Anyone use the BRIDGESTONE BATTLE WINGS Yet ?

[FREDO-RIDER]

I have seen some new 2007 GS with the battle Wings on at BMW's, but never meet anybody using them yet.
How are they ?
Soon I have to change my Tourance set.
So maybe ???
Cheers.

 

[Firegus]

Got a set on my 1150gs, they seem to make the bike drop into corners, so need some getting used to.
They are a lot better than the Trailwings in the wet, and dry weather, as good if not better.
They do sharpen up the steering quite a bit tho`

 

[Eastriding2002]

I've heard varying reports from Aprilia Caponord owners on these. Some good some not so good. I was under the impression that they're basically an 020 with "adventure style tread" on them. If they're as good as 020's then I'd be a happy bunny with them for sure.

One to keep an eye on for the future, will be interested to see what boots mine has when I pick it up at the weekend.

 

[Bones]

BattleWings

Had mine a couple of weeks now. They do make the bike drop into corners more easily than the previous Anakees, but I like that (it's 'cos of the more rounded profile). The tread is good and deep (9mm) and grip is very good. I wonder if they will square off badly because of the round profile though, time will tell. I think they probably do use the 020 carcass as the profile is the same and they use the same thingy belt technology. So far I like them.

 

[JayGee]

I've had a pair on for the last 4000 miles, the wear rate seems quite low (I used to change the rear Dunlops at 4,500 miles), the grip is OK, maybe not quite so good in the wet as the Mich Road Pilots but they've not been a problem. I think they are a really good compromise between grip and wear, also just done loads of boring motorway miles and they don't look too squared off.

They seem about as good as 020s, but then they are hardly the leading edge nowadays

 

[david vaughan-birch]

I've used them for a couple of thousand miles. They don't seem as fast-steering as 020's, but grip is about the same. Having said that, I haven't tried them in bad weather yet. I will go back to 020's for road use I think when the time comes to change-I get about 7,000 on a rear with those. Hopefully the shoulders won't square off like Anakees do!

 

[GS TRV]

I have them on my Suzuki - they are CRAP! Can't wait to change them for Tourances

 

[Eastriding2002]

They seem about as good as 020s, but then they are hardly the leading edge nowadays

Well from personal experience I can't fault 020's, they certainly were capable of outperforming my ability for sure, especially in the wet when I never had a single drama with them fitted to my Fazer 1000.

 

[Warthog]

I wonder if they will square off badly because of the round profile though, time will tell. I think they probably do use the 020 carcass as the profile is the same and they use the same thingy belt technology. So far I like them.

If you do a lot of M-way miles and commuting, squaring off is pretty inevitably, what ever the tyre, I've always thought that the Bridgestone Dual compound set-up has been quite effective at keeping that to a minimum. I will definitely give these ago. I've never really got used to the Tourances that came with the bike and the fact that about 30% of the contact patch on the tyre edge is missing due to the tread pattern has always made me nervous and if I lack confidence in the tyre, no matter how unfounded, my riding suffers!

 

[Stig]

Battlewing My Opinion

I fitted them (for a change) after having Tourances... a while ago.

They're ... not better and not worse... They're different!?!

You'll need to dial the front pre-load up to either max or a couple of notches from hardest.. This stops the front end "bar wobble" when hitting bumps n' cats-eyes etc.. then dial in the rear to suit..

They have more feel than the Tourance.. but T's have never let me down and are kinder over white lines/cats-eyes..

I've just done 2500mls in Europe on them.. fully loaded.. wet n' dry.. without any probs..

They allow you to "ride" harder and are better at high speeds (more stable) even fully loaded with a pillion...

They don't appear to be lasting as well as the Tourances tho!?! see pic

In my opinion... if you are "generally" a steady rider... either tyre will do..

If you ride hard and don't mind greater rear tyre wear... go for Battlewings...

If mileage per tyre is important... go with Tourances..

One last thing.. Tourances are all but crap for off road except for dry green laning.. but Battlewings are even worse!?!

 

[GrinningGSer]

I cannot comment because no incidents to report.. likewise no incidents with D607's or BT020's
I wanted a road based tyre that gives me more security on unclassified roads

 

[Tractorpilot]

So far so good

Put about 3000 miles on a set of Battlewings since beginning of July including 2500 in Europe on autobahns and mountain passes. They are holding up well and don't seem to have worn or squared off as much as I feared. Not tried off road yet but knew I had a heavy on-road schedule when I got them.

 

[Bones]

You'll need to dial the front pre-load up to either max or a couple of notches from hardest.. This stops the front end "bar wobble" when hitting bumps n' cats-eyes etc.. then dial in the rear to suit..

Certainly didn't need to wind up the front pre load when I fitted the battlewings. In fact I have always felt the front end is over sprung. Much as I love the telelever front end for preventing dive under braking, I don't think they will ever give as plush a ride as conventional forks when hitting sleeping policemen etc (perhaps you are supposed to slow down for them) or riding on poor surfaces.

 

[JayGee]

Certainly didn't need to wind up the front pre load when I fitted the battlewings. In fact I have always felt the front end is over sprung. Much as I love the telelever front end for preventing dive under braking, I don't think they will ever give as plush a ride as conventional forks when hitting sleeping policemen etc (perhaps you are supposed to slow down for them) or riding on poor surfaces.

I put the battlewings on and I didn't change the front suspension, and I haven't noticed any bar shake. I have the front on one stop off softest. There may well be someone here who knows a lot more than me about suspension but the OE front on the GS only has adjustment for preload. The setting does not affect the hardness of the ride and, however it's set, will not make the springing any softer. It only affects ride hieght and static sag; so should be set to ensure that the shock is in it's working area and does not bottom out nor hit the end of it's travel. With no damping adjustment the fronts harshness cannot be adjusted.
Dropping a few psi out of the front tyre helps a bit and means you've got more contact patch under heavy braking but don't take out too much otherwise you'll loose the stability of the front (not so easy to feel when you've done this with the telelever which I think is fantastic on bumpy fast roads as it makes the bike so stable).
As I say, I'm no expert so if someone knows better then enlighten me and give me a plusher ride.

 

[Stig]

Certainly didn't need to wind up the front pre load when I fitted the battlewings. In fact I have always felt the front end is over sprung. Much as I love the telelever front end for preventing dive under braking, I don't think they will ever give as plush a ride as conventional forks when hitting sleeping policemen etc (perhaps you are supposed to slow down for them) or riding on poor surfaces.

Well all I can say is it worked for me & my bike... 12st Tosser.. Going from Tourances (setting at Lower mid) to Battlewings... (front setting one notch from hardest)

And No... I'm no susspension expert... I just tried different settings until "I" was happy with "the way the bike performed"

This is my second GS which has now done 20k in twelve mths.. and is on its third rear tyre..

Like I said in earler posts its just my opinion But Hey-ho.. wotever works eh!?!

 

[JayGee]

And No... I'm no susspension expert... I just tried different settings until "I" was happy with "the way the bike performed"

This is my second GS which has now done 20k in twelve mths.. and is on its third rear tyre..

Like I said in earler posts its just my opinion But Hey-ho.. wotever works eh!?!

If it works for you that's great, I've never had torances so maybe I've just got used to a bit of bar shake, I've got 24k on mine and it's on it's 6th rear tyre, but the Dunlops did wear pretty fast.