Blackbird Tyre Choice

[blackbird031060]

Hi Guys 'n Gals
I have only just bought my Blackbird (2004 Blue ) ( traded in a 1999 'Blade ) but have a question:-

The dealer fitted a new Bridgestone BT57 on the rear which seems great but I was wondering if any of you have had experience with dual compound tyres eg Bridgestone BT45?
Do they feel any different in the wet/dry?
Do they really last longer?
Whats the grip level like?

Any comments gratefully accepted.
P.S. I live in Warwickshire (Rugby) and wouldnt mind a ride out with someone at some point soon.
Cheers
Dave

 

[stanbloke]

Bridgestone

hiya,

As far as i know, the only tyre that Bridgestone reccommends for the bird ( apart from BT56) is the BT020.

there is a "bird specific" 020 made, just put a set on mine, tyre choice is yours mate, but the 020 is a dual compound, soft on the sides (010) and harder in the centre( 020 ).

dont know how long they last tho, mine only done 1000mls so far.

have fun.:dunno:

 

[blackbird031060]

hiya,

As far as i know, the only tyre that Bridgestone reccommends for the bird ( apart from BT56) is the BT020.

there is a "bird specific" 020 made, just put a set on mine, tyre choice is yours mate, but the 020 is a dual compound, soft on the sides (010) and harder in the centre( 020 ).

dont know how long they last tho, mine only done 1000mls so far.

have fun.:dunno:

Cheers stanbloke
I have looked at Bridgestone's website and the BT20 seems ideal; the BT57 is "especially designed for imported and re-imported big bikes??"
It seems ok but I will swap to a BT20 when the 57 is shagged.
Cheers
Dave

 

[stan the man]

very popular tyre with peeps on here is the avon azaro 45/46ST's(bird specific)can highly recommend them myself,great mileage giver and don't cost the earth.

HTH

 

[Greb]

Yes i'm in a similar situation,the factory fitted dunlops are getting ready to be changed at 4600 miles now,so i can't make my mind up between the b/stones or the avons:dunno:

 

[ogr1]

I use BT45's on me fj1200, good all round weather tyre, get around 6 t0 8 thousand miles, the front tyre does tend to wear away far quicker due to the duel compound hard middle - soft edges. The fj is a far heavier bike as well, approx 8 stone difference.
Hope this helps?

 

[Judge Dredd]

dont know how long they last tho, mine only done 1000mls so far.

I get about 5k out of a rear O2O and it gets used R#?

 

[Rods]

try doing a search under tyres on either the help or coffee shop sections and you'll get loads of could threads regarding this topic.


me - i've had bt020's and azaros on the bird. sticking with the avon azaros now - more mileage, more feel, and cheaper :yo:

 

[stormer]

The Avons are tops, never going back, fully converted, no squaring off, perfect grip even in heavy wet.....................and cheaper :yo:

 

[bikesnoopy]

I use BT45's on me fj1200, good all round weather tyre, get around 6 t0 8 thousand miles, the front tyre does tend to wear away far quicker due to the duel compound hard middle - soft edges. The fj is a far heavier bike as well, approx 8 stone difference.
Hope this helps?

The BT45 is a crossply tyre and of a design dating back about 12 years.It doesnt have a dual compound. Its ok for high mileage on commuters & old bikes with narrow wheels,but even if they made it in a size that would fit the Blackbird,it would be foolhardy to fit such an out of date tyre design on such a high performance machine. I think they only speed rate them to 130mph,too as they really are a commuter tyre.
Prehaps they work ok on the FJ because they were the best tyres availble for a bike designed in the 80's & the suspension was designed to work with the tyres that were available at that time...but they have no place on a fast modern bike...bl4hbl4h

 

[ianrobbo1]

The BT45 is a crossply tyre and of a design dating back about 12 years.It doesn't have a dual compound. Its ok for high mileage on commuters & old bikes with narrow wheels,but even if they made it in a size that would fit the Blackbird,it would be foolhardy to fit such an out of date tyre design on such a high performance machine. I think they only speed rate them to 130mph,too as they really are a commuter tyre.
Perhaps they work ok on the FJ because they were the best tyres available for a bike designed in the 80's & the suspension was designed to work with the tyres that were available at that time...but they have no place on a fast modern bike...bl4hbl4h

I concur with all the above, you cant compare an FJ to a bird tyre-wise!! have a search on tyres and you will find a LOT of people use either the 020's or Avon's, with a "sprinkling" of other types Dungplops etc,
I used to use 020's, now use the Avon's!! no problem in either case :dunno:

 

[ogr1]

