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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Tampa, Fl United States | Made a great choice
Its wider & stickier
Since I've went to the Darkside (7k miles ago) the bike would track grooves in the road
Doesnt do that anymore since last week(front tire change)
Goodbye Dunlaps forever!!!!!
Been riding for over 42 yrs & will stay a darksider from here on out
But the point is that this is a great front tire for the Vision especially if you've gone to the DarkSide
FRED
PS-the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 with a 67V rating is listed as a rear tire & purchased it from Jake Wilson $100 shipped
Also this is not a debate or for Darksider haters to shine-in |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Hey Fred, how's it going? They make one for the rear? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | let us know what kind of mileage you get off the front tire set up, will ya? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Had a chance to play with air pressures yet? |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Good to hear....I SHOULD have bought the Battlax but they had an Avon on sale.......it might make a good rear tire....but it tracks grooves pretty bad on the front. It really doesnt bother me much cause Im used to the "feeling"......but as soon as it wears out Im either going Battlax or back to the Bridgestone Exidra I had before - wore like iron and never tracked.
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | turbobuick - 2011-07-23 9:40 PM
Made a great choice
Its wider & stickier
Since I've went to the Darkside (7k miles ago) the bike would track grooves in the road
Doesnt do that anymore since last week(front tire change)
Goodbye Dunlaps forever!!!!!
Been riding for over 42 yrs & will stay a darksider from here on out
But the point is that this is a great front tire for the Vision especially if you've gone to the DarkSide
FRED
PS-the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 with a 67V rating is listed as a rear tire & purchased it from Jake Wilson $100 shipped
Also this is not a debate or for Darksider haters to shine-in
Two serious questions for you... I have plans to look darkside soon and want to know what tire you have on the rear and is it a radial or bias ply... and is the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 a radial or bias ply. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Tampa, Fl United States | Handyhoward - 2011-07-28 8:37 AM
turbobuick - 2011-07-23 9:40 PM
Made a great choice
Its wider & stickier
Since I've went to the Darkside (7k miles ago) the bike would track grooves in the road
Doesnt do that anymore since last week(front tire change)
Goodbye Dunlaps forever!!!!!
Been riding for over 42 yrs & will stay a darksider from here on out
But the point is that this is a great front tire for the Vision especially if you've gone to the DarkSide
FRED
PS-the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 with a 67V rating is listed as a rear tire & purchased it from Jake Wilson $100 shipped
Also this is not a debate or for Darksider haters to shine-in
Two serious questions for you... I have plans to look darkside soon and want to know what tire you have on the rear and is it a radial or bias Installed a Bridgestone Potenza 019 Grid 195/55/16ply... and is the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 a radial or bias ply.
On the rear Installed a Bridgestone Potenza 019 Grid 195/55/16
just google for more tire specifics
FRED |
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Central Wisconsin | Just got back from a Wisconsin-Colorado/New Mexico-Wisconsin trip and the Battlax handled wonderful. Lots of thread left, ran 38 lbs in it with 3oz of Dyna beads. 
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Looks like the Vision wants to take the trip again! Nice picture! |
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Central Wisconsin | radioteacher - 2011-07-29 2:10 AM Looks like the Vision wants to take the trip again! Nice picture! Thanks Paul...That pic was taken before any miles were put on either tire. I'll try to take an updated pic with 5000+ miles on the tires. 
2011 Buena Vista,CO in July
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Thomas
Witch way did you run the rear tire rotation? Is the arrow point forward or to the rear?
TKS |
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Central Wisconsin | john frey - 2011-07-29 12:15 PM Thomas Witch way did you run the rear tire rotation? Is the arrow point forward or to the rear? TKS John, I mounted the tire with the directional arrow backwards, another controversial subject. From what I understand the Battlax being a rear sport tire and the way the plys are molded together for acceleration. Therefore mounting it backwards on the front the plys are suppose to hold up better due to higher braking forces. My thoughts, I really don't think it would matter which way you decide to mount it. We rode in 3 hrs of hard rain, Interstate 90 was closed due to flooding around Worthington, Minnesota and not once did I feel ANY hydroplaning. The tire handled GREAT on ALL the mountain roads we rode during our trip.
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Central Wisconsin | Updated pic of the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 with 5000 plus miles, thread depth measured around 24mm, just shy of a 1/4". The tread depth when new was 9/32" 
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Tampa, Fl United States | I ran as indicated by the arrow |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Thomas
It was a trick question about the direction. Back in the day we always ran the arrow backwards. We did get good life out of them. Sold a 05 bagger with a rear up front and the guy said he put 10 thousand on it before he changed it and went to another rear up front and has no problems.
I just went to the darkside with the Bridgestone Potenza 019 Grid 195/55/16. I all most tuck it off the first ride was all over the road. The guy that mounted it put 40psi in it. I drop it down to 35psi and put on 180 miles yesterday and ran hard in the corners and the ruts from the semi tires in the road were not bad. I did a lot of farm back roads and there not well maintained what so ever and the bumps pot holes didn't even feel them. I have 20 pounds in the shock and am very pleased with the car tire. I will be checking out your Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18
Thanks for all the great info. |
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Central Wisconsin | john frey - 2011-08-08 11:23 AM Thomas It was a trick question about the direction. Back in the day we always ran the arrow backwards. We did get good life out of them. Sold a 05 bagger with a rear up front and the guy said he put 10 thousand on it before he changed it and went to another rear up front and has no problems. I just went to the darkside with the Bridgestone Potenza 019 Grid 195/55/16. I all most tuck it off the first ride was all over the road. The guy that mounted it put 40psi in it. I drop it down to 35psi and put on 180 miles yesterday and ran hard in the corners and the ruts from the semi tires in the road were not bad. I did a lot of farm back roads and there not well maintained what so ever and the bumps pot holes didn't even feel them. I have 20 pounds in the shock and am very pleased with the car tire. I will be checking out your Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 Thanks for all the great info. Did I pass the test? ... LOL! Yeah, to much air and a brand new CT that needs to be broken in, I bet you were thinking WTF! ...haha!
I run 34 to 36 psi in the rear but have the air shock pumped up to 55 psi (almost 100% 2up). I gotta say I'm liking the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 175/60r/16 CT on the rear better then the Falken 195mm CT I had on before. IMHO the 130mm E3 front tire is a tad to narrow for our bikes. The rear Battlax 140mm on the front seems to stabilize the front better. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I noticed these only come in bias. Any concerns about running bias on front and radial on back? Bias supposedly anren't as flexible, does it feel stiff?
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | Yes, let us know about the handling and wear as the miles pile up. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I think your doing it right by running it with the arrow pointing back wards.
Don't tell the tire what your doing and it will run just fine I'm sure |
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Central Wisconsin | Nozzledog - 2011-08-09 5:10 PM I noticed these only come in bias. Any concerns about running bias on front and radial on back? Bias supposedly anren't as flexible, does it feel stiff? Good point! A few of us might be the first to have this combination on the Vision but not the first to have this set-up on a motorcycle.
I realize the manufacturer's don't recommend mixing radials with bias. With that said I wouldn't advise it if your strictly using motorcycle tires. Now,having had a radial CT on the rear of the Vision and the 130mm E3 radial up front. I experienced a squishy front end feel when pushing hard into turns/twisties. My experience with the 140mm Battlax up front has been a firmer feel and as you pointed out the bias supposedly aren't as flexible. Also the Battlax has a Dual Tread Compound (DTC) which allows for longer mileage and stability from center, while edges offer grip and performance while cornering. Just want to toss this out there ... This has been my experience and NOT once have I ever said to ANYONE you should have a CT on the rear and a rear motorcycle sport tire up front. We are all capable of deciding for ourselves. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Many front tires have dual compound construction and a 140 width as well, so what is the advantages of running a rear tire on the front? |
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Central Wisconsin | Nozzledog - 2011-08-11 10:48 AM Many front tires have dual compound construction and a 140 width as well, so what is the advantages of running a rear tire on the front? Haven't researched the many front tires with dual compound construction and a 140mm width, will be interesting what you come up with. I do know the 140mm rear bias Battlax has a 9/32" tread depth, compared to the 130mm front radial E3 with a 6/32" tread depth.
Edited by Thomas 2011-08-11 12:51 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Welch Minnesota | Great thread, I have been studying front tire sizes like crazy trying to find the widest one that will fit that stupid
3-1/2 rim. I ride alot of gravel roads and the rear car tire is awesome but the front is a little squirrely in the loose stuff.
I would love to be able to get a wider rim in the 16 to 17 inch range and run a car tire up front.
Ever notice that most cop bikes have huge front tries and most the cops that do competion have huge wide tries.
My other concern is driving the bike on wet grass in camp grounds that E3's are slippery the car tire bites like a cat on carpet I will never go back to a motor cycle rear tire.
I have looked alot at the Battlax but was concerned about the Bias part as well so I am glad to see this.
I would do just about anything to get a winter sport style CT up front.
Does anyone know the limits of tire width as far as fork width is concerned ??
I wonder it anyone has got a 150 up front ??
Edited by IndyDan 2012-04-29 2:12 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 142
elgin mn | Just installed battelaxe on front. I decided to run the direction arrow forward.rode in the rain yesterday no hydroplaning. LOve the way it handles. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Although the 140/70-18 Battlax will fit, a 140/70-18 Metzler will not. It is too tall for the fender and will rub a hole in it after less than 100 miles. Lesson learned and passed on. |
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Bridgestone Battlax BT45 140/70/18 with a 67V rating Front tire install
