New equipment for 2016: Bridgestone launches S21 and W01 tires

Since the last Grand Prix of the 2015 MotoGP season in Valencia (Spain), Bridgestone has ceded its position as sole tire supplier to Michelin. However, there is no question of abandoning the sport and track segments for the Japanese giant, which unveils at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan two tires with strong sporting claims: the S21 …

Since the last Grand Prix of the MotoGP 2015 season in (Spain), Bridgestone has ceded its position as sole tire supplier to Michelin. However, there is no question of abandoning the sport and track segments for the Japanese giant, which unveils at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan two tires with strong sporting claims: the S21 and the W01.

Bridgestone S21

The Battlax S21 is the successor in the Bridgestone range of the S20 Evo, released in. This fairly rapid renewal reflects the Japanese tire manufacturer’s desire to stay ahead of the pack in the very competitive supersport-road tire segment (second market behind sport-GT tires in France).

According to Bridgestone, the S21 would be better than its predecessor in terms of "stability, handling, straight lines and curves". In all areas, in short !

The increased rigidity of its tread as well as the sharper profile of the bigomme front tire are believed to be the cause of its progress, among other things.. 

The rear uses three different compounds, ranging from the softer on the shoulders to the most resistant in the center. Its rounder profile and new tread patterns would improve both traction and stability. 

Available at the start of 2016 in different widths at the front (110, 120 and 130 mm) and at the rear (160, 180, 190 and 200 mm), the Bridgestone S21 is said to be "almost 2%" faster on a chrono lap. that the S20 Evo, while its longevity would be increased by "36%", assures the manufacturer. 

Bridgestone W01

Exclusively reserved for the circuit, the Bridgestone Battlax Racing W01 motorcycle tire covers a field of action which is all the more restricted as it is a rain tire, by definition reserved for riders regularly practicing the circuit and for competitors.. 

Its main characteristic is its grooved tread (like its shoulders) which would be "a very close reproduction of the rain tires developed for MotoGP in 2015 by Bridgestone". 

The use of new compounds of rubber, the new profile, the widening of the rear tire and the decrease in the rigidity of the belt would be at the origin of a saving in lap time estimated – by Bridgestone … – at "2 seconds on average" compared to the current E05z and E08z rain tires.

This W01 rain tire will be available at the end of 2016 from 90 to 120 mm wide at the front and from 120 (for 125 cc) to 190 mm wide at the rear, passing through 140 and 165 mm used in particular at the rear on supermotards and sport bikes 250/300 cc. 

Related articles

• Tires – New Bridgestone T30 Evo, A40 and RS10 motorcycle tires –

  New Bridgestone T30 Evo, A40 and RS10 motorcycle tires Bridgestone is renewing its road range with three new motorcycle tires: the sport-touring T30 Evo,…

• Tires – Motorcycle tires: the new 2018 Bridgestone, Dunlop, Pirelli and Michelin –

  Motorcycle tires: the new 2018 Bridgestone, Dunlop , Pirelli and Michelin Motorcycle and scooter manufacturers were not the only ones to exhibit their…

• Tires – Bridgestone renews its range of road, track and cross tires –

  Bridgestone renews its range of road, track and cross tires Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone is still on the move, which has just refreshed its…

• MotoGP – Moto GPs will no longer run on Bridgestone tires in 2016 –

  Moto GPs will no longer run on Bridgestone tires in 2016 As Bridgestone’s contract as sole MotoGP supplier since 2009 expires, the Japanese manufacturer…

• Tires – Rossi becomes Bridgestone Development Advisor –

  Rossi becomes Bridgestone Development Advisor The nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi signed an agreement with Bridgestone in February to act as…

• Tires – New Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T30 motorcycle tire –

  New Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T30 motorcycle tire Bridgestone renews its road benchmark, the BT-023, with the new Battlax Sport Touring T30…

• Tires – Motorcycle tires: Rossi presents the new Bridgestone S20 in video –

  Motorcycle tire: Rossi presents the new Bridgestone S20 in video A sort of ultimate laboratory, motorcycle racing makes it possible to test procedures…

• Tires – Bridgestone replaces for three seasons in Moto GP –

  Bridgestone backs up for three Moto GP seasons Bridgestone took advantage of the opening of the 2011 Moto GP season in Qatar to announce the renewal of…

• Tires – Bridgestone maintains the motorcycle logistics activity of the Bethune plant –

  Bridgestone maintains the motorcycle logistics activity of the Bethune plant Hard blow for the 863 employees of the Bridgestone plant in Bethune (62):…

• MotoGP – Moto GP: Bridgestone claims their tires were OK in Austin –

  Test, Harley-Davidson VR 1000 Harley-Davidson VR 1000 The sun is still smiling in Japan and Italy. But something fast is brewing in the USA: Harley’s…