Bridgestone M403 / M404 replacement ?

race
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10/14/2015 3:09pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2015 9:45pm
It appears Bridgestone is retiring my fav M403 / M404 soft / intermediate tires. The replacement set appears to be the Battlecross X30 ?

Anyone tried them?

I will be on a YZ250 ( smoker ) at local SoCal tracks. A review in MXA seemed to imply they actually liked the Battlecross X40 hard / intermediate tire better than the X30 intermediate. See below:



"WHAT IS IT? The Bridgestone Battlecross X40 rear tire is designed for hard-to-intermediate conditions and replaces the Bridgestone M604.

WHAT’S IT COST? $129.00–$150.00.


WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Bridgestone Battlecross X40 rear tire.

(1) Replacement. Bridgestone’s new Battlecross X40 tires are replacing the old M603 front and M604 rear. Over the last few years, Bridgestone’s presence on the AMA circuit has diminished greatly. Since Bridgestone withdrew, Dunlop has reigned. Bridgestone was once a major player, and they want to regain the prominence they had with the well-received intermediate-terrain M403/404 combo. Will they be able to make it to the top of the charts once again? A lot of that rides on the X40.

(2) Changes. There are three big innovations on the Battlecross X40 Bridgestone: (a) Cooling fins. Bridgestone’s engineers placed fins close together on the sidewall of the tire. The theory behind the fins is that since hard-to-intermediate conditions generate more heat than soft-terrain conditions, the fins will aid in dissipating the increased heat. (b) Reinforcing knobs. Best known in tire jargon as tie bars, these are built-up bridges of rubber between the knobs. These tie-bars aid in the tire’s stability. MXA test riders complained about the lack of knob stability when we tested the new X30 intermediate-terrain tire. The X30 does not have the tie bars of the X40. (c) Castle blocks. There are castle blocks—structural shapes—on every single knob of the X40. These castle blocks increase traction in hard-packed conditions. The old M604 only had castle blocks on select knobs.

(3) Performance. If we could describe the X40 in one word, it would be stable. You always know what it is going to do. It never wallows or breaks free. As our MXA wrecking crew is a bit rebellious, they not only rode this tire in hard-packed conditions, but also in sand and loam. And you know what? We liked the X40 in just about every condition we tried it in. It never betrayed us. The reinforcements between the knobs really kicked this tire into high gear in the hard-packed category.

(4) Durability. This tire is the full package. It has great performance and excellent durability.
"

Soooo .... anyone been running either set. Feedback? In So Cal I'll be on more soft / sand tracks than hard pack.

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mattyhamz2
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10/14/2015 3:32pm
Had a few buddies run them and everyone seems to like the x40 a lot better. All on SoCal tracks as well. I've been hurt so I haven't been able to try them myself yet but we do have a set of x30s waiting to be tried out soon.
10/14/2015 4:04pm
Couple of people telling me they weren't fans of the X30. Haven't tried them myself yet
ricko
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10/14/2015 4:16pm
That's a bummer. I love the 403/404. Hands down my favorite tires. I still have about 12 left from when I bought a pile of em at the nationals quite a few years back. I will have to look into these new tires.
race
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10/14/2015 4:48pm
Guess I'll try the X40s.

The Shop

RF219
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10/14/2015 5:19pm
I got a X30 here with one ride on it and removed it. I did not like it at all. I rode today with the new Michelin starcross 5 (soft) and loved it
race
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10/14/2015 5:25pm
RF219 wrote:
I got a X30 here with one ride on it and removed it. I did not like it at all. I rode today with the new...
I got a X30 here with one ride on it and removed it. I did not like it at all. I rode today with the new Michelin starcross 5 (soft) and loved it
Where are you and what kind of dirt?

hellion
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10/14/2015 5:45pm
X30 offered only ok traction, but to me, the carcass is ridiculously stiff. I am looking forward to trying the new Michelin.
MXVet261
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10/14/2015 6:28pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2015 6:30pm
Jdawggg
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10/14/2015 6:50pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2015 6:51pm
Not a big fan of the X-30 either it seemed to work OK but my 2016 Kawi came with a 404 and it hooks up and feels much better. I heard good things about the X-40 but couldn't find them in 120 size?
cwtoyota
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10/14/2015 6:51pm
The M403/404 combo has been my go-to tire for several years. The Dunlops shed knobs pretty quick for me.

Back in February I bought a new X30 and a new M404 and put each of them on a rear wheel.

The first thing I noticed was that the X30 is a much wider, lower profile tire than the old 404, even though both were in the same size.

I took a trip down to Washougal and started comparing the tires by switching rear wheels on my YZ125 every moto.

The 404 felt like it got into ruts a tiny bit easier, probably because it was taller and slimmer.
The X30 had superior traction both in a straight line and when cornering, especially on flatter corners.

So now after racing a full season on the X30 tires, I can say that they hold up great, even on harder dirt.

I put a new X30 on the front of my YZ450. I like it, although I didn't test it back to back with a brand new 403, I didn't feel like it was bad in any way. All of my two strokes still have the 403 front tires, so I haven't tested the X30 on a two stroke yet.

Both X30 tires are superior to anything I've had from Dunlop recently... Not in traction, but in life. The MX32 and MX52 lose knobs the first day you ride on them. After the Dunlop 756 was retired, I ran Michelins for a little while, then switched to the 403/404.
10/14/2015 6:56pm
The Dunlop MX32 is the best front tire I've ever used.
-espionage-
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10/14/2015 7:27pm
MANNERS226 wrote:
The Dunlop MX32 is the best front tire I've ever used.
I second that. I wish it would last longer before the side knobs started cracking.
10/14/2015 7:31pm
The x30 has been working pretty good on my yz250 but those stupid small knobs don't last long at all, 4 rides and there already gone. I would get the new starcross tire if I were you, never been disdained with Michelin tires
RF219
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10/14/2015 7:40pm
RF219 wrote:
I got a X30 here with one ride on it and removed it. I did not like it at all. I rode today with the new...
I got a X30 here with one ride on it and removed it. I did not like it at all. I rode today with the new Michelin starcross 5 (soft) and loved it
race wrote:
Where are you and what kind of dirt?

I live in KY but was riding in southern ohio. The dirt is like dark loamy soil that gets real good ruts and then dries out and hardens up. The michelin did great on both. I run mx32 on front. The X30 rear was 13.2 pounds new and the new michelin was 11.4 both 120/80-19.
MMCDan
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10/14/2015 8:25pm
Long-time 403/404 guy, swapped to X30 front/X40 rear and I really like them. I briefly went back to the 403/404 combo when I bought my new KX450 and didn't like them near as much as the X tires.

I was stuck on the MX32/MX52 combo for awhile but they are a bitch to change, cost about $10 more (each) than the Bridgestones and, in my experience, the rear X40 lasts quite a bit longer than the MX52.
tempura
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10/14/2015 9:15pm
I've run X30 front and X40 rear on my KX250 2stroke. Very good tires.
My new YZ250 came with Dunlop MX52's and they are shite in comparison.
cwtoyota
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10/14/2015 11:22pm
MANNERS226 wrote:
The Dunlop MX32 is the best front tire I've ever used.
I second that. I wish it would last longer before the side knobs started cracking.
Those things are the antithesis of a durable tire. I usually get a day out of a 32F if there aren't many rocks...

I wish Dunlop would go back to making slightly more durable tires. I don't mind if a tire wears down quickly in trade for a bit more traction, but I should be able to run last weekend's race tire for this week's practice day.

mmcmx
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10/15/2015 12:42am Edited Date/Time 10/15/2015 12:45am
MANNERS226 wrote:
The Dunlop MX32 is the best front tire I've ever used.
If you only ride in soft terrain yes...

