Generally, I stick to tyres and patterns I have raced with, as I know what I like. But when Editor Mitch Lees said there was a set of Bridgestone Battlecross E50 tyres with my name on them, I was keen to test them out. Bridgestone has not had the biggest presence in the Australian off-road scene in the last few years, but they have always had a good name in motorcycle applications.
The Battlecross E50 tyres have a new tread pattern incorporating motocross technology accumulated over decades. Both are FIM-compliant, meaning the rear knob depth is less than 13mm. The front comes in a 90/90-21 size and the rear comes in a 120/90-18 or 140/80-18. I went with the 140.
My first chance to fit them up, was while I was near Mildura desert testing and it was only six degrees. I was expecting them to be horrible to fit in the cold as they felt rather stiff. Much to my surprise, both tyres went on rather easily leaving me with a good impression straight up. Ben Grabham
