Bridgestone Battlax T30 EVO Review

I have PR4s now and like their faster turnin better than the PR3s but would probably try something more sport biased next, wonder how the T30 Evo compares to the new Metzeler Roadtec 01's ?

 

Jeff you say your leaning, well so am I and I'm fully loaded. (both ways) These tires just stick no matter what, believe me. They work great in the rain as well as the dry.

 

Hahah. That's awesome, man!!!

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So, I just wanted to update this thread a little further.

I've gone through one set of T30 EVOs since my last review. They have a good wear life. I got about 10,000 miles out of a set.

Keep in mind that I am weighed down heavily traveling and riding the interstates a lot of the time when touring. I am a big person in relative good shape at about 245lbs + riding gear + ~300lbs camping gear / clothes / etc. I consider this very good wear for my tires and I would have gotten a lot more out of them if I weren't touring with all that weight. Also note that the temperatures were often well over 100*F which heats the tires up and wears them down faster.

While in Wichita, KS I had to order a new set of tires - I went with the GT SPEC of the T30 EVO this time. I noticed a mild difference compared to the standard T30's. The tire carcass is much stiffer and the tread pattern just slightly different on the front tire. The ride somehow seemed more plush though and it felt even better in the corners.

Today was the first day since that I had carried a significant load (I traveled light on my trip to Wichita since I was doing my Iron Butt SS1000). I'm fully loaded up in full touring mode - combined weight of myself, the bike and all my gear is easily in the area of about 1,100 to 1,200lbs.

Here's my observations ....

The GT Spec is night and day difference in handling when loaded out over the normal spec. If you're touring with a lot of gear / weight, GET THE GT SPEC. There are no mushy feelings in the corner with all your gear. The tires are confident in the corners and the ride is plush. They feel amazing at high speeds.

 

I ran these to the edge a few years ago. Still running the PR4's and they are holding up well but will look at the Stones after these.

 

Nicely done, Gator!!!

 

I know that I'm really happy with my GT spec's so far. Had a few opportunities to get a good lean on and they felt planted. I looked at them first because of the price but reading your comments here convinced me, thanks for this thread Jeff.

 

Finally LOL Now I see someone using all their tire, well done

 

I'll come clean on this. lol These tires were originally on my CBR track bike for rain days. I have not leaned the VFR over that far. Yet. Suspension is a must before I will take her to the track. I just want to take the VFR to see where the limits lie and see what she is capable of doing. For the need for speed, I'll track the CBR.

 

I did run the VFR around town for a few weeks with some shagged slicks until I got new shoes for her. No tickets thank goodness.

 

LMAO!! when I saw this tread because I just put these T30 on order yesterday... Can't wait to mount them up. I'm currently on Dunlop Sports which the bike came with, so I'm sure I will feel a substantial difference...Thanks for the review.

 

Love my t30 evos after trying roadsmart3s and pr3s. They are in my mind a far superior tyre and give loads of feed back and totally transform the handling of the bike both I. The wet/ monsoon and in the dry.

Think I will be sticking with them In the future.

 

I agree with you.

 

Not so with me. I've been through countless sets of PR2's and was very lucky to get 2200 miles out of a rear. At the rate the 023's are going, I expect around 3000 miles from the rear. That may not sound like good tire life, but go for a ride with me sometime and you'll see why. It's where and how I ride. PR2's are good tires but tire technology has improved since they came out. I still need to try some EVO's. Bridgestone's do ride very hard compared to just about anything. Good review of the EVO's, Jeff but those chicken strips are huge! Actually, I find the Stones are leaned over much more to get to the edge of the rear compared to a PR2.

 

That's the problem with living on the prairies ....

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I have the T30s & SO FAR I only think they are ok...
Now to be fair, they have been on the bike for 3 weeks.
I had the BT-23's on before & had zero problems with them - but then again I do like to lean my bike on the road. I was within 3mm of the edge of the tyre on the 23's & I've not got that close YET in the last 3 weeks. Now to be fair the bike was in loaded up mode (panniers & top box fitted) so wasn't trying too hard anyway - lol...

 

I have half a theory that you will have to lean the bike over further with the T30 to get rid of the chicken strips than with the PR4. May be the case with the BT-23s as well.

 

How about this then? Full throttle, second gear, many times.

 

My tires were to the edge on my SD trip

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that doesn't look like a sexy bug