They've got alot of ground to cover after putting out a product as bad as the bt021. They lost me for good through that debacle. Especially when these Avon sport touring ultra are now out and about.
recently had a set of these installed and after close to a 1000 miles i'm very impressed. After using up sets of michelins and metzlers I decided to try these GT spec tires. For the first couple days I was a little nervous. Never have I experienced such a difference in handling and feel from a tire change. The best I can describe the ride now is effortless. I'll post after a couple thousand more miles.
Having just travelled down to south of Barcelona taken in Motogp of Catalunya, covered 2,500miles in 4.5 days with one day riding 750miles from Rouen to the hotel in Spain. I can say my PR2's coped admirably. I shall be trying the Dunlop Roadsmarts next time.
Not racking up too many miles since I've got mine on--I think I have maybe 2500 on them. So far I really love how they handle. They are definitely more round on the front and back than the 021's were at this point. I should get in one more longer ride this fall to take them over 4000 miles so we'll see. My 021's were gone by 4K.
The set of Bridgestone BT023's I had fitted in April have now had to be changed in an emergency whilst on a trip in the south of France. I experienced rapid wear on the rear tyre having left home with 3mm + of tread. It tore up within 1200 miles right across the tread pattern down to the bare threads under the rubber. No madness of riding was taking place amongst the dozen bikes also with me on the trip.
Is it possible you didn't have the "GT" spec mounted? I've got almost 4000 miles on my GT spec 023's and the front is still almost perfectly round (no cupping) and the back is still good with a slight flat spot beginning. For comparison, same roads, same load and riding style, my stock 021's were gone at this point (4000 miles) and my Michelin PR (not II) were cupping and flat spotted at about 4500 miles. So, it looks to me like this will far outlast both of those...I also really like the ride and handling of them.
May I suggest it's not as difficult as you are making it? The GT spec is for the FJR, and only comes in the size for the FJR. So, you get the one made for the FJR...which doesn't really seem that complicated.
Yes it is, because most of the mail-order people/systems out there haven't heard of subtypes for tires, and neither have the local dealers, for whom you usually have to explain things in single syllables. Plus "special" low-quantity tires are usually 10% more expensive than the "regular" ones if you can find them (not that I've priced them, just past experience)
