Bridgestone adds four new tyres to motorcycle portfolio
Bridgestone has boosted its motorcycle portfolio with four new tyres set for release next year.
Battlax Classic Racing CR11 – specially developed for Maxi Classic Racing
While still in development, the Battlax Classic Racing CR11 was a winner at the FIM Europe classic endurance championship (EEC). At the 4-hour Biker’s Classic in Spa-Francorchamps, it helped #10 Poweracing-Japauto take home first place and team #5 Roadrunner pick up second place. In damp and tricky conditions, the best lap time and the fastest pace were recorded with Bridgestone tyres.
The Battlax Classic Racing CR11 offers super-fast warm up – vitally important for races that don’t allow tyre warmers. The tread pattern is derived from Bridgestone’s grooved racing tyre, Battlax Racing R11. It gives the rider consistent grip and superior performance. With its high-performance V-MS-Belt (variable monospiral belt) construction on the front, this tyre provides excellent braking stability and offers extra feedback when cornering. On the rear tyre, a combination of high-racing performance compounds in a 3-layer compound configuration boost performance in the wet. Compliant with the FIM Europe regulations for the Maxi Classic, this tyre is your ticket to racing success.
Available from March 2020, in size 110/80 R18 for the front and 150/65 R18 for the rear.
Battlax BT46 – New and improved touring tyre
The Battlax BT46 is set to replace the iconic Battlax BT45. Since its introduction 22 years ago, the Battlax BT45 has been the go-to tyre for touring. Now, Bridgestone has upgraded this design with modern technology.
The Battlax BT46 features an inverted V-shape in the front pattern – it tackles working forces on the tyre, reduces irregular wear and gives the rider incredible feedback for superior handling. The rear tyre is enhanced with a newly adapted silica single compound to maximise performance, grip and wear. Wet performance has been upgraded from the BT45, with no impact on the predecessor’s well-known dry handling performance and wear resistance. And the BT46 is compatible with UM application: tubeless marked tyres are approved for mounting on tube type rims if they are used with a tube.
Bridgestone has specially developed this tyre to cover the wide range of motorcycles competing in the touring segment. Available in 21 sizes for the front and 27 sizes for the rear. 10 main sizes will be launched in January 2020, with a rollout of the full line to follow soon after.
Battlax Racing Street RS11 – For premium sport bikes
The new flagship in the Racing Street category offers impressive grip and ultra-sharp handling. It’s already proven itself two seconds faster than its predecessor (the RS10) in a two-minute lap. And it’s the first street-oriented tyre to incorporate Bridgestone’s V-MS-Belt construction – tried and tested in the racing environment. Battlax Racing Street RS11 is the tyre of choice for many motorcycle manufacturers when they present their premium sport bikes – officially equipping Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M models, Kawasaki H2 and H2 carbon, Suzuki GSX-R 1000 and GSX-R 1000 R – and many more to come.
The Battlax Racing Street RS11 features a dry-grip-oriented pattern that’s directly inspired by the Bridgestone R11 racing grooved tyre and adapted for excellent contact patch behaviour. Overall stiffness and stability of the rear tyre is improved with a cap and base. Both front and rear tyres adopt a 3LC configuration, which is incomparable for performance and wear life. Innovative V-MS-Belt construction optimises the tread stiffness distribution on the rear tyre to increase the contact length at the shoulder and greatly improve the grip on a lean angle. Fine carbon particles in the newly developed shoulder rear compound improve the grip so riders can blast around corners at full speed, on a full lean, with full confidence.
Available from March 2020, in one size for the front: 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W); and two sizes for the rear: 190/55 ZR 17 M/C (75W) and 200/55 ZR 17 (78W).
Battlecross E50 Extreme – Dedicated to extreme enduro racing
Introduced in 2019, the Battlecross E50 had a victorious first year, winning races across different enduro categories. On the back of this success, Bridgestone is releasing a new, dedicated racing tyre for extreme enduro. The new E50 Extreme challenges even the toughest terrain. It features a soft compound specially developed for superior grip and high traction power. The tread pattern incorporates advanced block positioning and works with the E50’s Castle Block technology to maximise edge effect and deliver extra traction.
Available from January 2020 in one rear size: 140/80 – 18 70M NHS.