From the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations press release:
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has announced a new Bridgestone brand “full spec” sport-touring motorcycle tire is now available to customers in the United States and Canada. Designed to offer consistent performance in touring and sport riding, the Battlax BT-023 tire combines good wear characteristics and wet performance, along with the grip and control to work well in many different riding modes. A GT spec is also available to handle the specific demands of heavyweight bikes.
Replacing the BT-021 (except in original equipment applications), the Battlax BT-023 tire uses a new rubber compound enhanced with silica and RC polymer to offer strong wet performance and wear life. Both front and rear tires incorporate a high-tech belt package consisting of Bridgestone’s proven Mono Spiral Belt (MSB) which enhances grip levels, bump absorption and straight-line stability. In addition to these advancements, Dual Compound technology in the rear tire places the appropriate rubber compounds in the center and shoulder areas of the tire. The center compound provides good stability and mileage, while the shoulder compound offers grip and bump absorption for cornering. Even the tread pattern design enhances wear, contact feel and linear handling.
A special GT-spec BT-023 for...
A special GT-spec BT-023 for heavyweight sport-tourers like the Yamaha FJR1300 features a different front tread pattern and modified belt construction on both front and rear tires to offer light handling, good braking performance, and long tire life.
The BT-023 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear tires are offered in two specifications: the regular spec and a special GT spec for heavyweight motorcycles such as the Yamaha FJR1300. The GT spec offers a different front tread pattern and modified belt package construction on both front and rear tires to provide light handling, good braking performance and long wear life.
“The sport touring segment is very important to the Bridgestone brand,” said Bob Graham, BATO’s senior product manager for motorcycle tires. “With the launch of the new Battlax BT-023, we will continue to establish Bridgestone tires as one of the premier sport and performance motorcycle tires available in the American and Canadian markets.”
The new Bridgestone BT-023 Sport Touring tire will be available mid-April, 2010. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Pricing varies by size and application. Fronts range from $174.23 to $189.93 and rears range from $218.24 to $261.20. Available front sizes are 110/70ZR-17, 120/60ZR-17, 120/70ZR-17, 110/80ZR-18, 120/70ZR-18, while rear sizes include 150/70ZR-17, 160/60ZR-17, 160/70ZR-17, 170/60ZR-17, 180/55ZR-17, 190/50ZR-17, and 160/60ZR-18. GT spec tires for heavyweight bikes are only available in 120/70ZR-17 and 180/55ZR-17 sizes.