Quote Originally Posted by Limoles View Post
It looks like everything what I've learned and know about tires is subjected to many "wise interpretations" based on "experience" and never ending "projects" . Maybe so ? But :

There are two main differences between a front and rear motorcycle tire. The rear tire is flatter while the front tire is more triangular in shape. The triangle shape of the front tire helps the bike enter and exit turns while the flatter shape of the rear tire gives the bike more stability. The second difference is that the forces generated on the rear vs. the front tire are reversed. The rear tire is subjected to acceleration forces while the front tire is subjected to the majority of the braking forces therefore the inner lacing of the tires are set up reversed.

Unlike car tires, motorcycle tires actually need to be different for the front and the rear of the bike. Front and rear motorcycle tires are specially engineered to accomplish specific goals depending on the location of the tire and its purpose in your bike’s overall performance.

Rear motorcycle tires are responsible for certain bike functions, such as:
1 ) Power - The rear tire has a flatter profile, to provide the majority of the acceleration and stability for your bike, and wouldn’t handle as well if put on the front.
2 ) Weight - The rear tire carries the majority of the weight of the bike, calling for special design elements to keep you upright & safe at all times.
3 ) Lean - Since the rear tire does not turn, it is subject to the lean of the motorcycle. This requires a sturdier tire with a flatter profile to accommodate all bike's performance .

So , what's your choice - brothers ?
I'm unsure where you glean all your info from but I'll tell you, you are dead wrong when stating the BT-45 is a wider tire because it is a rear tire. That depends on rim cross width i.e the Stock Stone doesn't have as pronounced cross-sectioned radius as does the BT-45 when mounter to the same rim, which makes the tire carve corners more crisper than the OEM Stone. I've personally performed physical measurement of both tires on the same OEM F6B rim. That's no guessing, assumptions or bull $hit. The Ax is 1/4" narrower than the Stone on the same rim. You simply can't compare tire size on assumptions. You'll even have variables on tire width unmounted and mounted and that will vary on tire manufacturer to tire manufacturer and rim widths.

I'm always amazed that folks fail to gather actual data on the items they have in their hand. All it takes is two straight edges and a ruler to capture correct tire width data. Hell. I even carry a thread depth gauge along with my air gauge. Maybe I'm annal, but facts are facts and bull $hit is bull $hit. I don't want to appear to be condescending but IMHO there's nothing that compares to personal experiences. If you have never tried it don't knock it! If you do try it and don't like it you can always return to you old ways and no one will "crucify" you

With 10K accumulated miles on my first Ax I can state from first hand experience that it outperforms the stock Stone in ride and cornering! That's my observation! So pleased with it performance I have a new one on hand waiting to be mounted when the existing one is shot!

Like the original Stone, the Ax, when worn out, will be subjected to a tire autopsy i.e crossed sectioned so I have actual data to compare with pics between the two tire casings. I'll gladly post and share the results with all