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Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

The Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 is a High Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Motorcycles.

The quick answer

Owners say 48% from 10 owner reviews 0% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say Sorry, we don't currently have any test data for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated June 2016.

  • 10owner reviews
  • 32,200miles driven

Tire Reviews Score

Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

5.9/10

From owner reviews only: no measured test results yet.

  • Limited Confidence
  • 10 owner reviews

How this score is built

Source Better than Weight
Independent testsNo measured test results yet – 0%
Owner reviews10 owner reviews · rated 48% 3% 40%
Typical tireWhere every score starts before its own data counts – 60%
Combined 27% 5.9

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Owner reviews decide 40% of this score. The other 60% is the typical starting point, and it shrinks as more reviews arrive.

Scored on owner reviews alone, a tire is High once the reviews decide 90% or more, and Medium from 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as reviews arrive.

All Tests

Sorry, we don't currently have any magazine tire tests for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

Frequently Asked Questions
How comfortable and quiet are the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012?
Owners rate the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 6.2 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 10 reviews.
How well do the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 5.7 out of 10 for wear across 10 reviews.
Would owners buy the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 again?
0% of owners say they would buy the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 again, based on the 10 owner reviews that answered the question. 0% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012's dry grip?
Of the 10 owner reviews analyzed for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012, 8 mention dry grip: 6 praise it (strong dry grip) and 2 criticise it (limited dry grip). Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012's wet grip?
Of the 10 owner reviews analyzed for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012, 8 mention wet grip: 1 praise it (confident wet grip) and 7 criticise it (weak wet grip). One owner wrote: "I nearly highsided in the wet on a track day at this mileage". Read those reviews
Owner Questions
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Questions and Answers for the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

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Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 Owner Reviews

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What owners say

Across 10 owner ratings the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 averages 48%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 6.8 out of 10 and Handling lowest at 4.1. 0% of owners score it 70% or better.

Owner ratings averaged from 10 ratings

  • Owner score 48%
  • Dry Grip 68%
  • Comfort 62%
  • Wear 57%
  • Wet Grip 46%
  • Road Feedback 45%
  • Handling 41%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 51%

“I had a pair of these in 2003 on my 2002 Yamaha R6, I developed my riding a lot on these tires to the point they were the first tires I ever ditched while they were still legal. I was annoyed at the time with the...”

  • Yamaha 2002 R6
  • 4,000 miles
Read full review → 632 found this helpful
Most critical 33%

“Not impressed! Make sure the tires are warmed before giving it some. The Rear tire slid out on a left hand sweeper and spat me off on the dual carriage-way. Bike was a right-off. You've been warned!”

  • Honda Cbr600fa
  • 1,000 miles
Read full review → 641 found this helpful

All 10 Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 reviews

Score spread across 10 written reviews
51%
Member
I had a pair of these in 2003 on my 2002 Yamaha R6, I developed my riding a lot on these tires to the point they were the first tires I ever ditched while they were still legal. I was annoyed at the time with the performance drop off but to be honest since I had those I've had to bin most tires before they hit the legal limit.
From new they were pretty awesome although they didn't quite have the comfort and feel of the Michelin Pilots Sports they replaced. They required the suspension to be adjusted but once dialled in they had superior grip, the soft edges would ripple even on the road which looked cool (I was young).
At around 3000 miles the shoulder on the front tire was wearing more than the center due to the dual compound and the grip was starting to go off a little on the rear. I nearly highsided in the wet on a track day at this mileage, and at 4000 miles the bike was a handful in wet or cold conditions. My mate managed to throw it down the road on them despite my warnings. I had new tires on mail order which came shortly afterwards.
The Michelins had done 5000 miles and only the rear was worn out, they still gripped as good more or less as when new so I hated Bridgestones and have barely used them since.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 5
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 3
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 632
44%
Member
These are the only tires I tried on my hornet my 2011 as they are the standard ones. Too hard and too fat, they are heavy and not precize. The compound suffers of the hard downshiftings of a fowr cilinders and often slides or loose traction. It was ok when the the hornet was 25kw but since I changed it to full power they can't handle it. Very difficult on wet surfaces and absolutely no grip on painted parts as road crossings. After 6000km it is possible to see the central part of the tire a bit flat because of the use. I think they will last 1000km more as maximum. Never got to reach the end of the tire on sides because it starts to feel uncomfortable more one or two centimeters far from that.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 6
  • Wet Grip 3
  • Road Feedback 4
  • Handling 3
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 552
69%
Member
Very neutral tires. They are not excellent but they are not so bad either. They lasted 7000km so far and i thing they will do another 1000km before the rear wears out completely. I use them on everyday commuting and 300-500km weekend trips and i never had any significant concerns about the performance although have the rear 90% maxed out. I read some reviews that people came off due to these tires but i honestly think it was not BT012's fault. I would only buy them again if i wanted a cheap sport-ish touring tire. i will with next year to Metzeler M7RR which i know are by far better.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 6
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 5
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 6
Helpful 650

Which tires do you drive?

