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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: The Buddha on September 01, 2015, 06:45:14 AM

Title: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: The Buddha on September 01, 2015, 06:45:14 AM
I put a new set of Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes and OK they are 4 yrs or so old, but they have been in the plastic wrap all along, but they rather seem low on grip. Or I am a wimp and am afraid to push them any harder. They also seemed to take a while to warm up.

The rear wheel on mine is a Bandit 400 rim and a 160 BT016 fits just fine, but its too close to the chain, and I don't have that brake stay rod at all on mine, I've refabbed a hanging caliper setup.

So it wont really clear a stock GS, and on the rim it looks comfortable - non pinched but it is too big for the bike for sure.

Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: TheOzTurkish on September 01, 2015, 07:06:12 AM
if the "top layers" of the tyre have hardened you might need to wear through it and get into the "fresh rubber" 4 years is quite a stretch though
Title: Re: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: The Buddha on September 01, 2015, 08:47:51 AM
Yea, that's possible. I also may never be getting a "slow to warm up" tar ever up to temperature. I barely ride 8 miles before I get stuck in stop and go traffic in Downtown. If it warms up slowly, I've got cold tires for 7.5 of those 8 miles.
It felt nice and soft and sticky to feel ... maybe to my hand, not to the road.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: Slack on September 01, 2015, 09:52:49 AM
Can you post a pic of your brake setup?
Title: Re: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: The Buddha on September 01, 2015, 10:24:08 AM
Quote from: Slack on September 01, 2015, 09:52:49 AM
Can you post a pic of your brake setup?

Its not all done - but I will in a bit (and still wont be all done).
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Questions about Bridgestone BT016 battleaxes
Post by: Shepa on September 01, 2015, 11:46:20 AM
If properly stored (in a cold dark place, hahaha), moto rubber (brand new, never ridden) is ok to ride even after 5 to 6 years of storage. So they say.

What reduces the life span of tires is heating/cooling process (when riding), because when heated to riding temp, the oils inside rubber compound surface out (that blue/oily colour occuring on the outside), thus making it sticky.
Every tyre compound has a certain amount of heating/cooling circles available, after which it becomes unsafe to ride (it doesn't get sticky no matter how hard you ride/heat it up).
But, by that time, the contact patch is hopefuly already worn out, so the tyre should be replaced in any case.

That's rough/short explanation, but I hope you understand me.


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