Has anyone tried the Battlax A40 tires yet?

[Brazos609]

I was wondering if anyone had gotten a set of the Battlax A40 tire mounted up yet?

 

[WJBertrand]

Just ordered a rear one. The OEM fitted BW-502 is almost gone at 9,000 miles where the front still looks pretty good. Hoping the A40 will be a closer match to the BW-501 on the front than putting a tire from some other manufacturer on. I'll change both tires out together next time around.

 

[tomatocity]

VERY stiff sidewalls but they roll through the corners VERY well. I hope they soften up as they gain miles.

 

[WJBertrand]

VERY stiff sidewalls but they roll through the corners VERY well. I hope they soften up as they gain miles.

Yeah, so I've heard, hope they're not too hard to mount since I always do this myself.


-Jeff

 

[Peak-Park]

Got a set to put on myself, impressed with the Battle Wing so as these are supposed to be better thought i would try em. The BW rear has done 7100 and has squared off and worn down in the middle ::019:: but i am trying to get a few more miles out of it, the front still has plenty of tread left so that will wait a bit.
I will post again once some miles are on the rear.
PP

 

[Blue Star]

I have done 4200 kms on mine. I say - they are awesome! Much better on cornering streets then the stock profile. Give me much closer rear feel to my Yamaha FZ1 then Tenere with stock tires. Trust me - unless you are a dirt rider, the A40s are AWESOME!


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[Kurgan]

Speaking with Bridgestone today, they shared the following...

The A40 is roughly an 85/15 tire, just a bit better off-road than the BW501/502 which are 90/10 tires. The better off-road manners comes from the grooves having a hair more room, they flush out easier.

The front tire profile has changed and presents more of a contact patch when leaned over, compared to the BW501.

The tires also have a a different belting system, one used on their sportbike tires, but now evolved enough for heavy adventure bikes.

The rubber compound is also their latest and greatest.

 

[Brazos609]

I'm right at 8950 on the Battle Wings right now. The rear is getting close to the needs to be replaced range but the front still has quite a bit of life left in it. I have always seen tire life as two rears to one front ratio, but unlike most people I love buying new tires. I know most people dread the expense of buying new tire and will put it off until the point of the their tires being a danger but I love having a new set of tires on my Jeep, car, bike... I already got a price on the Battlax Adventure A40s and even with sales tax they are cheaper than buying them online with free shipping and no sales tax.

 

[KevinFH]

I have less than 6K on my originals and they are all but gone. I don't know how you'd get 9000 out of them. I was considering the A40 very seriously due to the daily rider use, but I may get the K60 and hunt for some mud puddles. Or, For the price and reports I have read, the Shinkos seem very attractive. I was at a lunch of some 12 or so ST riders a couple weekends ago (here in FL at the Cherry something steak house and fish camp) and a young man had Shinko 805/804 on and he had more than 6000 miles on them and they looked like they would go 3000 more. The Shinko 705 might be a good value choice for street rider if they wear like the 805/804 tyres do. (I speeled it the English / Aussie way just for fun).

 

[tomatocity]

I reported about the A40's not long ago and did not like the stiff sidewalls. Since then I have changed my mind. I have ridden them on Interstates, Highways, Roads, Back Roads, Rough Levee's and are enjoying much better than my original assessment.

One thing I did was to lower the tire pressures and ride the piss out of them on rough levee roads. Inflated the tires to 32-35 F and 38-41 R and they ride well.

I only have 1,000 miles on the A40's but the weather has been good lately. I Wanna Ride !!!

 

[KevinFH]

A40's were high on my list, but I read reports that the AVON AV54 Trailriders last like the K60, go off road as well (they don't look like they should) and stick well on wet pavement. I have 6400 on my original Bridgestones and the rear is gone. The new Avon tires will be here Monday. I ordered front and rear from Bike bandit. I'll have them both put on when I take the bike in for warranty issue (occasional stall when slowing/downshifting and pulling in the clutch, or when having sat at a red light for a couple minutes and then start to let clutch out).
We'll see how the Avon tires go. Oh, I considered the K60, but they are more money and too many people saying you need to be careful on wet pavement. I am not sure how to take that. Aren't they careful on wet pavement already? Or were they careful and still had a scary moment? I ride the street to much to get a tire that won't support wet pavement.

 

[tomatocity]

I have 1,500ish miles on the A40's and I like them more than I did in the beginning. Just returned from a two day 450 mile road trip. I rode too much freeway though was able to ride some tight twisties and high speed flowing twisties. The A40 tires are making this rider feel very confident with their ability. I did not purchase the A40 to take it off road though I have ridden a test section of gravel where they ride very well. The A40 handled the wet surfaces I have ridden very stable turning and stopping. I don't know how long they last but miles will tell.

 

[MAD]

Hi Guys,
I've read your comments on the A40 (and the TKC 70), with great interest, but that still leaves me with a big dilema:
Shall I go for the A40 or the TKC 70?

I drive 90% on and 10% off road and the off road is limited to some sand, grass and gravel.

Thanks for any advise ::008::

 

[Stridey]

Hi MAD!

The TKC70 will allow you to go a bit further off road if you wish thus stretching your riding a bit if you ever fancy doing that.

I have them on my S10 and find them impeccable on the road, also with some gravel, mud from winter rain. They are really a 80/20 tyre. I haven't any experience myself with A40 but my partner has them on her MG Stelvio and in the dry or wet are good until she rides over road white lines which if a damp will slip losing her confidence in the tyres a bit. We are in England and maybe are white lines are not biker friendly! Other than that I think the A40 are a good tyre with some new feature that the BW didn't have.

 

[Cycledude]

Was looking at them but just ordered another set of stock battle wings yesterday from kirk, $230 supposed to deliver Monday.

 

[tomatocity]

Was looking at them but just ordered another set of stock battle wings yesterday from kirk, $230 supposed to deliver Monday.

I currently have the A40 and most likely will return to the Bridgestone Battlewing 501/502 "E" tires. I have to finish the A40's and a pair of Mitas E07 before I go back to the BW501/502's.

 

[Stridey]

Could you tell us why?
Thanks


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[Checkswrecks]

As a general purpose tire that is easy on the bank account, the Stones are actually pretty good. Heck, I liked them a lot more than some more expensive tires, like the Anakee 3.

 

[tomatocity]

Could you tell us why?
Thanks


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If you are referring to my post.

I will miss the very smooth rollover and lean angle on rough backroads but I won't miss the stiff sidewalls. Never know these tires might be excellent when the weather heats up.

I enjoy the BW 501/502 tires. Don't cost much, track well, cornering and braking is very good. I would be the last rider to rate tires in wet conditions. I back off and sweat a lot 8^|

 

[Brazos609]

With the $50 rebate Bridgestone just started I may go ahead and buy a set of A40 now even though I just had my second surgery on less than a month, my right arms is still in a shoulder immobilizer, I haven't been able to get on the bike in six weeks, and I probably won't be able to get back on it for another six weeks... $50 off is $50 off.