68
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
71/100
13 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Battlax BT 015 vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
83/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
50 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better treadwear, wet and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 84 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 84 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 81 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 75 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 63 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 33
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 52 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter i*cept RS2 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 015 | Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Battlax BT 015 | Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 83 |
| Dry | 85 | 87 |
| Wet | 66 | 85 |
| Snow | – | 84 |
| Comfort | 77 | 77 |
| Noise | – | 63 |
| Treadwear | 52 | 85 |
| Handling | 75 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
68
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Battlax BT-015 is generally regarded as a capable, high-performance OEM tire that offers predictable handling and strong dry-weather grip. While users appreciate its stability and confidence-inspiring nature, the consensus is heavily marred by concerns regarding its short tread life and inconsistent longevity across different riding styles.
Pros
- Excellent dry-weather grip and road holding
- High-speed stability and predictable handling
- Progressive feedback when approaching traction limits
- Strong performance as an OEM-fitted tire for high-powered motorcycles
Cons
- Short tread life and rapid center wear
- Lack of clear feedback regarding optimal operating temperature
- Limited performance for dedicated track use compared to modern alternatives
- Inconsistent mileage results among different users
Observations
- Owners of high-powered bikes like the Honda CB1000R frequently report rapid center-tread wear, particularly during motorway riding.
- The tire is noted for maintaining stability at very high speeds, with some users reporting confidence at speeds exceeding 170mph.
The Hankook Winter i cept RS2 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that excels in wet and slushy conditions, offering performance that often rivals premium brands at a significantly lower price point. While most users praise its traction in snow and rain, opinions are polarized regarding cabin noise and ride comfort, with several users noting a firm, sometimes noisy experience at highway speeds.
Pros
- Excellent value for money and competitive pricing
- Strong wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- Impressive tread longevity and durability
- Reliable traction in snow and slush for daily commuting
Cons
- High noise levels, particularly at highway speeds
- Firm, stiff ride quality that transmits road imperfections
- Inconsistent performance on pure black ice
- Occasional reports of sluggish handling or lack of steering feedback
Observations
- Users with smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., Ford Fiesta, Dacia Logan) report high satisfaction with general winter traction.
- Some drivers noted that performance and comfort characteristics may vary significantly depending on the specific tire size, with smaller 14-inch sizes receiving fewer noise complaints than larger fitments.
- Drivers of heavier or more powerful vehicles occasionally reported higher fuel consumption and a more noticeable impact on ride harshness.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Battlax BT 015 | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer High Performance tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Bridgestone
83
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 — better treadwear, wet and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 85 vs 52 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 85 vs 66 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 scores 79 vs 75 on handling.
Tire A · Bridgestone Battlax BT 015
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS2
More comparisons
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Hankook Winter i*cept RS2 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.