BRIDGESTONE T32: Comparative test results UTAC Ceram

Curious to discover how the brand new Battlax Sport Touring T32 scored in the UTAC Ceram – Millbrook comparative test?

BRIDGESTONE T32

Let’s say our new benchmark sport touring tyre is excellent in wet and dry conditions. A short overview:

1. Overall best wet performance
2. Great dry handling
3. Best wet handling
4. Fastest laptime in the wet

Summary:

UTAC CERAM had been asked by Bridgestone Europe NV/SA, French Department (BRIDGESTONE) to carry out a benchmark for motorcycle tyres, the aim being to evaluate and compare the performance and safety of the BRIDGESTONE tyre against its competitors: • Michelin • Metzeler • Continental • Dunlop • Pirelli The tests were conducted blind (the tested tyres were covered with heating blankets to prevent bias) and were held on the Bridgestone Italy track in Aprilia. The comparison was carried out using new tyres over five timed laps on the Dry Handling track and five timed laps on the Wet Handling track. Stopping distances were also tested over five dry and five wet braking sessions.

Conclusion:

The subjective and timed test on dry surface indicates that the performance of the Bridgestone Battlax Sport touring T32 over three laps is very close to the performance of the Dunlop Roadsmart 3, requiring only a little more warm-up time. Subjectively, it gives a good feeling whether in slow or fast corners, delivers precision and corner stability, and has braking power both in corners and straights. On a wet surface it is by far the best in performance. When it comes to feeling, it provides a very good level of confidence in all conditions: angled, high-speed cornering, accelerating in corners or on straights.

It also provides confidence while braking on corner entry, or in a straight line. When it comes to stopping distances, it is not notably the best performer despite what was subjectively felt (by the test rider). The procedure used for this test may explain this. In our goal to restrain the influence of the rider on the result, we conducted emergency brake tests, aiming to activate the ABS as soon as possible. Some brands are more in correspondence with the bike’s suspension which makes sure the tyre stays in better contact with the ground, giving better steering with less deviation. Other brands, such as Bridgestone and Dunlop, generate a slight rebound upon applying the brakes, resulting in less accurate guidance and thus lengthening the braking distance.

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