More tire pressure questions.

[locwan]

Just browsed through threads that discussed tire pressure. It's known that that Yamaha is recommending 33psi front and 36psi rear for rider weighing 198lbs and below, and 36psi front and 42psi rear for riders weighting over 198lbs.. but.....


Anyone ever questioned why there's such a big jump between the recommended pressures?? I weigh about 200lbs with gear on, does the extra 2lbs magically means the bike should run 3 and 6psi more on the tires??

What i'm trying to say is that there doesn't seem to be a progressive scale for weight vs psi... I'm hoping people in the know can chip in here..

 

[rskinz6r]

ive thought about it too since i weigh heavier. 42 psi on the rear is max psi on the oem tires....

 

[dirklay]

I like it a little harder up front (that's what she said.) I run 40 psi up front and 42 on ther rear, and weigh 220 plus gear. Any less than that up front feels wobbly and unsafe.

 

[Uno979]

The bike feels more planted/stable with 38-40 up front and 40-42 in the rear. Just mho.

 

[Fizzer6R]

it might just be the bike makers covering their asses for potential law suits. I think they all put similar recommendations for weight and tire pressure.

more importantly is how it feels to you, don't use just the #. some like it harder (that's what she said), and some softer.

some use what they call a 10% rule. so whatever your base is cold, you go out and get the tires hot, come back and take pressure and the difference shouldn't be more/less than 10%. either way and they recommend increase or decrease the pressure to go up/down within those limits for max. tire performance.

others say a max. of pressure increase should be 5-7 psi from cold to hot. - just a general guide as bikes, weights, tires, riding styles all vary so much

 

[Marthy]

I did notice that same as some of you. With my 021 I was keeping it within spec psi. 36/40 36/42 when riding 2up. After switching to the Conti-Motion, many review said that the tires like to run a bit higher then spec. F40/R42 is what I've been running for 5K. The change is very noticeable. Kind of got the front end better...

 

[locwan]

During the spring months when temperatures were cooler, I had the front/back at 33/36 psi and felt the bike responded just fine. As the days got warmer, my back tire felt like it was squirming at even 70 to 80km/h on the on-ramp.

This past day I had the front/back increased to 34/38 psi.. and it felt alright again.. although I hate using this whatever "feels" ok method of gauging.. never know if the tire's are being used like they were designed to...

 

[Heineken]

Normally I use 32/36, but at Road America I had 30/32 and it felt great. Word of caution, less pressure on the tire more contact patch witch also mean more heat build up into the tire. IMHO use what feels right for you without going over the rating of your tire.

 

[Marthy]

I just change tires from Conti Motion to PR2. I used F40/R42 for the last 8-9K miles and it work fine. I started with the same pressure with the PR2, not working at all. Tires have different spring rate and pressure might be different from one tire to another. So I bleed them down to F33/R39 and start from there...

One more thing. I've been using a cheap gauge from Autopart store cause my good one has a strait hose, 45 degree is better to reach. Well, make sure to double check your gauge once in a while. My gauge was 4 psi off... junk! I got another one now...

That mean I was at F44/R46... not so good, good thing I felt something was wrong right away...

 

[OffTheClock]

I just change tires from Conti Motion to PR2. I used F40/R42 for the last 8-9K miles and it work fine. I started with the same pressure with the PR2, not working at all. Tires have different spring rate and pressure might be different from one tire to another. So I bleed them down to F33/R39 and start from there...

One more thing. I've been using a cheap gauge from Autopart store cause my good one has a strait hose, 45 degree is better to reach. Well, make sure to double check your gauge once in a while. My gauge was 4 psi off... junk! I got another one now...

That mean I was at F44/R46... not so good, good thing I felt something was wrong right away...

Marthy,
How you finding those PR2's? I am having them installed tomorrow as I have only heard good reports but value your opinion so if you see this before then, let me know.

Safe Riding!

 

[Spunky99]

I guess it depends on the tires and the type of driving you do.
My bike weighs in at 493.8 wet and the FZ6R at 467 wet.

I weigh 205 + gear and have the tires at 36.5 and 39. I think I'll move the rear tire to 41 or 42 and see how that works. The front is fine up to 38 and stable but the rear feels like my NSR50R on the race track and that is not necessarily what I want on the street.
Tires are a bit different tho
120/70-ZR17 front the same as the FZ6R
190/50-ZR17 vs 160/60 ZR17
My rear tire has a rounder profile and without pushing it my chicken strips are narrower than what I had on the FZ6R.

