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Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 vs Pirelli Angel GT — Compared (May 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.
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5 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
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 83 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 48 | 81 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 83 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 52 | 79 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 76 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 | Pirelli Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 58 | 80 |
| Dry | 72 | 83 |
| Wet | 48 | 81 |
| Comfort | 65 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 52 | 79 |
| Handling | 65 | 76 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Battlax BT-016 is widely regarded as a capable, high-performance tire in warm, dry conditions, often praised for its stability and grip during spirited riding or track use. However, user consensus is polarized due to its poor performance in wet or cold weather, with many riders reporting a significant lack of confidence and traction in adverse conditions.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and high-speed stability when tires are at operating temperature
- Predictable handling and feedback during aggressive cornering in warm weather
- Strong performance for track-day enthusiasts
- Good value for riders prioritizing dry-weather performance
Cons
- Dangerous or unpredictable traction in wet, damp, or cold conditions
- Short tread life, with many users reporting significant wear between 2,500 and 4,000 miles
- Slow warm-up time, requiring caution during the initial miles of a ride
- Inconsistent wear patterns, often resulting in the front tire wearing out faster than the rear
Observations
- Users on high-torque supersport bikes (e.g., GSXR750, R1) frequently report rear-wheel slippage and rapid tread depletion.
- Riders with older 16-inch front wheel configurations noted the tire provides good feedback and turn-in agility despite limited modern tire options.
The Pirelli Angel GT is widely regarded as a high-performance sport-touring tire that excels in wet conditions and provides significant rider confidence. While many users praise its longevity and grip, performance can vary significantly depending on the motorcycle's weight and the specific 'A' specification requirements for heavier touring bikes.
Pros
- Excellent wet weather performance and grip
- High level of rider confidence and feedback
- Strong longevity for many sport-touring applications
- Stable handling for loaded, two-up touring
Cons
- Inconsistent tread wear on specific motorcycle models
- Potential for handling degradation as the front tire wears
- Specific 'A' spec requirement is critical for heavy bikes to avoid premature shoulder wear
- Some users report a 'flat' or 'tame' handling profile compared to stock tires
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles like the FJR1300 require the 'A' specification to prevent premature shoulder wear.
- Users on lighter sport bikes report excellent performance, though some note a loss of 'lively' handling compared to stock rubber.
- Front tire wear patterns on certain VFR models can lead to under-steering and reduced confidence as the tire reaches the end of its life.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 | B · Pirelli Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Angel GT — better wet, treadwear and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 81 vs 48 on wet.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 79 vs 52 on treadwear.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 83 vs 65 on comfort.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 83 vs 72 on dry.
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.