Why Bridgestone tires

[Duki09]

Nothing against the Japanese made Bridgestones on my 696, they are good tires and I like them, but why didn't Ducati go with Pirellis of all brands for the Italian made motorcycle?  To keep the cost down?

[The Don]

I may be wrong but maybe its because Bridgestone and Ducati have a good relationship in Moto GP and part of that deal is that Ducati will use Bridgestone tyres on Ducati street bikes.
Don

[redxblack]

Firestone traditionally has GREAT marketing for OEM tires. Ford has been using them since Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone would sit around campfires together and talk about eugenics. It's weird to see new vehicles without bridgestone/firestone tires.

Of course, I'm posting from Akron. The only correct tires are Goodyear since everyone else moved out. 

[herm]

i think ducati is kind of schizophrenic when it comes to tires. my first monster came new with dunlaps, (cant remember the model) and my s2r came new with Michelin pilot powers. most interesting of all, another new s2r uncrated at the same dealer the same month was not wearing the powers.

i think ducati uses whatever is on hand, size wise...

[Big Troubled Bear]

+1 On the Motogp deal

[sally101]

They don't seem to have a deal with any particular manufacturer...

If you get a Multistrada you get Pirellis, an S4Rs Monster gets Michelins, and a 696 gets Bridgestones..

Either they thoroughly test each bike with tires to find the best fit or it's whoever cuts them the best deal on a given model/size.

I doubt it has anything to do with MotoGP... Those tires are as specialized and prototyped as the bikes they are on.. And what about WSBK (which Ducati currently dominates), they use Pirellis..

[NAKID]

i think ducati is kind of schizophrenic when it comes to tires. my first monster came new with dunlaps, (cant remember the model) and my s2r came new with Michelin pilot powers. most interesting of all, another new s2r uncrated at the same dealer the same month was not wearing the powers.

i think ducati uses whatever is on hand, size wise...

Yup, my 800 came with Pirelli Diablos, my S2R1000 came with Battlaxes...

[herm]

Yup, my 800 came with Pirelli Diablos, my S2R1000 came with Battlaxes...

bummer

[corey]

interesting....
my s2r800 came with the good ol' bt1014 battleaxes...
in fact, they are still on it...

[Big Troubled Bear]

I just checked on the floor of our local dealer all the 2008 and 09 bikes have Bridgestones on, only in africa

[Sause]

I just picked up a set of the BT016's supposed to be a great tire. I didn't get my M750 new but it had Dunlop Qualifiers on it when I got it.

[the_Journeyman]

My M750 has Qualifiers on it and I don't care for them.  I'm going Pilot Roads or Bridgstone 021's next.  Always had great luck with Diablos as well ~

JM

[amcloud]

I have been really impressed with the BT016s on my 1100.  I will probably stick with them or Michelin Pilots. 

[Airborne]

I bought my s2r 800 used with about 1500 miles on it and I always wondered if the Battleaxes were the stock tires. I guess theres no real way to ever know but it sounds likely. I'm at 6000 miles right now and they are holding up nicely, maybe its because I only really commute on the bike and never use it anywhere near its full potential.

[Triple J]

My M750 has Qualifiers on it and I don't care for them. 

That seems like serious overkill for an M750. I run those on my 848 for trackdays and love them...next step up is slicks. Wonder if they just aren't getting hot enough with street riding?