Tyre pressures

[Cousin Jack]

Had a ride out after several months of inactivity, and I didnt check my tyre pressures. Bike felt fine, perhaps a bit more compliant over the bumps, but totally fine in bends. Perhaps more planted than usual.

Checked them today and they were about 32, front and rear. Pumped them back to 36/42 which is normal. It will be interesting to see if I fel any difference.

I know track day gods reduce pressures for hard riding, but I don't ride hard. What pressures do others use?

[Count Steer]

36/42

Only time I paid much attention beyond that was to check the pressures fully loaded before setting off touring.

I've always assumed the the lower track pressures are because the tyres get hotter and that the actual operating pressure is, pretty much, the same as on road.

[Gregor]

30/32 on the xt660z

33/42 on the K100

[mangocrazy]

Official Falco pressures are like everything else, 36F/42R but I prefer 32F 36R for solo riding. If I take a pillion its 36F/42R.

KTM specify 2 bar (29 psi) F & R for the 690 Duke, so that's what I use.

And for the LC it's whatever Haynes recommends (I forget every time and have to check).

[Dodgy69]

Monkeys 29 both ends. Implying it's to do with weight, why they're all 36/42 i have no idea.

[wull]

My last set of tyres were run at 32psi front and 26psi rear, the pressures were displayed on the dash usually showing within 1psi of what I had set them to.

[Cousin Jack]

I hope to go out to play tomorrow, so I will see how they feel. Seems that reducing them a bit when I have no luggage might be worth a try.

[Rockburner]

I seem to remember the consensus a few years ago was "check what the tyre manufacturer recommends".

The premise presumably being that they'd tested their tyres on bikes of varying weights and so could give a very close estimate of the ideal pressure for the weight of bike.

That's what i used to go on, and tended to be very happy with.

But on further introspection, there are a few issues with that premise. Different people ride in different ways, and different bikes with varying suspension setups handle in different ways. Who can guarantee that they ride the exact same way as Pirelli's development testers, on the same suspension settings on the same bikes, on the same tracks?

So, I tend to stop go for the tyre manufacturer recommendation, but as a starting point, and then if things feel a bit off, make small changes both ways too see what improves the ride experience.

[asmethurst99]

Noticed a bit of understeer last week and thought maybe the rear was squaring off .
Checked the pressure and it was quite a bit off.

[Supermofo]

Usually just go 36/42 as that's what's in the GSXS manual. I've noticed when playing that much lower in the front makes the steering feel slow, on the back I can go a fair bit lower without much change so typically run 42 but don't sweat to much if it was say 38.

[Scotsrich]

Tyre pressure monitors are both an evil and a great thing.

i can’t recommend the last time i checked either the car or the bike

[MrLongbeard]

36 front 40 rear for the Harley, thankfully it doesn't have TPMS, I just check it once a week.

[Yorick]

Folk worry too much about tyre pressures. If it feels OK, let it be.....

On my GSXR1000 the road pressures are

F 36
R 42

On track..

F 32
R 21 (yes, half)

Last time I checked the pressures was at Portimao 2 weeks ago

I went out yesterday and had a great ride. Forgot that they were set for track.

When I was instructing in the UK, I always left the tyre pressures on track settings and it was always OK on road.

The only time I ever check them is if I'm taking the missus out.


BTW I took my heat gun thingy at Portimao and checked the pressures after a session on track.......

Front
60 middle
65 edge

Rear
70 middle
75 edge

[Dodgy69]

I think solo riders could go quite a bit down on their pressures if they wish to do so, but in real world road riding, does it matter one way or tuther.

[Dodgy69]

My rubber coated screw repair still holding air.