Following what can only be described as a rocket ascent from nonentity to the pinnacle of MotoGP achievement, Bridgestone has released a street tire based on its recent racing experiences. The BT016, successor to the BT014, is labeled as a performance street tire that's also suitable for the occasional track day, and features multiple compounds for both the front and rear tires. The front uses a three-layer compound, with the rear running five compounds for maximum wear resistance and phenomenal cornering grip.
The tires utilize Bridgestone's Mono-Spiral Belt (MSB), a continuously wound steel filament that runs the circumference of the tire to add stability and reduce growth at speed. The front tire's tread pattern incorporates grooves that cross the center line for better wet braking, while the rear tire has a limited center tread to improve drivability. The S-shape of the front grooves and the L-Shape of the rear grooves are designed to influence carcass deflection and thus tone characteristics such as stability and shock absorption across the tread's profile.
The front tire has two compounds,...
The front tire has two compounds, while the rear has three. The edge compounds are identical for both tires, with the center compound on the front the same as the transitional rubber on the rear. The center of the rear tire has a third, harder compound for better wear properties.
Bridgestone introduced the BT016 in Jerez, Spain. With a day on the MotoGP circuit and a day's street ride in the surrounding countryside, journalists were able to develop a good feel for these tires. I rode three 600s in the morning and was impressed with the traction, especially when trail-braking into turns. Rear grip was very good, although the edge compound overheated and got greasy when really pushed.
In the afternoon sessions I rode two 1000s, and the too-soft characteristic of the rear shoulders was even more evident. The bigger bikes worked the front tire hard enough that it also was overheating at the edge. Still, this degradation was consistent over each session and nothing to cause alarm, as feedback was excellent. For a street tire, performance on the track was astounding.
I rode a Kawasaki Z1000 on the following day's 80-mile street ride, and the tires displayed light, neutral steering characteristics and impressive grip on the roads' finely grained pavement. In this environment, the soft edge compound is a welcome feature, as it increases grip just when you want it most: fully tipped-in on a twisty road. For street riding the tires' grip is amazing, and there's no chance of them overheating.
Bridgestone BT016 Ultra High Performance Sport Tires
Price: $147-$247
Contact: Bridgestone
www.motorcycle-karttires.com
Verdict
4.5 stars out of 5
MotoGP sneakers for your street ride, with more traction than you could possibly use on the street.