BattleAx: "New" BT-46 vs "old" BT-45

[blupupher]

So will be buying a new tire for the front of my GL1500, and since I went darkside on the rear, figured I would just do double dark.

Everything I have read mostly talks about using the Bridgstone BattleAx BT-45. I know there are a few other rear tires other use, but the BT-45 seems to be the most used.
Well, it seems that the BT-45 has been updated, and is now the BattleAx BT-46.

Seems the 46 has some improved silica compounds that are supposed to help with wet handling/performance, while keeping the same dry performance and durability of the 45.

Has anyone used a rear BT-46 on their double dark setup yet? I would think Bridgstone knows they have a good thing and not to mess with it, but sometimes you just never know.

BTW, this will be on a GL1500 with a Taxi tire on the rear.
Current front is a Dunlop E-4 that has about 13,000 miles on it, and has a little life left in it, but I have a ~2,000 mile trip in mid/late April, and don't trust that tire for that far.

[FM-USA]

The older BATTLAX rear tire up front, 2 in a row the sidewalls cracked. They were open to the cords.
Brought this up to USA Dunlop and their recommendation was to RIDE IT TIL IT WORE OUT.
NEVER EVER will I do Battlax again, nor will I consider buying Dunlop after getting that irresponsible response.
After checking the Net, others had a similar issue.

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[Wingsconsin]

The older BATTLAX rear tire up front, 2 in a row the sidewalls cracked. They were open to the cords.
Brought this up to USA Dunlop and their recommendation was to RIDE IT TIL IT WORE OUT.
NEVER EVER will I do Battlax again, nor will I consider buying Dunlop after getting that irresponsible response.
After checking the Net, others had a similar issue.

.

.

I might be missing something here --
But the BattleAx is a BRIDGESTONE -
DUNLOP wouldn't care a bit about a competitors tire ...???

I wore out a BT-45 on my 1996 when I was going Double dark -
It lasted about 11,000 miles and cupped badly - then I rode it to 16,000 before I replaced it -
At the same time I was getting 16K out of a set of Michelin Pilot GT's so the front darkside didn't really change anything for me -
I rode darkside for about 30K before deciding it wasn't for me

[FM-USA]

Ya, my OOPS.
(20 character filler)

[Overdog]

I've got about 12K on the BT45 on the front of my 83 and it looks about half worn. Mounted in normal rotation. I'm hoping the BT46 works as well

[blupupher]

Well, kinda moot point for me now.
I decided to try a Kenda Cruiser K671 rear tire instead.
I have the same tire on the rear of my Nighthawk and have been happy with it so far, so figured why not give this a try.
While Kenda says this tire is not recommended for high load vehicles, it is rated for 600 lbs, which is the same as the BattleAx, so not worried about it.

[FM-USA]

Well, kinda moot point for me now.
I decided to try a ... Kenda Cruiser K671... rear tire instead. ...
While Kenda says this tire is not recommended for high load vehicles, it is rated for 600 lbs, which is the same as the BattleAx, so not worried about it.

You'll find getting over 25K miles on your Rear tire to Front setup. Past (golly's lost count) dozen? of R to F tires I averaged just short of 35K.

Only one's I didn't get that fantastic mileage were cupping issues. But since I went with an extra ounce or 2 of balancing beads that hasn't happened.
Being more sidewall ply's, it will be a harsher ride but not that bad. Rear's are heavier than Front's, expect a different steering actions also, mainly a not as quick turning reaction. It'll take a few dozen miles to re-habit.

[Rambozo]

Back in the day, lots of MC tires were rated to run front or rear. They usually just swapped the rotation and were marked as such.

[Old Fogey]

I had BT45's on my 76 GL1000 and hated the feel of the front. It seemed to want to 'fall' into corners much more than I was comfortable with. It started cupping after a long tour (6800 miles in 6 weeks!) at about 8k miles so I swapped both out for Shinko Tourmaster 230. They made a huge difference to the feel of the bike.

[blupupher]

You'll find getting over 25K miles on your Rear tire to Front setup. Past (golly's lost count) dozen? of R to F tires I averaged just short of 35K.

Only one's I didn't get that fantastic mileage were cupping issues. But since I went with an extra ounce or 2 of balancing beads that hasn't happened.
Being more sidewall ply's, it will be a harsher ride but not that bad. Rear's are heavier than Front's, expect a different steering actions also, mainly a not as quick turning reaction. It'll take a few dozen miles to re-habit.

I did notice it feels "heavier" but not a big deal overall.

I had BT45's on my 76 GL1000 and hated the feel of the front. It seemed to want to 'fall' into corners much more than I was comfortable with. It started cupping after a long tour (6800 miles in 6 weeks!) at about 8k miles so I swapped both out for Shinko Tourmaster 230. They made a huge difference to the feel of the bike.

I am already noticing some cupping and some low speed (30-45 mph) wobble after just over 3500 miles on the Kenda K671.

I am running balance beads, and added another ounce (was 2, now 3 oz) and will see if that helps any.
I will give it another 1000 miles to see if it improves. If not, I will give the BT-46 a try.