Bridgestone V03 Slick Review: Enhanced Grip, Stability, and Speed

The predecessor, the V02, already made a name for itself in paddocks with its forgiving nature and durability. Available in various compounds, it brought joy to track day riders across different asphalt surfaces and temperatures. However, when it came to chasing those last tenths, the V02 left some room for enhancement in specific areas. This is where Bridgestone steps in with the completely redesigned V03, providing the material to close that gap. Drawing heavily from their extensive experience in endurance racing, the engineers have incorporated their insights into the new slick, significantly enhancing its performance.

Pretty much everything. From the carcass to the contour to the rubber compound, Bridgestone has completely revamped the entire structure.

The carcass has been enhanced with the GP-Belt, an additional belt that increases the contact patch, especially where it matters mostin lean angles. This aims to boost not only side grip but also traction when accelerating out of corners.

Alongside this, the tire's contour has been adjusted. The diameter in the middle section of the front tire remains unchanged, but towards the sidewalls, the new V03 is slightly more rounded, resulting in a less sharp contour. This is intended to offer benefits not only in terms of the contact patch but also in stability, particularly during turn-in. Depending on the flex, this also provides more options for adjusting the tire's self-damping capabilities.

A different approach is taken with the rear tire. The inner diameter has been increased by about 7mm while the sidewall remains almost unchanged. This tilts the bike slightly forward during straight-line riding, creating a more agile geometry that compensates for the slightly rounder shape. This needs to be considered elsewhere as well. Riders transitioning from the V02 to the V03 can switch to a shorter final drive ratio, as the increased tire diameter compensates for it.

The rubber compounds vary depending on the ambient temperatures. For the front tire, you can choose between two compounds: Soft-Medium and Soft.

For the rear tire, there are three options available: Medium, Soft, and Sprint.

Basically, with Bridgestone, you can assume that softer tires are intended for colder temperatures and harder ones for hotter conditions, contrary to some competitor brands. However, with the Sprint compound, the aim is to provide the rider with exceptional grip regardless of temperature, to enhance performance over shorter distances.

The new V03 slicks will be available in sizes 120/70 R17 and 200/60 R17 starting early 2026. In 2027, the smaller 190/60 R17 size will follow.

That's the theorynow onto the practice.

From the very first encounter with the new Bridgestone V03, it was clear that this tire had undergone more than just a facelift. The conditions for this test could hardly have been better: a variety of superbikes, consistent weather conditions, and the Chang International Circuita modern track that demands grip, quick direction changes, and high stability. Bridgestone had us perfectly prepared. This allowed us not only to directly compare the V02 and V03 but also to experience them on four different motorcycles: Honda Fireblade, Yamaha R1, BMW S1000RR/S1000R, and Ducati Panigale V4 S.

The test day intentionally began with the V02 to provide a fresh reference point. Once the V03 was mounted and we rolled out of the pit lane, the difference was immediately apparent, leaving no doubt. Where the V02 felt lively, almost jittery at times, the V03 exuded an entirely new level of calm and stability. Even during turn-in, the two tires behaved like night and day. Particularly on bikes that naturally exhibit a bit of restlessnesslike the BMW S1000RRthe V03 delivers an impressive level of ground-feel, confidence, and predictable feedback. Even riding in a straight line feels more relaxed and precise.

This significant difference is no accident, as Bridgestone has worked intensively on the fundamental construction. The now rounder front tire provides noticeably more inherent damping, improving control and stability when cornering. The front tire itself is constructed to be noticeably softer, which is especially beneficial when bumps or critical situations load the front end. The feedback remains calm, clean, and clear. On the other hand, the rear tire has been increased in diameter in the center, creating a sharper contour. Combined with almost unchanged outer areas, this results in a wider, more effectively usable contact patch, improving grip not only through the compound but also through geometry. The stiff carcass remains characteristic of the rear tire, which can lead to a slight tendency for chatter over hard bumps under certain conditions, but overall provides very stable handling.

On the track, this new combination of flexibility and stability becomes very apparent. The V03 requires a bit more effort during turn-in compared to the V02, but many motorcycles can be perfectly tuned to this with a small geometry tweak, such as raising the rear. Once this fine-tuning is done, the advantages of the V03 become even more pronounced: a calm front end, impressive stability even at the limit, and a precise, predictable feel at every stage of the corner. This is where the tire truly shines, especially on bikes that could benefit from a bit more calmness in the suspension.

For the compounds, Bridgestone draws on extensive expertise from endurance racing and past MotoGP engagements. The new, softer Sprint compound provides not only maximum grip but also adds extra flex to the stiff rear tire carcass. The overall result is a tire that scores well in both grip and flexibility. Additionally, it covers a wide temperature range and can be used on both cold and warm asphalt, which will likely make tire selection much easier for many riders.

The durability is also impressive. In our sessions of 10 to 20 fast laps, both the front and rear tires showed clean, consistent wear patterns. The initial grip is particularly strong, drops slightly after a few laps, but then remains stable over a long period. The Sprint compound on the rear naturally provides the highest grip and still delivers remarkably strong performance even after 15 fast laps. Especially positive: even on the very grippy Chang asphalt, the sidewalls remained clean and even, a strength that was already present in the V02 and is found again in the V03.

The optimal tire pressures remain at known levels: 2.3 bar at the front, and 1.6 to 1.8 bar at the rear when warm. This allows the V03 to deliver its best mix of grip, stability, and feedback.

Initially, the V03 will be available in 120/70 17 and 200/60 17 sizes. The slightly smaller 190 size will only be available from 2027.

In summary, the Bridgestone V03 is a clear advancement. It provides the motorcycle with noticeably more composure, delivers an excellent feel for the surface, and combines grip with stability at a level that surpasses the V02 in almost every aspect. This is a tire that not only shows improvements on paper but whose benefits are felt unmistakably from the first few meters.

Advantages:

• Smoother riding behavior
• Long lifespan
• New Sprint compound for a wide temperature range

Disadvantages:

• Slightly prone to chatter on bumps and soft suspensions