200k's and a tank of gas...

Two attempts at riding these tyres today. First was early morning. Dry here when I started (just) but immediately got damp. Never heavy, just enough to make the road wet. So no brave stuff in that from me. All the same, lean didn't seem to be a problem. I made no attempt to see how hard it would have been to spin the wheel...

Second go was this afternoon. Fine and dry. Windy.

Went over the hill to Raglan even though I should have known better. Gazillions of cars on the road, most sitting around 85 - 90. Which, I would have to say, is about as fast as cars should travel on that road in that volume of traffic.

There were a few gaps to zip through and eventually some corners to lean into.

The linear, "on a rail" thing is still in my face with these tyres. There is no conscious feeling coming from a change of angle when you lean - it all feels as though it is upright. I have yet to fully utilize this feeling, but I don't recall ever noticing this to the current level with any other tyre. It's just all down the line. Every time. Impressive.

Took a small detour on the way home along Te Pahu Rd. Much less traffic here. Again, very confidence-inspiring ride. The only time I got into a corner a little faster than planned, the tyres just hung on without so much as a wiggle. Very nice.

I can only echo what has already been said by onearmedbandit. These are noice toires.