BRIDGESTONE BATTLAX ST TIRES

On a good day, motorcycling still slings potentially life and limb-threatening challenges. On a wet, rainy day, well-- those challenges multiply greatly. The Bridgestone Tire company recently released the latest generation of its Battlax Sport Touring lineup, the new T32 and T32 GT, designed to help motorcyclists keep their rubber meeting the road even in the worst rain-drenched weather.

I’ve used many prior versions of the Battlax tires on my Honda 919 and Yamaha FZ6R and always appreciated the new-and-improved features added through the years, bene ts such as an improved ride, better traction, and longer tread life. The new T32 variation maintains that trend, featuring construction and compound modi cations to enhance even more its already outstanding handling capabilities. These changes also bettered the tires’ high speed, straight, and cornering stability.

Bridgestone says the new Battlax T32’s design features an increased groove ratio coupled with a 13-percent larger contact patch on the rear tire compared to the last generation T31 model. A larger contact patch means an improved overall contact area and connection to the road—always a good thing in this sport.

But the most visible change in these motorcycle shoes is the new shape of the tires’ grooves. Bridgestone calls it Pulse Groove Technology. While most tires’ tread patterns resemble straight cut slashes that curve over the tire, the T32’s treads have waves-- the grooves undulate from thicker to thinner to thicker. Bridgestone calls them pulse-shaped. Inside the thicker, bulbous area of the tread lies small center de ectors. Bridgestone says these de ectors work to equalize water ow, improving water drainage and channeling rain across the tire, compared to straight grooves, which only optimize the water ows speed.

Better drainage equates to better grip and adhesion to the road, and reduced tire slippage in wet conditions, again, a very good thing for riders. Bridgestone claims the T32’s shorten wet braking performance by seven percent compared to its predecessor, with no sacri ce of tread life.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) I can’t yet attest to the T32’s wet weather claims as I installed them on my Yamaha FZ6R during Florida’s non-rainy March this year. However, after taking a multi-day trip through some of Florida’s inland hills and rural roads, I can vouch for the claims of improved ride quality and better traction. Sandy corners and bumpy byways posed no challenge to the T32’s and I felt very con dent with my bike’s new shoes. Other Battlax T32 news includes a new, fully dedicated T32GT line designed speci cally for middleweight and heavy touring motorcycles. The GT’s feature a special and different pattern design from the non-GT’s that optimizes the unique needs of bigger, heavier motorcycles. The GT’s use the same Pulse Groove Technology, but combine it with an optimized groove positioning, construction, and special tread pattern stiffness that better suits these bikes, giving them the same improved wet performance and grip of non-GT’s along with a ten percent increase in wear life over the prior T31 model.

For more information: www.bridgestonemotorcycletires.com. , ~ Pamela Collins