Bridgestone T31 [E] or [GT]?

[ST1100Y]

The tires on my friend's NT700 are due because of age...
And after 10,000km the Dunflop on the front of my GF's NT700 doesn't look that pretty either ...

front: T31 120/70 17 58W
rear: T31 150/70 17 69W TL

is obvious, but the front is avail in [E] (OEM equipment) or [GT] (Grand Tourismo) dedicated to heavier bikes like ST1100/1300

Any contradictions to use a GT on the NT? :unsure:
As it turns out will a GT come for € 100,45,-, whilst they're putting a € 145,15,- tag on the E...
(€ 124,21,- for the rear tire feel moderate though...)

 

[rc_heli_nut]

I like the Continental Road Attack 3's. The NT does better with a tire that has tread grooves that crisscross the contact patch, as opposed to ones that follow the circumference (less tracking/hunting on road grooves). At least that's been my experience. I used to use Avons, switched over to Contis to stop the tracking. The Contis give it a real neutral planted feel.

Brad

 

[NewTo700V]

Who's putting a higher price on the [E]? Is that OEM for the NT700 specifically or some other bike? Something doesn't sound right. Here the regular 120/70 is the same price as the GT. As for running a GT on the NT700, it's overkill as the bike isn't that heavy. However, putting the GT on won't do any harm.

Are there any Bridgestone T30 EVO available over there? They're on closeout here in the states and probably one of the best deals in motorcycling at the moment. I've been hoarding remaining stock because they're so cheap, and I burn through tires in a few months. The regular 120/70-17 fronts are $70 (€ 60) (y). I've been outfitting my VFRs with full sets for just $170. (120/70-17 @ $70, 180/55-17 @ $100). The 150/70-17 rear the NT uses isn't as common and a bit more money, but I found some on Amazon for around $130.

There is a caveat with closeout tires. The date codes I've seen show they left the molds 2017-2018 depending on the size. Still within the 5 year window manufacturers recommend for replacement, but something to think about. If new tires sit on your bikes for multiple seasons, you may want to look elsewhere if that's a concern. I go through them quick enough I don't worry.

 

[ST1100Y]

Who's putting a higher price on the [E]?

Likely that the higher turnover they see on the GT...
Big tourers seem more common + higher annual mileage = larger sales numbers...

Are there any Bridgestone T30 EVO available over there?

Yep and they are indeed slightly cheaper... but not by much (mind that the market volume is smaller over here...)

There is a caveat with closeout tires.

I too intend to put a set (or two) into storage, as you should not install a brand new tire fresh of the conveyor either, a one year storage period seems ideal...
Got my own tire changer in the shed now which makes replacing a "pit-stop"...
(I'm maintaining a stock of Bridgestone Exedra G547/548 for my ST1100... since years(!) local motorcycle shops claim that the G547/548 are "out of production" and "not available anymore"...
which is BS, they only want to force the "oh so newer, modern tires" that give only half the mileage on you... :cautious: )

 

[Miairhead]

I was using a set a year basically, but the set on my NT will go on 2+ years. I did not take a long trip, so I did not replace before going: which as been my practice. Weather and few other issues have limited my riding to only about 3k for the last 2 years. Now it sit with a full take a pure gas, and I be looking for tires for next year. I usually replace my brake pads at least every other tire change, weather needed or not, and keep old ones as spares just in case for trips.
I used Michelin's Dunlop, and Metzeler and found all about the same. Last set was Dunlop with a large rebate, and my buy them again.

 

[NewTo700V]

I've had the NT for about 1.5 years now. I think I'm on the 4th or 5th rear tire. I did a cross country ride in 2019 and 2020. I put on a new set before embarking on such rides, since it will be over 5K miles round-trip.

 

[JQL]

Having done over 187,000 km on my Deauville (NT700) I've tried a number of different tyres - Bridgestone, Avon and Michelin. You don't need the GT on the Deauville.

Bridgestones weren't very good in the wet (skittish if I'm being polite) but stuck like glue in the dry. Avons were good both wet and dry. But, I found that the Michelin PR series are the best for the bike. I liked the PR4 the best - excellent grip in the wet and the dry and reasonable longevity (22,000 km rear and 27,000 km front on average). The current Michelin is the PR5 or Road 5.

