Bridgestone BT45s, first impression

[Ducati Scotty]

I got the tires scrubbed in and got my first chance to push them on dry pavement today.  It was just the morning commute at about 40mph but it was a twisty road. 

I really like the tires so far.  They turn in just a bit easier than the AM26s.  After the first few degrees of lean you can feel that the bike wants to drop into the lean more than then OEM tires.  They Avons were always very neutral.  They also feel more sure footed pushing through a curve.  The AM26s always felt a bit vague to me when leaned over, these are much more precise with no uncertainty.  They hold a line better and just feel more confident.  I never got that confident feeling with the AM26s.

I still haven't really pushed the lean angle and I want them a bit more scrubbed in before I push them hard in the wet, but so far they seem notably better than the AM26s.

Scott

[no bs]

same tires my 06 bonneville came with. i rode them real hard with no problems.

[Bulletman]

I got the tires scrubbed in and got my first chance to push them on dry pavement today.  It was just the morning commute at about 40mph but it was a twisty road. 

I really like the tires so far.  They turn in just a bit easier than the AM26s.  After the first few degrees of lean you can feel that the bike wants to drop into the lean more than then OEM tires.  They Avons were always very neutral.  They also feel more sure footed pushing through a curve.  The AM26s always felt a bit vague to me when leaned over, these are much more precise with no uncertainty.  They hold a line better and just feel more confident.  I never got that confident feeling with the AM26s.

I still haven't really pushed the lean angle and I want them a bit more scrubbed in before I push them hard in the wet, but so far they seem notably better than the AM26s.

Scott

Scotty,
What are the sizes, and where did you get them from? Id like to keep the reference for my C5 2011.
Cheers
Mark

[Ducati Scotty]

Same sizes as stock: 90/90 18 front, 110/80 18 rear.  I got them at Motorcycle Superstore intending to put them on myself.  They had a super sale on and I got both tires and tubes for around $200 delivered.  Putting them on was way too hard.  Next time I'll just have the local shop order and install them, since I ended up having them installed there anyway.

Scott

[Blairio]

My electra came complete with toolkit, inner tubes and a full set of cables. For the most part the toolkit is good, but the two enfield tire levers were a disaster. I tried changing a tire on my old 'frannie b' with them, and they pretty much bent in two.  There is definitely a case for carrying spare inner tubes and a pump on longer journeys, but I reckon stronger tire levers are called for - and three, rather than two of them.

[Ducati Scotty]

I bought two foot long tire levers for this job, still couldn't do it.  I gave them to my mechanic, I'll never use them again.  The front isn't so bad but the rear is an absolute bear.

Scott

[Ice]

I can vouch for the EMGO 9" forged steel tire levers. Tough as nails and fits in my tool bag.


I'm not sure if they still make the solid ones like I have.

Google search keeps bring up the ones with hex punches in the end.

[gremlin]

found this when I went looking for photos of BT45

http://www.ironbutt.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8226&PN=1

[barenekd]

Not a great Bridgestone fan, but after seeing this and noting their response, they can keep their frigging tires! Or should that be fragging!
I've certainly had tires exposed those temps in the past and never had anything crack like that!
Bare

[Ducati Scotty]

Hmmm..... shouldn't affect me since it doesn't get too cold where I live but thanks for the warning for everyone else Grem. 

I also wonder if this is just an aberration, a weird one off problem.  I suspect we'd hear about it more if it was more common but I also suspect Bridgestone's response would have been different.  It seems in that thread he did get a new Bridgestone, and I'm guessing they gave it to him since I don't suspect he would have paid for another one.

I'll keep an eye on mine.  Odd for a sport touring tire, sport touring bikes are often ridden in quite cold conditions.

Scott

[Ducati Scotty]

Got to push it hard today on the twisty road to work.  The tires are great!  Where the AM26 would start to feel vague and uncertain when the lean angle got steep the BT45 is precise, confident, and holds a line perfectly.  It also responds well it you change lines mid-corner, no complaints just predictability.  It's definitely less neutral and easier to throw into a turn than the AM26.  Hard braking is just fine too, feels really good and sticks like glue. 

I'll need to get some time on them in the wet but for now I'm hoping spring is here and I won't get to do that for some time

Scott

[WillW]

BT45s are great tyres - I have them on my W650, on which I do not go gentle..
I wanted some for my G5, currently I use AM26s - also great handling, but I've had some issues with cracks appearing in the treads, and they wear down fast. Avon replaced the last set when I sent them photos.
I seem to remember one or the other BT45s was unavailable in UK, I think the rear but I'd have to check.
I've never heard of anyone having a faulty one - many if not most W650 riders use them & swear by them.

[Ducati Scotty]

I think the problems from cold exposure that Grem pointed to are probably a fluke, but still something to keep in mind if you store or ride your bike in very cold temps.

Scott