ATVPT

All Terrain Vehicle Product Tests ATV Technical Magazine

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Product Review
Product:	- Bridgestone BT014 Super Sport Radial Motorcycle Tires
Test Duration:	- Long Term

Location:	- Minnesota
Machine:	- Honda CBR 600 Super Sport (Front 120/60-17, Rear 160/60-17)
Review Date:	- Aug 2006

	It’s time to put some fresh rubber on my bike, if you are like me and decided not to go with an OEM replacement tire, you must do your homework to make sure you get the right tires suited for your bike, your riding style and your riding conditions. Your application will greatly depend on the design of your bike primarily; I happen to ride a sport street bike, so my choices range from sport touring, super sport and then also track tires (slicks). The design of sport touring tires generally is to provide the best traction and performance in all weather conditions, yet provide a long lasting tire for those long trips. Generally the softer the tire compound, the better it sticks to the road. But unfortunately, that generally means it will not last as long as a harder compound. The harder compounds tend to last longer, but not provide the best traction. For years, tire manufactures have strived to create the best of both worlds. The Bridgestone BT014 Ultimate Performance tire has been created and set out to accomplish just that. This tire is the one of the latest designs from Bridgestone, touted as a Super Sport with Ultimate Performance. My first impression looking at the tire, it definitely has an aggressive looking tread pattern that should do a fine job of removing any threat of rain I may encounter. The grooves are deep and abundant; they appear well aimed to sweep water away from the contact patch of the tire. I always take the time for some “touchy feely” before I mount up my tires. In hand these tires definitely feel light and seem to be of softer compound then the BT010 which I am replacing. Remember when assessing your bike tires, your not just looking for tread depth, you must look deep into the grooves for small cracks and general weather checking. If you see cracks, its time to replace the tires since the compound has became hard and will not grip like they should. Here in Minnesota our climate changes abruptly and often, we experience a wide range in temperatures which is torture on tires. I generally replace my tires every 1-3 years. Whether the tread is worn or not, I know they simply will not perform like they should. This is safety and your life to think about here; it’s not worth saving a few hundred bucks for a trip to the emergency room, is it?
Field Test:
	First of all, whenever putting new tires on your bike, make sure to read the label for proper mounting pressures and break in procedures. Bridgestone recommends a 100 mile break in regime of avoiding excessive acceleration, hard breaking and aggressive cornering. Also it’s a good idea to monitor your tire pressure during this period, as the tires break in and stretch, the pressure could drop. Tires come with some mold release on them from the factory process which makes them slippery. So until this has worn off, caution must be practiced. So far I’ve put 300miles on these tires, riding on black asphalt county roads to concrete highways in temperatures ranging from 50ºF to 100ºF. I’m an aggressive rider, so after the initial break in of 100 miles, I wasted no time carving corners and wearing off the “chicken strips” on these tires. Right off I noticed these tires heat up quickly and grip well just after a few good miles. I noticed the ride was much smoother and I felt in more control than on my old tires. There are plenty of cracks and bumps in the roads that I encountered and felt confident concurring anything that came my way. I think the Kevlar belt design by Bridgestone is proving to me to perform as intended and tested. The carcass absorbs shock and maintains a great line for control. These tires gripped very well on high speed aggressive cornering, I was able to scrape my foot pegs and all the while feel comfortably in control. I think this compound is perfect for my super sport application. Bridgestone has touted this compound as Ultra High Performance, and so far I’ve experienced nothing but just that. I will remain testing these tires long term to see how they will hold up under more miles. Check back for updates.

Features:
	Mono-spiral Kevlar belt (rear) construction in the rear tire for shock absorption and high speed stability.
	3D C.T.D.M. (Comprehensive Tire Design Method) is advanced tire design technology that enables dynamic, three-dimensional simulations of tire performance to find optimum design at all lean angles
	Dual Belt Construction in the rear tires improves corner grip, maneuverability and shock absorption
	Silica Rich Compound in the rear tires ensure excellent handling, providing a more consistent and longer lasting grip
Update:
	I have now put over 1500 miles on these tires riding on asphalt county roads, city streets and concrete highways. These tires performed quite well in all conditions ranging from hot dry days, to cooler mornings and wet roads. I experienced great grip, stability and response whenever I needed them to perform. This compound sticks to the road when you need it too and yet is quite impressive when it comes to wear. Looking at them now I see they will easily last another good 4,000 or more miles. I’m very happy if I can get 5,000 miles out of a set of sport/touring tires like these with my aggressive sport riding style.

Pros:
	Unique modern tread design that performs great in all conditions wet to dry
	High tack, High mileage compound that suits the casual touring to aggressive sporting rider
	Kevlar belt design provides smooth, confident shock response and stability
	High sport touring performance that is priced below its competitors
Cons:
	N/A

Bottom Line

If you are like me and your bike goes from weekday commuter to weekend warrior, these tires should definitely at the top of your wish list.
Note: Product in this review provided by Bridgestone USA
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