Hardcore Biker
Ok, so the manual says to inflate when tyres are cold to recommended pressure (28 psi front-32 psi rear).
I'm sure thats wat all the "pros" have been saying too. "Make sure tyres are cold".
Right, I live a minimum 15 minutes ride @ 100kph from the nearest gas station, so would my tyres be "warm" by then?
If so, can I still inflate them, maybe at something like -2 of the recommended psi?.
Just curious coz I know I'm gonna have to inflate em before my restricted test on Tuesday.
"I saw, I came, I conquered".
Hardcore Biker
Manual says check them cold so you do just that..Yes your tyres would be very warm at 15min ride @100k's ph, next time you stop your bike feel the heat in the tyres.....Originally Posted by Mudfart
parting of the sensory
A couple of psi won't make a huge difference, so don't sweat it. But buy yourself a tyre pressure gauge, and check them before you set out.
... and that's what I think.
Or summat.
Or maybe not...
Dunno really....
gee wizzz
two thoughts. 1) Over inflate the tyres by 4 psi each end then ride home.Thatll put the pressure darn close to what it should be cold.Then next morning check the pressures at home before setting out.
2) buy a pump and pump themup at home
To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?
Missing my buddy Morepower
Most of our group run with a few less psi in their tyres than the manual says. However, it may depend on the "kind" of riding you do to warm up your tyres. We ride considerably faster than 100km, so if you stick to the speed limite, the psi your manual says shouldn't be too wrong to put in when warm.
but yeah, go buy a guage and check from home
Hardcore Biker
yeah the point is, I was hoping to not have to buy 1001 bits and pieces as hidden costs for owning a bike, when gas stations let u fill em for free. I have bought a gauge, but not a compressor. The gauge telling me my pressure is low aint gonna help, when I have to ride 15 mins to fill tyres. So, if gauge says low, then when I get to the gassy, I should over-inflate? By approx 4psi?
Next on my to buy list is an axle stand, hiopefully they come ambidexterous?
Maybe down the track, an air compressor. Or maybe you old farts can tell me what is the most important gear to buy?
Devil's spawn
I always check my pressure in the morning, before leaving. This is the only way to make sure the tyres are perfectly cold. What you can do is check pressure before leaving and if low, make note now many psi it needs to bring it to the right pressure. Then at the petrol station put the needed psi's on top of the existing pressure (which will obviously be higher than the pressure measured at home). You should measure the pressure again next morning to confirm you have got it right (assuming your tyres don't loose considerable pressure on a daily basis).
As for how much pressure, it depends on your riding and the actual tyres. The more pressure you have, the less the tyre wears out, but also the less grip you have. Also, on higher pressure the bike feels more flickable through corners. On lower pressure it feels sluggish, but is has more grip.
On shitty tyres (shinko for ex.), from my experience you can't go more than 1psi over the bike specs. If you do, it will feel like you're fiding on ice (especially if it's wet). If I get caught using a crap tyre, I usually leave the pressure at the recommended value.
On average or good tyres, I usually ride with 2-4 psi more than the recommended. This gives me a good tyre live but doesn't rob much of the grip. Unless you are racing the bike or it really feels too slippery for you, do not go under the recommended pressure - it gives you a better grip but this is a sure way to shorten the tyre life.
The best way is to experiment for yourself. Start with recommended pressure and the next day add 2psi on each wheel. Ride it on the same road so you can see the difference. If it feels good, leave it or add some more pressure, if it feels twitchy, drop one psi. After choosing a pressure, remember to test it in the wet to, to make sure you're still confortable with it.
I disagree, vifferman. From my experience 2psi can make a significan difference in feel and grip. with some tyres even 1 psi can make a difference. The worse the road conditions get (wet, cold, bumpy, etc...) the more you'll notice the difference.
Rider in training
I you already have a gauge check check the pressure when cold. If it is 3 PSI under, then when you get to the servo just add 3 PSI.
But if you are just taking an easy trip on a public road for 15 miutess I doubt you'll tyre pressure will very that much.
Your tyres get hot when they flex. So unless you are doing hard acceleration, braking or cornering don't worry about it too much.
Hardcore Biker
Get a cheap 12v compressor from the warehouse less than $20, it'll be good enough for a bike tyre.
The gauges at the servo's are notoriously inaccurate.
Rider in training
I wouldn't rely on a gauage from the warehouse either ...
Hardcore Biker
Two psi under or over make a huge diff on my bike to feel and ride, I increase the rear by two- three psi for pillion and gear..As my tyres are a harder compound meaning longer life it can take up to fifteen k's or on a cold and wet day up to 20k's before putting to much trust into them..And a digital gauge is the way to go...
Hardcore Biker
wat if i check my pressure on my new gauge, and then inflate with the cheap warehouse compressor? hehe....
Hardcore Biker
Get a foot pump from Super Cheap, take it back when it falls apart and get another (like mine did, keep receipt) and for some reason the axle stand is called a paddock stand. Don't know why, I usualy use mine in my garage.
Hardcore Biker
sweet, i had a bad experience with a water blaster at repco recently. I bought it, (the last one instore) started it up, and it exploded internally in .5 of a second.
I took it back, and waited 6 mths for it to get fixed.
Now it collects dust, I just can't be fucked.
I take it these paddock stands are quite important, for helping with routine maintainence aye?
What else would one require?
Devil's spawn
Don't bother with a compressor - a pump is cheaper, would last you longer and it doesn't need a power supply. For a bike tyre you just only 3-4 pumps to bring the pressure at the right value (it's not like you need to pump for 10 minutes).
Paddock stand, while is nice to have, it's not a necessity if you're short of cash. The only times you need a paddock rear stand is if you remove the rear wheel or when lubing the chain. Even the chain tensioning is usually done with the bike on the side stand (check the manual though). For lubing the chain you can put the bike on the side stand and put something under the right foot peg so the rear wheel will be off the ground so you can turn it.
Don't hurry spending money on things that you might need in the future but can do without for now, especially if you don't have money to waste. Buy a new tool/accessory when you can't do the job without it. This way you avoid wasting money on stuff that you might not use and postpone spending money on stuff that you will definitely need but maybe not right now.
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