Where I live I need something in between the 32 and 52. 403 was a good option. Michelin MS too. I'll test the Pirelli 32 now
Crush
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10/15/2015 1:14am
Anyone been on the Pirellis?

They're dominating down here. Think i'll try them next.
10/15/2015 4:51am
Crush wrote:
Anyone been on the Pirellis?

They're dominating down here. Think i'll try them next.
I have had a few Mid-Soft 32's. Traction in the rear is unbelievable but I started losing knobs in the first 5 hours. On a 125. Front was shit.
mmcmx
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10/15/2015 6:12am
Crush wrote:
Anyone been on the Pirellis?

They're dominating down here. Think i'll try them next.
Just bought a set. I've been told the front is awesome but the rear's carcass is to soft.
10/15/2015 7:08am
I bought a set of wheels fo my 2 stroke. that came mounted brand new mx51s. Two rides on our socal tracks and the several side knobs ripped off. Bought a 404 and two months and many many track trips later now finally replacing it with another 404. Good deal through tocky mountain
IceMan446
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10/15/2015 7:59am
M59 on the front and 404 on the rear.

The M59 is the best all around best front tire you can buy IMO
Berni
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10/15/2015 12:42pm
I have not used the previous bridgestones. I ride enduro and cross country. The soil here is clay and rocks.... I have now a x40 rear that I have had two rides with it.

I have used a lot of tires in the past, from Michelin MH3, mx51, metzeler mc4, and FIM enduro tires... This bridgestone seems to be the tire I am going to stick with for all but muddy and wet rocks (were FIM enduro tyres are incredible, superior to anything...). What I am more impressed with the X40 is as it says MXA is that it is stable, does nothing wrong, and in hard flat turns is incredible how you can open the throttle and it won't send you sideways, it just slides softly. And is holding up quite good so far..
dak446
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10/15/2015 1:24pm
Crush wrote:
Anyone been on the Pirellis?

They're dominating down here. Think i'll try them next.
Front is horrible. Rear was good, but wore fast.

I really like the X30. I was a 403/404 faithful, but this tire comes close. It wears a little faster than its predecessor, but ended up being an impressive tire, especially if you can find it at a discount (MSRP is steep, though!)
10/15/2015 1:25pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2015 1:26pm
MANNERS226 wrote:
The Dunlop MX32 is the best front tire I've ever used.
Same here... MX 32...best front tire I've ever had..
MX 32 rear is excellent too.. even on hardpack!
race
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10/15/2015 2:02pm
tempura wrote:
I've run X30 front and X40 rear on my KX250 2stroke. Very good tires. My new YZ250 came with Dunlop MX52's and they are shite in...
I've run X30 front and X40 rear on my KX250 2stroke. Very good tires.
My new YZ250 came with Dunlop MX52's and they are shite in comparison.
I just ordered X40s front and rear.

Is there a reason you ran the X30 in front instead of the X40?

10/15/2015 3:10pm
I used to run the 403/404 combo and after the first tried of the pirelli mx 32 I was impressed with the confidence that the tires gives to you.................Those tires are amazing, great grip and traction, they also works pretty good in hard conditions.........but after 2 rides in a hard track the rear tire was destroyed and the front tire was damaged too (side knobs).

I tried the rear pirelli mx 32 and the x30 back to back same day same track, I was pushing myself to do hot laps (at my full potencial) and after a few tries I was 1.5 seconds faster with the pirrelli mx 32 (measured with a gps garmin).

Last week I tried the x30 front, straight breaking grip its amazing, stability in breaking is unreal (better than the pirelli) corners pretty good, but I think that the Pirelli mx 32 has more grip in corners.

My advice is to use the pirellis mx 32 only if you ride in soft/medium terrains or if you are going to put those tires in a race day.

If you ride sometimes in hard soil or want a more durable tire the choice is the x30 combo. Right now I m using this combo, its a nice mix of traction, versatility and durability.


10/15/2015 3:35pm
I am curious to hear how that new Starcross 5 is...

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