Tire pressure
Recently I have replaced my old Michelin Pilor Roads 2, with Michelin Pilot Pure's and have been experimenting with different tire pressures.
So far I have noticed the following. With the OEM recommended tire pressure of front 36psi back 42psi, the turn in has gotten noticeably quicker as compared to the old (worn Road 2s). When I dropped the pressure to 28psi front and 32psi back, I noticed the following:
Tires warmed up much faster, but the "stickiness" when cornering didn't improve much and the "turn in" has became sluggish (worse then the old tires) and the general feel is that the turn radius has increased. So, I"m going to increase the tire pressure to 38psi back and 32 psi front and see if I can find the happy medium between the stickiness and the turn in. Will update this entry in a few days.
3-31-11 - Update
Changed the tire pressure to 40 psi -rear and 34 psi - front. My motorcycle turn-in is SO MUCH BETTER and tires stick just as good as with lower pressure before.
- rnexussix's blog
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Comments
Have a ques. re/ tire
Have a ques. re/ tire pressure on my 1957 AJS 16ms, am running 3.25x19 and 3.50 19 rear tube type. old manual says 18 and 22 PSI,seems a bit low. Any suggestions? Dale
Dale, First of all, WHOW!!!
Dale,
First of all, WHOW!!! AJS !!! That is a cool classic you got there ! (and a totally different animal from the bike I ride).
Is it something like this ?
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/ajs_d.jpg
Thought at first you were pulling my leg with your question, but just in case you are actually asking my opinion, see below:
Tire pressure is a touchy subject. You'll find as many heated discussions about what pressure, on which tires on a specific motorcycle, road surface etc to use. There are so many combinations of the above that I doubt anyone can give you a perfect answer. Through trial and error I came to a specific way of finding the tire pressure that suits my motorcycle/tires/my weight / my riding style:
I usually start with the tire pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer. Them I drop it by 5 PSI in both tires every time I go for a ride and note the results. Eventually I arrive at the tire pressure that gives me the performance I want. I know, it's not the quick answer you wanted, but then again, I don't think there are quick answers to a question with so many variables.
If you decide to experiment and end up finding the PSI settings that work for you. Post them here and tell us how you arrived at this numbers and in what riding conditions you use them. I bet someone will find that useful.
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