The Bridgestone Battlax T33 Sports Touring tyre is coming, and there are some things to mention!

See below for a huge load of info about the coming-soon-T33 sports touring tyres, it's a bit long so let me pull out the most important point....

UP TO 47% MORE MILEAGE COMPARED TO THE T32!!!

We like the T32 tyre here at Sticky Stuff, Matt currently has them on his posh-Bandit and has utilized them in all weathers, fun riding, touring, commuting, 1 up, 2 up .. luggage on etc ... plus what's worth knowing about the T32 is ... they're pretty much as good as the mighty Michelin Road 6 ,  the perfect Pirelli Angel GT2 and the majestic Metzeler Roadtec 02 ... but they're cheaper by a nice margin.

We've never had any complaints about the Battlax T32 running out life too soon, but who wouldnt want an extra (up to) 47 percent more miles from your tyres!!!

So that's the good news, here's a couple of oddities we wan't to bring to your attention....

There will be no T33 GT version.... big bikes can now just use the standard tyre. If you don't know about 'GT' tyres or want to learn more then have a read of my slightly useful guide

And now he's the really odd part ...... check out the available sizes that have been announced by Bridgestone ... and I'll give a clue as to what's wierd.... 

T33 110/80 R19 59V TL Front
T33 110/80 ZR18 58W TL Front
T33 120/60 ZR17 55W TL Front
T33 120/70 R19 60V TL Front
T33 120/70 ZR17 58W TL Front
T33 120/70 ZR18 59W TL Front
T33 120/70 ZR19 60W TL Front
T33 150/70 ZR17 69W TL Rear
T33 160/60 ZR17 69W TL Rear
T33 160/60 ZR18 70W TL Rear
T33 160/70 ZR17 73W TL Rear
T33 170/60 ZR17 72W TL Rear
T33 180/55 ZR17 73W TL Rear
T33 190/50 ZR17 73W TL Rear
T33 190/55 ZR17 75W TL Rear

There are 2 V rated front tyres, BUT NO REARS!! Whatssa goin ooooon?

I rang Bridgestone and asked if that is correct, they said it is.
I asked if BMW GS owners should be fitting a 120/70 R19 59V front along with a 170/60 ZR17 72W rear, and they said that is correct! 

We will now sell those 2 tyres as a pair, but we will list them as a V-rated (150mph) pair... although you could technically go over 150mph if you are doing a wheelie. Don't do this on the roads, please.

This does simplify the range of tyres, but I do still wonder how German police will cope with this.
In Germany they like to have vehicles on the exact specifcation of tyre that came standard on that vehicle, so if BMW sell a bike with V rated tyres front and back, how will the Bundespolizei react to you having one V and one (W) tyre on. Do let me know if that happens to you.

Here's a big load of info about the T33, written by someone more professional than me...

The BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33 is a next-generation sport touring tyre that maintains the touring performance of its predecessor the T32, while improving its mileage by 47%

The latest addition to the BATTLAX tyre family maintains the high-level wet performance of the T32, while building on its predecessor’s performance in the dry, with more secure handling.

This tyre employs a newly designed compound together with an optimized tread pattern and construction to increase mileage while delivering reliable handling performance. These features help alleviate the concerns that might be felt during long-distance riding to support the joy of touring.

Bridgestone is committed to supporting the development of a safe and enjoyable motorcycling culture, offering a sense of peace of mind by advancing a global premium niche strategy utilizing Dan-Totsu products like its BATTLAX brand premium motorcycle tyres. Through these efforts, the company strives to achieve the corporate commitment of "Emotion: Committed to inspiring excitement and spreading joy to the world of mobility" described in "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" and to provide "Riding Excitement" both now and in the future.

To achieve its performance enhancements, the Bridgestone BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33 applies a host of new technologies. Both the front and rear benefit from a new pattern design, with optimized land-sea ratio and pattern stiffness, alongside a continuation of the T32 shape for confident grip, stability and handling. The front tyre applies a new cross belt, while the rear adopts an MS belt—both engineered with a flexible construction and suitable for light and heavy bikes. The rear tyre has been engineered with a newly-developed compound, applying a high-strength, wear resistant polymer that helps to prevent the polymer chain scission.

The Bridgestone BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33’s mileage improvement over the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T32 is enabled by a combination of its new compound, pattern and construction, all leading to a reduction in the tyre’s contact patch slippage area.