Tyre pressure?

[Breed777]

The guy I bought my GSXR from says 28psi..... is this right?

also, how accurate are the air pumps at petrol stations or should I be going to a proper tyre place?


Cheers

[Mom]

28 psi where? In the front maybe, bit more in the rear as a rule. And no, I dont trust the guages at petrol stations as a rule. The one at our local Mobil is hopeless, the one at the shell a little bit more reliable. Take a pressure guage with you to be sure.

[Ragingrob]

Buy a tyre pressure pen or the like from repco for like 10 bucks just to check after using gas station pumps in case. If you do a quick google for your bike's pressures you should be able to find out. 32r 28f was what I used to run on the 250, I think.

[MyGSXF]

Have you got a manual for your bike? do a google search.. or check the Suzuki website. Also check under the seat or on the side of your bike for a sticker, that shows the correct pressures. Bikes/tyres will vary depending on whether it's a sports/cruiser style etc. So get the correct pressures for 'your' bike! :niceone:

Go to Repco & buy yourself a decent tyre pressure gauge (approx $20) to keep in your pocket & a foot pump to keep in your garage. Always check your tyres when they are cold. If you ride the bike on a daily/weekly basis.. check the tyres weekly! Tyres are porous & air does evaporate out of them! :rolleyes: Don't trust the pumps at garages! & you don't "need" to go to a bike shop/tyre shop to check them.. do it yourself! :Pokey:

You'll be surprised what even 10lb more/less can make to the handling/performance & braking capabilities of your bike!!!!!! :eek:

Happy riding!! :scooter:

[MSTRS]

You'll be surprised what even 10lb more/less can make to the handling/performance & braking capabilities of your bike!!!!!! :eek:


10lb? Cor blimey. That could make the difference in living or dying!
I agree with all the other comments re tyre gauges etc. And 28f/32r would sound about right. Your tyres' performance is controlled by their temperature, and the harder they are the cooler they stay, and vice versa. Some experimentation is needed to find the optimum cold (starting) pressure for your bike/tyres/riding style.

[p.dath]

Buy a tyre pressure pen or the like from repco for like 10 bucks just to check after using gas station pumps in case. If you do a quick google for your bike's pressures you should be able to find out. 32r 28f was what I used to run on the 250, I think.

I have to say I don't trust those cheap devices either. All it means is that you'll be consistently putting in the wrong pressure. :-)

[MSTRS]

I have to say I don't trust those cheap devices either. All it means is that you'll be consistently putting in the wrong pressure. :-)

Ah...as I said, some experimentation will find the ideal pressure. The trick is to ensure that one adheres to that. Accuracy in the pressure is less important than consistency. Using a 'reasonable' gauge (the same one every time) helps with that. Relying on fuel station gauges etc, you will be getting readings all over the place.

[cowboyz]

unless you go to the same servo all the time. you get 100 people and you will get 100 different answers from 25-45psi. Generally, max pressure will be stamped on the tyre. more pressure = longer lasting tyre, less pressure= more grip. find your balance.

[sil3nt]

But more pressure should make the bike feel better to lean in for a newbie right?

[one fast tl1ooo]

Read the manual - or the bike normally has it on the swingarm.....

[Jenral]

The sticker on my GSX recommends 28.5psi in the front, and 32psi in the rear tyre.

That feels pretty good when riding for me.

[MSTRS]

Relying on fuel station gauges etc, you will be getting readings all over the place.

By this, I mean you may use a servo gauge to put 32psi in the rear. Go to another servo, wait for your tyre to cool, check the pressure with their gauge...I guarantee that the reading will be different from the first servo.
Case in point: - I have a needle dial gauge which I carry with me at times. I put 42psi in a rear tyre, using the servo gauge. I checked it with my gauge and it gave a reading of 55psi.
How do you think that servo-pressure-gauge fill would affect the handling?

[mossy1200]

Surely tyre pressure should be in relation to how the bikes used.
If tyre goes blue after brisk ride(not enough air got to hot)
If tyre stays grey(to much air didnt get hot enough)
If tyre is silky black(air pressure is good)
Specs are a good starting point but dont allow for load weight.The heavier you are or adding passanger will increase load and heat.Tyres have optimium operating temp not air pressure.Low pressure causes larger contact patch and increased temp.Higher temp will increase the pressure in the tyre.Going on a loaded bike tour add some pressure to keep the tyre at operating temp that isnt to high.Short trips on a lighter bike remove pressure to get the temp up to operational range.

[jono035]

Some of the digital gauges should be a bit more accurate... Most of the pressure sensor elements should come out to within 1psi and shouldn't vary over time/temperature by much more than that (assuming they're properly implement of course, sigh...)

[MSTRS]

Tyres have optimium operating temp not air pressure.

Yes. What that temp is a big variable. However, whatever that temp should be - it is controlled by the pressure you start with.

[YellowDog]

The guy I bought my GSXR from says 28psi..... is this right?

also, how accurate are the air pumps at petrol stations or should I be going to a proper tyre place?


Cheers
As has already been stated, getting your tyre pressures right is a life and death decision.

I check mine once a week at cold before riding and they never change.

[mossy1200]

Yes. What that temp is a big variable. However, whatever that temp should be - it is controlled by the pressure you start with.
If the manufacture tells you 28psi then they have calculated factory suspension with the tyre they fitted for a 70kg rider etc.
If you change from the sports tyres to touring tyres and add your wife and gear you just changed the formula etc.
Lets say a sports tyre designed to operate at 60deg is running 70deg because pressure is to low.The tyre running to hot losses traction due to extra heat.The same applies to the same tyre running 40degres.Loss of traction = increased wear on tyre.
heat with tyres is relation to friction.Increase the footprint of the tyre by increased weight or low presure = increased heat.
increased pressure or decreased weight=less footprint=less heat.

It is advisable to pick the tyre that suits your bike and style of riding then set the pressure to get the temp required to make the tyre work correctly.
If 30psi gets this temp on a gsx1400 two up with gear it wont get high enough on a gsxr1000 one up(same tyre).
This is why checking the colour and temp of tyre will give you the best indication of how good the pressure your using is.Once you have that then maintain the pressure.Same pressure same guage.The accuracy of guage becomes irrelevant as long as it is constantly reading the same.