he more things change, the more they stay the same. What at first seems like a contradiction in terms is in fact business as usual in the tire industry, where change is the only constant. Tire manufacturers are under constant pressure to keep up with the dizzying advances in sportbike technology. These days a lot of that technology originates in racing series like MotoGP, which is one of the places Bridgestone looked when it developed its newest Battlax, the BT-014.

“In every key performance area—handling, dry and wet grip, stability, cornering, shock absorption, reduced shimmy and improved contact feel—the BT-014 sets a new standard for Bridgestone motorcycle tires,” says Bob Graham, Motorcycle/Kart Product Manager for Bridgestone.
Both front and rear BT-014s feature new technologies in almost every aspect of their design and construction. The front BT-014 uses a new tread compound derived from Bridgestone MotoGP technology to simultaneously deliver both higher grip and quicker handling by using a hard compound with new chemical substances. This new compound also reduces chattering in corners and increases stability during hard braking. The front tire also features a new Kevlar Cross Belt and a patent-pending narrow-width ply, made of rayon, for increased rigidity and improved handling.

The rear tires feature a new cap-and-base construction. A harder, medium compound in the base controls tread stiffness while a softer cap provides greater grip. Improved shock absorption and grip are delivered by a new outside bead filler construction. In addition, a silica-rich compound in all rear-tire sizes delivers a more consistent, longer-lasting grip, especially in wet and low-temperature conditions.

Pramac Team Rider Makota Tamada exclusively rides on Bridgestone tires.

The BT-014 rear tires are built with Bridgestone’s revolutionary Dual Belt Construction to maintain a high level of grip and rotation power. These dual belts sit atop a Mono Spiral Belt (MSB). With this patented technology, a single continuous thread of steel is wrapped around the circumference of the tire, eliminating overlapping belts, seams and joints, delivering more high-speed stability, durability and shock absorption—all with less weight.

The BT-014 sets a number of new performance standards for Bridgestone motorcycle tires.

Tread profiles have been redesigned on both front and rear to deliver an optimum and uniform contact pressure at all lean angles. Tread patterns have been redesigned as well. Center cross grooves in rear tires improve shock absorption and reduce road noise. The front tires feature S-shaped grooves for lighter handling, better stability and improved shock absorption. On both front and rear tires, dual-directional diagonal grooves control deformation to enhance straight-line handling. The new BT-014 line-up is in production now, with fitment planned for the Suzuki GSX-R750, the Suzuki GSX-R600 and the Honda CBR 1000. Contact your Parts rep and find out more today!