News - 2017

Tokyo (December 15, 2017)-Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced it will launch five new BATTLAX motorcycle tires in February 2018. The new tire offerings include the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31 for sport touring category, BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41 for adventure category, BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 and BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 Rain for scooter category and BATTLAX RACING R11 for circuit racing category.

• BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31
  
• BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41
  
• BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2
  
• BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 Rain
  
• BATTLAX RACING R11
  

BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31

The Bridgestone BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31 (T31) is the flagship model for the sport touring category. This tire maintains the stability and wear life performance of its predecessor, the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T30EVO (T30EVO), while also offering improved wet performance and riding comfort. The T31 decreases braking distances on wet roads and delivers higher cornering grip to contribute safety trip in unpredictable weather.

The new T31 tire’s tread pattern features increased groove ratios on the shoulder of the tire to allow for better water displacement and improved wet performance. The middle of the tire has a reduced groove ratio to contribute to increased block rigidity for shorter braking distance under wet conditions.

The T31 tire features a new tread compound that offers improved Silica dispersion at the molecular level, giving the tire increased rubber flexibility. These innovations allow the T31 tire to better grip roads when weight is applied while also making it easier for the rubber molecules to move, generating energy loss that further increases grip. Bridgestone also took steps to improve grip under low temperature conditions, allowing the tires to achieve strong grip on wet surfaces.

Bridgestone has employed 3LC (dual tread compound) and CAP&BASE construction on the rear tire, this gives the tire increased rigidity in the tread shoulder helping the T31 tire to maintain excellent cornering stability.

Bridgestone also has utilized its ULTIMAT EYE™ measurement technology to visualize the dynamic movement of tires when driving. Based on these measurements, Bridgestone has increased the adhesive area in the forward contact patch in comparison to the T30EVO tire and reduced the slippage area in the rearward contact patch. These changes contribute to improved wet cornering grip and increased dry handling response.

BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41

The new flagship model for Bridgestone in the adventure category, the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A41 tire (A41), offers enhanced wet performance and stability in comparison to its predecessor, the BATTLAX ADVENTURE A40 tire (A40), while also maintaining the same level of wear life performance. In developing the A41 tire, Bridgestone placed particular emphasis on shortening braking distance and improving cornering grip on wet surfaces to contribute safety trip in unpredictable weather.

The new tread pattern of the A41 tire features increased groove ratios on the tire’s shoulder to allow for better water dispersion and improved wet performance. The middle of the tire has a reduced groove ratio for shorter braking distance under wet conditions.

Bridgestone sought to improve grip under low temperature conditions through tire compounding, and this has contributed to the A41 tire’s increased grip on wet surfaces. In addition, the front tire uses 3LC (dual compound) tread while the rear tire uses 3LC+CAP&BASE tread to secure sufficient grip on dry surfaces.

Bridgestone has utilized its ULTIMAT EYE™ measurement technology to visualize the dynamic movement of tires when driving. Based on these measurements, the company has reduced the slippage area in the rear contact patch of tire in comparison to the A40 tire in order to improve wet cornering grip.

☑ The tires that have “USE TUBE ON TUBE TYPE RIM” displayed on their sidewall (sizes indicated with an check mark) can be used with a tube-type rim if the appropriate tube is inserted.

BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 and BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 Rain

The BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 (SC2) is a tire that boasts superior grip and high roll linearity on dry surfaces meant to accentuate the ease and enjoyable nature of sports scooters. The BATTLAX SCOOTER SC2 Rain (SC2 Rain) features exceptional traction and handling on wet surfaces, supporting users on daily commutes.

For the SC2 offering, both the front and rear tires use the same tread pattern as the Bridgestone BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S21 tire, the company’s flagship model for the hyper sports category. The new SC2 tire offers improved dry grip cornering performance.
Additionally, the new SC2 tire compounds use a higher level of grip improving substances for superb dry grip performance in all temperature ranges.

For the SC2 Rain offering, both the front and rear tires use the same pattern as the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T31 tire, the company's flagship model for the sport touring category. The groove ratio has been increased throughout the entire tire to improve water drainage for higher wet performance.
The compounds of the SC2 rain tires employ an increased Silica ratio to improve wet traction and handling. In addition, 160/60R15 size tires employ 3LC treads to secure sufficient dry cornering grip.

BATTLAX RACING R11

The BATTLAX RACING R11 (R11) is a circuit racing tire^*1 that combines superior performance with ease of use by employing cutting-edge technologies forged during the course of the Bridgestone brand’s ongoing provision of motorcycle race tires of unparalleled quality. With a newly designed tread pattern, a newly developed belt construction and new rear compound, this tire delivers superb grip and an undeniable feeling of being grounded, providing a sense of security and comfort when racing on circuits.

In developing the tread pattern for the R11 tire, Bridgestone measured the direction of force input on the tire by plotting the abrasion pattern that appears on racing tires during circuit riding. The major grooves were arranged in the same direction as the direction of force input in order to maximize grip when cornering and high stability when cornering or changing speeds.

The newly developed V-MS・BELT (Variable pitch-Mono Spiral Belt)^*2 construction features the same circumferential-direction distribution of steel cords as the MS• BELT construction, but with a different tread position. This change greatly improves the contact properties of the tire and contributes to a more even contact pressure distribution. The rear tire employs the GP-Belt construction to further improve contact properties. In addition, the Bridgestone ULTIMAT EYE™ technology was utilized to optimize the V-MS• BELT construction.

*1. The R11 is designed for circuit racing performance and was developed using speed symbols that differ from tires designated as original equipment on vehicles. For this reason, these tires are not recommended for use on standard roads. The R11 is only sold to customers for use in circuit racing.

*2. The structure of the V-MS•BELT and GP-Belt constructions used varies by tire size.

Bridgestone seeks to support more enjoyable motorcycle riding with its robust lineup of BATTLAX series motorcycle tires and other products.