This section is dedicated, as it says, to tyres for the Sprint Sport. Unlike most of the site it is not just my opinions but contributions from other owners as well. Such contributions are always welcome. If you agree, disagree, or have any input regarding tyres not covered here please email me using the envelope on the front page.
The bike came with Bridgestone BT54's as standard. The rear lasted about 5500 miles and by then I fancied a change. I was not very adventurous - BT57's were the replacements. They were noticeably stickier and made the bike far more fun to chuck into corners. Honestly - I'm no motorcycle hero but I could really feel the difference.
I got about 3500 miles out of the rear BT57.
When I had a new rear tyre the fitter asked what the state of my front tyre was because the BT57 was being discontinued. I told him it was about 1/2 worn as both were changed last time and I'm not a stoppie merchant. This lead on to my asking about the BT57 replacement, the BT020. The word is it is as good as both the BT57 (grip) and the BT54 (wear rate / life) and better in the wet than both. This is why both the BT57 and 54 have been replaced by a single tyre. I see no reason to disbelieve him as they sell all major tyres (Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli etc) so wouldn't be losing a sale if I didn't go BT020 in future.
I 'scrubbed in' the new tyres along (amongst others) the Cat & Fiddle road in the Peak District (UK) between Macclesfield and Buxton. If you are not acquainted with this road (and it is famous - going on notorious) I suggest you give it a try if possible. The bike is now soooooo much more fun on the new tyre. It amazes me how much performance and handling is lost through a squared off tyre. Here's some before (top) and after (bottom) piccies to illustrate. It almost looks like a different size of tyre, the profile has changed so much.
Towards the end of the BT57's life I went to the Isle of Man TT races and had great fun there. I don't know if it was my enthusiastic cornering but when I came to replace the tyres I found that the front had worn in a slightly odd way. Where I had thought it was at the end of its life, based on the tread depth in the centre of the tread when I looked closely it was almost bald to either side of the centre! Whether this is down to my riding / cornering style or is 'normal' I can't comment but I'll study my front tyre more closely in future.
When I finally wore out the BT57's I went for a pair of BT020s. First impressions were fairly ambivalent: they don't seem a whole lot different to the 57's. I guess that's not a bad thing in itself but it just left me feeling a bit flat. I suppose part of it is because I didn't wear the back as square as I have before, partly because the front was the main reason for the change and the back still had a little (0.5mm) to go before the wear indicators, but mainly because I wore the sides of the rear more this time because I did 500 miles or so in the Isle of Man during TT week.
What I can report is that having been caught out in the rain (and lots of it) the BT020's do seem to be better in the wet than the BT57's. All that's left to evaluate about them is their wear rate...
Apparently the Azaro's have been given a decent write up in a test in MCN but I have heard that they are not the best in the wet and also they are about to be replaced by a new range (see comments above about BT57 / 020 for the problems and expense that can lead to).
Neil Boardman writes:I meant to get back to you a while ago with a review of the Avon Azaro II tyres which I have to say are very good. My only complaint and is one suffered by most Triumph bikes fitted with Avon's, is the 'wobble' you get anywhere between 25 & 50 mph and manifests itself in a tank slapper when you take the weight of your body off the bars. Bit disconcerting and not what you need especially when you've got some luggage strapped on. Apparently (as Jack Lilley informed me this is typical of Avon's on Triumphs) this is to do with the tread pattern and Avon say does not compromise grip or safety in any way. Shame 'cos it's a good grippy tyre for a sports/tourer and still lasting well.
Any further comments from anyone?
I have recently been informed (again, by valued contributor, Neil Boardman) that it is possible to put a bigger rear tyre on; a 180/55 rather than the standard 170/60. This is the size of the early Daytona's and Super III. Not having tried this I can't comment from experience but given that the bike is not the most agile of beasts as standard and wider tyres will tend to slow the steering I don't think I'll be trying it, especially as I've never really had a problem with rear grip. The tyre is already wider than the standard Sprint anyway (160/60). I bet a 180/55 looks good though.
Neil's comment is: don't worry about the effect of going up from a 170 to a 180 on the rear. The drop from 60 to 55 helps to tip it in just as quick.
