Tyre PSI

ConTRo13R

ConTRo13R

ConTRo13R

Soldato
Joined
3 Mar 2008
Posts
3,147
Location
Canterbury, Kent
What PSI's do your run in your tyres, i read a lot of 'advise' on running lower than manufacturer specified pressures for many reasons, such as 'bigger contact patch' 'comfier ride' and 'the only people who run stock are those who don't know any better' to name just a few.

As standard my bike should be 36 front, 42 rear. This makes me feel like the story about the pea and the princess, iv been running 32 front 34 rear recently, and i must say its a comfier ride, but.. since i only ride on the road am i sacrificing braking power and increasing my tyre wear?

Do you run stock PSI in your tyres?
 
I run the recommended PSI. I've tried lower in the past, and didn't really notice any change in comfort (one of the benefits of having adaptive suspension though!) but I did notice a significant change in sharpness and effectiveness of steering. Basically, it wallowed and didn't turn in as well.
 
On the topic of PSI, how do you find out what the recommended one is anyways? I've got non stock Tyres on my new bike, but not a clue what they are. Will ask my mate what Tyres and then google, but I assume there's another way also?
 
It should be stamped into the sidewall of the Tyre

Low psi will help in this weather but in summer it will wear out your tread in no time
 
I always still with what the manufacturer recommends in the manual on a motorbike.

Failing that, whats on the sidewall on the tyre.

On a car its different, I go with what I prefer the feel of, most of the time, slightly higher than stock.
 
Whats on the sidewall isn't what you should run the tyre at, its just the highest you should ever go, a sort of safety rating, read your owners manual for the right psi for your bike.
running under the correct psi can overheat the tyre


Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android
 
Last edited:
ShakenNstirred said:
Whats on the sidewall isn't what you should run the tyre at, its just the highest you should ever go, a safety rating, read your owners manual for the right psi for your bike


Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android
Click to expand...

Bike is on different tyres though, so is it still the same?

They're Bridgestone S20 Evo tyres and it's a 2012 Honda CBR600F
 
As long as Tyre size is the correct size for the bike, then the pressure recommended comes from your service manual. As said before what is written on the side wall is the max psi the Tyre can handle.

I'm just wondering if people use a different psi set up to what their manual tells them. And how it feels/affects them and the bike.
 
Only ever lower pressures for track days, otherwise I use recommended psi from tyre manufacturer.

Can't remember where I read about people lowering pressures on PR3/4's having a negative effect on handling in the wet due to the tread closing stopping the sipes from working properly. Makes sense, carcass not holding it's shape etc.
 
My manual states 32/32 front/rear psi. It's a Chinese manual though so i don't trust it.

It was very low from new, something like 22/22. It felt wobbly on harder corners, i assume too much sidewall flex. I tried 32/32 after I got home, but that felt very skittish. The rear would lock if i breathed on it in the cold and wet. Too hard I guess so not much of a contact patch on a light bike.

I looked at a KTM with similar weight and tyre sizes which recommended 28/29. This is the pressure that doesn't make me nervous so i'm going with it.

Why do people lower it for track use? Wouldn't that just make it a wobbly mess or is it only a touch lower?
 
unKle said:
Can't remember where I read about people lowering pressures on PR3/4's having a negative effect on handling in the wet due to the tread closing stopping the sipes from working properly. Makes sense, carcass not holding it's shape etc.
Click to expand...

That's the case with racing wets too, recommended pressures are higher than equivalent dry tyres. Reason being that it helps the tyre hold it's shape better so the edges of tread blocks are able to dig in better, and also for the tyre to displace water as designed.

Rough example from memory with Dunplops, D208GP's 30/29 compared to wets ran at 34/34.
 
I'm pretty sure that my Caponord has the recommended PSI on a small sticker on the chain guard. Ducati normally put a sticker there too.
 
Pants said:
Why do people lower it for track use? Wouldn't that just make it a wobbly mess or is it only a touch lower?
Click to expand...

That mainly applies for running usual road tyres on the track, as opposed to the more sticky 'supersport' versions. Usually to help the road tyres generate a bit more heat. Used to drop say 4psi front and rear when I'd turn up at Oulton for a few afternoon sessions on my R6 which had Michelin, probably Pilot Sports, on it at the time. (long time ago actually :rolleyes:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom