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Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 vs Michelin Pilot Road 4 — 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.
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6 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 Sport Touring T31 | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 85 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Battlax Sport Touring T31 | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 84 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Battlax Sport Touring T31 | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 84 |
Noise
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Battlax Sport Touring T31 | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 79 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Battlax Sport Touring T31 | Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 | Michelin Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 94 |
| Dry | 84 | 96 |
| Wet | 75 | 94 |
| Comfort | 80 | 94 |
| Noise | – | 92 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 91 |
| Handling | 80 | 96 |
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
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 is viewed as a capable and communicative tire that performs well in spirited riding conditions. While it offers reliable grip, some users report a tendency for the tire to feel overly sensitive or skittish on uneven road surfaces.
Pros
- Strong dry grip on smooth road surfaces
- High level of road feedback and communication
- Capable of maintaining pace with sport-oriented motorcycles
- Improved wet weather performance compared to previous generations
Cons
- Tendency to skip or feel unsettled on rough, uneven road surfaces
- Feedback can occasionally be misleading, creating a false sensation of slipping
- Wet grip performance is considered good but not class-leading compared to dedicated sport tires
Observations
- Users of the GT-spec variant on heavy sport-touring motorcycles like the ST1300 report a generally positive experience with handling and feedback.
The Michelin Pilot Road 4 is widely regarded as a premier all-season tire, particularly praised for its exceptional wet-weather performance and confidence-inspiring handling. While most users appreciate the balance of comfort, longevity, and safety, some high-performance drivers note a lack of sharpness compared to dedicated summer tires, and a subset of users report concerns regarding tread life and road noise.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
- High level of comfort and reduced road noise compared to OEM run-flats
- Predictable and stable handling in varied road conditions
- Strong longevity for a performance-oriented tire
Cons
- Increased rolling resistance leading to reduced fuel/battery range in EVs
- Reported inconsistency in tread life across different vehicle types
- Less sharp steering response compared to dedicated summer performance tires
- Occasional reports of higher-than-expected road noise on certain pavement types
Observations
- EV owners, particularly Tesla users, frequently report a noticeable decrease in range (approx. 10-20%) due to higher rolling resistance.
- Motorcycle riders note that the tire requires a significant 'bedding-in' period before reaching optimal grip levels.
- Users replacing factory run-flat tires consistently report a drastic improvement in ride quality and cabin comfort.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T31 | B · Michelin Pilot Road 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Road 4 — better wet, handling and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 94 vs 75 on wet.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 vs 80 on handling.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 94 vs 80 on comfort.
Michelin Pilot Road 4 scores 96 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.