After searching this forum and other sites out in the big wide internet, I have a question about the OEM BT015 tyres... (Firstly a bit of back story)...If you've seen my New Starter post you'll know that I've not yet got my Blade but I'm picking it up on Saturday ( ). It's an 08 and completely standard, that includes the tyres. The rubber essentially looks brand new (as it was a Honda display bike) and they are apparently the originals and have just less than 1.5k miles on them. They even have all those little rubber 'fingers' on them (you know, I've no idea what to call them ). So, back to the point - are they any good? Loads of people are saying that they are rubbish in the wet and need to warm up before you get any sort of traction out of them. I'm no racer (yet ) but I want to know that I'm not going to lose any grip if I hit a puddle going around a corner. Do you really have to push them before you start to see a problem, or would Slow-Jo be low-siding it at the first hint of drizzle? I know that the bike will be able to handle anything that I can thow at it, but can the tyres? This all may seem a bit dramatic, but as this is my 1st foray into the world of 1000cc bikes I want to be confident on them and not worry at the first sign of damp or cold. I've heard that you dont get much milage out of them anyway so I'm sure they'll be off relatively soon. Then the next 'What tyre should I buy' thread starts. Sorry for rambling - I guess the excitement is getting to me
There's a lot of tyre discussions on here and it is a real Marmite subject Stu. When the dust settled Dunlop Sportsmarts are the weapon of choice for most of the geezers on here who like to ...push on, and even they have recorded some 'moments'. But it's well worth you having a browse through the many, many pages in the archive on the subject.
That's fair enough. I did have a look for old posts so as to not ask the same old questions again, but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the reply, I'll have another search. I'm sure I'll be fine anyway, there's no way in my first few months I'll be pushing the bike near the tyre limits of the 015s. Sorry rehashing old questions.
The 015's aren't a bad tyre in terms of grip, they just won't last 5 minutes before they need changing.
I don't think it'll ever be resolved mate. It's too subjective a subject. There are people who scream about the OEM units, but like you say you'll be playing yourself in for a bit to start with anyway. At least they'll be scrubbed in for you, the most lethal time anyway. If there was a poll on here, I'm pretty certain the Dunlop's would win, there's a lot of opinions in their favour.
when people refer to OEM tyres does this mean the tyres it left the factory with rather than the tyre make/model the manufacturer fits to that model? I'm sure I read somewhere that OEM tyres were not the same as aftermarket tyres.....in other words a BT16 from the factory is different to a BT16 you'd buy from your local tyre fitter. Is there any truth to that or is that just nonsence? To the Op i have not ridden BT15, but have BT16', 23's, and S20's and liked them all. I'm no racer though, just fast road and the odd track day, but have ridden in all conditions including commuting on the blade in minus 10, and never had a bad word to say against the bridgestones, I love em.
As ken says the sportsmarts are top dog but the 015's will provide more than enough grip to have some fun
in the case of the BT 016 this is sort of true. Bikes come supplied with bt 016 but the aftermarket tyres are called the bt 016 pro
The BT016 Pro is a different and updated version of the BT016. You can buy both (or you could do when I was deciding which new tyre to get a few months ago)
Personal preference Stu!!! Experience of the bike, and different tyres! Mine had bridgestones from new! I kept them on for the next couple of changes. My experience tells me, I can push the front beyond belief when they're warmed right up, that said for me, they did taper off too much after about 1k. Rears unfortunately after about 700-800 miles would spin up pretty shockingly, going down a hill on a straight section. Predictable, but bloody annoying. I now use Michelin 2ct's. And apart from the front not totally planted feel like the bridge, it still does what I want. The rears are awesome, awesome grip to the last mil! Warming is quicker, wet seems about the same! Get the bike, if u decide to change tyres, do it now, don't wait. Unless they are brand new, you will then get the best experience of the tyre. Most of all, take it very easy mate, don't rush it, the bike will come to you. You will be a better rider for it, and the experience u gain from the tyres and bike can make u a better rider, and certainly more experienced. To sum up, these tyres were put on your bike by the builder!!! They ain't shite!
BT015 are made by Bridgestone for the fireblade, nothing wrong with the tyre, but with all sports bikes dont push the tyre when there cold.......... just worn mine out!
I've used BT014,015,016 and they all ore not bad but the are man other tyres that are much much better. I changed to 2CT which was a great tyre. The found sportsmarts and they have been the best tyre I have tried
Yet again the forum does not dissapoint. Thanks for the replies guys. I think I've been answered well enough. Let me just finish by saying - Less than 24 hours till pickup
