| Author | Message | ||
     Naustin |
I was looking at Bridgestone's website and realized that the BT020 comes in several different versions for OEM specific applications: "B" special designator = VFR800 OEM Build "F" special Designator = ST1300 OEM Build "N" special designator = FJR1300 OEM Build There are actually 3 or 4 other special designators too, but those are the 3 correspond to rear tires that would fit my S3T. So my question is have people been paying attention to whether they are getting a generic BT020, or if they are getting one of these special builds? I did a little quick reading and the special build may have to do with sidewall stiffness, but it could easily also have slightly different compounds. This might account for the wildly different mileage reports on the BT020s... Has this been covered? My goal is the longest tire life, and I'm no kneedragger - so I was thinking of going with the "N" version of the BT020 as the FJR1300 is the heaviest, most powerful bike and therefore the tire should last longer on my S3T than say the VFR version, right?? | ||
| Blake |
Doubtful. More likely the sidewall is stiffer or something like that. The tread is likely the same. If you order from a mail-order house, you'll get the generic BT020. Good tires. I like 'em.  | ||
| Naustin |
Why whats the advantage/disadvantage of the stiffer sidewall, assuming that's the only difference? There must be a drawback, or they'd build the entire series with a sidewall stiff enough for the FJR. It would be cheaper to produce tires with uniform sidewalls rather than have 8 different versions that have to be manufactured in separate production runs... The fact that they incur the set-up costs to build weaker sidewall versions for lighter bikes must indicate that a lighter bike actually needs a more flexible sidewall, right? So why is that? Just to optimize ride and tire contact on rough roads? Or if not, are the variations just to save weight and cost on the tire? Is it possible that one of the OEM variations would be a better match than the generic version for the S3's or the XB's weight and geometry? Or maybe this is all just splitting hairs?? | ||
| Blake |
Heavier bike ... stiffer sidewall. I don't know, I'm just guessing. It could be for a nonstandard rim width or reduced mass or something like that. I know the old OEM Dunlops on the Buell XB models were special lighter weight versions of the D207 model tires. Tires are also part of a bike's suspension. Not sure it is splitting hairs. Use the tire version that the tire manufacturer recommends for your particular model motorcycle. If you go through the manufacturer's tire selection process it will point you to the generic model unless that brand supplied the OEM tires. Then you get the OEM version. Bridgestone doesn't seem to care about selling to Buell riders as they don't include Buell motorcycles in their fitment guide, only BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha. For the BT020 they do say the following: Compounds and constructions will vary to suit the weight, horsepower and handling characteristics of the model for which each tire was designed.Some "Sport Touring" bikes a very heavy and have more HP, so they need heavier duty tires. Makes sense, no? Again, I'm no expert on the subject. So please do ask the tire manufacturer(s) and let us know what they say. Here's some links... Bridgestone Metzeler Michelin Pirelli Dunlop | ||
| Naustin |
Compounds and constructions will vary to suit the weight, horsepower and handling characteristics of the model for which each tire was designed. So, the sidewall rigidity and the compound does differ on the different BT020 versions, despite being the same size and speed rating... Accepting that the FJR1300's "N" version of the BT020 has a stiffer sidewall and possibly a slightly different tread compound mixture - i.e. heavier duty - wouldn't that make it even better for the S3T in terms of mileage? Might be worth a try if grip is not a primary concern - as long as that stiffer sidewall did not adversely affect handling. Ridegear offers the BT020 in most of the sizes, and carries several of the different "versions" too, including the three I mentioned above. I may have to give Bridgestone a call and see what they say about the generic BT020 vs the BT020N. Unfortunately the customer service geek will likely not possess the technical knowledge to adequately answer my question and I rather doubt they'll put me through to the engineering dept. LOL I was hoping someone around here would already have noticed the different versions of the BT020 and done their own experiment. Looks like it might be up to me. PS - I emailed Brigestone about this 9-27-06} (Message edited by naustin on September 27, 2006) | ||
| Blake |
"Unfortunately the customer service geek will likely not possess the technical knowledge to adequately answer my question and I rather doubt they'll put me through to the engineering dept." I know exactly what you are talking about. The last Mobil-1 "engineer" that I spoke to didn't know that the viscosity grading for crankcase and transmission lubes are based upon two entirely different scales. Frightening ignorance that. The best, most knowledgeable tire guys show up at the racetrack and are usually very knowledgeable about street tires too. You sure raise an interesting question. What you might find is that the version designed for heavier bikes might not achieve optimum operating temperature and thus sacrifice traction. But I'm again, just guessing. A heavier tire certainly is not a desirable thing from the viewpoint of suspension performance. Let us know what you learn. | ||
| Naustin |
From Bridgestone Tire Rep: The only BT020 tire we can recommend for your S3T is the Standard BT020 tire. The rear tire will have a letter “U” on it. The other versions should not cause any handling issues but we’ve seen very rapid wear in some cases where OE spec tires are fitted on other bikes. An OE spec tire is tailor made to give a bike specific handling characteristics that the OEM is looking for. One thing to keep in mind is that even though two bikes may weight about the same, the weight distribution may be different as well as the rake and trail of the bike. With the 5.5” wheel on your bike I would definitely go with the 180 rear given your frequent load situation. Thanks, Kevin Hunley Motorcycle/Kart Account Representative Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC Ph. (615)937-3334 Fax (615)937-3431 That's about all I expected... I wonder though if the Bridgestone Rep's comment about rake and trail suggests that the profile of these other versions could be different? (Message edited by naustin on September 28, 2006) (Message edited by naustin on September 28, 2006) |
