Bridgestone Battlax - only got 1900 miles out of the front tire

[ionbeam]

Difference in customer service, this is from a post I wrote in June 2007:

A couple of weeks ago I pulled my FJR into the garage with it handling as good as could be expected with a set of toasted (Diablo) Stradas (10k miles). I put on a set of new Stradas and within 1/4 mile it was apparent that I had wicked handle bar oscillations between 40-50 mph

The oscillations were there during accel, decel, steady speed, braking or any other situation where the front wheel was on the ground. The following day I told the dealer (that sold me the tires at online prices) about the nasty side to side oscillations and what I had done to troubleshoot the problem. Monsoon rains and a holed radiator

kept me from going back to the dealer for a couple of weeks. When I did return the service manager said that he had talked to the Pirelli rep and he had authorization to replace my tire, bring it in

WTF, no fight? A service manager that took initiative to resolve an issue after only a casual conversation with a customer? So off with the new tire and on with the newer tire and -- AHHHH -- oscillations gone, bikie handles sweet.

During the diagnostics with the first tire I did discover that my front rim is ever so slightly bent

Lateral and circumference run-out is within factory specs but just barely. There is a chance that this slight distortion and the construction of the first tire were at odds causing the problem. The distortion in my rim is so slight that it takes a run-out gauge to find it. Some of youse guys with handling problems after a tire change may want to check your rims.

Now in 2013 and with 97k miles on my FJR I have never had another problem with oscillating handlebars with the same ever so slightly distorted rim. I have had only one set of tires that totally sucked since then -- BT-023 GTs. I guess the rear tire I got was not of typical quality because I had issues with handling, traction and had a very short tread life.

 

[mojo621]

So it's round 2 with a different executive at Bridgestone and it was a different conversation today. The discussion was more about the tire and the bad experience rather than the number of bikes in the stable and personal achievements. I have to say that the channels are working and I am getting responses from the corporation. This is a plus 1.

We've moved the chains so to speak... in that we're aligning the efforts to find the root cause of the premature tire wear. Phone numbers were exchanged, calls and email with photos will be made next week after the holiday and things will sync up with engineering and Yamaha. At least this is the goal.

Parts of the conversation revolved around the fact that you could get 20 riders in a room and 10 would say they like the 021's and 10 would say that they had problems. All things being considered you'd have to add experience and fair weather riders to the equation to get some better numbers but we agreed that in this case the 1900 miles does not make any sense at all. We are in agreement with that fact. In other parts we talked about the 021 vs the 023 and the differences between the two tires. The 023 is a totally different animal.

And finally, the words that I wanted to hear... "the safety of the end user". As I said earlier this conversation... it is not about personal achievements or the number of bikes you have owned or have in the garage. This discussion is about the life that is riding on your product.

Next week brings another set of hurdles to clear but we should have more information to work with Yamaha adding to the mix.

 

[nankoweap]

I'm glad my 2013 was delivered with 023's. Over all, I don't mind the tire at all, but I haven't ridden it through a turd-floater yet. And it doesn't appear that it will hold up for 8K+ either, but that's because I haven't been light on the throttle.

Anyway, hope you get the issues addressed to your satisfaction. Thanks for keeping us abreast of what's happening too.

 

[mcatrophy]

... but I haven't ridden it through a turd-floater yet. And it doesn't appear that it will hold up for 8K+ either, but that's because I haven't been light on the throttle.

I recently hit a minor flood, something like 3 inches of water, maybe 50 feet long. I was doing around 60mph. Bike slowed considerably, but not the slightest sign of either tyre losing grip (even my sphincter was gripping well). Both tyres were 023s with about 4000 miles. The rear I later changed out at 4500, it was worn virtually to the wear bars (the legal limit here in the UK), the front I'm keeping on, it's probably 2/3 worn - with no sign of the nastiness of the old 021 front (which in my experience became "difficult" after about 2000 miles).
The point is that these tyres can shift water and remain stable even when well worn. Although they do throw water up my pants' legs and into my boots .

Where I think it's more difficult for a tyre to grip is on a damp road when there's not been enough rain to wash the dust, dirt and oil off the surface. I have no complaints with these, whereas some tyres I've had on have been poor-to-scarey.

As for mileage, I've never got more than about 5000 out of any rear (down to the wear bars), or 9000 on the front. To me that's the price to be paid for "enjoying" my motorcycling .

 

[dcarver]

Gotta give mojo621 some props for taking the initiative, keeping a cool head, and for having patience to allow the process to grind through to solution, whatever that might be. I shoulda done the same thing when I had problems with Avon Storms circa 2006. Kudos.

 

[mojo621]

Last Friday the Bridgestone rep said he would call the dealership this week, get some information about the tire, sort this thing out, and let me know what they can do.

True to his word he gave me a call Thursday to let me know that he did in fact, talk to the dealer. Yamaha corporate has the tire so he can't physically see it but special thanks go out to the dealer for taking some photos while it was still on the bike. They exchanged info via email and I should have some kind of ruling next week.

Things are looking really good and I'm really encouraged by the dialogue. The new Bridgestone guy is top notch.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

While I applaud your tenacity and in no way wish to discourage you, what is your ultimate goal here? If it is to get a new Bridgestone Battlax BT-021 for free...Why?

I am curious as to what they do for you and I wish you the best. You have certainly made them take notice. Of course, the dismal sales of the 021 had already been noticed...

 

[mojo621]

RH - It would be insane to replace it with another 021. I don't trust the tire at all in the rain and the wear issue alone is a deal breaker. Both the front and rear 021 have horrible adhesion properties. The conversation is for a replacement 023 GT which has had good reviews and of better wet adhesion.

