Bridgestone Battlax RS12 Tires: Hypersport Performance for Street and Track

Bridgestone Battlax RS12: The New Hypersport King

• 👑 The Bridgestone Battlax RS12 is the new top-tier hypersport tire, replacing the RS11 and designed for riders who frequent both the street and the track.
• 💰 Pricing ranges from approximately $250 for the front to $275-$350 for the rear, positioning it as a premium option.
• 🎯 This tire is engineered for maximum dry weather grip and is ideal for track days, but Bridgestone offers other options like the T33 for pure street riding.

Key Changes from RS11

• 🧪 The compound has been updated on the sides of both front and rear tires, aiming to improve stability and grip at the front, and abrasion resistance at the rear, while maintaining grip.
• 📏 The groove pattern has been modified, with tread removed from the far sidewall to create a larger contact patch, enhancing grip and stability at extreme lean angles.
• ⚙️ A new high elongation monospiral belt has been introduced in the front tire's construction, allowing for more flex, which enables better and more aggressive braking and trail braking.

Performance and Comparisons

• ⏱️ Bridgestone's internal testing shows the RS12 is approximately 3/4 of a second faster per lap on a racetrack compared to the Dunlop Q5, with less degradation.
• 📈 Pros include better dry grip, an improved contact patch, and enhanced feel and consistency over the RS11.
• ⚠️ It's noted that the RS12 is the closest you can get to a dedicated track tire while still being DOT-approved for street use.

Considerations and Limitations

• 📏 The size range for the RS12 is more limited compared to other tires, with fewer options available for smaller displacement sport bikes.
• 🌧️ This tire is primarily focused on dry performance and is not recommended for riders seeking an all-weather street tire.
• ⏳ While longevity testing is pending, high-performance tires typically sacrifice tire life for performance gains, so frequent replacement may be necessary.