Battlax tyre wear and very poor handling.

Katy M

Katy M

Registered user
Joined
Jan 24, 2007
Messages
107
Reaction score
20
Location
Andover, England
Approaching 3K miles on the 1250GSA now and I’ll be lucky to achieve a mileage of 4K at the rate my Battlax front tyre is wearing.
I’ve had the front end slide out on clean, dry, grippy roads on numerous occasions and things did not improve on a recent trip to Wales. Checked the tyre after one stretch and found them pitted on the edges. I have no confidence in the corners at all now - I look like a novice wobbling round them.

I’ve always managed at least 7K on my 1290/Pirelli combo with great grip/confidence.

What is going on with the 1250/Battlax combo? Is this normal?

Appalling tyre in MHO so despite the expense will be glad to bin them.
 
Has the bike got ESA ?

My RS had terrible handling until I realised the preload adjuster motor had seized . Used my GS 911 to readjust the spring and luckily unseize the motor.

I initially thought it was a tyre issue
 
Last edited:
Katy M said:
Approaching 3K miles on the 1250GSA now and I’ll be lucky to achieve a mileage of 4K at the rate my Battlax front tyre is wearing.
I’ve had the front end slide out on clean, dry, grippy roads on numerous occasions and things did not improve on a recent trip to Wales. Checked the tyre after one stretch and found them pitted on the edges. I have no confidence in the corners at all now - I look like a novice wobbling round them.

I’ve always managed at least 7K on my 1290/Pirelli combo with great grip/confidence.

What is going on with the 1250/Battlax combo? Is this normal?

Appalling tyre in MHO so despite the expense will be glad to bin them.
Click to expand...

To be honest the Questions Are

Are your tyre pressures correct

and is your suspension set up correctly ? (not jacked up at the rear that it makes the front work MUCH harder than it needs to! A common fault when I get asked about suspension set up

Usually the answer is "But that's the way I was told to set it up!"

#BikermateMisInformation!!
 
But none of that would lead to “ very poor handling “ if that’s the case .
 
Get Conti Road Attacks. Fantastic tyres. You probably won’t get massive mileage but the grip, wet or dry, is superb. :thumb2
 
  • Like
Reactions: PWP
Just clicked over 5k on the Battlax on a 1250 GS. The front is nearly on the wear indicators. Back looks like new. I’ve not had any slippage, but I don’t feel as confident in the front as I did in the early days. That’s maybe just a mind game though.
 
Katy M said:
Approaching 3K miles on the 1250GSA now and I’ll be lucky to achieve a mileage of 4K at the rate my Battlax front tyre is wearing.
I’ve had the front end slide out on clean, dry, grippy roads on numerous occasions and things did not improve on a recent trip to Wales. Checked the tyre after one stretch and found them pitted on the edges. I have no confidence in the corners at all now - I look like a novice wobbling round them.

I’ve always managed at least 7K on my 1290/Pirelli combo with great grip/confidence.

What is going on with the 1250/Battlax combo? Is this normal?

Appalling tyre in MHO so despite the expense will be glad to bin them.
Click to expand...
If thats the A41's then the front wear rate is what i'd expect. I've had two sets ( on two bikes) and on both the fronts were worn out way before the rear. It was the front sides where all the wear occurred. Mine were well passed their best at circa 5000 so very much like yours.

It could be the wear that's affecting the front grip depending how bad they are if your pressures are ok, or sometimes it just a crap road surface you happen to hit on a bend. its difficult to say but if you've lost confidence in them personally i'd change em sooner rather than later, better to be safe than sorry further down the line. I changed mine with a good rear and still legal front and was pleased to see the back of em.

I moved to the continental CTA3 as many recommend on here and had no issues at all, they're a great tyre IMO.
 
ok , not a 1250 BUT , i could go through front tyres in 4k , on my 1150gs but mostly London work , the worst bt's came from Brazil the best Japan.
 
Tbh, dump the tyres, buy a different brand. Poor when new, terrible when part worn and prone to slides if there are any damp patches.
Just given away a set that were removed at first service from my last GS.
Had three GS now and removing the Bridgestones has always been a huge step forward*

As recommended by others: Continentals are great (Road or Trail) , or Michelin Road 6. Then probably Angel gt, Dunlop Roadsmarts.
It is very difficult to set up a GS to handle badly imo * First call, as with most motorcycles, tyres/tyre pressures.

I would add, I am not a Bridgestone hater. In fact, just put a second pair of S22 on my Superduke..so good they have been.
 
The bike is new with ESA so I very much doubt it’s a suspension thing - especially having seen other comments now.
Just sh**e tyres really then.

If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
 
i changed the A41s the bike came with quite quickly just didn't feel safe on them especially on wet corners
changed to T32 and ran them for 47000 miles no dramas
fancied something different and changed to RS 4 and......mmm
they work brilliantly on my H2 SX but not so on the GSA not sure why front feels vague
and that is all i can say on the subject
 
Any Dunlop's that fit will be a big improvement over the standard Bridgestone's

I tried the Roadsmart 4 when they were on offer earlier in the year and now have a pair of Meridian's on and I don't even think about them, I just ride the bike and the tyres just get on with it and do what I ask of them.
 
Katy M said:
The bike is new with ESA so I very much doubt it’s a suspension thing - especially having seen other comments now.
Just sh**e tyres really then.

If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
Click to expand...

Why not go to the tyre choice most on here rave about; the Continental Trail Attack 3? You'll get decent mileage and great all weather grip.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SBD
Katy M said:
If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
Click to expand...
Why?

You changed from a V twin to boxer, std telescopic forks to a telelever set up

and your moaning about tyre wear ?

Tyres are consumables , they wear out , what did you want / expect, 30k from a set ??

I got 6k from a set of trailriders on my 1200, the rear was square and the front was approaching its eol

I got about the same with my Metzelers

Loads of people bang on about 2 rears to a front, never had that , and i wouldnt replace, a rear & ignore the front


You say the handling is bad .... based on? & how is it bad

The GS has to be one of the most neutral bikes to ride
 
Katy M said:
The bike is new with ESA so I very much doubt it’s a suspension thing - especially having seen other comments now.
Just sh**e tyres really then.
Click to expand...
What weight are you and is the bike set initially up for that weight??

If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
Click to expand...
Jeez Bit of an over reaction there

Let just say that New tyres especially Metzeller and Conti's will far outperform worn out and crap tyres !
 
Katy M said:
The bike is new with ESA so I very much doubt it’s a suspension thing - especially having seen other comments now.
Just sh**e tyres really then.

If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
Click to expand...
Michelin pilot road 6 are the replacement, while other tyres are also very good, Pilot road 6 are amazing, confidence inspiring tyres, even in the wet.
 
The original front A41 on my 1250 was replaced at about 9.5k, i changed it a bit early due to iffy slow speed handling after it squared off but i reckon i could of got another 1000 miles out of it if i had persevered.
The rear is nearing the wear limit indicators after 14,000 miles. I must ride like Miss Daisy...
I`ll be glad when i can get a new rear on as i`ve had a slow puncture in it for the last 18 months.....
Handling wise i think they`re OK, in the dry, at least...
 
Check the front shock/damper isn't leaking fluid.

I've had one let go at 4k miles, which led to rapid front tyre wear/cupping.
 
Katy M said:
The bike is new with ESA so I very much doubt it’s a suspension thing - especially having seen other comments now.
Just sh**e tyres really then.

If things don’t change with a new set then the bike will be on the market.
Click to expand...
When you say very poor handling , what is the bike doing in terms of handling ?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom