Michelin Road 6 GT vs Bridgestone Battlax T32: In the world of motorcycle touring, a thrilling showdown emerges as the Michelin Road 6 GT goes head-to-head with the Bridgestone Battlax T32. This battle pitches two titans of the tire industry against each other, each boasting superior technology and design to claim the crown of the ultimate touring companion. On one side, the Michelin Road 6 GT, renowned for its exceptional wet grip and longevity, promises riders confidence and performance in any condition.
On the other, the Bridgestone Battlax T32, a masterpiece of balance and precision, offers unmatched stability and control. As these two giants collide, the motorcycle touring segment braces for an epic clash that will redefine the standards of touring tires. Get ready for a gripping saga of rubber and road, where only one can emerge as the champion of the long haul.
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Results: Michelin Road 6 GT vs Bridgestone Battlax T32
The results featured here are from the 2022 Motorrad Touring Tire Test, with 6 different tires in the touring segment tested. The accompanying graph presents a side-by-side comparison of the Michelin Road 6 GT vs Bridgestone Battlax T32 across various performance categories, with the Road 6 GT serving as the benchmark at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is the 120/70 ZR17 (front) and 180/55 ZR17 (rear) tire size. The tests were conducted using a BMW R 1250 R as the test vehicle.
Objective Wet
In wet conditions, comparing the Michelin Road 6 GT and the Bridgestone Battlax T 32 reveals distinct differences in performance. For wet braking from 100 km/h, the Bridgestone Battlax T 32 has a shorter stopping distance at 43.8 meters, outperforming the Michelin Road 6 GT by 1.4 meters. This advantage suggests the Bridgestone offers slightly better wet braking efficiency.
When examining top speed during a lap, the Michelin Road 6 GT achieves a higher speed of 71 km/h, surpassing the Bridgestone Battlax T 32’s 67.3 km/h. This indicates the Michelin tire provides better overall speed and performance in wet conditions.
Looking at lap times, the Michelin Road 6 GT completes the circuit faster, with a time of 75.1 seconds, compared to the Bridgestone Battlax T 32’s 78.7 seconds. This difference highlights the Michelin’s superior efficiency and performance in wet conditions, offering a quicker and potentially more confident ride.
In summary, while the Bridgestone Battlax T 32 demonstrates slightly better wet braking capabilities, the Michelin Road 6 GT leads in terms of top speed and overall lap performance in wet conditions, showcasing its strength as a more versatile and performance-oriented tire.
Battlax T32 :
- +3% in dry braking
- -5% in dry handling (top speed)
- -5% in dry handling (lap time)
Subjective Wet
In the realm of subjective wet performance, the Michelin Road 6 GT and the Bridgestone Battlax T32 both showcase their prowess, yet subtle differences highlight their individual strengths and weaknesses.
When it comes to wet handling, both tires are rated closely, with each scoring a commendable 9 out of 10, indicating a tie in the rider’s confidence and control under wet conditions. However, the Michelin Road 6 GT slightly outperforms the Bridgestone Battlax T32 in steering precision, with a score of 19 out of 20 compared to Bridgestone’s 18. This one-point difference suggests that the Michelin offers a tad sharper response to steering inputs in the wet, enhancing the riding experience with more accurate handling.
Wet Handling:
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 9/10
Wet Steering Percision:
- Road 6 GT : 19/20
- Battlax T32 : 18/20
The gap widens in the category of wet grip in curves, where the Michelin shines with a perfect score of 20 out of 20, whereas the Bridgestone scores 17. This three-point disparity underscores the Michelin’s superior ability to maintain traction and stability when cornering on wet roads, giving riders a significant advantage in challenging conditions.
Wet Grip in curves:
- Road 6 GT : 20/10
- Battlax T32 : 17/10
Both tires are on equal footing again with wet grip under acceleration, each earning an 18 out of 20. This indicates that they both provide commendable traction when accelerating out of corners or in straight lines, despite the wet surfaces.
Wet Grip under acceleration:
- Road 6 GT : 18/10
- Battlax T32 : 18/10
When pushing the limits, the Michelin Road 6 GT slightly edges out with a 19 out of 20 in wet behavior at the limit, compared to Bridgestone’s 18. This suggests that the Michelin offers a slightly more predictable and controllable ride when nearing the tires’ performance threshold in wet conditions.
