Bridgestone BT021 front slipping

Looking at my current riding environment I decided to go to more touring style tires. Previously I had gone through more aggressive tires focusing on all those curves in NorCal. Now I am residing in an area with more straights with long distances between curves, so I decided to get a bit more mileage knowing their performance "ear-holing" would be somewhat degraded.
Yesterday we took a ride down into PA and spent some time on some fine twisty roads. I started to really get into those curves and I noticed an occasional "skip" coming from the front. Has me a bit concerned so much that it took the edge off the ride. I have put a couple of thousand miles on the tires and have Honda's recommended tire pressures. Never had this feeling with my Dunlops or Metzlers
Has anyone else noticed this with their BT021's?

Slug

 

Bt021

I've got them on my '95 and I haven't noticed any problems with them at all, even during spirited riding. I like them so much I'm going to put a set on my Buell. Are you sure there wasn't any debris in the corners?
Cheers!

Craig :smile:

 

what is hondas recommended pressure? i usually run 32 front and 34 rear in the twisties and have never had a problem with a sport touring tire

 

36psi front 42psi rear on mine not a problem...

 

I have the BT021's to replace the worn out OEM Dunlops and find I don't trust the BT's as much. Surprising, considering the things I've read about the Dunlops.

 

You might try softening up the preload on your forks a couple turns, I know if I have mine set up stiff from riding 2up with my wife and don't notch it back for solo work I have the same problem you are describing, so you may give that a shot- could be the new tires have a stiffer sidewall or the firmer rubber doesn't conform to the road like your other tires did so you need to adjust the suspension slightly to help maintain contact patch over bumps in corners. That's my guess based on my experience anyway

 

my experience with 'stones is that they have stiff sidewalls... make sure you run the correct pressure... could just not be to the correct temperature

 

Does your VFR have the stock suspension? The symptoms you're describing are very reminiscent of those that led me to replace the front and rear stock suspension with Race Tech rebuilds.

Maybe the Bridgestones are for some reason bringing out the worst in your front suspension at its current settings? Are your tires perhaps over-inflated? (I've had good luck with Michelin tires, inflated at 34 front/36 rear.) Also, something you haven't yet mentioned is the prevailing road conditions over which you've noticed this problem. As you know, while southern California's weather is very temperate, winters in the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern U.S. are harsh, and this can really beat-up our roads, which may quickly become lumpy and festooned with all manner of temporary patchwork, road grime, etc. Are you perhaps just getting introduced to the sometimes lousy roads in this part of the U.S.?

 

Thanks for the input

All of you have provided me food for thought so here's my thoughts.
Before I go on, one more input. I examined the front tire and found the start of scalloping including this new fact I come to the first on the list of inputs.
Front Suspension.
I adjusted the front suspension hopefully to achieve the desired 1/4 up 3/4 down ratio. Looking at the preload I have it set aligned on the second scribe from the top, maybe a bit hard. I also changed the fork oil. I have to admit 5 years and 20000 miles ago. I have not experienced any cupping on the 4 previous sets of tires (including Dunlop, Avon, Metzler) so I can't bring myself to suspect the suspension.
Tire Pressures
42 rear 36 front set on the morning of the ride.
Road Conditions
I experienced the skip on Longhouse Scenic Dr in Allegheny Park click here to see the route. This road did have its slippery spots, so it just may of been more of the same

I guess this will all boil down to my confidence in the integrity of the tires imagined or real. I think I will go back to those softer compound tires like a Dunlop Qualifier.

 

I would try lowering pressures to something like 32F 34R. also if you can get the front end up on a stand or your centerstand, check the headstock bearings for excessive play. I had similar cupping/vibration issues and found my headstock bearings to be cooked. I am sure Squirrelman will jump in with an admonishment re: Chinese bearings in a post or two. But you should eliminate (or identify) the headstock bearings from consideration.

 

did you ever set up the suspension starting w/ sag?
sounds like too much air pressure in tire + a little too much preload.
I run 34 psi front and 38 psi in rear normally and will go as low as 32 psi front 36 psi rear but ck tires for blue marks if running that low ( 32f-36r ) after each ride.
also is that tire a 2 compound if so you could be on the edge where compounds meet and this will make the front feel like it is sliping.

 

With my SUV's as well as motorcycles, I've had several trustworthy and highly experienced veteran technicians tell me that if you're having persistent problems with handling, etc., even after most everything else has been checked, adjusted, and ruled out, it is often most wise and cost-effective in the long run to try an optimally selected set of new Michelin tires before you invest any further time, headaches, and money on other possible remedies.

Among my SUV's, Michelin Cross Terrains have long been the gold-standard as far as I'm concerned. And, when it comes to motorcycle tires, Michelin Pilot Road 2CT's are the bomb, and so far they're wearing exceptionally well, without any discernable cupping, and I love 'em.

I live in central Ohio, which is very flat, so I have to ride 50-400+ miles on slabs in order to reach the fun roads of Ohio, WV, VA, NC, etc, plus the same in order to get back home. Thus, I spend a lot of time on slabs as well as rural roads, and my Michelin Road Pilot 2CT's, which currently have ~4000 miles, show some expected squaring-off down the middle as I slowly use up the harder midline-compound tread faster than the outer, softer tread. This is how the Road Pilot 2CT's were designed and intended to be used.

 

Damn Banana!

Long House Drive:biggrin:!

I haven't rode that since I owned the 3rd gen. I'm from Warren originally. God willing, I am taking my buddy Jeff up their this Fall on a rode trip.

Lower your pressures as betarace recommended.

BZ

 

1+ on the tire pressure. I just put on a new set of Qualifiers and after about 150 miles I was able to lean the bike further with confidence. I too still feel some slip from time to time, but I will be watching my pressure closely as I put more miles on these. Good luck!
Mike