Bridgestone Introduces New Enduro Competition Tires Gritty ED663 & Gritty ED668
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 13, 2004) -- Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT), is pleased to introduce new bias-ply Enduro competition (90% off-road / 10% on-road) tires, approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and specifically designed to handle the dual demands of European style Enduro racing.

The new ED663/ED668 front and rear combination are specifically designed for maximum performance in soft terrain conditions.

"The Bridgestone brand has just raised the bar for Enduro competition," said Bob Graham, motorcycle and kart manager for BFNT. "We've taken all we’ve learned from years of success in U.S. motocross and cross country racing, and created an all new soft terrain tread pattern, compound and tire profile that will aggressively perform in soft terrain Enduro conditions."

The tread pattern offers maximum performance for competition in soft terrain conditions. Individual blocks are located on the tires for a deep bite into the surface, providing maximum grip level. Diagonally-cut shoulder blocks are specifically placed for traction while a controlled pitch and open block design allows for easy self-cleaning. The all-new Gritty Enduro tires are also made with a special compound that will ensure consistent wear and a biting grip and features a newly designed tire profile to maximize traction, handling and stability.

The new Gritty ED663 front and Gritty ED668 rear tires are now available in the following sizes at motorcycle dealers throughout the United States:

Nashville-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures, and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural, motorcycle and other tires to its customers in North America.