Bike Tyres

[imdying]

So I ended up getting the M3's and all I can say is that they are really sticky, look sexy and have transformed the feel of my bike.

I am now confident in laying the bike down properly to a point where Im comfortable with it (almost maxing out the tread on the rear). Also it's made the handling feel alot lighter just in general handling.

Yep, probably find any new tyres of any brand would have given the same result The 97 ZX6R, like any bike, is incredibly sensitive to it's tyres. Make sure you keep the pressures right (check em with every tank of gas) and you'll be into bike heaven

[Kittyhawk]

Oh no that's a crisis! I dont know what pressure, or how to read a tire gauge thingee at a petrol station. Basicially if it looks full of air and is hard to kick then it's good to go.....I take it this isn't the case anymore!?

[SimJen]

Dont use a petrol station guage, they are miles out as they tend to get knocked around a fair bit.
Buy yourself a decent foot pump or a cheap compressor for your shed
Most tyres will be about 38-40psi for the road, or around 30ish for track. Check with the tyre manufacturer for exact pressures, sometimes its written on the side of the tyre.
Sometimes magazines publish the best pressures when they do tyre tests.

[Gremlin]

Dont use a petrol station guage, they are miles out as they tend to get knocked around a fair bit.

I use one... but I only use the one near my house. Never use more than one, as they are usually out as simjen says. I also avoid the digital ones, and go for the good old ones.

Also, if you have a number that you know and need, only check the tyres when they are cold.

[imdying]

Caltex Wairakei Road here in Chch is 8psi out Just buy a gauge, they're cheap

[quickbuck]

Caltex Wairakei Road here in Chch is 8psi out Just buy a gauge, they're cheap

Couldn't agree more. Why shorten the life of over $500 worth of rubber for the sake of $50 for a guage that will last a very long time. Not to mention the damage you can do to your baby with low tyre pressures.

I will put in my other two cents worth now.
I has M1's on my CBR for about three sets. They were the bees knees. Except the milage was terrable IF I was using the bike as a commuter. The last set were good, because I had them on the track for a bit to keep them nicely curved.
Gone for a set of Z6's now (well at the start of winter), and I love them. Have had the bike move around a bit, but that is because I have ridden over shingle. Any tyre will do that. The best bit was they stuck as soon as they were able to.

Took the bike out for a decient ride yesterday, and they were faultless. Even at the end when I pulled over to the side of the road and run out of tarmac! The verge just ended and turned to grass! Thankfully I employed a few skills not to drop the bike.

[Lou Girardin]

Make sure you keep the pressures right (check em with every tank of gas) and you'll be into bike heaven

Every 200 k's??????

[imdying]

It's free to check em, and only takes but a moment.... unless of course they need more air Of course you can only check em when they're cold, so I guess it should be 'check em with every tank of gas you get first thing in the morning'?

[quickbuck]

As a rule of thumb, there is 10% difference between cold and warm pressures.

[imdying]

Nice I think once you get used to checking them when they're warm, you get some idea of how much the ones on your ride differ. Does putting cold air into hot tyres make a difference?

[quickbuck]

Well, not really. compressed air tends to be warm.

[Kittyhawk]

Ok so I'll have to buy a gague and not a digital one. Shesh, all this just for a bike ride!! ARGH!!! but at the end of the day it's only two wheels on the road so I gota get it right.

As for a foot pump? too much effort I'd be tired pumping the tires up before even starting my bike haha.