[StevieP]

well it looks like my stock nobbies have finally decided to take a break, the front one is wearing down pretty good. I bought/stole (got a great deal on craigslist) used about 2 yrs ago, it was an 01 and I'm assuming they are the original tires. Rear is still in great condition. I'm 99% street and I'm thinkin' about going with the bridgestone tw203 and tw204 tires, been searching the site and it seems like people are mixed between what street tires they like. I'm just curious if any of you guys have the Bridgestones, do you like 'em? I'm thinkin' after riding nobbies on street, the smooth street tire should make it feel like riding in a cadillac (well, sort of). Do those bridgestones grab the road pretty good when leaning in to the turns? thanks for any info fellas (and the occasional fell'ettes)....

Steve



Now if this freakin' rain would finally take a break in the northeast.....

 

[uktw125]

I like them, but I've never tried anything else on the TW. Some say they are slippery in the wet but I don't think they are any worse than any other tyres on my other bikes.

My riding is 99.5% sealed roads so they are ideal for me.

 

[Mark In WA]

Wet performance is one of the reasons I am not going with these tires. Just looking at the tread pattern, there doesn't look like there is much of anywhere for water to go. I think current street tires are in general not designed with water in mind because only a small percentage of people ride in the rain anyway.



I think the issue with smoothness on the street is mainly due to the stock front tire. I can't imagine a more poorly designed tread pattern for on and off road traction and noise.



This is why I am going to try the Bridgestone TW302 on the front with the stock TW43 rear. I don't think anyone here is running that combination so it is just an educated guess that it will be smoother and quieter on the street while retaining some off-road capability for my occasional need to get away.



I am sure that wet traction on the street will be superior to the street tires. I am also sure that I can't push my TW hard enough to need any more dry traction than these tires will provide except maybe braking.



Mark

 

[Xracer]

I've got them on my 05 and like them. Smoother ride,less tire noise and better traction on pavement. As far as rain goes,if it happens I take it easy. With all the sand and oil around here I'm not going to push it. That said thay seem to do nothing bad in the wet at the speeds I ride.

 

[phelonius]

Great on pavement, they suck in the dirt.



Phelonius

 

[old mad max]

I had 5,000 miles on the factory rubber before they angled off the nobs.. And they were buzzy on my hands.. I switched over and won't go back to the factory tire again.. I really think they are smooooooooooother, and quieter.. I ride 90% on road and the 10% I'm verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry careful. When it's time for a front tire on my wife's it will be the more road like replacement. OMM.

 

[Wheelie Nelson]

i just use my tw to commute to work and back and to go pick up beer when needed (often).



i just switched to the 203/204's two weeks or so back. i have over 6k on the stock tires and 250ish on the new ones, so i'm much more familiar with the stock than the 203/204's. with that being said, wet pavement, they are as good as the stock ones to me. i rode about 25 miles in rain today and they were fine. i was taking curves at 45 the same way i did on the stock ones. i have ridden in wet and hard rain conditions with both, and they both seemed fine to me. i didn't notice any failures in these tires on wet pavement. i don't know who started saying they are terrible when wet, but i read that several times and it simply isn't true, imo. they feel the same as the other tires did.



in dry conditions, i don't really know if they are that great of a thing. i generally ride under 50mph. At 65 and over, the stock tires were scary to me, but this bike isn't made for those speeds, and i rarely ride them. under 50, i can't really say that there is a noticeable difference between the two. the old tires didn't beat me to death, they were stable, and i never noticed much road noise. aside from aesthetics, i really can't tell that much difference. i haven't had the 203/204's over 50mph yet, but i would assume that my tw will feel like less of a death machine when i do hit those speeds, but will also still be unstable and feel like it's going to explode at any second.



i don't think they are a dual sport tire. i think they are a street tire. if you like the look of them, and you are not going to be going off road, then they are as good as the other tires, but if you want to go off road, i would stick with knobby tires.

 

[StevieP]

wow guys, all I gotta say is it's really great how everybody can throw in their 2 cents to help somebody out. The new forum is just as good as the old one was. As for the tires, now I'm up in the air on what to go with. I do like the look of the 203/204's and thought I would dig the smoothness on the road since I do ride mostly on the road. Now I'm thinkin' well maybe it would be nice to have the option with the stock tires of going off road since there isn't much of a difference between the stock tires "on road" and the 203/204's "on road" (according to some of you guys). Only difference is the off road capability where the stock ones rule. So if the only noticable difference between the two is the "look" and off roading of the bridgestones, Maybe I should just go with the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Front tire needs replaced for sure, rear tire is still looking good. Thanks for the info guys, just need to figure out which way to go... Hope I can return the favor sometime.....

steve

 

[SickPuppy76]

I think I'll be replacing my stock "death wing" knobby with the TW203 pretty soon. Getting a quote from Pro Cycle tomorrow.

 

[pred]

If the bike is an 01 and the tires are original,
No matter what you buy, It will be better in the rain as the old tires are 15 years old and the rubber is harder than when new,
If you feel the front is good enough for you in the rain, You ride carefully in the rain and any tire you choose will reward you with greater traction and stability than whats currently on your front hoop,
If it were me,
Ide but two new tires and be done with it,
Cant see why the 203/204 combo won't make you giddy !
On a personal note,
I only wear my tires to about 2/3rds worn and then I replace,
Any tire over 10 years old or 2/3rds worn to me is unsafe in emergency situations in the rain or foul weather,
I sell the tires off on CL and that helps a lot toward the cost of new tires,
I own several cars and truck and tires and brakes are always in peak shape,
My 2c
Peter B

 

[SickPuppy76]

Amazon has them for about 190 for the pair and another 45 for a pair of new tubes. Free shipping.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Keeping the stock rear, it's hardly worn and I want the traction for the little time I go off road.

 

[Xracer]

Having had a set on for awhile and riding the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway I can tell you they make the Dub handle like a slot car. I can corner the bike so fast now that flex has become a problem.

 

[Purple]

Keeping the stock rear, it's hardly worn and I want the traction for the little time I go off road.

If you keep the TW34 rear and add a TW203 front, be ready for over steering on corners

Tried that – got the tee-shirt – (and a different front tire within a week) ………

 

[dogonit]

They, the 203/204's rock. I have been an advocate of them for a long time. While I am basically a road runner, they handle fine in gravel and dirt. I was out the other day and decided to hit every gravel road I could on a 30 mile run and with about 15 on gravel I can say again that they work fine. Riding gravel is more a mental thing than a bike thing. The bike wanders a bit and until you get the feel it can be disconcerting. On dirt they have quite adequate grip. I don't do mud on purpose and there they may let you down. Where the 203/204's shine is on pavement where they let the bike really lay down and do it's thing. Nuff said.

 

[Peterb]

I have been running 203/204 combo for a few years now. Very smooth and I have no issues with traction wet or dry. I take ramps with lots of lean and never had a problem. Off-road I have no issues with these tires either. Just did 70 KMs at 80 to 100 KM/hr. Nothing could be worse off-road than that stock front tire.