ATM, I'm running Michelin Road 5 on the Deauville and Bridgestone (OEM) on the FJR. I'm not happy on the FJR in the wet whereas I'm extremely confident on the Deauville in the wet. As soon as the Bridgestones on the FJR need replacing I'll put on Michelins

For European weather and roads the Michelin are the best I've come across so far.

 

[Brillot2000]

You don't need the GT on the Deauville. Bridgestones weren't very good in the wet (skittish if I'm being polite) but stuck like glue in the dry.

Your statement was true about the T30 EVOs. The successor T31 has improved wet traction, per the statements from the Bridgestone Rep I spoke to at the 2018 IMS at Long Beach Show.

The 150/70-17 is a rare bird indeed. When I got the last T30 EVO for NaTalie, I was told it was the last one in all of the US warehouses. Since then I have migrated to the T31s. NaNCy, My NC700X is due for a rear tire soon, it's a T30 160/60-17. I will have to go to the T31 for the next tire.

Bridgestone Tires - T30 EVO

Bridgestone Tires - T31

 

[ST1100Y]

What I rate odd on all those "modern" tires, is the absence of any thread on the center line...
If you have to cross some mud, soil or a patch of wet grass you're gonna see pretty much zero traction to get out of there...

 

[Brillot2000]

What I rate odd on all those "modern" tires, is the absence of any thread on the center line...
If you have to cross some mud, soil or a patch of wet grass you're gonna see pretty much zero traction to get out of there...

I learned the hard way back in the '90s that trail tires are not intended to be put on a street bike. Squared off tires do not like to be leaned over into a turn.

 

[ST1100Y]

Squared off tires do not like to be leaned over into a turn.

Go and tell this to the dark-siders (car tire on the rear) if you dare... :sneaky:

The Exedra G548 on my ST shows at least some thread there, so I can manage crossing roadworks or rural access roads...
The dealer threw a BW 502 Battle Wing (dedicated to the NC700X) on the rear of my GF's NT (I objected that the rear tire it was on display with was badly squared...), which does look a tad odd, but handles and performs exceptionally well so far... :unsure:

 

[Brillot2000]

Go and tell this to the dark-siders (car tire on the rear) if you dare... :sneaky:

I did to a guy with an FJR. You cannot reason with an ignorant person.

Squared off tires on motorcycle users and flat-earthers are about at the same level.

 

[ST1100Y]

Squared off tires on motorcycle users and flat-earthers are about at the same level.

:ROFLMAO:
... one can't fix stupid :sneaky:

 

[Brillot2000]

:ROFLMAO:
... one can't fix stupid :sneaky:

 

[ST1100Y]

Alright, T30 EVO it is... just placed the order... (y)

 

[Brillot2000]

Alright, T30 EVO it is... just placed the order... (y)

It’s a good tire. Just be aware of future availability of the T30 EVO. The 150/70-17 size has been discontinued form the T30 EVO offering. I had to go with T31on the last tire change because of that.

 

[ST1100Y]

Just be aware of future availability of the T30 EVO.

Got both as EVO, normally front and rear wear pretty equally, so a set of T31 next time...

 

[Brillot2000]

Got both as EVO, normally front and rear wear pretty equally, so a set of T31 next time...

Just so that you get a side-by-side comparison regarding their tread patterns.

 

[NewTo700V]

It’s a good tire. Just be aware of future availability of the T30 EVO. The 150/70-17 size has been discontinued form the T30 EVO offering. I had to go with T31on the last tire change because of that.

All T30 are discontinued. What ever sizes vendors have is simply remaining stock. I managed to secure a few 150/70s which we're still available up until about two weeks ago.

 

[Brillot2000]

All T30 are discontinued. What ever sizes vendors have is simply remaining stock. I managed to secure a few 150/70s which we're still available up until about two weeks ago.

I have and will be migrating to the T31 on all my proceeding tire changes on both DIVA and NaNCy.