Piss poor online fitment guides

[Hitcher]

Tyre manufacturers' online fitment guides range from the very useful to the woeful.

Mrs H has recently changed tyres on her Suzuki Bandit GSF650K6 -- a model that Mr Suzuki sold tens of thousands of around the world.

According to Avon, this model motorcycle doesn't exist. A couple of other sites I've explored haven't updated their Suzuki model range since 2001.

The selected new rubber is Michelin Pilot Road 3s, 120/70 17" front and 160/60 17" rear. My reason for doing the fitment guide exploration is to see what operating pressures Mr Michelin recommends. It transpires that Mr Michelin cares not a jot what pressure should be used. Inflation optional. That aspect of tyre use and performance is not mentioned at all anywhere on the official Michelin fitment site -- for any choice of tyre and motorcycle.

As well as not taking much of an interest in the range of motorcycle models available, Mr Avon also has no interest in tyre pressures.

Same for Mr Dunlop. A long obsolete model range for Suzuki (Dunlop has never heard of a Boulevard nor a GSF650 Bandit) and no mention of tyre pressures.

Continental seem to care about bike models and fitment pressures. So too Metzeler/Pirelli (once you finally club to death the intrusive promo video Mr Metzeler demands you must watch).

All of the manufacturers who care to share recommend 36 front and 42 rear (what a lovely rhyming couplet). I am presuming that these pressures will work just fine for the Pilot Road 3, but Mr Michelin should really care enough to tell me this himself.

[Blackbird]

Recommended pressures are a bit of a minefield anyway Brett. Triumph recommend 42 psi rear and 38 psi front for the Triple. That might be alright for Merican lard arses in full touring mode but not for a lighter person who rides solo. The Triple weighs 169 kg dry and I weigh 80 kg. I run 38 rear "B" spec PR3 and 34-35 front. I'd imagine that Mrs H's wouldn't be too far from that.

[Hitcher]

My plan was to start her at 36/40 and experiment from there. That was the optimum pressure her previous several sets of Avon Storms and Storm 2 Ultras seemed to work best at.

[Hitcher]

Also remembering all of the fuss and bother KoroJ had with haemorrhaging Storm 2 Ultras on his ST1300, Mr Avon's response seemed to be that if the bike wasn't listed in their official fitment guide, then one fitted at one's own risk. If that's true, then Avon only manufactures tyres for a quite limited range of bikes.

[koba]

I've never understood the obsession that many have with exact tyre pressures.
I run the rear tyre on my VFR from 32 to 15 PSI, depending on how long it was since I last pumped it up.
It gets 'sqidgy' below 15psi and 'skatey' above 32 but I don't notice any difference between those numbers.
I've always been guided by my own experiences in such matters.

[Hitcher]

I've never understood the obsession that many have with exact tyre pressures.

Well, I'm a bit funny about tyres. I like them to handle optimally (particularly for predictable cornering and braking) and to wear well. Our pressures are checked prior to departure every time we go out. I allow a plus or minus 1 psi variation depending on ambient temperature. We experiment with our tyre pressures, using the manufacturer's recommendations as a guide. After several dozen sets worn, I reckon that most manufacturers generally seem to get their recommendations about right.

Other people may choose to be a bit more liberal, indeed cavalier. It's their money and their wellbeing that's at risk, so I'm comfortable for them to do what they may.

[Gremlin]

Often tyre manufacturers will refer you to the motorcycle manufacturer and use their recommended pressures.

For the most part, I'll run something similar to that, but will change as required, to suit my use. Most important thing in my opinion is checking the max PSI rating for the tyre and making sure I don't exceed that. Different tyres will want different pressures, different riding styles will also prefer different pressures, you just have to find what suits you.

Most common thing is a tyre that is very stiff will want less pressure and a softer tyre needs more pressure, as a general rule for road riding.

[Subike]

I've never understood the obsession that many have with exact tyre pressures.
I run the rear tyre on my VFR from 32 to 15 PSI, depending on how long it was since I last pumped it up.
It gets 'sqidgy' below 15psi and 'skatey' above 32 but I don't notice any difference between those numbers.
I've always been guided by my own experiences in such matters.

Fwark!!!!!

[Marmoot]

According to Avon, this model motorcycle doesn't exist. A couple of other sites I've explored haven't updated their Suzuki model range since 2001.

Have you tried calling up your local Avon lady?

[koba]

Other people may choose to be a bit more liberal, indeed cavalier.

I think we need a cavalier smiley.

[koba]

Fwark!!!!!

Fwark!!!!! what?

[koba]

OK, to be fair I do start to feel a change when it drops to around 18 psi but it only becomes bad enough to do something about at around 15.

[scumdog]

Fwark!!!!!

And Fwark again!

[speeding_ant]

Honda recommends 42 rear, 26 front for the Hornet. I find it feels best for me between 40-41 for the rear, 34-35 for the front. Anything less and it doesn't tip in well enough, anymore and it skates around a bit.

I'm running shinkos though. Shows it does pay to follow closely to their recommended pressures though.

[Subike]

Honda recommends 42 rear, 26 front for the Hornet. I find it feels best for me between 40-41 for the rear, 34-35 for the front. Anything less and it doesn't tip in well enough, anymore and it skates around a bit.

I'm running shinkos though. Shows it does pay to follow closely to their recommended pressures though.

I ran shinkos on my XS11, found that 38/32 gave me the best "feel". took a decent ride, and a few service station stops to work it out.
On my Keeway, I run 32/28 factory tires. any less or more in the front becomes very noticeable on open road corners. 2Lb difference changes the little bike from being fun to "fuck wheres a service station"