S20 vs Pilot Road 3 vs BT23

**The End** · 26th October 2014, 20:43

Have had a fresh set of Bridgestone Battleaxe S20 Hypersport's on the Hornet since I got it, and have gone through them pretty quickly. I'm currently sitting on about 5500kms on the set, and will need to replace the rear within the next 2000 and the front within the next 4000kms. They have been a great tyre for both wet and dry, however the centre has worn considerably quicker than the sides (see below).

I ride approximately 700kms per week, of which 80% of that is commuting.The vast majority of my commute is straight line and upright.

I've been looking at more durable tyre options, given that the vast majority of riding I do is commuting and in a straight line.

Ideally I'd like something that has a harder centre compound, but enough grip for weekend hoons in the twisties.

What are people's experiences with either the S20, Pilot Road 3 or BT23s? I know this can be quite a contentious question but am hoping KB can behave

**nzspokes** · 26th October 2014, 20:44

PR2 and you should get over 20,000ks out of them.

**mossy1200** · 26th October 2014, 20:48

Originally Posted by The End

What are people's experiences with either the S20, Pilot Road 3 or BT23s? I know this can be quite a contentious question but am hoping KB can behave

s20 rear as good as dead 3800km. Front looks almost new still.

**The End** · 26th October 2014, 21:16

Originally Posted by nzspokes

PR2 and you should get over 20,000ks out of them.

PR2 better than PR3?

PR2s meant to have great mileage.
PR3s meant to have better wet peformance than PR2.
PR4s meant to last 20% longer than PR3.

**Gremlin** · 26th October 2014, 21:53

26k from front PR2, 24k from rear PR2, CB919.

It takes me 2 years to run out a set at that rate, and I still have a PR2 rear on (which might be coming up in the next half year odd), but running a PR3 front now.

I wouldn't think the PR3 lasts longer than the PR2, but you do get much better performance in the wet for example. Life is probably about the same... Otherwise consider the PR4.

**caspernz** · 27th October 2014, 14:18

Mmmm, if you're clocking 700 kms a week then I'd seriously consider PR2s. PR3 is a great tyre but wears faster than PR2. PR4 which I'm on now is grouse as well, but relatively expensive compared to PR2.

Have you considered T30 from Bridgestone?

**nzspokes** · 27th October 2014, 15:04

Originally Posted by The End

PR2 better than PR3?

PR2s meant to have great mileage.
PR3s meant to have better wet peformance than PR2.
PR4s meant to last 20% longer than PR3.

I prefer the feel of 2s to 3s when pushing it along abit. 3s seem to overheat on the edges.

Im back on 2s and enjoy them. For cheaper you can go to Pilot Roads which also seem to be a good tyre for not much.

**The End** · 27th October 2014, 15:11

Originally Posted by nzspokes

I prefer the feel of 2s to 3s when pushing it along abit. 3s seem to overheat on the edges.

Im back on 2s and enjoy them. For cheaper you can go to Pilot Roads which also seem to be a good tyre for not much.

Where did you pick up your 2s from? Places I've looked seem to be sold out or only selling 3 or 4s now.

Originally Posted by caspernz

Have you considered T30 from Bridgestone?

They seem to wear faster than the PR2, so would rather go for something with a longer life.

**nzspokes** · 27th October 2014, 15:21

Originally Posted by The End

Where did you pick up your 2s from? Places I've looked seem to be sold out or only selling 3 or 4s now.

They seem to wear faster than the PR2, so would rather go for something with a longer life.

I got them from a guy on KB. But I have seen them advertised recently. But Pilot roads seem to still be about.

**f2dz** · 3rd November 2014, 08:31

How old were your S20s? The next iteration of them, the S20 Evos, have a harder centre which means something like a 20-30% longer life to them. I've got these and have done approx 5,000km on them and I'm hoping to maybe get 8-10,000km total.

I mainly commute on mine also but I like the tyre a lot for spirited riding and on the track it was excellent. I'd be keen to try out something else but I don't really have any complaints with these so far besides the overall tyre life.

**Drew** · 3rd November 2014, 09:11

My experience with the S20s has been excellent. But there's no commuting, and all thrashing the shit out of them on twisty roads as well as a day at the track.

Perhaps the center is too soft on the first ones, because heaps of people say they didn't get great mileage from them. Onearmbandit and I who both only seem to ride recreational like and raved about them when we got a set each to test.

I can't imagine ever getting more than 6/7000k's from a rear tyre given my riding.

**GrayWolf** · 3rd November 2014, 15:18

Originally Posted by Gremlin

26k from front PR2, 24k from rear PR2, CB919.

It takes me 2 years to run out a set at that rate, and I still have a PR2 rear on (which might be coming up in the next half year odd), but running a PR3 front now.

I wouldn't think the PR3 lasts longer than the PR2, but you do get much better performance in the wet for example. Life is probably about the same... Otherwise consider the PR4.

Jeebers H Christos, I cant even get HALF that on my rear tyre

**GrayWolf** · 3rd November 2014, 15:28

Originally Posted by The End

Have had a fresh set of Bridgestone Battleaxe S20 Hypersport's on the Hornet since I got it, and have gone through them pretty quickly. I'm currently sitting on about 5500kms on the set, and will need to replace the rear within the next 2000 and the front within the next 4000kms. They have been a great tyre for both wet and dry, however the centre has worn considerably quicker than the sides (see below).

I ride approximately 700kms per week, of which 80% of that is commuting.The vast majority of my commute is straight line and upright.

I've been looking at more durable tyre options, given that the vast majority of riding I do is commuting and in a straight line.

Ideally I'd like something that has a harder centre compound, but enough grip for weekend hoons in the twisties.

What are people's experiences with either the S20, Pilot Road 3 or BT23s? I know this can be quite a contentious question but am hoping KB can behave

I would suggest trying the BT20, I have used one on the front of my bike (which is a heavy piece of kit) and get about a 2-1 replacement ratio over the rear..
My wear rate sucks due to the nature of the beast, but I went 'down'? from a BT23 rear to the BT20, and get slightly better mileage and good grip even lugging it round the Taka's.

**slofox** · 3rd November 2014, 16:00

For what it's worth, I have used a couple of sets of S20's and loved them. Apart from rapid wear.

I swapped the rear to a Michelin Pilot Power 3. Nice tyre, definitely wearing better than S20 (done 5000km and still looking good). But I still prefer the S20 to ride on. If I had an unlimited budget I stay with S20's.

Having said all that, my bike is light and I do think that makes a difference. The PP3 feels heavier on the back than did the S20.