 

[Marthy]

There good. I can't say I like them more than the Conti Motion. The PR2 are more rounded... build for better handling in twisties. The Conti Motion was build more towards the cruising part. So rolling down the freeway I did prefer the CM a bit more... but I have to give the PR2 more miles to be able to give a fair opinion. The PR2 feel like the front wheel is very light on freeway, even in turn in. I was thinking maybe lowering the front end 2-4mm just to try if it can fix the problem. But this is my only bugger... other than that it's an excellent tire so far.

 

[Detrich]

My tires don't seem to lose pressure much at all. I ride every weekend and I ck it cold. But, it's always the same? My mtn bike tires, on the other hand, go flat within a month or too tho- if I don't ride it. Weird.

 

[Marthy]

Marthy,
How you finding those PR2's? I am having them installed tomorrow as I have only heard good reports but value your opinion so if you see this before then, let me know.

Safe Riding!

I did the front ride height change. about 3mm lower, I'll try it at 5mm tomorrow. It did correct the handling problem and the bike front end handle great now.

 

[OffTheClock]

I did the front ride height change. about 3mm lower, I'll try it at 5mm tomorrow. It did correct the handling problem and the bike front end handle great now.

I pick my bike up today and look forward to seeing how these PR2's handle. Once I get some mileage on them I will let you know my thoughts. Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it

 

[dart1963]

There good. I can't say I like them more than the Conti Motion. The PR2 are more rounded... build for better handling in twisties. The Conti Motion was build more towards the cruising part. So rolling down the freeway I did prefer the CM a bit more... but I have to give the PR2 more miles to be able to give a fair opinion. The PR2 feel like the front wheel is very light on freeway, even in turn in. I was thinking maybe lowering the front end 2-4mm just to try if it can fix the problem. But this is my only bugger... other than that it's an excellent tire so far.

I think that's the best way to put it, they are def. more rounded and so the front feels "light" because they turn in so well. Try the Pirelli Angel ST and they are even more so, I constantly found myself turning in too soon with them until I road for a couple of weeks, so going back the to PR2 felt better. If you do any rain riding, you'll also appreciate the PR2, they handle very well

 

[txjames]

I noticed the manual also says to use 36 on the rear for "higher speeds". I presume that means for use on the track.

I hadn't thought about the weight of the gear; yeah my gear adds 15 pounds easily (boots, armored pants, armored jacket, helmet). I think I'll split the difference and go with 38.

Incidentally, on a ride yesterday I had the strangest sloppy feel in my rear tire. I got home and the pressure was 32 PSI. I wouldn't have expected such a drastic change in feel.

Also learned to remember to check tire pressure BEFORE departing.

 

[OffTheClock]

Well I have done around 500 miles on my PR2's, mostly freeway riding. I got to tell you what a difference in handling compared to the 016 I used too have. I am still playing with the tire pressure, I am 220lbs plus gear and am riding the front at 36.6 and the rear anywhere between 39 and 40. Seems to handle real well and so far very impressed.
The one thing i did notice is that there is a lot of "road noise" from the tires which i didnt hear from the previous ones.
Any comments as to the recommended pressure?

 

[Marthy]

Since I change my tires (Conti to PR2) my bike handle weird. I feel like I have the front end wobbling all the time pass 80 MPH. Not something I notice before the tire change. I accelerate hard yesterday merging on I95, I "accidently" hit the triple digits. (Those Speed3 are fast...) Not sure if it's a defect in the tire, or the tire is not balance properly, or my shock are shut and need to be rebuilt, or I'm just a wuss?

Any one have a "educated guess"?

 

[Alex6]

Since I change my tires (Conti to PR2) my bike handle weird. I feel like I have the front end wobbling all the time pass 80 MPH. Not something I notice before the tire change. I accelerate hard yesterday merging on I95, I "accidently" hit the triple digits. (Those Speed3 are fast...) Not sure if it's a defect in the tire, or the tire is not balance properly, or my shock are shut and need to be rebuilt, or I'm just a wuss?

Any one have a "educated guess"?

My guess is tire balance is off. You should hope for that too, as it is an easy fix.