Researching the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.

Own the Bridgestone Battlax BT 012?
36%
Member
Came as factory standard on a CBR600FB. As an all weather commuter in the UK I've been really disappointed with these tires.

I've not been thrown off yet (touch wood) as with some of the other reviews, but they have little to no feedback in any conditions, and are pretty slippery if there's any moisture on the roads. Braking distances are also abysmal in the wet. I've got no confidence in them and they're coming off ASAP.

When roads have been dry for a few days and the ambient temperature is 20+ degrees C, it's a totally different story, so I would probably consider these as a cheaper option for track day tires.

Finally, after ~1000 miles of mixed commuting/fun, they're already pretty badly worn... I'd probably only get another 2000 miles tops, although I do tend to ride pretty hard --- more careful riders will probably get 4000+. In short, not recommended; why they put these as stock on a sport tourer, I have no idea.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 3
  • Road Feedback 2
  • Handling 4
  • Wear 3
  • Comfort 3
  • Buy again 2
Helpful 631
39%
Member
  • Honda
  • 180/45 R17
  • 1,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
These tires come fitted as standard to Honda CBR600FA. In the dry they are ok but in wet and cold they are abysmal. I came off after a slide in wet conditions, luckily not too much damage to the bike, doing around 35mph only. They are the poorest tires I have used in over 20years and not suited to average Uk conditions. I have changed to Michelin PR3 which are excellent and the difference in wet conditions was noticeable immediately.
Do not buy and if you have these, only ride on hot summer dry days.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 3
  • Road Feedback 3
  • Handling 3
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 632
46%
Member
Fitted on a new Honda CBR600F ABS - i came off within 200 miles, and have changed them for Metzeler Z8 Interacts.

This is my third bike and the first time i've come off. I think i'd hit some diesel on the road earlier, but the rear squirmed leaving lights, and then high-sided me on the first gentle left hand bend. The road was damp. The scary thing is how little notice i had before the rear slid out.

I found the feedback on the road to be non-existant on these tires - i was never comfortable.

I've used Bridgestone B-014s and B-016s before and found the feedback much better.

It appears other people have come off on these tires.

One word: AVOID.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 6
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 4
  • Handling 4
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 592
33%
Member
Not impressed! Make sure the tires are warmed before giving it some. The Rear tire slid out on a left hand sweeper and spat me off on the dual carriage-way. Bike was a right-off. You've been warned!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 3
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 2
  • Handling 3
  • Wear 4
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 641
49%
Member
Not the best tires ive used, they came with the bike when i brought it new. In the wet didnt feel like It was safe to ride at all but was a very different feeling in dry warm weather. Happy to lean her over and ride close to its limits. Was using bt21s before these on another bike and ill probably try the 23s next which ill fit this week. Done alot of miles on these tires and probably should have changed them out alot sooner.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 5
  • Wear 6
  • Comfort 5
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 543
61%
Member
I haven't been riding for many years but when I bought my brand new Hornet these came fitted as standard.
Initially with a new bike I was cautious, but even so, and perhaps it was my own inexperience but within 100 miles I had touched the deck. Luckily the bike came out fairly unscaved.
Since then the tires have been fairly satisfactory, only loosing grip a couple of times in the wet, but quickly recovered. At 4000miles they are now down on the min wear marker.
I won't be buying these again, the feedback isn't great. In the dry they do grip well and you can really get your knee down, but they're really only a standard road tire and I would have liked them to have done another 1000 miles.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 6
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 4
Helpful 622
56%
Member
When these tires were new they provided excellent grip levels for the road in both wet and dry conditions. I did have to re - adjust my suspension to make the bike feel right as the tires felt vastly different from the Michelin Pilot Sports they replaced.
They were plenty good enough for road use but the rear was especially nervous on a track day giving very little warning before highside ( I saved it that time).
I found the wear rate on these tires to be heavier than most, they were both well past their best within 3000 miles.
The rear would break free very easily unless really well warmed up, and the front had become mis-shaped like a 20 pence piece (as most dual compound fronts seem to do with me). Both tires seemed to lack feel at this point even though they were not on the tread wear limit, causing the handling to suffer.
I let my mate have a ride one day after he got fet up of my whining when I couldn't keep up. A few minutes later he threw the bike down the road as the rear came round on him on a roundabout (just as I told him).
By 4000 mile both tires were on the wear bars, the front was more in the sides than the middle, and the handling had become a joke.
I wouldn't buy these again, I wouldn't have got them in the first place as I have crashed on Bridgestones (BT50's) before. They were free though because my girlfriend at the time worked for a bike magazine and wanted someone to test them. Expensive test as my mate never paid for all the damage he did to my then 2 year old bike.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 4
  • Wear 5
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 1
Helpful 580
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