Heya Kiwi Bikers (EmBe)

[EmBe]

Hi KBers, I signed up in Jan and have been reading many interesting forums posts since - some helpful and informative for my riding and bike maintenance, some helpfully informative of the characters and responses that can be expected and many just great friday night entertainment

stands up...I'm Emma, and I ride a '98 F650

got the beema earlier this year and been enjoying it more and more, two wheels for life. It's awesome to be on a bigger set of wheels, I had a 100cc 2stroke scooter for 2 years, never got the head nod form bikers when I was on the scooter but I do now

I've just started looking more into the maintanance of bikes so I can keep my happy and healthy. Go some great chain info from a cool dude at wgtn mc's last week so got my chain all cleaned up and lubed. Keen to get some more advice on bits and pieces too - tire pressure is what I'm going to check tomorrow but got a query, on the bike it recommends front tire pressure of 1,8bar which converts to ~26psi, but that sounds a bit low to me so any F650 owners have any recommendations? Front and rear tire pressures?

recently moved to island bay, seaside and see a lot of cool cats riding by stop by and share your learned knowledge anytime! especially if you have a BMW 650 single manual I can flip thru and take some notes from

See ya's on the road

[FJRider]

Welcome to the site Emma ...

[Akzle]

I had a 100cc 2stroke scooter for 2 years, never got the head nod form bikers when I was on the scooter but I do now

its very important to get the head. The nod, not so much.

[unstuck]

Welcome to the chaos.

[Grashopper]

Hi Emma, welcome to kb

26 psi on the front is what my GN ran. I'm pretty sure a beemer needs more than that.

There is a big thread about free manuals somewhere on kb. Good point to start searching.

[Tazz]

26 is a bit low but not dangerously low or anything. You'll just wear your tyre faster, but have more grip. Between 30-36psi is generally what people run depending on the bike and tyre type/brand.

[george formby]

Found this in the F650 forum.

From the F650GS (Twin) manual:


Tyre pressure, front
2.2 bar, one-up, at tyre temperature: 20 °C
2.4 bar, two-up and/or with luggage, at tyre temperature: 20 °C

Tyre pressure, rear
2.4 bar, one-up, at tyre temperature: 20 °C
2.8 bar, two-up and/or with luggage, at tyre temperature: 20 °C

2.2 bar = 31.9 psi
2.4 bar = 34.8 psi
2.8 bar = 40.6 psi

[FJRider]

Keen to get some more advice on bits and pieces too - tire pressure is what I'm going to check tomorrow but got a query, on the bike it recommends front tire pressure of 1,8bar which converts to ~26psi, but that sounds a bit low to me so any F650 owners have any recommendations? Front and rear tire pressures?


See ya's on the road

Don't check tire pressures cold ... as the tire warms up during a ride ... so will the tire pressure increase. Over inflation can cause tire wear issues too ...

Tire pressure gauges are cheap ... regular checks during a ride (on warm days especially) will increase tire life.

[EmBe]

thanks for the welcome girls and guys

also cheers for the tire pressure input

Found this in the F650 forum.

thanks dude, found myself on that forum before aswell and I've got f650.com bookmarked too, faq's galore there!

[EmBe]

its very important to get the head. The nod, not so much.

that's just cheap gotta get the whole parcel

[Gremlin]

Don't check tire pressures cold ... as the tire warms up during a ride ... so will the tire pressure increase. Over inflation can cause tire wear issues too ...

Tire pressure gauges are cheap ... regular checks during a ride (on warm days especially) will increase tire life.

Manufacturer stated tyre pressures are when cold. Yes, the tyre heats up during use, and especially for track use, the increase should be monitored to make sure it is correct. For road use, the increase will vary hugely, largely based on how hot the tyre is getting.

Otherwise, tweak the manufacturer pressures slightly to suit you.

[george formby]

Manufacturer stated tyre pressures are when cold. Yes, the tyre heats up during use, and especially for track use, the increase should be monitored to make sure it is correct. For road use, the increase will vary hugely, largely based on how hot the tyre is getting.

Otherwise, tweak the manufacturer pressures slightly to suit you.

I was told to look for an increase of 2 - 3 psi between cold & operating temperature for optimum wear & grip on the road. Admittedly a lot of outside factors, road temperature, enthusiasm etc. I've found it a good rule of thumb. Drop a psi or two during the winter, add a couple over the summer to maintain a consistent pressure variation. Doing this has increased the mileage I get out of my tires. Nothing drastic, a 1000k or two over what I was getting. Grip is spot on as well.

[skippa1]

Don't check tire pressures cold ... as the tire warms up during a ride ... so will the tire pressure increase. Over inflation can cause tire wear issues too ...

Tire pressure gauges are cheap ... regular checks during a ride (on warm days especially) will increase tire life.

Wrong

Manufacturer stated tyre pressures are when cold. Yes, the tyre heats up during use, and especially for track use, the increase should be monitored to make sure it is correct. For road use, the increase will vary hugely, largely based on how hot the tyre is getting.

Otherwise, tweak the manufacturer pressures slightly to suit you.

Right

[russd7]

Don't check tire pressures cold ... as the tire warms up during a ride ... so will the tire pressure increase. Over inflation can cause tire wear issues too ...

Tire pressure gauges are cheap ... regular checks during a ride (on warm days especially) will increase tire life.

hmmm, seems an odd bit of advice given that all the bikes i have owned have stated in their manuals to only check tyre pressure when tyres are cold and to follow that on one of the first safety checks that should be done pre riding is check your tyre pressure, also as i ride solo some times and with a pillion and gear sometimes and adjust tyre pressure to suit it kinda does need to be done cold and yes i do have a compressor to pump the tyres up when needed.

[Tazz]

hmmm, seems an odd bit of advice given that all the bikes i have owned have stated in their manuals to only check tyre pressure when tyres are cold and to follow that on one of the first safety checks that should be done pre riding is check your tyre pressure, also as i ride solo some times and with a pillion and gear sometimes and adjust tyre pressure to suit it kinda does need to be done cold and yes i do have a compressor to pump the tyres up when needed.

Not all advice is good advice