DOSSIER

BRIDGESTONE

Battlax Hypersport S23: the new sports reference

Bridgestone has taken advantage of the experience it acquired in its years as a MotoGP supplier to incorporate it into its series tires, and especially its sports tires in their latest generations. Currently, its models focused on use that includes both the road and the circuit are covered under the name “Battlax Hypersport S”, of which this new S23 is the latest product, a tire that can be considered the premium range of the Japanese firm. In addition, it just so happens that its 40th anniversary will be celebrated in 2023.

It is a rubber that has to combine two areas, one the road and the other its use on the circuit. In both it is essential to have the greatest possible grip, but the peculiarities of one terrain and another pose the need to make some compromises compatible. On the one hand, a tire that is going to be used on the road has to be able to adapt to more situations, from variable asphalt grip conditions at very different temperatures, the need for rapid warm-up from ambient temperature or a certain duration circulating many times in a straight line.

AREAS AND NEEDS: The circuit requires the fastest possible reactions, which is capable of withstanding high temperatures without losing properties and all the grip that is possible with the motorcycle at maximum inclination. Bridgestone has specific models for both tasks, with the R11 and V02 especially dedicated to the circuit. However, the S23 must approach them with more compromises.

For someone who is going to use a motorcycle exclusively on a circuit, the most reasonable option is to fit it with specific models for this function, but it must also be taken into account that a series of needs are acquired, including the use of heaters or the transportation of the motorcycle to the track.

THE COMMITMENT: A tire like the Bridgestone S23 offers you the advantage of being able to go to the circuit on your motorcycle or not needing auxiliary material such as the aforementioned heaters, which must be accompanied by stands. For a motorcycle that makes both situations compatible, the best option is clear, especially if, as is the case in this case, for a good part of the users, its features are more than enough.

The changes introduced in the S23 abound in greater performance on the circuit, but they have not forgotten the durability, which has also been worked on. It should be noted that the increase in performance has been achieved without the need to make drastic changes to the structure of the tire, which remains basically the same, but rather by improving details, something that is customary in racing.

OWN TECHNOLOGY: The basic structure of the Bridgestone S23 has not changed compared to that of its predecessor, the S22. Both tires have all of the Japanese manufacturer's technology, with a radial casing and a single monowire belt that runs across the surface in a spiral perpendicular to the threads that form the casing.

This, something that allows the temperature of the tire to be reduced by eliminating friction between different belt layers and also provides more stability to the structure and increases the ability to absorb asphalt irregularities. Another peculiarity of the firm's tires is the implementation of multi-filament technology in each thread of the plies.

VERY SPECIAL: The meshes are made up of a set of five threads that are inside an elastic cover, which also helps reduce temperature generation by avoiding friction between the filaments without the need to create a more rigid structure than usual. It is necessary that it does not deform when passing through potholes.

In the S23 we find a tread that has several different compounds, harder in the central part to achieve good resistance that increases durability and softer ones with the ability to heat up quickly and offer more grip in the lateral areas. .

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TIRES: It must be taken into account that most of the time on the road the motorcycle moves in a straight line, and it is not necessary as much grip as in curves. In the case of the front tire, two different compounds are used for the center and sides, while in the rear there are three, since the central area is differentiated, which we could consider the “spine” of the tire, which is the area that is in contact with the ground on medium inclinations, and finally another on the sides.

Regarding the S22, some changes have been made such as the arrival of new compounds. In both cases these are those used on the sides. to provide the tires with greater grip in conditions of maximum inclination and stability at high speed.

MORE EFFECTIVE: The structure has also been reinforced with the adoption of new carbon structures that reinforce the elastic polymer, preventing it from shrinking and losing adhesion. The drawing has also been changed, something that is noticeable at first glance, applying the “Pulse Groove” technology, which has grooves with variable width and deflectors that accelerate the speed of the water and improve drainage to increase wet performance. .

Bridgestone values this increase in drainage at 7%. As for the dry improvement, it claims to increase cornering speed by 5% and lap times by 1% compared to the S22. In addition to this, the new tires should last 8% longer than the previous ones.

IN SOUTH AFRICA: To test all the virtues of this new tire, Bridgestone made a first contact at the South African Kyalami circuit, an environment in which initially, right at the beginning of summer, it should be sunny. In fact, the days before our tests, when the representatives of its commercial network were there, the asphalt temperature exceeded 60 °.

Our forecasts were much worse, initially constant rain from dawn to dusk, although finally, as also happens in our country, it is a real feat for a drop to fall, and except for a few scattered drops, we found a technical circuit and in some parts a both complicated, in perfect conditions to test the wheels.

NAKED AND MORE: To do it a whole cast of motorcycles, mostly naked sports of medium and high displacement, which in the end have become the most used motorcycles to go out on the road after the debacle in sales of the superbike in recent years.

The first thing you notice is that these S23s warm up in no time, before finishing the first lap, by dosing the inclination little by little, they are in a position to incline to the maximum, although they are not yet hot enough to offer their maximum grip.

PLAYING WITH THE PRESSURE: In the end, working close to a much more reasonable 2.1 bar and 2.3 bar, which there will be those who reduce even more, we find a great compromise between agility and grip. It is not a purely racing tire and it does not have the speed of change of direction of one of them, but the more rounded profile of the casing also gives it stability.

On motorcycles like the BMW M 1000 R, which has 210 HP and tends to rise despite the wings, when you exit from a slow second-gear curve onto the straight, accelerating without hesitation, the motorcycle continues to maintain its trajectory and when braking, it always stays straight.

BIG AND SMALL: We had at our disposal a good roster of powerful bikes such as the BMW M and S 1000 RR or the KTM 1290 Super Duke, as well as some superbikes and heavier and average naked bikes, but to be honest, I focused on the great BMWs from the first moment and the experience was totally pleasant.

  The S23s are fast enough to make you enter the corner with precision even when you go a little over the turning point, something that usually happens on a new circuit until you get the references, they lean quickly and support with grip even in the long corners. third downhill on this circuit and even with these motorcycles you have to control the distance to the ground.

FOR ALL SPORTS: With these motorcycles equipped with such elaborate electronics, the truth is that you ride with great peace of mind when braking and accelerating, knowing that it is very difficult to be surprised by major slips suddenly. With the Bridgestone S23 you find the touch necessary to gain confidence and the grip that allows you to accelerate without compromises with the motorcycle leaning. The improvements have been concentrated precisely on the grip at that time, and it should be noted that they really have it even on these high-powered bikes.

This new generation of super sports tires, but valid for going on the road and for use every day even on wet ground, will arrive in January 2024 in sizes 120/70 for the front and 160/60, 180/5, 190/50, 190 /55, and 200/55 for the rear, all of them for 17” rims.

Reporter: Pepe Burgaleta