Bridgestone Battlax S-20's Track Usage (Review)

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Bigevildoer

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Figure I'd post up my impressions of the S20's... specific to the track, so I figure it should go here instead of the regular review section.

Have had the S20's on my GSX-r750 for 3 track days (2 TMP, 1 GB Modified).
My pace is low yellow or upper green depending on crowd. Ran yellow at GB on 13th and was likely in the middle-upper third of pace.

So far, I'm extremely impressed with them.
First session out when brand new - scrubbed in edge to edge and didn't have any slippage at all (mind you, I was being cautious with the throttle application).

The only times the rear has gave me a nasty squirm is when I'm ham-fisted on the throttle coming out of a turn. Front has been rock solid.

The wear-rate is good - one more day at either TMP or GB and the right side will be down to half tread depth, maybe a little less. After that, I'll flip them on the rims to extend their life (and of course, not ride in the rain or wet). Should be able to get 8 track days out of the set without difficulty, maybe more depending on how far the user wants to push them.

Got in touch with Bridgestone, and they told me to run 31/30 psi cold, 34/34 hot. Seems to be bang on.

I will definitely buy them again for next season (not fast enough to bother with warmers or a genny yet).
 
Bigevildoer said:
they told me to run 31/30 psi cold, 34/34 hot. Seems to be bang on.

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Iiiihhhh Hot temperatures don't seem right for track use but I am definitely no expert
 
Last season I ran a front S20 with a rear Q2 (actually, I just put them on again to use tomorrow at TMP instead of the slicks, for which I'm not fast enough). So, last season I ran 31psi cold on the front S20, and 27psi cold on the rear Q2, and was very satisfied. It probably has a lot to do with skill level, but to me they felt much better last season than the slicks I was using (with warmers) at the beginning of this season.
 
ZX600 said:
Iiiihhhh Hot temperatures don't seem right for track use but I am definitely no expert
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31 psi front
30 psi rear

Both cold.

34 psi front
34 psi rear

Both Hot.

 
Is it a track only bike? If so why not try bt003rs. I haven't tried the s20 but from research I've seen the bt003 as more of a track oriented tire.
 
daisoman said:
Is it a track only bike? If so why not try bt003rs. I haven't tried the s20 but from research I've seen the bt003 as more of a track oriented tire.
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Yeah, it's a track only bike.

To be honest, never thought about the BT003rs.
Price comparison at Pete's shows the S20's being about $25 cheaper for the set.

Ordered my S20's and had them shipped to a friend in the states. Saved a ton that way.

Either way, I'm happy with the S20's. If my pace was higher, maybe I'd need the BT003rs'... At the moment, I don't.
 
daisoman said:
Is it a track only bike? If so why not try bt003rs. I haven't tried the s20 but from research I've seen the bt003 as more of a track oriented tire.
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Depends on how fast you are and if you need the extra grip of the BT003RS (and DOT race, slicks, etc). S20 would provide plenty enough grip up to a certain pace, and will last more trackdays than the BT003RS. That's my understanding. I've read on GTAM before people doing 1:20 at TMP on Q2 (S20 is very comparable to Q2).
 
Bigevildoer said:
My pace is low yellow or upper green depending on crowd. Ran yellow at GB on 13th and was likely in the middle-upper third of pace.
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Dafuq?!?! Lmao this is one of the strangest descriptions I've read in a long time.........
 
gs500f said:
Lap times are more effective. Mid yellow whatever could be :58 seconds or 1:40......
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No lap timer. Best I can do is gopro timeline. Averaged 1:06-1:07 GB Modified. Best 1:04 when pushing as hard as my meagre skills allowed. Found it rather stressful and uncomfortable to reach that time (chasing a Daytona 675 having it's suspension dialed in to the track inbetween laps). Was definitely at my current maximum limit.
 
Bigevildoer said:
No lap timer. Best I can do is gopro timeline. Averaged 1:06-1:07 GB Modified. Best 1:04 when pushing as hard as my meagre skills allowed. Found it rather stressful and uncomfortable to reach that time (chasing a Daytona 675 having it's suspension dialed in to the track inbetween laps). Was definitely at my current maximum limit.
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.....
 
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Corsara said:
Depends on how fast you are and if you need the extra grip of the BT003RS (and DOT race, slicks, etc). S20 would provide plenty enough grip up to a certain pace, and will last more trackdays than the BT003RS. That's my understanding. I've read on GTAM before people doing 1:20 at TMP on Q2 (S20 is very comparable to Q2).
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That's always the case.

More grip=less longevity

Don't get me wrong I'm a total track newb. I just figured I throw out that option. I'm running bt003's cuz I got an incredible deal on them.
 
This thread wasnt' meant to be a "my lap times are X and therefore I am faster/slower than you are".
It was simply a thread to give my impression of the tire from a low end yellow rider.

A TomC noted, opinions are subjective and posted up a link to a great set of comparisons of different tires, from what appears to be highly advanced track riders / racers. The S20 didn't rate too well for them.

For what the S20 is, I'm very happy to have a tire that can exceed my skills / pace at a modest price ($240 set in the US, where I get them shipped to a friend's place) , and still last for what will likely be a whole track season (8 or so days). The set on my GSXr will go to my street bike in spring. Lots of meat left in the middle - might as well us them till they are truly dead.
 
Bigevildoer said:
This thread wasnt' meant to be a "my lap times are X and therefore I am faster/slower than you are".
It was simply a thread to give my impression of the tire.
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Was this directed at me?

I was trying to help you out and give you a reference since the conversation went there.

I will edit my previous post

No good deed goes......
 
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