Bridgestone : Launches BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 Sports Radial Motorcycle Tires

TOKYO (January 10, 2019) - Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) announced the launch of the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22, a new sports radial motorcycle tire for street use that will be part of its BATTLAX line of motorcycle tires. BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tires will be available in one front tire size and five rear tire sizes when released in the U.S. and Canada in January 2019 and in other regions in February 2019.

The BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire is the successor to the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S21 tire, which is featured as original equipment on numerous sports motorcycles and is a top replacement tire choice for countless riders. Compared to the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S21 tire, the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire boasts improved dry grip and lightness coupled with sufficient wet performance. These features provide sport bike riders peace of mind when the weather suddenly deteriorates or when driving on wet surfaces.

F/R	Tire Size
Front	120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear	160/60ZR17M/C (69W)
Rear	180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
Rear	190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
Rear	190/55ZR17M/C (75W)
Rear	200/55ZR17M/C (78W)

1. New Tread Pattern

To enhance cornering on rainy days, the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire features an increased land-sea ratio on the tire's shoulder in comparison to the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S21 tire, and pattern rigidity has been optimized. These features contribute to improved wet performance and handling lightness.

2. New Compound

(1) Optimized Resin Component

In designing the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire, steps were taken to optimize the resin component in order to develop a new compound that can function across a wide range of temperature conditions, including lower temperatures. This allows the tire to deliver higher grip on dry surfaces.

(2) Fine Particle Silica

The center compound of BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 rear tires utilizes silica comprised of particles that are smaller than those found in conventional tires to increase the area of the silica in the contact patch, the portion of a tire that makes contact with road surfaces. This composition enables the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire to better grip the road in wet conditions.

3. Optimized Contact Area

In the development of the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire, Bridgestone employed its proprietary ULTIMAT EYE™ technology,*1 to measure and visualize the behavior of tire contact patches. This technology has also been used for developing tires for the FIM Endurance World Championship. Bridgestone has reduced the slippage area in the rear part of the tire's contact patch in comparison to the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S21 tire. These changes contribute to improved grip and light handling of the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S22 tire while preventing declines in lifespan.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.