Tyre pressures for pillion carrying.

**jimdaworm** · 10th November 2005, 06:17

Ok so my owners manual says 36 Front 42 Rear (Up to 90kg) I weigh 85kg.
Should I be changing this when I take my girlfriend as a pillion?

Normally I would not worry about it but we might be going to the Coromandel... in a month or so so I would like to have the correct set up if we do so on the bike.

**Devil** · 10th November 2005, 08:04

Well that sounds fairly high for single person riding. Thats the sort of pressure i'd use for pillioning, and closer to 34-36 for solo work.

**Quasievil** · 10th November 2005, 08:15

I have 36 front 42 rear on my 05 636 thats what the manafacturer says and they know best, Ive tried lower pressure but its not as good, for pillion I keep it the same also but might adjust the suspension a bit, best advise is find out the manafactuerers recomendations

**Bartman10** · 10th November 2005, 08:52

There are a million people all offering different advice for tyre pressures.

I'm going to join in and say - go with the manual at first. Then drop it a bit or raise it a bit and see what the difference is.

Higer pressure will give you more tyre life, but will cost you grip.

For road touring at legal speeds a few PSI either way won't make a huge difference to performace.

Being alert for gravel, oil, diesel and potholes will make a much larger contribution to tyre grip.

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 10th November 2005, 10:56

What Bartman10 said.
also for me
Front 37 rear 39. Same with or with out passenger. I slow down a tad with pillion so no need to change the rear shock. Just get on and ride.

**jimdaworm** · 10th November 2005, 11:28

Thanks for the info guys I will just stick to the manufacturers specs for now and find out what difference more or less pressure will make before doing it.

It did seem quite high but I will double check the standard tyre specs to make sure mine hasnt been fitted with somthing different

**Lou Girardin** · 10th November 2005, 11:53

Set the factory pressures cold, go for a 50 k or so ride with the pillion, then recheck pressures. They should have increased by 3 - 5 psi.
More than this - increase cold pressure.
Less - decrease cold pressure.