10.000 kilometers in 10 days on the new Bridgestone T33
Like most motorcyclists, we don’t shy away from a challenge. A 10,000 km durability test on the brand-new Bridgestone T33? Bring it on. But there was a catch. The 10,000 km had to be ridden within 10 days. So, the plan was set: 10 trips of 1,000 kilometers around our headquarters in every possible direction. Each destination, once you think about it, could easily make for a full motorcycling season of weekend trips…
Our companion for the 10-day challenge was the Honda NT1100, a touring bike with features like a DCT transmission, adjustable windscreen, luggage set, heated grips, and Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones. To waste no time, we immediately installed the tyre set on delivery, taking a maiden ride to Saint-Hubert to kickstart the adventure. By the time we returned, the white paint used to “mark” the tyre had been washed off by the heavy rain. December is a tough month to ride in many parts of Europe!
Rider 1: Deauville – 1.019 km
With ‘NT’ in its name, the Honda NT1100 is the designated successor to the NT650V, better known as the original Honda Deauville. Coincidentally the French village of Deauville is located exactly 500 kilometers from our starting point. So, it seemed like a fitting destination. I set off at night, imagining a sunrise near Wimereux with a coffee in hand, but timing didn’t work out. So, I ended up riding the beautiful Opal Coast in the dark. As a result, my progress was slow, but the tyres performed flawlessly, offering optimal grip in wet and slippery conditions. By noon, after about eight hours of riding, I reached Deauville, the halfway point. After a quick bite, I took the fastest route back home, hoping to make it before dark. Thanks to podcasts, heated grips, and cruise control, I made it back just in time for a well-deserved chain maintenance session.
Rider 2: Stuttgart – 2.103 km
The destination was clear: the Technical Museum in Sinsheim, Germany, home to an… appropriately named Lockheed T33 jet. Located near Stuttgart, it was the perfect 1,000 km round trip. The NT1100 remained impressively stable, even on the Autobahn at speeds over 210 km/h. The tyres held up well, showing no excessive wear despite the high-speed test. The return route through the Eifel and Mosel areas was a pleasant surprise, with the tyres continuing to impress on wet and winding roads.
Rider 3: Reims, Paris, and Le Crotoy – 3.062 km
I headed towards Reims, aiming for a relaxing day of riding through France’s countryside. The NT1100 was a joy to ride, with great comfort and wind protection, and the tyres offered excellent grip, even in these wintery, cold conditions. After reaching Paris, I continued to Le Crotoy along the Normandy coast, battling the early winter darkness and tricky roads. But the T33’s performed consistently, offering a reassuring grip and stable ride, even after 1,000 km in varied conditions.
Rider 4: Benelux Loop – 4.107 km
My personal challenge was to complete the 1,000 km in one day without riding any highways. Starting at 6:00 AM, I took the NT1100 on a route through Belgium and the Netherlands. Despite some delays in traffic, the tyres and the bike performed well on the winding country roads, with a bit of frustration over not being able to fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes due to limited daylight. Still, the NT1100 handled beautifully, and the tyres gave me confidence, even on slippery roads.
Rider 5: Zeeland and the Coast – 5.202 km
For this ride, I took the NT1100 with its DCT transmission, a great option for long trips. My wife joined me, and we traveled through various cities and towns along the Belgian and Dutch coastlines. The tyres continued to impress, offering solid performance on both smooth highways and twisty rural roads. The comfort and stability of the NT1100 made it a pleasant ride. And yes, this part of the challenge was ridden with a passenger!
Rider 6: North to Groningen – 6.384 km
Under rain, I set off for Groningen, the northernmost point of the Netherlands. The first part of the journey was on highways, but once in Friesland, I took smaller roads to enjoy the countryside. Also in the rain, the Bridgestone T33 tyres kept performing admirably, offering confidence and comfort. By the time I returned, despite the weather, the NT1100 was still in great shape, and the tyres showed no signs of wear after another 1,000 km.
Rider 7: Spa-Francorchamps to Nürburgring – 7.727 km
I took the NT1100 to Spa-Francorchamps, one of Belgium’s most iconic tracks, and then headed towards the Nürburgring – an almost equally impressive track in Germany. Even after 7,000 km, the Bridgestone T33 tyres held up well, maintaining their grip and stability at high speeds. Unfortunately, the Nürburgring was closed for tourist rides, but the journey there still provided valuable insight into the tyre’s capabilities.
Rider 8: Neckarsulm Museum – 9.470 km
For a mix of comfort and challenge, I took the NT1100 through the Ardennes and into Luxembourg, heading for the Deutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum in Neckarsulm, Germany. The tyres performed excellently on the curvy roads, and the bike was comfortable for the long ride. After a quick stop at the museum, it was time to head back for the final leg of the journey.
Rider 9: Exploring Belgium’s Corners – 10.255 km
Our last rider spent the day exploring Belgium’s four corners: from Meersel-Dreef in the north to Torgny in the south, Manderfeld in the east, and De Panne in the west. Despite a bit of wear on the rear tyre from the earlier trips, the Bridgestones continued to perform well. By the end of the journey, he had covered almost 1,000 km, and the tyres were still going strong, ready for many more miles.
Conclusion
After more than 10,000 km, the Bridgestone T33 showed excellent durability, grip, and comfort, proving themselves as reliable companions on every leg of the journey. After this thorough test of longevity, the tyres still had plenty of life left for more kilometers, a true testament to their quality. The group of riders were impressed with the handling, wet and dry grip and feedback of the T33’s, but they have no idea how long the new Bridgestone Touring tyre will last. For sure its potential lies way beyond this 10.000 km mark!
