Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tire in 150/80-16

[TheRadBaron]

Does anyone have any experience with this tire?  I did a search for 150/80-16 tires and found the Spitfire advertised as "for the touring oriented rider who also likes a sporting ride".  That pretty much fits my riding style though I feel like kind of a dork for saying it.  I have about 5,500 miles on my rear Bridgestone BT45 and I'm looking for a tire that can deliver more mileage.  The Spitfire is about $30 cheaper than the BT45 and I'm hoping that it will last longer since it's marketed as a touring tire.  It's only H rated to 130mph, but I very rarely even go that fast.  I like my corners, but living in central Illinois I don't get much chance to drag the pegs.
I'm not ready to do the 17" wheel swap just yet.  I just wanted to check here to see if anyone has tried this tire before I take the plunge.

[TheRadBaron]

Oh yeah, and the listing I found for it has it sized as a 150/80B-16.  What's the "B" mean?

[andyb]

Bias ply.  R would be for a radial.

[Arnie]

Normally, the B in the size designation is for "Belted".
Most H rated tires have more tread depth, thus potentially greater life.
Some dealers won't fit an H rated tire to a bike that came with V rated tires.
Also, check if your insurance company views this.

Oh yeah, and the listing I found for it has it sized as a 150/80B-16.  What's the "B" mean?

Arnie

[Bill_Rockoff]

They still make that piece of shit?  Or did you actually find one that has been sitting around since the early 1990's?  

Either way, I think you'd do better carrying the tire around your waist and riding on the bare alloy rim.

I had one and didn't like it (in case you can't tell.)  It wore like iron and was twice as grippy.  It had no grip when cold; I once slid the rear under what would have been "normal" braking toward an intersection.  It would spin on dry pavement in 3rd when the tach hit the sweet spot.  It would also spin in the rain in 5th - VERY interesting to have the bike step out a bit accelerating on a wet highway, at elevated highway speeds.

And that was 15 years ago.  I can't imagine they still make them, so it's possible this one has been sitting around (age-hardening) for a decade or more, which probably hasn't improved it any.

If you get the tire for free and somebody pays you five bucks to let them mount it on your bike, you're still getting screwed.

[FJTillDeath]

I havent had experience with the spitfire per say, but I have the bridgestone battlax on now and I dont seem to have too many problems with them..ive seen very few spitfires to be honest So I would be very careful if you install it

[dbelch]

I'm currently riding on a "spitfire" as this is the way the bike was delivered to me..it seems to be the tire of choice for the bike shops that are pushing a bike out the door which needs new rubber in order to make the safety.  Can't say I'm super impressed, found it would lock up easily and slide on the pavement at the red lights with out much effort.  Other than that it seems to wear slowly, and has toured my butt around for about 3000 miles now without any other issues..(my riding style is also mainly below 100 mph and not too much peg dragging).  I think for all the miles I do (or don't) put on in a season I will upgrade to the battalax or comparable next time just to compare.

[pdxfj]

If you're looking at budget tires, take a look at Shinko. 

For all counts they are a good bang for buck.

[rktmanfj]

If you're looking at budget tires, take a look at Shinko. 

For all counts they are a good bang for buck.

+1

I am pretty fond of the 009 Ravens...every bit as good as the Azaros I replaced.

No road hazard warranty like the Avons, but especially at $200/set, they are pretty good