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I just bought one of these. It is 100/90 - 19 BT45H. I am replacing the same tire, but it is a BT45F.

Somewhere on the internet I found a table that said the "H" and the "F" are speed ratings. If that is so, the tire I am replacing has a 50MPH rating which is a little scary.

My neighbor things the F just means its a front tire. He has no idea what the H means.

Does anyone know?

Google is your friend: http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoSpeedRating.do

I would agree with F meaning front. I have never seen a motorcycle tire with anything lower than an S speed rating. I'm sure they exist, but BT45s are made for moderish bikes capable of doing the ton.

According to Bridgestone's website, they make the BT45 in H and V speed ratings. As such, I would guess the F means front tire.

Here's Bridgestone's description of the tire: BATTLAX BT-45 is a touring type tire offered in both H and V rated speed symbols. BATTLAX BT-45 gives all-round street performance, with the emphasis on riding comfort, long mileage, wet performance, all designed by the latest tire developing technologies of Bridgestone.

http://www.bridgestone.com/products/mot ... /bt45.html

You didn't tell us how you expect to ride. Hard and fast in corners, or straight up on the freeway going the speed limit.

Tires that grip well have good traction in corners, but just don't last as long. We can't get a tire that lasts forever and also grips. Pick one.

I never wanted a tire that lasted a long time. I want safety and handling on the curvy roads. I once wore out a rear tire in about 1.5 k miles in three days. It was nearly all over 100 mph, so I was happy with the result.

For freeway work I have my Camry. Oh, yes, I don't even ride anymore.

No longer true Duane

Modern tyres such as the latest michelins suitable for airheads have a real capacity to grip well and last a long time without squaring off..

There have been real improvements in tyre technology over the last 40 years.


after about 7000 miles, of hot slow heavily laden touring and a track day...

Yes, my experience with Pilot Activs is similar. After 30 years of Lasertecs and Marathons, I won't be buying any more Metzelers.

[quote="chasbmw"]No longer true Duane

Modern tyres such as the latest michelins suitable for airheads have a real capacity to grip well and last a long time without squaring off..

There have been real improvements in tyre technology over the last 40 years.


after about 7000 miles, of hot slow heavily laden touring and a track day...
quote]

Glad to hear it. That photo shows a result that wasn't possible in my day.

On one of these threads we talked about Nixon and the 55 MPH speed limit. I was in college then and buying cheap tires and getting 10 to 20 k out of them. I am sure the good tire mileage had to do with reduced speeds.

Regarding the Battlax I have on order, there is some confusion regarding it. The words said BT45H but the picture said BT45F. Also Bridgestone does not make a 100/90 - 19 that isn't a front wheel. It will find out when I get it.

Duane Ausherman wrote:
Glad to hear it. That photo shows a result that wasn't possible in my day.

Chas's photo shows me how much tyre life is lost due to hard accelaration and engine breaking.
I've just toasted another rear pilot activ @ 8,000 k's.
bald in the centre.
Consistent 7-8,000 kilometres over several tyres.
They wear slightly longer than the Michelin Mac50 they replaced.
Prolly the best rear available in a 4:00/18 at the moment, IMO.