I'm Confused

[Lissa]

Just read DAX's post about tyre pressures, and feeling a little puzzled.

I checked the handbook too, and it does say 33F 36R, but I seem to remember that some manufacturers recommend 36 front and rear................and we are running Diablo's at 42R, which they recommend for two-up riding. When we ran the rear at 36 we got less than 2,000 miles out of the rubber. Got over 3,000 at the moment and still looking good for a fair few more, and the bike feels fine and handling and ride quality aren't compromised. We certainly prefer the feel of running at 42.

So what pressures do other people run at? Do you follow the handbook recommendation, the tyre manufacturers, or do you have your own personal pressure preference that you have worked out by yourself?

Lissa, I'm sure if you did a search this topic would come up about a zillion times.

The reason why a higher pressure is recommended for pillion is that with the extra weight, they tyre will deform more, this in turn will wear the tyre more, so if you up the pressure, you reduce the deformation. Also the ‘profile’ of the tyre is better maintained therefore the bike/tyre handle more as they should.

So that’s the why ….

I am less than 4nal about my road tyre pressures, I pump my tyres up to about 30psi initially, perhaps 34psi. Every now and then I will check the pressure with a BS-TP (British Standard Thumb Push) …

You see there is an argument that tyres are self monitoring (within bounds). If the tyre is deforming a lot, then it will heat up more, the extra heat in turn will make the air inside the tyre expand and increase the pressure. With the extra pressure, the tyre will deform less and the temperature and pressure will stabilise.

With this in mind I really can’t see a psi or two either way will cause much bother??

[21QUEST]

The pressures in the handbook is for the tyres listeded in it.

Go with the pressure recommended by the tyre manufacturers and vary maybe 2 psi either side if you feel the need.

Cheers
Ben