FOAK Tyre Question

I have just found out that there are 10 different BT014 front tyres in
the correct size.

Having recently had the front changed from the OEM BT011, I now seem
to have a profile that leaves a lot to be desired. The K5/6 takes an
"SJ" profile. This is concerning me.

1. Besides the obvious profile differences, what other differences are
there?

2. If there is a specific BT014 tyre for the Gixxer 1000 K4, what is
it?

3. Having asked for a "BT014" from the tyre shop, where would I stand
on getting them to get the machine specific one for me - like no
charge!

 

Black Mike wrote

Dunno but if I were asking it would be on the lines of "The one for
nutters please."

 

ISTR Suzuki havin a special tyre made as OEM for the GSXR6 that was much
lighter than the normal one. Also they sometimes aren't the size you might
expect (e.g. it might *say* 190 on the side, but it's a 180) etc etc etc

Doesn't the Bridgestone website say?

I'd hope (but not expect) that if you said "I want a GSXR1000K4 tyre" they'd
get the right one, 'cos they should have all the charts nd books and stuff.
Unfortunately, I guess they'duse whichever one they had in the 'right' size
in stock...

Dave, useless as ever

 

That's news to me - I assumed there was just a single type. Eek.

<Runs downstairs, checks tyres>

Couldn't see any designation on mine, other than 'F' for the front and 'R'
for the rear, obviously.

I've got a 2005 fitment guide that just says 'BT014' for a GSXR1000 K4 -
120/70 ZR17 (58W) front,
190/50 ZR17 (73W) rear.

 

You'd of thought. and there is a 'non-specified' one, which is
probably what they gave me.

 

That's wot if found.

It begs the question as to the rims, and is there any difference twix
K3/4 & K5/6.

I guess I'll have to ask Bridgestone what the differences are; or
maybe go back to a BT011.

 

Black Mike said...

It's a Gixer thou. The front wheel is never on the ground long enough
for it to matter.

 

After the 58W Front there is a small oval spot on the tyre where the
extra suffix goes. It could of course be blank. It was only because I
was able to juxtapose the K4 & K6, that I spotted it.

 

Very true.

 

Just looked at the fitment guide in a bit more detail. The K1-4s don't have
a suffix, but the K5 lists:

120/70 ZR17 (58W) BT-014 SJ
190/50 ZR17 (73W) BT-014 J

 

That's what I found.
Right I'm off to Bridgestone.

 

That's one hell of a trip. You could take a film crew and support
vehicles and make a TV programme out of it.

 

They've always[1] made some special fitments for specific bikes. Not
all dealers have always been aware of this - I used to run the Sprint
ST on 010 front/020 rear, but one set were never right - lots of
issues including a slow puncture and a knackered rear shock were
resolved, but it wasn't until it came to replace them that it was
pointed out to me that the front tyre was a special fitment designed
for the Blackbird only - arse. Correct fitment made a huge difference.

So for some reason you're assuming that the specific tyre made for the
K5/K6 will be better on your K4 than the recommended fitment for it?
Bearing in mind the difference in geometry between the bikes I
wouldn't think this is neccessarily so.

FWIW I'm more than happy with the Pirelli Diablo Corsas my K3 is
currently wearing - slightly different profile from the 014s gives a
much more progressive predictable feel to steering, particularly on
the hairpins that you love so much ;-)

[1] For relative values of always.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

If it helps my front 014 scared the shit out of me twice on the way to
Sedan.

The old Dunlop D207 never slipped in the same way ...

P.

 

I'm not supposing the SJ is right, as you rightly say the geometry is
different.

I may consider changing the tyre or going back to a BT011.

The lack of feel on the hairpins that I hate so much has recently been
improved by the tinkering the suspension. I went out with Mr C the
other day and it got me to thinking. Some adjustments later and I
realised how far I was away from a good set up. i.e. rock hard no
feel.

Now I'm sailing through corners [1] with a good extra turn of speed
and comfort.

Just goes to show how laziness can play the devil.

[1] an extras 5 - 10 mph

 

Hmm...thanks ;-)

 

Bear in mind this is me at the helm too.

My wet weather cornering has inproved significantly since my soaking
trackday, but I bet it's still way off the "twice the fun half the
speed" of Mr C.

P.

 

Well I suppose that, given your and my bikes were both on standard
settings last year, it's unlikely that they'd both be ideally setup,
given that you+your baggage probably weighed about twice me+my
baggage.

Cool. You up for a trip over here later this year to show it off?

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

Yup!