I find my rear tire Bridgestone Battlax very slippery when wet.
If in 2:nd gear throttle not full but nice acceleration it spins.
In curves it’s even worse when thottle is used.
This has made me a chicken driver when wet asphalt and it’s not fun at all.

Facts:
1. 9500 kms on the tire (5900 miles)
2. 2mm left in the middle (0,079 inch)
3. Correct pressure about 40 psi

Question:
1. Is something wrong or is this normal?
3. Does the wear of the tire affect the grip? Is that not just to handle big amounts of water?
3. When cleaning rear rim, a lot of degreasing is used, does this affect the rubber?
4. Does anyone else have the same problem?
5. What is the best tire for wet asphalt? (not necessarily rain)

 

1: I think it's normal. If it hasn't rained for a couple of days, there is left a film on the asphalt, and that combined with water gives you a slippery cocktail.

I don't surpose that your tire is years old, so the rubber has gone hard ???

2: I don't know if it affects handling, but it certainly helps removing whatever water that may be on the road.

3: Try to use petrolium instead of degreaser. I use It all the time, and to clean rims there is nothing better!!! And it's cheap too.

4: I drive very carefully when wet. Had a front wheel lockup some years back, and that put the fear in me when driving in the wet. When wet the bike is nothing more than a mean to transport my body to school and back...

5: As far as I know, Michelin Pilot Road should be the best tire in the wet. That's why I use them!

 

I had a Battlax fitted on the rear when i first bought my CBR1000,and rode the bike 120 miles back home in the wet,and had exactly the same problems you described,some people might rate them but i found it horrid in the wet.......

Best all-round tyres i've found (wet and dry) are michelin macdam 100's and Avon Azaros,decent longevity as well!

 

The Battleaxs SUCK in the wet. They also suck in the dry. They are long life touring tires. If you want to go 10K + miles between new tires, then they are what you want. If you want to be able to corner and ride in the wet, go for something else.
I like the Metzler Z6's and the Pilot Raods. Both are more touring then sport tires, but they handle the weight and power of the 1000F'f a little better and will last longer then the sport alternatives. And are both excellent wet tires which is a good thing here in the Pacific North Wet.

 

I had the same experience with Battlax, I got so bad that my rear end slid out a few times in a turn on wet pavement and I was riding cautiously. I'm now on the Avon Azaros, and they stick SOOOO much better on wet roads.

 

I have had a Battlax BT54 on my 1000 for a couple of years now and never had a problem. I run on some pretty good switchbacks here in the Colorado mountains and have been caught in rain more times than I can count. I don't feel un easy at all with it. Go figure.
BT

 

BackTalk: I just love that paintjob on your bike! Looks really nice

 

Thanks Noe, but it's nothing special. Just a very hi-gloss black. What you see most of the time is reflections on the paint.

 

Conclusion
Battlax comes in different variants
I have BT-020 which is a long milage tire.
The BT-014 has better grip but lasts shorter, all according to the tire man in the neighberhood.
Unfortunately I have lost faith in Bridgestone so it will be Metzler Roadtech Z6

 

I hat the the ST 020 tire.