Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS12 First Look: Premium Tires

Staff

December 30, 2025

Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS12 First Look: Premium Tires

Bridgestone has released details on its new Battlax Racing Street RS12 high-performance tire. Drawing from racing tire tech to improve dry grip on public roads and tracks, this premium superbike and supersport tire debuts in North American markets in January. The tire replaces the Battlax Racing Street RS11 and focuses on better handling in dry conditions.

The RS12 uses a compound developed from Bridgestone’s racing experience. The tread pattern is new, with a tuned land-to-sea ratio that boosts tire stiffness.

During cornering, this design increases the contact patch with the road for more grip. Internal tests show the RS12 outperforms the RS11 at a 50-degree lean angle, and pre-production tires delivered shorter lap times than the RS11. Grip also stays more consistent before deteriorating.

The front tire gets a HE-MS Belt carcass. It’s the first time this technology appears in a street-legal Battlax tire. The belt spreads contact pressure evenly, aiding grip.

Initially, only one front tire size will be on offer: a 120/70-17. Three rear tire sizes are available to cover a broad range of high-performance motorcycles: 180/55-17, 190/55-17, and 200/55-17. All four tires have a W speed rating, allowing speeds up to 168 mph.

The Battlax line began in 1983 as Bridgestone’s entry into premium high-performance motorcycle tires. Early models focused on basic street use. By the 1990s, Battlax evolved with better compounds for wet and dry roads.

The Racing series began in the 2000s, drawing on tech from endurance races, including the Suzuka 8 Hours. The RS10 (2015) and RS11 (2019) added race-inspired tread patterns and carcass structures to create track-capable, street-legal tires. The RS12 builds on this, marking over 40 years of tweaks to improve grip and durability.

This Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS12 is designed to satisfy experienced riders who push their motorcycles hard on the track and street, aiming for reliable performance in sporty dry rides without quick wear. Prices have not yet been set.