The BT45 is a crossply tyre and of a design dating back about 12 years.It doesnt have a dual compound. Its ok for high mileage on commuters & old bikes with narrow wheels,but even if they made it in a size that would fit the Blackbird,it would be foolhardy to fit such an out of date tyre design on such a high performance machine. I think they only speed rate them to 130mph,too as they really are a commuter tyre.
Prehaps they work ok on the FJ because they were the best tyres availble for a bike designed in the 80's & the suspension was designed to work with the tyres that were available at that time...but they have no place on a fast modern bike...bl4hbl4h

Yeah sure...I did not mean duel compound in the purest sense.
The BT 45's design is called SACT = Straight and cornering Technology...
The middle of the tyre is of a harder compound than the side of the tyre,
and no there is no BT45 for the bird, unless you wanna put smaller rims on?
Don't all shout at me at the same time..I know it's irrelevantbl4hbl4h
Anyway.... 150mph on the FJ is quick enough:yo:

 

[Steamy]

The BT45 is a crossply tyre and of a design dating back about 12 years.It doesnt have a dual compound. Its ok for high mileage on commuters & old bikes with narrow wheels,but even if they made it in a size that would fit the Blackbird,it would be foolhardy to fit such an out of date tyre design on such a high performance machine. I think they only speed rate them to 130mph,too as they really are a commuter tyre.
Prehaps they work ok on the FJ because they were the best tyres availble for a bike designed in the 80's & the suspension was designed to work with the tyres that were available at that time...but they have no place on a fast modern bike...bl4hbl4h

The BT45 is NOT a crossply, crossply tyres were last used in the late 70's and were only for use on things like the old Morris Minor! They, and all tyres now, are radial and the BT45 is a Z rated tyre which means it's good for 165mph.

However, when we have a 70mph speed limit when will you use it, ha ha!

BTW, I grew up in a "tyre" household as my Dad was a developer for Michelin and I spent two years working for Tyre Technology International, so I guess I should know what I'm talking about.

 

[Stealth Rider]

very popular tyre with peeps on here is the avon azaro 45/46ST's(bird specific)can highly recommend them myself,great mileage giver and don't cost the earth.

HTH

SHHHH don't let Blumeeni here you say that,otherwise there will be a domestic b0x1

 

[bikesnoopy]

Steamy...i think you'll find the BT45 IS a crossply...

 

[bikesnoopy]

OGR1...I wasnt shouting at you...just providing some information,as i was working for Avon Tyres at the time that the BT45 came out & it was part of my job to know about competitors products & how they compared to Avon's products...but if you THINK ive spoken duff information,thats fine.
Just telling it like it is...

 

[Steamy]

Steamy...i think you'll find the BT45 IS a crossply...

Snoopy, sorry mate but you are actually wrong. I'm not often right so I'm going to stick to my guns on this one. There is no such thing as a crossply tyre anymore. They are a dual compound tyre, and are definitely radials. If you go to bridgestone.com there is all the information you need on their tyres.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I wouldn't want anybody to get the wrong information or confused especially as tyres are the only part of the bike that has contact with the road and are vitally important pieces of equipment.

BTW, I'm currently running Metzeler MT01's as they are a very good winter tyre. However, they won't last through the summer and I will be running BT020's as I think they are far superior to anything else and I always use them irrespective of what bike I'm riding.

 

[ogr1]

OGR1...I wasnt shouting at you...just providing some information,as i was working for Avon Tyres at the time that the BT45 came out & it was part of my job to know about competitors products & how they compared to Avon's products...but if you THINK ive spoken duff information,thats fine.
Just telling it like it is...

No prob's B/S...I was joking, all irrelevant now, cause I'm buying a bird....so long FJ1200:cry: ya served me well.

 

[kenneth B]

I have been using coniattacks road and i really like them over the bridgestones and they cost less. I have used them to drag and on a track day and love them well worth a try i paid ?180 for a set which was cheaper than bridgestone.

 

[Jaws]

I have NO idea if the 45 is a xply or not.. but I do know it really is not suitable for use on a Bird..

The 020 ( bird specific ) is the best BS has to offer for the Bird ( shame they are STILL using 12 year old technology and they STILL square off faster than a loaf of bread ) !

I have now been using the Avon St's for the past 3 years apart from brief sojourns with what various other makers have to offer..

So far I have yet to find anything that has a good wear rate yet sticks to the road like dog doo to a wedding dress than the ST45 ST46 combo from Avon.

I do not sell tyres .. One reason I don't is cos folk could say I am recomending what I flog.. by not flogging tyres I have no axe to grind..
What I recomend comes from my heart not my wallet

But !!!

If I DID sell tyres it would def have to be the Avons anyway !! :bow: