Howdy all!Hope yer riding is going GGGGRRRRREAT!

Anyone used a Battlax 003?

Tell ya one thing...this Diablo rear aint a gonna go too many more miles Shhhesh...only got 1208 miles on er right now .

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/26/2011 @ 11:45 AM *

I know Rook just finished off a set of 003's at the track... They aren't supposed to be a high mileage tire... Wouldn't expect you would get any more miles outta them than a set of Diablo's.

The way you're burnin' through rubber, Blue, you thought about investing in a tire changer? I just "upgraded" from a Harbor Freight to a No-Mar... Love it!

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 6/26/2011 @ 1:35 PM *

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I never really considered a tire changer before It would be a good investment no doubt.Pay for itself pretty quickly.BUT...I don't want a bigazz compressor sittin in my geerage.I'll have to think about this deal for a while.MAYBE??????????????????

Hmm I've already got the compressor, but haven't had a reason to get the changer. May still do it someday, sure not going to use irons anymore. Heh.

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The No-Mar is a manual changer so you only need a small compressor to air up the tires. I still have the harbor Freight changer and mc tire adapter but it just sits in the corner since I got the No-Msr 3 years ago.

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The No-Mar is a manual changer so you only need a small compressor to air up the tires. I still have the harbor Freight changer and mc tire adapter but it just sits in the corner since I got the No-Msr 3 years ago.

X2... Hell, with the hitch mount on my No-Mar and the onboard air system in my Jeep, I can bring everything I need to do a tire change to the bike.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 6/27/2011 @ 2:37 PM *

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Wanna make a trip here? We've got some fantastic roads!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/27/2011 @ 5:05 PM *

Wanna make a trip here?

Maybe sometime this fall... heehee

We've got some fantastic roads!

What part of Mantana ya in, Blue?
I've spent some time around Flathead Lake... If I lived there, I'd have to own a sled.

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 6/27/2011 @ 5:49 PM *

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Anyone used a Battlax 003?

They suck down here in fl but all the roads are ruff because they use crushed sea shells as fill.

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They suck down here in fl but all the roads are ruff because they use crushed sea shells as fill.

COOTER, Bet that gives you a nice grip for twisties --even though I hear those winding roads can be rare in most of FL.

I know Rook just finished off a set of 003's at the track... They aren't supposed to be a high mileage tire...

The ad I saw about Bridgestone tires listed their products in terms of percentages of use appropriate for various types of riding. The 003 was listed as something like 30% street riding/70% track and the 016 was maybe 60% street/40%track (that is my memory, not a direct quote). That suggests that the 003 might not last long on the street. However, I have not noticed a big difference in ware from street use compared to the 016. After 1000 miles of fairly gentle use, the middle was just starting to square off slightly. Seems about the same as a 016 would do with my fairly gentle use on the street (you probably recall that tires last me for ever). The track day used a lot of rubber but I did not ware it down to the ware bars at all. Not even close. Plenty of street miles left. IDK if it would be wise to use at the track again???? --Looks like there would be enough rubber above the wear bars for one more track day, I think.

The handling of the 003 is quite different than the 016. When brand new, the 003 made the lean angle feel rather difficult to manage after the first 30 degrees or so. Felt like I might accidentally lean harder than I should and suddenly corner way too hard or maybe lay the bike over on its side in a corner. In short, the 003 has a much less predictable and neutral feel to changes in lean angle than does the 016. Also, the 003, even though it is more of a track tire than the 016, does not feel as sticky. Seems as though it has slipped a lot easier on the street.

The 003 is the only thing I have experienced at the track but it seemed to perform quite well in grip with 28 lbs of inflation. I also did not notice the hair trigger cornering attributes when at the track.

My guess is that the 003 tread area is shaped more oblique and the 016 is more circular. The flatter outer tread on the 003 gives it more contact patch at low lean angles but the transition from average lean to low is pretty severe. I am at somewhat of a loss when it comes to hypothesizing about the weaker grip of the 003 tire. The 003 is not horrible but the 016 feels very sticky on the edges. Perhaps the 003 is designed to perform at best when the rubber gets very hot and semi liquid as it does on the track. It would seem to me that an ultra soft tire would just turn to greasy moosh at the track---but the grip would be right where you want it for the street where the rubber usually will not get so hot.

The tread on the 003 is very minimal and not a good choice for wet /dusty conditions. Looks very cool, however.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/28/2011 @ 5:18 AM *

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That's just great!Low wear....not neutral,falls into curves unpredictably...nice.ANOTHER GREAT CHOICE brought to you by MOI! OKay...I'm gonna baby this one.Bummer!

Ya Dogo...around the Flathead area...that'd be me alright.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/28/2011 @ 1:17 PM *

That's just great!Low wear....not neutral,falls into curves unpredictably...nice.ANOTHER GREAT CHOICE brought to you by MOI! OKay

LMAO.

Ya Dogo...around the Flathead area...that'd be me alright.

No shit?... Yeah, nice roads... Wished I'd had a streetbike when I was there... I was riding trails instead.

Oh tires, Blue... If you're not too concerned about longevity, you thought about tryin' a set of Dunlop Q2's? I'm only about 500 miles into my first set of them, but so far I'm lovin' 'em! Think Diablo Rosso, but for $200-$250 shipped per set.

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Ya Dogo...the Flathead is only a "tame" area to ride.Got some way nice "road course" areas further north,and west.Shi&...all over really.Lots of sweet nice fast curves and such.Not too many twisties(except around the suburbs here)...I wouldn't blast through them anyway....too narrow(two narrow lanes),unpredictable on the other side as to what may be there(traffic wise)Plus...people deserve to have their nice little QUIET "country home" ya know?I gotta respect that).Just too risky for me.

Pirelli Rossos?Ya...had a set on there two years ago.They were...okay.Nothing really impressive.Tried the Pilot 2CT's as well..okay,but felt too hard.Didn't really feel that safe cornering to me.Angels are IMO the best(that I've used) for my style of riding.Corner VERY securely.No problem.I'll probably go back to those next time.Just gotta stay outta the throttle more I guess?Very smooth and predictable tires those Angels.Let me(us) know how your new ones work for ya.I'm always open to try something else as long as they are safe and all.

There are guys getting over 6000K on their Angels.So...it's definitely NOT unheard of.Don't think I'll ever see 6K...but,ya never know.This front Angel will be on it's 3rd rear change this time.It still looks very good.Certainly getting way better mileage than any of the other fronts I've had on there.That Pilot 2CT was a long runner as well...but hardened up towards the end.Not good.

Maybe this 003 will be fine...we've got good roads here.We'll see.Last thing I need is a slide!!!!! It's just a "try out" tire anyway.I'm not expecting a whole lot outta the Bridgestone Company!S'all good.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/28/2011 @ 3:37 PM *

3rd rear to 1 front? Wow!... You've gotta be spinnin' the rear for that to happen... I'd think?
You still runnin' a 180/55 rear? Wonder if the small contact patch, when upright, is a factor. You wearing out the sides or the middle? From your vids, it looks like the majority of your riding is sweepers with pretty long straights between 'em... Maybe breaking loose a little wacking WOT coming outta the corners?... Or you just doin' smoke shows at bike night?

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not expecting a whole lot outta the Bridgestone Company!S'all good.

I have not run any 003's, but the 016's are great tires... Been through several sets. I would get 2500-3k miles per set. Equal wear front and rear. Loved 'em... but... I'm liking the profile of the Q2's better. It's "steeper" like the Rosso's.

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Maybe this 003 will be fine...we've got good roads here.We'll see.Last thing I need is a slide!!!!! It's just a "try out" tire anyway.I'm not expecting a whole lot outta the Bridgestone Company!S'all good.

I hope you will be happy with your set of 003. I am not any kind of authority on tires for sure. I have only tried three kinds and all Bridgestone. Just be a little careful. I slippped two times today. Once emergency braking in a corner (that's whole story in itself- other traffic) the rear end slipped out twice but responded well, hooking back up both times with a little modulation. The front stayed planted. I suppose that is to be expected when you brake hard in a lean.

Other situation was a lot more of a surprise. I was taking a corner and just had the rear skip out when I got on the gas but it was not all that much throttle. The roads were in poor condition and had areas of gravel that collected on some corners. This one looked good but the tire let go with just a little gas. Could be that I am getting to comfortable with the 45T rear sprocket and the track day seems to have given the bike some low end strength too.

The tires were well warmed and it was an 80 degree F day here. Tire [pressure was set at 42 PSI which is a how I ran my other tires on the street.

I will be trying Micheline Power Pures next. They are the tire that the 003 seems to be competing for market share with.

Let me know if you agree with me on the 003, Blue. You have had a lot more experience than me.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/28/2011 @ 7:09 PM *

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I have Power Pures on my 14 now. Rode the last trackday on the 14 with them. They worked well.

However... If you ever ride on properly heated racing slicks, you will never go back to street tires (at least on the track). Amazing difference. -bg

COOTER, Bet that gives you a nice grip for twisties --even though I hear those winding roads can be rare in most of FL.

Or for launching on a cold tire come to think of it I don’t think I have ever had to warm up a tire LOL. but your right when I find the twistys I tear them up just to get some use out the side of the tire!

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That's a nice Kudo Rook..but not true IMO...YOU'RE the one who rode track and all.I'll see how this 003 works...might just turn out great.I will watch my cornering though.

Dogo...the only "bike nights" here...are me...goin out and ridin the curves at 130 AM....like I'm gonna do right now!Thanks guys for all the info.Just great!See ya'll soon!

Dogo...the only "bike nights" here...are me...goin out and ridin the curves at 130 AM....like I'm gonna do right now!

That's my kind of bike night!

I have Power Pures on my 14 now. Rode the last trackday on the 14 with them. They worked well.

How are they holding up for you, BG?
I have Power Pures on my 10r... I'm diggin' 'em. They are definitly WAY lighter than any other tire I've run... but... they are expensive (I think I paid $375 for the set)... and I was worried they would not even last an oil change on the zx14.

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Dogo...the only "bike nights" here...are me...goin out and ridin the curves at 130 AM....

There is a contingent of hooligans around here who ride at night. I hear a siren following once in a while. IDK if they ever get caught. If they do they must be in some trouble.

My 003's actually felt a tiny bit tacky to the touch when I got them. Sure seemed like they should have good traction. Give them a try and if you also feel they don't hook like they should, then I guess we can consider that conclusive.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/29/2011 @ 11:26 AM *

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003's hook great! Just don't expect them to last for shit!

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Okay...guess that settles that.If these high mileage tires lasted...oh,from 1200 to 2600 miles...this 003 outta last...ummm...500? Not bad for a 160 dolla tire!WWHHHHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IF I see any fast wearing on this bastard...it's....friggin "tire test" time .

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/30/2011 @ 1:40 AM *

How are they holding up for you, BG?

As good as any, I think... -bg

J/K on that mileage deal.I'm gonna see how much I can squeeze outta this here "track tire".190/55.She's a big bastard.Had to remove my hugger to get er on there .

Got to get out for a ride today...a kinda short one...Storms were on the way.Okay....gotta say...this new 003 feels very good.Stayed at or near the speed limit on the straights.Kicked er up a notch on the curves.She held great so far.I didn't push hard today...just kept er pretty much legal,or below.It is a nice tire...the construction and appearance.Not TOO many tread grooves in it....kinda "simple" lookin.Different than what I'm used to seein.

The tire pressure is set at 40 as per instructions.Gonna try and do this right on this tire .

I used my clutch today to make most of the shifts...and took it easy on the decel shifting and speed.We'll see....it'll be fun anyway.Hitting the curves and such at "almost" legal speeds....kinda fun really

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/30/2011 @ 7:11 PM *