Stock Bridgestones

[SilveradoSlick]

Ya know, the stock 'Stones ain't bad. I was out riding around in the rain last night and was reminded of just how well they stick in the wet stuff. They stick pretty well on dry pavement too. Given all the horror stories about the Metzes, I'm glad I got the 'Stones.

 

[radman]

I'm glad you got them too then.

 

[mbottoms]

Mine came with Stones.

Started making wierd noises and freeky vibrations after 3000-3500 miles.

I put some strada's on before I went to EOM 5 and you won't believe the improvement.

Get rid of the "Stones"

Mark

 

[Caba]

My 04 had the stones and they weren't bad. However, once they hit the wear bars , they started to evaporate amazingly fast. Went to Avons and I don't think I'll ever look back.

 

[Bounce]

I had no complaints about my OEM Stones.

Except for the front cupping like a mo fo at 4k miles.

And the rear only lastin 6k miles.

Both the Mich Pilot Roads and the Avon ST45/46's have been light years ahead of the Stones for both performance and longevity imo.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Of all I've tried, Metz, Mich, and Stones -- I like the 'Stones best on mountain roads. I like they way the "take a set" in a corner and seem to turn-in quicker (to me)? Mich's seem good all 'round and are what's on the bike now. Metz's didn't do it for me. ymmv

 

[JREW]

My complaint with the Stones was the front cupping. I have to say I'm happier with the new Pilots though, better handling.

 

[donaldb]

my front battlax is cupped, been that way for the last 1500 miles. I can only notice it in the curves a bit of vibration, worse at low speed. There is still good wear left on both the front and back w/5k miles on them. Suspect I will replace the front as we approach real riding weather again and likely go w/Avon based upon what I have picked up here on this forum site. My ckn strips are narrow--I'm an old man, so until the cupping gets worse I see no real need to replace at this point.

 

[SilveradoSlick]

I agree the Bridgestones cup and don't last too long (shoulda changed them at 4,500 mi.) and I like the Avons better, but the Stones grip pretty well, especially in the rain. I've been driving around on wet roads recently and the Stones have performed very well. They've only slipped a little, and the slippage was very predictable. I haven't ridden the Pirellis, but I don't think I've ridden anything better in the rain.

 

[vinnie]

still waiting to hear about new FJR "specific" Pirelli Stradas. Someone mentioned this on a thread once before but haven't heard more.

wearing second set of Bridgestones right now on the FJR. Putting a couple of extra pounds on front to see if it helps with the cupping problem. Have always been happy with Battlax but have usually gotten better mileage with other bikes. (My Trophy 900 got 9000 miles from a BStone rear and 11000 from the BS front -the Trophy 1200 got 8000 from rear and about 10K from front -that's no BS!)

Will probably give the Stradas a try for next set. Pirellis Diablos were usually pretty sticky. Hope Stradas are...

 

[Fastfar]

Me thinks the cupping on the 'stones is a product of the tread block pattern, it seems almost universal in occurence, whereas the approval/acceptance of the Avons is near universal as well. Metzeler has been crossed off the list for both of my bikes...

 

[Geezer]

I still run MEX tires on my vintage Maxim. I have had no problems with the MEZ 33 and 99 tires or the 55A on that bike. I love the Avons on the FJR.

 

[dcarver]

Kendas. Cheap. Reliable. Great traction. Better tasting. Less filling. No cupping. Wear forever. Best tyre available..

 

[gulag]

I'll never know about Bridgestones. Part of the deal on my 06' is Avons from the gitgo.

 

[user 357]

I had 2 sets of Stones on my 05 and both were replaced with less than 6000 miles.....Both sets also howled at me in the turns starting around 3000 miles.....kinda like a loud hummmmmm......

I now have 700 miles on my Avons and so far I think they ride softer... It may be because the avons have deeper tread to start with when new...

I did not experience the wiggles some folks experience at very slow startup speed with the Avons....

The Avons did require alot of weights to get them balanced....

 

[Blue Meanie]

I'm surprised to see how many praise the Stones in the rain

The first time taking an extended group ride in the rain went something like this: I overshot a turn-off, and waited to see what the ABS would do. The ass end kicked out about 1 1/2 feet. Flat Trackin' it in the rain. :fool:

Anyway, major sphincter tightening occurred. I got off the binders and straightened it up, and then made the corner (even got a “thumbs up” from the guy riding behind me).

But, I’ve lost my faith in the Stones in the rain.

 

[leebunyard]

The OEM Bridgestones on my '04 FJR lasted 10,750 miles and they were OK, not great just OK. I didn't consider them great on wet roads and they did have an annoying howl at high speed, and the front tire developed cupping at about the 5000-6000 mile point.

I have about 12,250 miles now on Avons, they are FAR superior, virtually no cupping on the front tire, no vibration and fantastic on wet roads. I love 'em. Will probably get around 13,000 miles before fully hitting the wear bars on both front and rear tires. Already have a new set of Avons in the garage ready to be mounted shortly.

Lee in the Mountains of Northern California

 

[Getsum]

I got 5700 miles out of my stock Bridgestone’s with the rear tire just past the wear bars and the front just about to them. I had no complaints with them but I wanted to try something different so I went with the Dunlop D208's and I'm happy with those. But the D208's more of a sport bike tire so really it's comparing apples and oranges.

 

[Gleno]

My only experience with Stones were the OE hoops on my Gixx 1k. Whatta nightmare. They were replaced at 1500 miles. I've NEVER had a tire slide so bad in my 25 years and 300K miles. Ever. Total crap IMHO.

The Feejer (I bought used) came with Pilot Roads on it. They are currently square from commuting, and give me fits in the local twisty bits.

Avons are en route right now.

FWIW, YMMV, Etc.....