tire pressures for newer tires?

[mdole]

Dang you guys run some high tire pressures.......I think I may experiment with a bit higher and see how it feels

One thing to watch for right away is that if you get the front over inflated the steering will get really touchy and the straight-line stability will not be good.

Mike

[Anonymous]

Dang you guys run some high tire pressures.......I think I may experiment with a bit higher and see how it feels

One thing to watch for right away is that if you get the front over inflated the steering will get really touchy and the straight-line stability will not be good.

Mike

I went to 29 on the fron and 32 on the rear.....That feels pretty good for now

[Anonymous]

Simon, I have ME33 front ME550 rear on my GK. I found that 35psi on a warm rear tire is NOT a good pressure at high speed.

While travelling at about 150kph/95 mph I got a rear-wheel twitch while riding in a straight line, but in a strong cross-wind. When it happened the second time, (about 2 or 3 minutes later) I pulled it off the road for a tire check.

The tire was already warm, of course and I found it had 35 psi.

Boosting the pressure in the rear tire to have 40/41 psi when the tire is already warmed up keeps it stuck on the road.

At lower speeds I noticed no side-slip and/or twitch at all

Ron, I have found that a rear pressure of 40 psi cold is fine for 2-up on my bike but too high for solo work (my bike, at 371 claimed dry weight, is much lighter than your GK.....on the other hand, I bet I have a few extra personal pounds than you ). The 36 psi cold rear "solo" pressure is OK but I haven't experimented with anything lower. I have speed tested these pressures to over 100 mph with no ill effects (except ongoing mental deterioration of owner/rider which appears immune to tire pressure selection ).

Simon

[robinjo]

Running Bridgestone BT45's on the Kat, pressure in front 38 lbf/square inch (same as psi?) or 2.6 bar, pressure in the back at 44 lbf/in2 or 3.0 bar, tried it with 2.8 in the back as recommended but it wobbled more in the corners. Riding consists of riding quickly on bendy roads or highway riding at 85 to 90 mp/h constantly. Had them on for about 2000 miles now, back shows wear but not flattened, front very little wear.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I go with 36 psi, front/back. The local (very popular) shop that does tires only, says the general rule of thumb is about 5 psi under the max inflation of that particular tire. That has worked better for me. I'm getting more even wear than I used to, running about 28-30 psi. The factory manual stated these lower numbers, but it took me years to realize those numbers only apply to the original tires. I also think that 20+ years later, technology allows for higher psi.

[mcycle-nut]

ME33 and 55. 38psi both ends.

Earl

Which bike, the 750 or the 1150

[earlfor]

Both

Earl

ME33 and 55. 38psi both ends.

Earl

Which bike, the 750 or the 1150

[mcycle-nut]

Both

Earl

ME33 and 55. 38psi both ends.

Earl

Which bike, the 750 or the 1150

Hard core Metzler fan are we? Not that there's anything wrong with that. I have the same tires on my bike too! 8)

[earlfor]

Well Kev, I'm sure there are equally good or better tires out there, but the one thing I think the Metz's do unusually well, is handle rain. I get LOTS of rain here and its nice to have a tire that grips and tracks well in the slippery stuff. :-) Yep, hard core fan all right. :-)

Earl

Hard core Metzler fan are we? Not that there's anything wrong with that. I have the same tires on my bike too! 8)

[Joe Nardy]

Try checking the appropriate tire manufacturer's website or calling their technical assistance department. One good thing about product liability lawsuits is that companies like tire manufacturers must make safety information readily available. I, like Earl, am a big fan of Metzeler tires. I've used them for years on many different bikes and have had great stability, handling, and good mileage with them. Their website has a full line brochure that has all kinds of specs such as correct rim width and tire fitment, what type of tire to buy based on your type of riding, etc., and also guidelines for air pressures. They also have some brand specific guides that have even more detail. I was able to find the exact sizes, tire type, and pressures for my '88 Honda Hurricane 1000. Here's a link to the full line brochure:

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/product_info/pdf/02m_full_line.pdf

and a link to their homepage:

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com

For safety's sake it is certainly worth taking some time to get the right info about tires.

Ride Safely,
Joe

[Joe Nardy]

Here'e a link to Dunlop's fitment guide. You search by motorcycle brand and model and it gives you tire type, sizes, and air pressures.

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitmentguide.asp

I'm sure other brands have similar giudes.

Joe

[saaz]

36psi front and back, cold. A little higher in the back on trips with gear on.

I also like tyres and tyre pressures that work in the wet as I ride wet or dry, cold or hot.