The conversation with Bridgestone has been really good. The rep I'm talking to is doing what he said he would do and that is huge in my opinion and this is why I am optimistic. My ultimate goal? I would be happy with a tire or voucher for a tire. I've already put a Michelin PR3 on the front.

I feel confident that there will be a positive outcome in this situation. There are to many good people working on it. Call me crazy, it's just the way I look a things.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Again, I applaud you for taking it as far as you have. I was hoping you were not trying to get a new BT-021.

 

[mikebike]

Mojo..... you are Crazy!!!

Just trying to do what you asked buddy. 25 days till I am back in the Georgia Mountains.... will miss you fishtailing in my rearview mirrors

 

[mojo621]

You riding solo or in a group?

 

[bwv]

I just sent Bridgestone a polite and information filled "contact us" message about the less than expected level of performance and short life my front 021 had and how much better the new 023gt feels after putting 400 on it... I'll keep you posted. I'm not expecting a lot out of it.. but as was stated here several times... if we dont tell them.. who will? I'd be happy with a thanks for letting us know and a free hat...but a break on or coupon towards the next tire would be nice.

 

[mojo621]

BWV - Good luck to you sir.

 

[bwv]

Thank you for planting the idea. I'll post up if i hear back. Nothing so far.

 

[FJR Bill]

Well this conversation can go on forever like all tire threads. I bought my 2009 with 4800 miles with OEM Bridgstone tires. I didn't test ride the bike because I had already driven a FJR and knew how it handled. My 10 mile trip home made me think I just screwed the pooch buying this bike. The front end was a turd. Heaviest steering I've ever experienced. Put about 1000 miles on it and figured I made a bad purchase getting the FJR, I HATED the steering. Reading threads here I replaced the tire even tho it had lots of life in it. Can't remember what I replaced it with but it was like an entirely different bike and I've been in love ever since. PR2's have been on it for the last 35,000 miles. I think the FJR is more sensitive to front tire choice than other bikes. But the Battlax seems to be the worst tire out there for this bike. You won't find me mount any Bridgestone on my FJR. While I might consider them for my other bikes.

Bill

 

[FJR Bill]

Took the new 2012 in for the 600 mile service. I was on a road trip and put 1400 miles on it. So the total miles on the Battlax front tire is only 1900 and it's down to the wear bar. What the heck?

The service tech tells me my front tire is shot... which explains the crappy handling in the rain (I'm not real crazy about these tires). So lots of photos taken and emails to Bridgestone to understand why these wore out so fast.

Has anyone else had this happen to the front tire?

Tire pressure was checked every other morning on the trip. 39.5 lbs consistent.

With that low mileage I'm sure you had a deffective tire that missed quality control inspection. I have another bike that I use Michelin's. Usually get 12,000 miles on the rear tire. However one tire I bought was worn out at about 3000 miles. Must have been a bad batch of rubber compound or something. Bill

 

[SLK50]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="FJR Bill" data-cid="1095844" data-time="1379798598"><p>

<em class='bbc'>Well this conversation can go on forever like all tire threads. I bought my 2009 with 4800 miles with OEM Bridgstone tires. I didn't test ride the bike because I had already driven a FJR and knew how it handled. My 10 mile trip home made me think I just screwed the pooch buying this bike. The front end was a turd. Heaviest steering I've ever experienced. Put about 1000 miles on it and figured I made a bad purchase getting the FJR, I HATED the steering. Reading threads here I replaced the tire even tho it had lots of life in it. Can't remember what I replaced it with but it was like an entirely different bike and I've been in love ever since. PR2's have been on it for the last 35,000 miles. I think the FJR is more sensitive to front tire choice than other bikes. But the Battlax seems to be the worst tire out there for this bike. You won't find me mount any Bridgestone on my FJR. While I might consider them for my other bikes.</em><br />

<em class='bbc'>Bill</em></p></blockquote>

I felt similarly, until I tried Angels and now BT-023 GTs. Now, I'll never go

back to PR2s and feel that for the first time my FJR handles they way

it was intended.

 

[bwv]

They called.. Birdgestone.. Guy said he was an engineer.

Basically... told me it was tire pressure.. and that if I felt it warranted it, take it to my dealer, who should be instructed to send it to Tucker Rocky (who, he stated, is the distrubutor for tires for yamaha dealers)who would then determine the cause of failure and issue a warranty, through my dealer, at a prorated price, for a replacmet of the same tire....

I said cant be air pressure.. i check it.. have 3 guages to compare, and run the 39 psi that yamaha recommends.

he told me 41 is what to run.

i responded that Yamaha made the bike, they spent, millions engineering this machine, who was I to argue with that engineering, and why would it cause the tire to wear so horribly worng.

... went back and forth for a while.. ending with him telling me the BT 023 was a better choice and that i will be happeir with those.

I'm done. That was a waste of my time and effort.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

First, 41 PSI is the forum consensus. The tire will last longer with 41 psi.

Second, it was only a waste if you completely missed your opportunity. The correct response to him telling you the BT-023 was a better choice would have been, "No you are wrong. Any tire that does NOT have the Bridgestone name on the side will be the correct choice."

Honestly, I don't see you guys getting much satisfaction out of this. Bridgestone already knows the 021 is junk.

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

Just ordered a set of Battlax BT-023-GT from motorcycle superstore. I figured I'd give these a try based on this thread. Will never order another set of Michelin PR3's . Hate the extra horizontal tread pattern and the front tire is scalloping those lines at the dual compound side ridge and causing it to feel squirrelly in the twisties. Plus the rear tire is shot at 5,000 miles and it's a much more expensive tire!

Battlax BT-023-GT

$155.99 Ordered the wider 190/55 rear tire

$117.99 Standard front 120/70 tire

Free Shipping

$273.98 total