Tires Bridgestone BT-021F vs BT-023F vs others?

[nhrjw]

New member here hoping to get some information on front tires. Have a 2012 FJR that I bought used with 1500 miles on it. Bike now has 5300 miles on it and the front tire is shot. I called Bridgestone, and they really weren't much help. Apparently the BT-021F was a tire they made specifically for Yamaha for the FJR (possibly other Yamaha models). Well, it seems you can no longer buy the BT-021 any more and they have been replaced by the BT-023.

I know this sounds stupid, but there probably should not be any problems mixing the OEM BT-021 on the rear with a new BT-023 on the front. Does anyone run a different front manufacturer with a different rear?

Anyone weigh in with some recommendations on a good front tire to run with the BT-021 on the rear?

Thanks for your help!

 

[MCRIDER007]

The BT-023 or any other premium tire will be a big improvement over the BT-021....and mixing front and rear tires should not be a problem as long as they are both radial tires.

 

[jmgrif]

If you can afford to get rid of both tires and consider another brand being polled on this forum. I would give you my recommendation but I'm only one with a few friends who follow my pick? Certainly the BT 021 sucks, and many here have had similar experience without much support, either from their dealer or from Bridgestone! There are much better tires out there.

 

[SLK50]

5300 miles on a BT-021 is pretty good.

I never got more than 3500 ( twice ).

BT-023 is much better. GT version better still.

However, it ( GT ) too has been discontinued,

replaced by the T-30, which IMO, is the

best one yet.

 

[TomInPA]

If you have tread on the old BT021 on the rear, you won't for long. Get the new T-30 GT. Great tire with much better wear, and very good handling from start to finish. Many members here also prefer the Michelin Pilot Road 2 or 4 for long wear. The bike could care less if you mix tire brands or treads as long as you dont mix radio and bias ply on the bike. Any tire will wear better than the BT021. I killed mine in 3500 miles while trying to put enough miles on the bike to register a bike from Reno in CA as used.

 

[gregory]

Can't post the link from work, but go to parts and accessories and find Fred W's Big new tire poll pinned to the top for the latest forum wisdom on tires.

And welcome from Nor Cal

 

[DeSudet]

I'm still amazed at how little mileage you folks get from your tires... My BT-021 stock lasted 12k mi on the front and 20k on the rear. The Continental ContiMotion I put on the front when the 021 finally gave out lasted me 10k. I put a ContiMotion on the rear just before the Conti up front gave up on me and I don't have nearly enough miles on the PR4 up front or the Conti on the rear to give any impressions on how long those will last. I can tell you that I haven't noticed any issues at all with the mis-matched tires.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

The BT-021 front tire is garbage. 3K miles for the front on both my Honda ST1300 and Dad's FJR. Traction was compromised at 1500 miles, into the wear bars by 3K. The BT-021 rear is mediocre, not bad but nothing special.

I like the Michelin PR3s and PR4s much better. I can count on 9K out of a front PR3, more than that on the PR4. Looking forward to seeing what a set of PR4s will do on the '15.

 

[HotRodZilla]

BT020s and BT021s,were ****. So much so that I'm still apprehensive about the T30GTs I have in my garage. The Roadsmart 2 that just took a **** on me at 6k is probably a bad decision also. I actually really liked the Pirelli Angels. I never used a BT023.

People have been happy with the new Bridgestones, so maybe try that, but if you don't like it, there's LOTS of other options.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

I had the BT021 front and rear.At first was a very good set for me.After about 2-3K miles my bike started to vibrate very bad at the handlebars.

The problem was the front 021.The design of this tire with the edges on it's surface,after some K miles cause very bad vibrations on the handlebar when those edges on the surface of the tire they hit the asphalt in the rotation of the tire.

Now i have keep the BT021 rear,where it is a very good tire for me,and i replaced the front with the BT023 GT.

The BT023 GT front works great!The combination BT021 rear with the BT023 GT front works great for me!

 

[nhrjw]

Everyone thanks for all the information. I must have something set wrong in my account, as I never received any e-mails indicating anyone replied.

 

[BanjoBoy]

Most manufactures say you should never ever mix brands, butt I call BS! I've mixed all kinds of brands and have even mixed bias ply w/ radials.

I hated 020s, 'n 021s, my current bike came w/ used 023s and they seemed alright for be'in squared off 'n used, butt I b luv'in me sum T30s frum https://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_1078

They are the most reasonably priced, 'n have the best turn in, mid corner feel, and grip of any ST tires I''ve tried.