Packed with tech developed during Bridgestone’s time in the MotoGP paddock, the Battlax V02 Racing Slick is without doubt one of the best track tyres on the market.
The V02 sets new standards in terms of grip, stability and control for maximum performance on circuit.
But it wasn’t just developed for pro teams; a combination of excellent cornering stability, superior warm-up capacity and an ultra wide performance range make them accessible to all!
If you want to know how Bridgestone have done it, then carry on reading…
GP Belt & Mono-Spiral Belt Technology
GP-Belt technology was developed to limit tyre deformation, and allows engineers to design a tyre which offers an optimal contact pressure area on track. In simple terms the technology generates extra grip coming out of corners, while the area of slip is reduced. This has allowed Bridgestone to work on employing a new, softer compound.
The Mono-Spiral Belt which sits underneath uses a single, continuous spiral wrapped around the circumference of the tyre. Whereas a standard multi-cross belt construction has many belt overlaps, seams and joints, the Bridgestone Mono-Spiral Belt does not. This therefore reduces the heat generated in the tyre, giving greater on track stability.
The graphic below shows how the introduction of this technology improved grip levels across the temperature range when compared with the original V01.
During internal, on track testing the data gathered by Bridgestone’s team showed that the improved grip levels and consistency of performance had equated to a 1.5% improvement in lap times, which equated to 0.6s improvement per minute – something that really adds up in an environment where milliseconds really count!
Dual Compound Technology
Bridgestone have been using their 3LC (dual compound) technology for quite some time, and the know-how and technology transfer from racing at the highest level is now fully on-going.
The Battlax V02 range now includes a Soft / Medium rear, and brand new for 2020 an Extra-Soft / Soft option is planned – although they haven’t landed just yet!
This new addition for 2020 uses the strengths of V02 Soft rear tyre in terms of its consistency and feedback, and combines them with a special high grip extra soft compound on the shoulder area for additional edge grip and traction capabilities leading to increased cornering speeds.
Various improvements in both technology and the manufacturing process have made it possible to use this new compound approach on mass production racing tyres. The proven efficiency of this approach has been directly related into excellent performance on the racing scene.
During the development of the new Extra-Soft / Soft rear, a new lap record was set at the Autodrom of Most circuit in the Czech Republic.
Riders of the latest superbikes now have numerous options available as shown below.
