Bridgestone Battlax BT 012

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

Dry Grip 68%
Wet Grip 46%
Road Feedback 45%
Handling 41%
Wear 57%
Comfort 62%
Buy again 19%

Tyre review data from 10 tyre reviews averaging 48% over 32,200 miles driven.

The Battlax BT 012 is ranked 12th of 12 Summer High Performance tyres.

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Top 3 Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 Reviews

Given 51% while driving a Yamaha 2002 R6 (180/55 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 4,000 spirited miles
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 centre 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.
Helpful 32 - tyre reviewed on June 15, 2016
Given 36% while driving a Honda CB600F FA ABS (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Came as factory standard on a CBR600FB. As an all weather commuter in the UK I've been really disappointed with these tyres.

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 tyres.

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.
Helpful 27 - tyre reviewed on May 13, 2014
Given 69% while driving a Honda CBR600FA (190/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 4,000 average miles
Very neutral tyres. 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 tyres but i honestly think it was not BT012's fault. I would only buy them again if i wanted a cheap sport-ish touring tyre. i will with next year to Metzeler M7RR which i know are by far better.
Helpful 21 - tyre reviewed on September 14, 2015
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Latest Bridgestone Battlax BT 012 Reviews

Given 44% while driving a Honda Honda CB600F Hornet (180/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 6,000 average miles
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.
Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on October 29, 2015
Given 39% while driving a Honda (180/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
These tyres 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 tyres 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.
Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on February 2, 2014
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Given 46% while driving a Honda Cbr600fa (180/80 R17) on a combination of roads for 200 average miles
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 tyres - 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 tyres.

One word: AVOID.
Helpful 22 - tyre reviewed on May 3, 2013
Given 33% while driving a Honda Cbr600fa (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
Not impressed! Make sure the tyres are warmed before giving it some. The Rear tyre 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!
Helpful 17 - tyre reviewed on August 16, 2012
Given 49% while driving a Honda Cbr600fa (180/55 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 7,000 spirited miles
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.
Helpful 23 - tyre reviewed on July 24, 2012
Given 61% while driving a Honda CB600FA Hornet (180/55 R17) on mostly town for 4,000 spirited miles
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 tyres 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 tyre and I would have liked them to have done another 1000 miles.
Helpful 21 - tyre reviewed on October 14, 2011
Given 56% while driving a Yamaha 2002 R6 (180/55 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 4,000 spirited miles
When these tyres 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 tyres 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 tyres 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 tyres 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 tyres 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.
Helpful 23 - tyre reviewed on July 8, 2011