BT23 rear tire review

This New BT23 GT, is the heavier version for heavier bikes , there's also a light weight version.

Looks like alittle more tread than the BT21 rear, and its a very stout tire, This was a very tough to mount, so tough that alone may keep me from getting another.

But Tomorrow we'll begin to see how it performs , I'm running a PPwer front. There's enough rain in the area via Hurricane may get to rain test too.

So are you running the heavier version or the light one?
I only ask because I'm curious if the light one will give a good a ride as the 021 rear. I only weigh #135 and I like how compliant the 021 is for longer distances.

Ran the BT21 on my 06 and loved the miles I got out of them. Replaced the rear after about 10k and still had another 1200 on them. 06 got stolen and I just got the BT23 for the rear on my 07 & so far so good. They changed the tread pattern on the side and I can only guess it was for better traction in the corners.

Attached Images

• [image: BT23.JPG]
• [image: BT21 off.jpg]

I can't wait for your review. I really enjoyed my BT-021's (on my Aprilia Falco) even though I had hoped to get more than 5k out of them!

Ran the BT21 on my 06 and loved the miles I got out of them. Replaced the rear after about 10k and still had another 1200 on them. 06 got stolen and I just got the BT23 for the rear on my 07 & so far so good. They changed the tread pattern on the side and I can only guess it was for better traction in the corners.

IIRC, tread patterns are for water dispersal in the rain, not for traction. Kind of how slicks are pretty grippy, yet have no tread patterns. Tread also serves to see how much material is left on the tire. When your tread is gone, that means there's not much material left before you get to metal.

Ran the BT21 on my 06 and loved the miles I got out of them. Replaced the rear after about 10k and still had another 1200 on them. 06 got stolen and I just got the BT23 for the rear on my 07 & so far so good. They changed the tread pattern on the side and I can only guess it was for better traction in the corners.

IIRC, tread patterns are for water dispersal in the rain, not for traction. Kind of how slicks are pretty grippy, yet have no tread patterns. Tread also serves to see how much material is left on the tire. When your tread is gone, that means there's not much material left before you get to metal.

I meant traction in the rain. I ride year round and the little rain we get here will test the new pattern.

I've got just under 5,000km on my BT-023GT so far. It's doing much better than my previous BT-021. I'm about to do another 520km tomorrow. And I think that'll round off the 5,000km.

Traction has never faltered, and I do of course also ride in any weather conditions. Tread wear so far is very even, with VERY minimal signs of squaring. Chicken strips in the 1cm range.

As I've said before in other threads on this tire (I think this is the 3rd), the GT model is the way to go for the VFR. Unless you only ride solo, and without luggage. Otherwise this bike has a fat enough ass to qualify for the GT. :fing02:

I'm expecting ~12,000-15,000 km based on the current wear indications.

Since I'm running a Supercorsa SP1 race take off up front, my statements (as above) only apply to the rear tire. :cheerleader:

Think you need to take the review out of the title until you actually have one! :laughing6-hehe:

Tire mount review so far! Can't wait to see what you say about them though. :fing02:


BR

July the 4th Out the Door with the New Bt23GT rear, Flag Stickers unflurled on the tire. Cruising out to some free roam road about 15 mile. The initial feel of the tire was solid and it laid over well and stable. It definately is not as quick in side to side movement as a BT21. Its similar to a New Proad 2. So about 15 mile, I ran it up to 135 smooth as glass, balance was perfect. It also doesnt exhibit the tacky glue feel of the bt21 rear. but it rails very predictable .stable and accurate. I headed southwest for Super MOto Alley, very tight curves good for scrubbing in new tires. On the way there I ventured through a nice snake road, and again very predictable turn in and stable. Then I hit very high speed huge up down swells. just accelerating into these big 200 ft swells railing the sweepers, very stable . Reaching Super moto alley. I was going into a 15 mph offcamber right hand corner, which turned inmmediately uphill, the road was a very course and some loose debri . I didnt see any debri, but upon hitting the apex and feeding throttle I felt the rear slip, and I had to pick the bike back up. This was about 80 mile into the ride. Maybe some residual wd40 install lube was still on the tire, on the edge of it , or I hit some debri. I dont know, but I know no I didnt like that. But the issue never repeated throughout the ride. In order to thoroughly test a tire , it requires 30 degree rain all the way to 110 degree heat. That early slip at super moto, has me wondering about the 30 degree rain stuff . BUt thats something that cant be had right now. I also may be running to much pressure for this tire, I think I left the house around 43cold psi. The tire having an extra steel belt may need lower pressure. That will be tested going forward. The lightier weight version of the tire is a reported dual compound, I'm not so sure on the Gt is, it might be but I'm not seeing any difference in between the center and side material. Other than that one little slip glitch, the tire performed well . The most amasing thing about it was how stable it was in a rail. Right now, I like it better than the Proad2, but There lots more miles and wear left to get a better feel. If everything stayed exactly the same to end of life. assuming close to a proad2. I think i would try the standard BT23 version, unless the BT23GT rear fails miserably on Life. So the next step is to drop a couple PSI on the rear and continue the testing.

My intial impression, heavier bikes will like the tire for touring if it offers life, my last BT21 rear although I like the tire, only lasted 2500 miles, but I had a blast on it after running road2's rears, because of the rear turn in quickness. but had to return to the road 2 rears cause I cant affrord 2500 mile rear tires..

I'm exclusive to only PPower fronts, but we'll have to see how the GT tire does past half life, and I really want to test side profile in the wet.

There's nothing I really hate(yet) , but from a pure traction and cutting ability, seems its giving up some of the Bt21 rears, performance and traction level. But BT21 rear just wore out to fast for me. The GT is very stable, good bump absorbtion, and very accurate and stable in high speed sweepers.

But we''l drop cold PSI down to around 40 or 41 , and if that cures any side tread slipp issues. I only had that one incident, so i'm questioning that particular aspect of the tire.

I've got just under 5,000km on my BT-023GT so far. It's doing much better than my previous BT-021. I'm about to do another 520km tomorrow. And I think that'll round off the 5,000km.

Traction has never faltered, and I do of course also ride in any weather conditions. Tread wear so far is very even, with VERY minimal signs of squaring. Chicken strips in the 1cm range.

As I've said before in other threads on this tire (I think this is the 3rd), the GT model is the way to go for the VFR. Unless you only ride solo, and without luggage. Otherwise this bike has a fat enough ass to qualify for the GT. :fing02:

I'm expecting ~12,000-15,000 km based on the current wear indications.

Since I'm running a Supercorsa SP1 race take off up front, my statements (as above) only apply to the rear tire. :warranty:

I'm down from 200 lb, to a slim 185lb nakid. I normally dont carry luggage other than a tail bag and small tank bag. The tire, reminds be alot of z4 rear. ONly in its weight stability, The tire is far better than a z4 rear cornering wise. But I havent fully rain tested it yet.

I stiil have nightmares on how hard it was to mount, the tire will have to step up to show me something in future miles. Otherwise I may try the standard 23 version.