Ahead of the annual INTERMOT show in Cologne, Bridgestone announced four brand new products for 2019.
We’ve already shared some details of these brand new tyres, but starting this week we’ll be taking a closer look at each one in turn, starting with the Battlax S22.
The aim of the Battlax S22 is to allow riders to experience the full extent of their bike’s performance on the road (and in fairness, they’ll be more than up to the odd track day as well!)
Bridgestone engineers have adopted a brand new tread pattern design for several reasons:
- Firstly, they have increased the Land/Sea ratio in the shoulder area, offering increased amounts of edge grip and reducing slippage towards the end of the contact area.
- Secondly, the angle and alignment of tread grooves have been altered to re-distribute the working forces across the tyre. This makes for light handling, improved feedback, and optimal water drainage when riding in the wet.
The rear tyre continues to use Bridgestone’s unique 5-Layer Compound structure, with the very softest compound found right at the edge for maximum cornering grip. The use of 5LC makes for more progressive handling, while retaining a harder central band for durability.
Chemists have worked on a brand new compound mix, using fine silica molecules across the central area, which has led to a 25% increase in the amount of silica touching the road surface when compared with the S21. Silica is great for boosting grip levels in both cold and wet conditions.
On track testing by Bridgestone at Autopolis, Japan on a BMW S1000RR showed a 15% increase in dry cornering speed when compared with the current Battlax S21, which saw lap times fall by 1.2%. Increased wet grip saw these comparative lap times fall by 5%.
The following sizes are expected to be available in the UK as of January 2019:
- 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) TL – Front
- 160/60 ZR17 M/C (69W) TL – Rear
- 180/55 ZR17 M/C (73W) TL – Rear
- 190/50 ZR17 M/C (73W) TL – Rear
- 190/55 ZR17 M/C (75W) TL – Rear
- 200/55 ZR17 M/C (78W) TL – Rear
Bridgestone also plan to release several H-rated sizes and a 180/60 ZR17 rear tyre in early 2020 to further extend the range of potential fitments.
As the UK’s main Bridgestone trade distributor, we’ll let you know when they land.
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