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FOAK Tyre Question
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I have just found out that there are 10 different BT014 front tyres in
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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.
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the correct size.
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That's news to me - I assumed there was just a single type. Eek.
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.
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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.
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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
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That's what I found.
Right I'm off to Bridgestone.
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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.
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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?
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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
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2. If there is a specific BT014 tyre for the Gixxer 1000 K4, what is
it?
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Doesn't the Bridgestone website say?
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The fitment guide on the Bridgestone.EU site is "under construction".
Front: Battlax BT014 - J
Rear: Battlax BT014 - E
This is for the 05/06 bike though. For the 04 bike they list BT011/12 with
an F suffix.
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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.
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Dunno but if I were asking it would be on the lines of "The one for
nutters please."
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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!
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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...
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You'd of thought. and there is a 'non-specified' one, which is
probably what they gave me.
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It's a Gixer thou. The front wheel is never on the ground long enough
for it to matter.
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Dave, useless as ever
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