Check yer ferkin tyre pressures

[Usarka]

might sound stupit but what are the presures we should be looking for?? in our tryes

From my (limited) experience most road bikes are around 35-39 for the front and 37-42 on the rear...

However lots of people believe lower pressures are better, personally on the road i'm fine with the recommended psi.

You should try to track down a manual for your bike.


ps - or look at a tyre website, eg Avon

VFR 750 F S-V (1994 - 1997)
Front Tyres
» Storm-ST
» Viper Sport
Size 120/70ZR17 (58W)
2.5 bar (36psi)

Rear tyres
» Storm-ST
» Viper Sport
Size 170/60ZR17 (72W)
2.9 bar (42psi)

[Pussy]

Also.... remember to check that your motorcycle actually has tyres on it

[Usarka]

Also.... remember to check that your motorcycle actually has tyres on it

The sparks and poor cornering qualities probably give it away... but then again if people are riding around at 16psi and not realising then maybe you have a good point

[madbikeboy]

Also.... remember to check that your motorcycle actually has tyres on it

This is harder than it sounds if you own a gixer - the tires seem to disolve with use?

[scracha]

Timely reminder. Horses for courses though: I run my tyres on the street a full 10psi lower in the front and 6psi in the rear lower than makers recommendations. Honda say 42 front and rear for the Hornet, but I am running Diablo Corsas and they seem very happy at 32 F 36R on the street, and 29F 27R on the track.

Having said that because I am an old bastard as well, i religiously check tyre pressures before every ride, and once a week in the car...... anal, I know.

All in your head mate. These tyre companies and motorcycle manufacturers do a LOT of testing so they don't just come up with figures like 42psi out of thin air.

[HenryDorsetCase]

All in your head mate. These tyre companies and motorcycle manufacturers do a LOT of testing so they don't just come up with figures like 42psi out of thin air.

Even if it is all in my head, just because I feel better about it then it IS better if you get my drift. The stock tyres on the bike were some shitty pieces of Bridgestone crap, and as I said I am running decent sticky rubber. I didnt just decide to run the pressures I did for shits and giggles, I arrived at the pressures for me, my weight, for the roads I road and my riding style, based on empirical experiments. Trust me, it is better. It might not be better for you, but it definitely is better for me.

How is it better you ask? Well, its a street bike that sees the occasional trackday and two up riding: lower front tyre pressure gives better front end feel, better small bump compliance and better turn in than stock pressures did.

Rear is better small bump compliance (though my Ohlins shock was the biggest improvement there) and certainly better mid corner feel especially at a medium (i.e. street riding) pace.

[Kickaha]

ps - or look at a tyre website, eg Avon

VFR 750 F S-V (1994 - 1997)
Front Tyres
» Storm-ST
» Viper Sport
Size 120/70ZR17 (58W)
2.5 bar (36psi)

Rear tyres
» Storm-ST
» Viper Sport
Size 170/60ZR17 (72W)
2.9 bar (42psi)

And at what load are those pressures for?

[Motig]

But its better to have really low tyre pressures so that you dont notice those annoying bumps isn't it ?
Seriously I see the Warehouse has those Michelin single pumps for $29.99 (in Oamaru anyway).

[klingon]

Re tyre pressures, just going off what it says on the wall of the tyre is not the correct way of doing it, the pressures quoted there are generally for maximum load the tyre can carry

Yeah I just had this experience... took my bike in for a warrant and while I was there the helpful man checked my tyre pressures. He said they were low (he didn't say how low) and pumped them both up to 40psi. Turns out 40psi is the max that's written on the tyre so the helpful man over-inflated them.

I need to get myself a reliable gauge so I can set the pressures easily at home while the tyre's cold.

[Usarka]

Re tyre pressures, just going off what it says on the wall of the tyre is not the correct way of doing it, the pressures quoted there are generally for maximum load the tyre can carry

Not trying to be a smart-arse, but what IS the best way of doing it then?


Is there a general rule of thumb ie subtract 2-3psi?

edit:
from the Conti site

Advice on tyre pressure
Motorcycle manufacturers always go into the subject of air pressure in great detail in their vehicle manuals. It is possible to find instruction on air pressure for every driving situation. In addition it is usually possible to find a sticker on the vehicle with the necessary information written on it.

The manufacturers make a distinction between load (riding solo or with a pillion passenger, with or without luggage) and speed (on secondary roads or motor-ways).

Naturally in such a short fitment guide it is not possible to give the necessary tyre pressure details for every motorbike and because of this we refer you to the recommendations of the motorcycle manufacturers.

From years of experience we are aware that motorcyclists sometimes ride on tyres for which the air pressure is not suited to the driving conditions. We do however advise that you always ride at the highest pressure level given in the manual.

Some amount of comfort will be lost, but that loss will be outweighed by improved safety. In addition the rolling resistance will be lower which will help to save fuel.

Incorrect inflation pressure reduces the service life and may have a negative influence on the riding characteristics of the motorcycle.

Under-inflated tyres flex excessively, easily overheat and can suffer damage. Over-inflation can cause uneven wear. Improper inflation, either too high or too low, can adversely affect overall handling and ride quality.

Tyre pressure will be measured when the tyres are cold. During riding the tyre becomes warm and the tyre pressure is there-fore higher (up to 0,5 bar). This excess pressure should not be let off as it will automatically be balanced out as the tyre cools down again.

If you possess no tyre pressure recommendations for your motorcycle follow air pressure recommendations shown in the Continental fitment guide.

As a rule the tyre pressure for motorway riding should be 0.2 bar higher. The same also applies to a bike with a fully laden rear axle.

[pritch]

Seriously I see the Warehouse has those Michelin single pumps for $29.99 (in Oamaru anyway).

Umm I wrote nice things about my Michelin pump whan I bought it but after very little use the hose has broken off. Currently I am a lot less pleased with my purchase and was thinking of getting a suitable cycle track pump...