Bridgestone Battlax Bt-016
Bridgestone Battlax BT-016
CW EVALUATION
Up to speed with the layered look
BRIDGESTONE WON THE MOTOGP TItle with Casey Stoner and Ducati last year, so expectations for the Japanese tire-maker's new DOT-approved Battlax BT016 "hypersport" street tires were understandably high. We flew to Jerez, Spain, one of the few racetracks on the MotoGP schedule where Stoner hasn't enjoyed top-rung success, to test the latest radials on both road and track.
Like their predecessors, the BT-014s, the zero-degree, mono-spiral-belt BT-016s are positioned in the broad middle ground between "race" and "sport-touring." Tech nology carried over from Bridgestone's MotoGP program was noted at the press briefing, along with claims of improved feel, grip and stability, plus enhanced du rability and reduced road noise.
We selected a Ducati Hypermotard for the road portion of the test. After a short highway stint, we exited onto a rural backroad where we encountered some fast sweepers paralleling a scenic lake. Air temperature was cool and our pace brisk, yet the BT-016s warmed up quickly and provided good traction.
An even narrower road with no cen terline led to a series of blind switchbacks. There was no need to worry, though; Bridgestone's 3 Layer Compound (3LC) front tire with its S-shaped diagonal grooving performed well. Even when pushed beyond the limits of adhesion, the L-patterned 5LC rear slid smoothly and predictably. With the added security provided by the soft-compound shoul ders, we were able to lean all the way to the edge. Halfway through the 50-mile ride through the AndalucIa hillsides, the road became narrower yet and elevation changes more pronounced. Talk about Hypermotard heaven!
Such hard riding really tore up the rear tire, and it became clear that the com pounds were wearing at different rates. After a short highway ride back to the Monte Castillo resort, however, the feath ered seams had smoothed out.
For the track portion of the test, we spent time on a KTM RC8 and some li ter-class Japanese inline-Fours. The tires worked very well on-track until sustained full-lean cornering, at which point they would start to squirm just enough to sig nal that they were running out of grip.
Not surprising, since the tires were not intended for aggressive track use. The BT 01 6s are designed as hypersport street tires, and our limited experience with them under those conditions showed that they offer quick warm-up, good feedback and consistent grip. Tough to argue with that.
DETAILS
Bridgestone/Firestone 535 Marriott Dr. Nashville, TN 37214 800/847-3272 www.motorcycle-karttires.com
Price.. .$164 front, $192 rear
ps A Linear turn-in; predictable, consistent feedback A Currently only mass-produced, fivelayer-compound tire A Original fitment on 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 and Suzuki GSX-R600/750 ,,owns v Compound seams clearly visible V On-track, soft shoulders strain under stress of a 1 000cc racer replica v Possible uneven wear
