Bridgestone T33 Reviewed: Performance & Durability Test for Sport Touring

As the Croatian coastal road winds like a ribbon of asphalt through the landscape ahead of me, the new Bridgestone touring tire demonstrates its true capabilities. The T33 impresses with its superb confidence during lean angles, neutral steering behavior, and high riding comfort. During my test on various motorcycles—from the heavy BMW R 1250 RT to the versatile Kawasaki Versys 1100—one thing becomes clear: this tire remarkably balances durability and performance.

The asphalt sizzles under the Croatian midday sun as I guide the BMW R 1250 RT through the next hairpin turn. What would typically be a cumbersome maneuver with this 279-kilogram touring behemoth turns into almost a playful affair with the new Bridgestone T33. The front wheel glides into the radius as if physics had been secretly tricked. A bike of this weight class shouldn't feel so nimble—and yet it does.

The first proper cascade of curves in the mountains reveals what the T33 is truly about: this incredible confidence in the front wheel. I feel every millimeter of asphalt through my palms without being disturbed by jittery reactions. It's this fine balance that makes me pause. Am I still on a big touring machine, or has someone secretly swapped in a sport-tourer?

"This thing dives into corners like a terrier on a leash," I blurt out during the first photo break. The Bridgestone press representative smiles. "That's due to the newly developed center rubber compound and optimized tread design." It sounds like marketing spiel, but after more twisty miles, I reluctantly have to agree. What I'm feeling here is not an illusion but the distinction between good and outstanding tire design.

When the T32 hit the market, Bridgestone offered two versions: the standard tire for typical sport-touring machines and the GT version for heavier motorcycles. With the T33, Bridgestone takes a radically different approach: one tire for everything—from lightweight nakeds to fully-loaded tourers. On paper, it sounds like an easy compromise, but in practice, it turns out to be a clever move.

According to Bridgestone, the goal was simple: maintain the T32's performance while dramatically increasing mileage. The result is a tire that, during Bridgestone's internal tests in Sardinia, reportedly offers an impressive 47% increase in mileage over its predecessor. Initially, I viewed this figure with the typical skepticism of a motorcycle journalist. Such advancements in tire development are rare—evolution here generally occurs in small increments.

Technically, Bridgestone has indeed dug deep into their bag of tricks for the T33. I focus on the front! The tire is stable but not rigid—it provides feedback without becoming jittery. This characteristic is reminiscent of the GT variant of its predecessor but is more finely tuned. At the rear, a 3LC technology (3-Layer-Compound) with a newly developed center rubber compound plays a key role in enhancing the mileage.

What's particularly impressive is how differently the same tire feels on various motorcycle types. On the BMW R 1250 RT, it offers confident touring behavior, while it performs just as well on the Kawasaki Versys 1100. Even in the 19" variant, it did a fantastic job, as I confirmed from the saddle of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure.

The Bridgestone T33 has a remarkable trait: it makes twisty roads addictive. With every turn-in, there's this subtle feeling of "I want to dive into the radius" on various motorcycle models. It's not the aggressive corner dropping seen in some sport tires, but a gentle, almost elegant pulling in that always gives the rider a sense of control.

On the BMW R 1250 RT, with its 136 HP and a hefty 143 Nm of torque, you get handling that seems improbable for this motorcycle. The boxer engine, with its unmistakable, effortless torque delivery from the basement, continually tempts you to push the pace. The T33 gives you an incredibly good sense of how the engine doles out its power—with precise feedback and no nervous twitching.

"Few downsides to the boxer concept, but all the advantages." That's how the test report aptly sums up the boxer's character. And this is precisely what the T33 perfectly supports. When you twist the throttle and the boxer punches you forward with its delightful thrust, the tire remains stable. This powerful forward drive, so typical of boxer engines, is transmitted unfiltered, without sacrificing control.

On the 19-inch front of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, the T33 shows yet another side. Here you feel a gentle pull inward—not tippy, not jittery, but precise and reassuring. Over bumps and rough surfaces, it maintains a composure that might surprise even seasoned adventure riders. The T33 doesn't take away from the Adventure's characteristic feel; rather, it enhances its strengths.

According to Bridgestone, the wet performance of the T33 is slightly above that of the T32. Fortunately—or unfortunately—we didn't have to test this firsthand. Bridgestone conducted complex tests and presented equally complex graphics, detailing steering angles and "necessary corrections." By the time this was being presented, my attention had already shifted to the grill, where the dedicated chef had laid out some seriously thick steaks, and the buffet was brimming with delicacies. So, I mentally noted: "Slightly better than the T32!" Both for me and our community, that's perfectly fine. In reality, the T32 had only one real weakness—its mileage. According to test riders, this has been significantly improved. The rest is a nice bonus but not really essential. So, I used an old trick—hearty applause when the marketing guy paused for breath, colleagues joined in, and we managed to cut the PowerPoint marathon short and dive into the buffet.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for any tire manufacturer is balancing grip with durability. More grip usually means less mileage, and vice versa. The developers at Bridgestone claim to have partially resolved this conflict with the T33. A bold claim with the promised 47% increase in mileage over the T32.

My brief test can't verify this long-term claim, but the initial signs are promising. According to Bridgestone, they evaluated the mileage in an internal test with a fleet of Kawasaki Z1000SX in November 2023. Under the same conditions on the same track, the T33 reportedly lasted 47% longer than its predecessor.

