Tyres!! What a change! What about fatties!

[rocketman1]

Just wondering how many people take test rides on good bikes, and return thinking what a crap bike just because of incorrect tyre pressures, worn tyres, or bad wear patterns on the tyres.

I cannot believe the difference 3 psi makes to the way my bike handles, it goes from feeing like it has loose wheels to being on rails. (not quite but you get my point)

I am sure that also heavier riders must affect a bike tyre shape to the extent
of 3 psi and this could also make the bike feel bad. vice-vs for skinny's eg like having tyres too hard. after all manufacturers recommendations are for the average weight guy.

like the moto gp mechanices say its all in the tyres, you can spend thousands on a motor , but the wise guys spend testing time on the tyres.

[Big Dave]

Quite right - I've even picked up press bikes with 16psi in the front tyre.

Slow leaks are slow leaks and can even go undetected on your own bike for a while - let alone an idle one.

[nallac]

yip, i test rode a sv thou a while a go.must of had low pressure in the front
as it handled and cornered like a pig.
a mate had a TLR thou i rode afterwards (i'd heard how bad/hard to at corner they were)
but it was shetloads better than the sv
I have since ridden another SVthou and it was all good

[phoenixgtr]

Yeah, I've got a slow leak in my front tyre. It goes down by 3-4psi in a week, so I pump it up every week. But like you said, that 3-4 psi makes a huge difference!! My bike feels incredibly unstable. I hate the feeling

[Kickaha]

Yeah, I've got a slow leak in my front tyre. It goes down by 3-4psi in a week, so I pump it up every week. But like you said, that 3-4 psi makes a huge difference!! My bike feels incredibly unstable. I hate the feeling

Why not get it fixed?

I test rode a Ducati 748 a while back, and what a pile of crap it was, checked tyre pressures and it only had 20psi in it, pumped them up and it transformed the bike

[Meekey_Mouse]

Haha yip... I had a slow leak on one of my first bikes... Started wondering why it felt so horrible to ride! Checked tyre pressure after a while and it was at 16psi, recommended tyre pressure was 34

[rastuscat]

Basically I am a nana. I have an 1150GS. Remember the kid who couldn't play bull rush coz his mum was sick of washing grass stains out? That's me. I think class monitors are daredevils. I ride a BMW. Nuff said.

The BMW group had a small track day at Ruapuna last week. On the way out I decided to splash out and check my tyre pressures. Daffy (yes, the GS is yellow) had been tucked up for 3 weeks, and I had forgotten when I last checked the pressures.

The rear was at a respectable 36 (about right) and the front was at a stunning 10 psi. Yes, 10, bugger all.

CHECK YA TIRE PRESSURES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if they look okay. I have Ohlins front and rear, Daffy handles beautifully, but not with 10 psi.

[CookMySock]

lol harden up!! I rode my 650 home (5 hours) before I even had my learners, and it only had 15 psi in the rear..

Cough, yes, ok it was a stupid mistake, I admit it. Yeah, check your tyre pressures, agreed!

Steve

[AllanB]

I check mine every weekend. My rear had a 2psi a week leak for a few months that I did not bother to get fixed as it was on its way out - a new valve a few weeks ago with the new rear tyre has fixed that.

I test rode a SV1000 a couple of years ago with a extremely squared off rear tyre - the thing would not corner properly - my first decent corner was nearly a total f-up. You had to heave it over onto a round bit of tyre, then dive into the corner. Put the shits up me. I took it back and told the shop I was not interested but I'd reevaluate if they replaced the rear so I could have a true test ride.
They did not. I found out later that it’s not uncommon for a used bike to wear a borderline tyre in the shop as it’s a good bargaining point when selling - 'OK mate we'll throw in a new rear for nix'.

[Bass]

When my DR was first delivered, I took it for a thrash out through the Hunua Gorge and up the gravel to a couple of the reservoirs. The handling in the twisties was just great. I had forgotten how much fun a trailie can be on the seal.
After I got back, just for interest's sake I checked the pressures - 15 psi in the front and 18 in the back.
Something to be said for tubes and stiff sidewalls I reckon.