How hard should they be - Tires that is

[Spdrush]

I find the owner's manual difficult to understand as to proper tire inflation. I think there was something lost in the translation from German to English. I just decide what is appropriate and add or reduce the pressure with a tire gauge until it is right.

I am 235 pounds and carry 35F and 36R. I wonder if that is appropriate.

I'd like to hear from other owners as to their weight and inflation pressure.

I also have tightened the shock preload to the middle position and Am wondering if it should be one notch tighter.

Thanks

 

[Oldscoot]

I find the owner's manual difficult to understand as to proper tire inflation. I think there was something lost in the translation from German to English. I just decide what is appropriate and add or reduce the pressure with a tire gauge until it is right.

I am 235 pounds and carry 35F and 36R. I wonder if that is appropriate.

I'd like to hear from other owners as to their weight and inflation pressure.

I also have tightened the shock preload to the middle position and Am wondering if it should be one notch tighter.

Thanks

I weigh 200lbs - those are the exact pressures I use.

 

[JaimeC]

Tire pressures are documented under the seat inside the storage compartment in plain English.

 

[Scorpion56]

I get the same readings on the instrument panel; 35F/36R. But as I've posted before, like Ronald Reagan, I trust but verify. With the old fashioned tire gauge. (and the old fashioned oil dipstick) I always take readings with the tires cold, usually once a week, so I know what to look for each time. Remember, the readings you see on the cluster are temperature compensated and the manual goes into a long dissertation of how the gauge and RDC will likely differ. The recommended pressures are also listed on the back of the manual that came with the bike. 34.8/36.3 Cold.

 

[Dale]

Spdrush, Air pressures are like oils everyone has his opinion. What you need to do is find out what works for you. I have found the book listed pressure is an index to start with.

I am a very concretive rider, mostly in traffic with some open road 80 MPH stuff. I am 190 lbs. and what works for me is 37 and 39 PSI. You have to play with it and find out what gives you the best wear, traction and ride for your riding style. I would not go lower than the book states 34.8 & 36.2 and never exceed the max pressure limit on the tire sidewall.

 

[Oldscoot]

Tire pressures are documented under the seat inside the storage compartment in plain English.

Quite true - but they don't establish how the numbers were set. A heavier person gets closer to two-up riding than a thinner person.

 

[JaimeC]

Okay, I tried to find this info because I KNOW I've posted it dozens of times in other forums but I can't find a link so here goes.

If you are absolutely ANAL about your tire pressures, here is the correct way to find out what works for YOU and the way YOU ride. First thing in the morning, take a pressure reading from your tires and write them down. Now go for a "typical" ride of at least 30 miles or more. IMMEDIATELY after stopping, take a tire pressure reading again. If the tire pressures are between 2 and 3 psi HIGHER, congratulations... you're golden. That cold pressure reading you took in the morning is the perfect pressure for you and the tires you have.

If the tire pressure is greater, then you didn't have ENOUGH air in the tires to start. Try starting out with a slightly higher pressure and repeat the process. Not enough air in the tires allows the carcass to flex more. More flex means more heat, and more heat causes a greater increase in tire pressure.

If the tire pressure is LESS than 2-3 psi higher, then you started with too much air. Too much air in the tires means that the tire is too stiff; the carcass isn't flexing and heating up enough to provide optimal traction for you. Repeat the exercise with a little less air pressure in your tires.

Trial and error, but you WILL come up with the perfect tire pressures for you and the way you ride. By the way, if you should switch tire brands, start all over again. Every tire manufacturer and model will have different characteristics and you should adjust accordingly.

Like I said, this is ONLY if you are absolutely ANAL about having proper tire pressure. For most of us, the factory recommended pressures are adequate.

 

[Spdrush]

Great info re tire pressure,

Now how about some advice as to shock preload.

 

[Dale]

Same with tire pressure, experiment when it feel good do it.

 

[JaimeC]

A good video from Ohlins explaining how to set your preload (sag):
setting suspension sag - YouTube

 

[yellasei]

i find the rear shock too choppy, damping doesnt seem to match preload on any setting. i run the 2.4 and 2.5 bar as standard. our shops old demonstrator was like riding a log!!!!

 

[omniphil]

I run 38F and 42R. I like to run higher pressure the reduce drag as I do mostly highway riding. Plus it keeps the tires lasting longer, less cuping etc...

 

[JaimeC]

Please note that too high a pressure doesn't allow the tire to warm up to optimal temperature so you may not have all of the traction the tire was designed to provide. This is a "safety concern" should you be required to perform any emergency maneuvers...

 

[omniphil]

Please note that too high a pressure doesn't allow the tire to warm up to optimal temperature so you may not have all of the traction the tire was designed to provide. This is a "safety concern" should you be required to perform any emergency maneuvers...

True, but high speed riding does heat the temps up more than low speed riding. Most motorcycle manufactures recommend higher pressure for high speed riding.
And I'm not going to high on the pressures, just 2 psi extra on the front. I keep the rear at 42psi as that's the recommended pressure with a passenger (I carry one fairly often)

 

[Joeboxer82is]

I've been using 36F 42R ( COLD ) with all my other previous bikes. It works great and the tyres last longer. As most of my daily rides are on the highway (with pillion & an SW Motech Topcase), I find this setup ideal.


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