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Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 vs Pirelli Angel ST — 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 ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 84 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 48 | 83 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 89 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 52 | 78 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 016 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 | Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 58 | 82 |
| Dry | 72 | 84 |
| Wet | 48 | 83 |
| Comfort | 65 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 52 | 78 |
| Handling | 65 | 81 |
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 ST is widely regarded as a dependable, versatile sport-touring tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, stability, and longevity. While users generally praise its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring performance in varied conditions, some riders report inconsistent wear patterns and a noticeable drop-off in performance as the tire nears the end of its service life.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Predictable and reliable performance in wet conditions
- Strong longevity for sport-touring applications
- Neutral and responsive steering characteristics
Cons
- Rapid, sudden wear once the tire reaches the end of its tread life
- Requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal operating temperature
- Inconsistent wet-weather performance compared to premium competitors
- Potential for cupping if tire pressures are not strictly managed
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles, such as the Yamaha FJR1300, benefit from running higher-than-factory tire pressures to prevent cupping and improve responsiveness.
- The rear tire performance is noted to be more stable and predictable when the motorcycle is loaded with a passenger and luggage, suggesting the carcass design favors heavier loads.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Battlax BT 016 | B · Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Angel ST — better wet, treadwear and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 83 vs 48 on wet.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 78 vs 52 on treadwear.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 89 vs 65 on comfort.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 81 vs 65 on handling.
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.