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Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 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 023 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 84 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 023 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 83 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 023 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 89 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 023 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 78 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Battlax BT 023 | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 | Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 89 | 82 |
| Dry | 92 | 84 |
| Wet | 85 | 83 |
| Comfort | 91 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 78 |
| Handling | 90 | 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-023 is widely regarded as a highly capable and durable sport-touring tire that offers a significant performance upgrade over its predecessors. Users consistently praise its exceptional wet-weather confidence, longevity, and stability, making it a favorite for commuters and long-distance tourers alike.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and water dispersal
- Impressive tread life and durability even on heavy motorcycles
- High levels of stability and predictable handling
- Quick warm-up times
- Strong value proposition for high-mileage riders
Cons
- Slower steering response compared to sportier alternatives
- Tendency for the rear tire to square off under heavy touring loads
- Occasional reports of instability or 'wobble' late in the tire's life cycle
- Some users noted a lack of grip on specific road surfaces like painted lines
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring bikes (e.g., K1300GT, FJR1300, ZZR1200) benefit significantly from the tire's stability and longevity.
- Users noted that the tire can feel 'slower' or heavier in steering transitions when fitted to lighter, more agile sport bikes.
- Heavily loaded bikes may experience uneven 'stepping' wear on the sides of the tire.
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 023 | B · Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Pirelli
Winner: Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 — better treadwear, handling and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 scores 88 vs 78 on treadwear.
Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 scores 90 vs 81 on handling.
Bridgestone Battlax BT 023 scores 92 vs 84 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.