Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Went and bought myself some Bridgeys BT014's today.

Sexy looking tyre. I had to go to a 70 series front as they dont make 'em in 65 series, but I didnt really dig the BT019 that come standard and Im buggered if Im gonna use Michelins again.

So we'll see how they go. Anyone else tried 'em yet?

Here they are with nice new chicken strips

I had BT45's on my ZZR. Good tyre.

James wrote: I had to go to a 70 series front as they dont make 'em in 65 series

Hmmm, now I'm confused Why would you want to put a 65 series tyre on it in the first place? According to all the Kawasaki spec's for the Z750, 70series is the original fitment size. That's also what's fitted to mine.
Trick looking tyre though. Will be interested to see what you think of it and how it wears compared to the BT012/019's.

Thats weird. Im positive that I had a 65 on the front. I remember having conversations with people about whether to go to 70 or not. I also remember speaking with the Kawasaki rep about the BT019 when I was at the dealership who told me that the BT019 is a 65 series version of the BT012 which only comes in 60 or 70.

Could you have alook at your front tyre for me and let me know what youve got? Im suspicious now.

Heres is some blurb on the BT014

New high-performance radial utilizing a new compound developed by technology from MotoGP tire development. Front: new compound and construction for light handling, better feedback and improved stability. Rear: cap base construction with new bead construction, steel mono-spiral belt technology and silica-rich compound to offer high-speed and superior grip. Innovative tread design to improve traction, shock absorption, wet performance and noise reduction. Z-rated.

nice.

i'm still tossing up between bt014 or pilot roads

Definitely a 70 series front tyre on my bike. That's what it says on the side of the tyre anyway. Here are the Z750 spec's as on the Kawasaki Aus website http://www.kawasaki.com.au/au/all_products/motorcycles/motorcycles_subcat_sport/z750/main.htm

Maybe the special design 019 (it is just a slightly different version of the 012 as far as I'm aware) has a different profile & this makes the tyre closer to a 65 series in actual height but is still classified a 70
All sounds a bit funky to me. All that matters is that you got a 70 on it now and thats what it should have - so it's all good 8)

Its strange Wannabe, but it may be because my bike was a demo and had the wheels polished long before I bought it and probably had different tyres put on it at some point. Oh well, as you say all is good now.

Ive got some scrubbing in to do today

My fronts are 70 instead of 65 also..

Mario said it's fairly comon, I understand that the 65 is an unusual size for the front or something *shrugs* dunno if it really makes much difference.

I glad to see that you are brave enough to put pictures of chicken strips that big up for everyone to see

mrmina wrote:nice.

i'm still tossing up between bt014 or pilot roads

Forget Pilot Roads Mina. Jump onto Pilot Power
Mario will tell you how good they are. And I'll let you know how good the front is after my next ride. (I just got one fitted)

But in the end, its up to you

mrmina wrote:nice.

i'm still tossing

I knwe it

Forget Pilot Roads Mina. Jump onto Pilot Power
Mario will tell you how good they are. And I'll let you know how good the front is after my next ride. (I just got one fitted)

But in the end, its up to you [/quote]

Best tyre I have ever had IMO


mario

icebreaker wrote:My fronts are 70 instead of 65 also..
Mario said it's fairly comon, I understand that the 65 is an unusual size for the front or something *shrugs* dunno if it really makes much difference.

120/65 makes for slightly quicker steering than the 120/70. Common on ZX6's from 2000 onwards and I believe that Aprilia RSV1000s have 120/65 as standard too but not too many others runs them.

I've gone from 70 to a 65 on my ZX9 and it made very little difference. But if you can get 120/65 in the brand of tyre you like, they are usully cheaper than the 120/70.

There seems to be a misconception that a lower profile front tyre will quicken the steering and is therefore better. This is not usually the case when talking sports tyres as a higher profile usually means a sharper end radius therefeore making dropping into corners quicker. This also gives more side wall area for grip. Most slicks these days are 70 or 75 series, I run a 75 series Dunlop on my 9. A lot of the new 16.5 inch fronts are now 80 series.
Have a look at this article on the Pilot Power, page 8 shows the comparison and profile height differences in there range. The moto gp tyre has the highest profile...
http://www.michelin.co.uk/uk/ImageServl ... te=AUTO_UK

Oh and don't forget to note the center tread is called a Katana cut as it looks like Katana sword thrust..?????.. WTF..???

If you want to change the bike geometry to corner better, lower the front by raising the forks in the triple clamps or raise the rear ride height.

Mick C 98ZX9R wrote:I glad to see that you are brave enough to put pictures of chicken strips that big up for everyone to see

Yeah mate - I have no shame. That shot was taken when I got home from having them fitted. But I went for a ride today up the Old Road and scrubbed them in a bit more.

Ah yes, that's a bit more like it