What is "Continuous High-Speed Riding"

[Barneycanoe]

as related to the tire pressures on our GS's?

On my 1982 GS850GL, I am running 28psi front and 32 psi rear. This is for normal riding with a passenger.

High speed riding is supposed to be 32 psi front and 40 psi rear.

I have Cheng Shin tires on it.

So is continuous high speed riding like 75-80 mph, or 60 mph?
Anyone know?

Cheers

Dave

[doctorgonzo]

IMO it means I'm taking a 50 plus mile trip on the interstate at 70+

I keep mine at the maximum pressure all the time.

[Steve]

I interpret "continuous high speed riding" as being out of town, away from intermittent stop signs and traffic lights, and moving faster than about 50 mph.

We also have Cheng Shin Hi Max tires on my wife's '82 850L. She only rides solo, but has a bit in the luggage on trips, so we keep pressures about 28f/35r most of the time. It must work, we got about 14,000 miles on the last set of tires.

.

[Barneycanoe]

Thanks Guys!

[duaneage]

It usually means the needle is bouncing off the 85 mph pin for an hour or more.

Seriously, it means highway driving but even around town the tires last longer and corner nicer at or near max pressure.

[doctorgonzo]

It usually means the needle is bouncing off the 85 mph pin for an hour or more.

Seriously, it means highway driving but even around town the tires last longer and corner nicer at or near max pressure.

I love the bounce, gonna go to a real speedo one of these days, but it is fun seeing it peg.

[hampshirehog]

Don't forget those tyre pressures were all worked out for little Japanese guys. I'd run the high speed presures even if you're running slow.

[salty_monk]

I use the pressures recommended by Avon for my bike... 36F 42R. They recommend lower for the 850 so it is weight related so your bike would be less for the same tyre.

I also used the Suzuki pressures for a while. Seems to ride better at the Avon pressures, presume the tyre keeps it's shape better.

There is a scientific way to work it out but it's a lot of work to do.

Dan.

[doctorgonzo]

Should have thrown out my Sport demos are at 32 F 36 R

[feelergaugephil]

GET RID OF THOSE CHENG SHING, they will hurt you one day.

[Steve]

I use the pressures recommended by Avon for my bike... 36F 42R. They recommend lower for the 850 so it is weight related so your bike would be less for the same tyre. ...
There is a scientific way to work it out but it's a lot of work to do.

If it's based on weight, why would the 850 have lower pressures?
Except for the fully-equipped GK, the 850 was the heaviest of the GS series.

Yes, there is a 'scientific' way to work out proper pressures, but it's not all that hard.
Start with cold tires, cold meaning that they have not been ridden for several hours. Start with what you feel might be appropriate pressures, record them. Go for a ride, get the tires warm. 50 to 100 miles would be nice. Check the HOT pressures, record them. What you are looking for is a 10% rise in pressure from cold to hot. If you have more than 10%, the tires heated the air from flexing too much, so increase pressure about 2 psi and try again another day (when the tires have cooled off). If you saw less than 10% difference, the tires were not flexing enough, due to over-inflation. Reduce the pressure about 2 psi and try again. Again, record the cold and hot pressures, look for the 10% difference. Note that if you also ride 2-up, you will need higher pressures for the extra load on the tires, especially the rear. Yep, you get to go for another ride or two to check pressures again.

GET RID OF THOSE CHENG SHING, they will hurt you one day.

There was a time about 30 years ago when I would have agreed with you, Phil, but the current generation of Cheng Shin tires are very adequate. They offer a surprising amount of traction and long life, made even more amazing by the fact that they cost so little. Many of us on the forum are lamenting the fact that the Hi-Max series has been discontinued. In fact, I believe that ALL Cheng Shin street tires have been discontinued, so if it's not on the shelf, it won't be available.

The last set of Hi-Max tires on my wife's 850L never gave us a bit of problem. Even after 10,000 miles, there was enough tread to comfortably travel at 55-60 mph in a torrential downpour that flooded much of Indiana and western oHIo a couple of years ago. We put on another 4,000 miles before the wear indicators said it was time to change. Found another set of Hi-Max tires, that's when we were told they were being discontinued.

.

[TheCafeKid]

I use the pressures recommended by Avon for my bike... 36F 42R. They recommend lower for the 850 so it is weight related so your bike would be less for the same tyre.

I also used the Suzuki pressures for a while. Seems to ride better at the Avon pressures, presume the tyre keeps it's shape better.

There is a scientific way to work it out but it's a lot of work to do.

Dan.

Indeed Dan. Zook pressures are too low for the Avons. It not only squared off the rear rather rapidly, but it made the bike slog in the corners. I use more or less what you're using for pressure now, a little more on the rear if Rose is coming along for the ride, and find that the bike rails nicely, and simply, controlled movement at the hands will roll her over nice and easy, instead of fighting it till it falls off center like alot of other tires ive tried. I havent tried the Sport Demons yet, may try them next time, but I REALLY love the Avon RR for the rear and the VenomX front. You simply have to run more pressure than Zooks 20 something year old chart tells you to.

[Nessism]

GET RID OF THOSE CHENG SHING, they will hurt you one day.

What tires do you recommend phil?