Wet Behavior at the limit:
- Road 6 GT : 19/10
- Battlax T32 : 18/10
Interestingly, the Bridgestone Battlax T32 takes the lead in wet braking deceleration, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10, against the Michelin’s 9. This indicates that the Bridgestone may offer a marginally better stopping power in wet conditions, providing a crucial advantage in safety.
Wet Braking deceleration:
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 10/10
Overall, with a total score of 94 to 90 in favor of the Michelin Road 6 GT, the comparison reveals that while both tires perform admirably in wet conditions, the Michelin generally offers a slight advantage in key performance areas, except for wet braking where Bridgestone leads, making the choice between them dependent on the rider’s priorities in wet performance characteristics.
Total:
- Road 6 GT : 94/100
- Battlax T32 : 90/100
Subjective Dry
In the comparison of subjective dry performances between the Michelin Road 6 GT and the Bridgestone Battlax T32, both tires exhibit closely matched capabilities, yet subtle distinctions highlight their respective strengths.
In terms of dry handling, the Michelin Road 6 GT slightly outperforms the Bridgestone Battlax T32 with a score of 29 out of 30, compared to Bridgestone’s 28. This minor advantage indicates that the Michelin may provide a fractionally better feel and control in dry conditions, offering riders a slightly more engaging experience.
Dry Handling:
- Road 6 GT : 29/10
- Battlax T32 : 28/10
For dry steering precision, both tires are equally rated at 28 out of 30, suggesting that they offer comparable accuracy and responsiveness to steering inputs when riding on dry roads, making them equally reliable for precise maneuvers.
Dry Steering Percision:
- Road 6 GT : 28/30
- Battlax T32 : 28/30
When it comes to stability in curves, both tires again score equally, with each receiving a 19 out of 20. This parity demonstrates that they both provide solid performance and confidence-inspiring stability when cornering on dry surfaces, without a significant difference between them.
Dry Stability in curves:
- Road 6 GT : 19/20
- Battlax T32 : 19/20
Similarly, for stability in curves during sporty riding, both tires are rated at 18 out of 20, indicating that they are equally adept at maintaining composure and grip during more aggressive cornering and high-speed maneuvers in dry conditions.
Dry Stability in Curves Sport:
- Road 6 GT : 18/10
- Battlax T32 : 18/10
For dry grip during lean and dry grip under acceleration, both tires score a 9 out of 10. These scores reflect their equal capabilities in providing traction when leaning into turns and while accelerating, ensuring a dependable grip that enhances rider confidence in various dry riding scenarios.
Dry Grip during Lean
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 9/10
Dry Grip under acceleration:
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 9/10
In dry straight-line stability, both tires achieve a perfect score of 10 out of 10, showcasing their exceptional performance in maintaining a stable and predictable ride when moving straight ahead at high speeds or under acceleration.
Dry Straight-line Stability:
- Road 6 GT : 10/10
- Battlax T32 : 10/10
Regarding dry behavior at the limit and dry uprighting moment during braking, both tires again match with scores of 9 out of 10. These ratings indicate that both the Michelin and the Bridgestone offer similar levels of performance when pushed to their limits or during emergency braking situations, providing a safe and controlled riding experience.
Dry Behavior at the limit:
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 9/10
Dry Uprighting Moment during Braking:
- Road 6 GT : 9/10
- Battlax T32 : 9/10
Overall, with total scores of 140 for the Michelin Road 6 GT and 139 for the Bridgestone Battlax T32, the comparison highlights the Michelin’s marginal overall advantage in dry handling. Despite this, the overall performances of both tires in dry conditions are remarkably close, making either tire a strong contender for riders prioritizing dry performance, with the choice ultimately coming down to individual preferences and priorities.
Total:
- Road 6 GT :140/100
- Battlax T32 : 139/150
Summary
As a tire expert examining the Michelin Road 6 GT and the Bridgestone Battlax T32, it’s clear both tires offer exceptional qualities. However, the Michelin Road 6 GT stands out as the overall winner, offering superior handling and grip in both wet and dry scenarios. Its slight edge in performance across various conditions demonstrates Michelin’s commitment to advanced tire technology. For riders seeking unmatched versatility and reliability, the Michelin Road 6 GT is the top choice, embodying the pinnacle of motorcycle tire design.
Dr Edwin Pang