The technical explanation for this improved mileage lies in the combination of a new rubber compound, optimized tread design, and enhanced construction. What is particularly important for me as a tester: this improved mileage doesn't come at the expense of handling or grip. Here, Bridgestone has indeed made a step forward. In tire development, big leaps are rare, making it all the more remarkable when a new model can excel in multiple disciplines simultaneously.

The one-size-fits-all strategy naturally raises the question: Can the T33 truly be the best choice for every type of motorcycle? Based on my experiences, the tire handles a remarkably wide range of bikes very well.

The BMW GS Adventure 1300, with its 19-inch front wheel, 269 kg weight, and 145 HP, feels confident with the T33. On the hefty BMW R 1250 RT, with its 17-inch wheels and 279 kg, the T33 showcases its stability. The handling is noticeably more neutral than in my previous tests with this machine. Particularly at higher speeds on the highway, the T33 provides a sense of security without feeling sluggish. However, the most surprising performance for me was on the Kawasaki Versys 1100. While it weighs in at 255 kg, making it no lightweight, it is noticeably more agile than the BMW models. Here, the T33 showed its most sporty side. So, who is the T33 best suited for? The answer is: almost everyone. From sport-touring riders who attack the passes on weekends to long-distance tourists who primarily seek mileage, the T33 covers a broad spectrum. It's even an excellent fit for sportier naked bikes. Like other sport-touring tires, it offers three key advantages over sport tires: short warm-up time, great wet grip, and high mileage. In contrast, sport tires like the S23 offer even sharper handling and more grip at high temperatures.

To help you properly categorize the tire, I've listed the relevant competing models here. In the highly competitive sport-touring segment, the Bridgestone T33 positions itself against established rivals. The direct competitors are the Michelin Road 6 and Road 6 GT, the Dunlop RoadSmart IV, the Continental Road Attack 4, and the Pirelli Angel GT II. In this category, Mitas offers the Touring Force and Touring Force SP. Metzeler enters the fray with the Roadtec 02.

During our test rides in Croatia, I had the pleasure of wearing the SPIDI Mission-V Jacket, which impressed me with its innovative modular design. The combination of a waterproof hard shell and flexible armor protection proved to be a practical companion for the changing conditions. Particularly, the STEP-IN ARMOR technology, with its versatile layering options, showed its worth on long test rides—starting with all layers in the morning and quickly adjusting as temperatures rose by midday. My outfit was complemented by the SPIDI Charged Tex Pants, which paired harmoniously with the jacket. The fit was consistently excellent, even after hours of sitting on various test motorcycles. Also noteworthy was the high comfort level of the SPIDI X-GT gloves. The flexibility of the entire gear proved to be absolutely practical—whether on the agile Kawasaki Versys or the massive BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, freedom of movement was never compromised. An impressive overall package that won me over after an intensive test week. Keen 1000PS readers might have noticed that I wore the same gear earlier in the week in Slovenia during the Tracer 9 GT+ test. Conveniently, I also had the chance to test the T32 in practice there. Also practical: For my private hiking trip in Bled between the two tests, I had the SPIDI outer jacket, which doubled as a high-quality waterproof adventure jacket.

• Link: https://www.1000ps.at/testbericht-3012628-yamaha-tracer-9-gt-2025-test
• Link: https://www.spidi.com/eu_de/mission-v-h2out-jacke-d332

Front Tire Sizes:

• 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) TL
• 120/70ZR18 M/C (59W) TL
• 120/70R19 M/C 60V TL
• 110/80R19 M/C 59V TL

Rear Tire Sizes:

• 150/70ZR17 M/C (69W) TL
• 160/60ZR17 M/C (69W) TL
• 170/60ZR17 M/C (72W) TL
• 180/55ZR17 M/C (73W) TL
• 190/50ZR17 M/C (73W) TL
• 190/55ZR17 M/C (75W) TL

According to Bridgestone, these ten sizes have been available on the market since February 2025. An additional five sizes, including some more exotic dimensions and the ZR variant of the 19-inch size for the GS and Multistrada with W-rating, will follow in 2026.

An interesting aspect is the extensive model range that Bridgestone now offers. The T33 positions itself as the top choice for the European market, with the T32 continuing as the second line and the T31 remaining as the third. This also means Bridgestone has affordable alternatives in the lineup—for motorcycle manufacturers, dealers outfitting used bikes, and private riders alike.

After testing various motorcycles under different conditions, a clear picture emerges: the Bridgestone T33 is a solid step forward in the sport-touring segment. The claimed 47% increase in mileage still needs to prove itself in widespread use, but the initial signs are promising. More importantly for me as a rider: this enhanced durability doesn't come at the expense of riding pleasure.

What impressed me the most is the versatility of the T33. Whether on a hefty BMW R 1250 RT, an adventurous BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, or a sporty Kawasaki Versys 1100, the tire always behaves confidently and highlights the strengths of the bike. Ultimately, it's not about marketing promises or lab results, but the feeling on the road. And here, the T33 delivers a package that convinces. It instills confidence, invites sporty riding, without denying its touring genes. It's exactly what a modern sport-touring tire should be: a loyal companion for long distances that can also handle some spirited cornering.