Why So Much??

[ricky racer]

I just put a new set of Michelin PR3's on my R1100S today. I have noticed from the many posts I've read, many of you run 40-42 psi in your tires. The manual says 32 psi front. 36 psi rear. Why do you guys run the higher pressures? Inquiring minds need to know. Enlighten me.

[AZ-Twin]

On my R1200S the front tire would cup at the lower pressure, but wore very nicely at the 2 up pressure in the book. Must mean I am too fat.

[signit98]

No, Rob... you just need a lot of space for your inner values!

[ckcarr]

What you weigh Rob?

[AZ-Twin]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

What you weigh Rob?

About 14 Stone

[Bob Hancock]

Inner values....14 stone. You guys are funny.

To answer the question I used 33/36 on my R12S and got great grip and wear....well....sorta OK wear but a job of a tire is to give it's life for me so that I can keep mine.

Speaking of which....my R12S is on eBay. Hmmm.

[txmxrider]

You'll probably get a different response from each person, but for me, I like 38 front, 40 rear if riding solo, and 42 rear if riding two-up with the saddlebags loaded. That's what I use for the Metzler Roadtec Z6s on the R1100S and also for the Michelin PR3s on the K1200GT. Why do I do it? I guess I'm just one of those crazy people who like to get good mileage from my tires. I've got 8000 miles on the Roadtecs and they still have about 2000 miles left. I have 3000 miles on the PR3s and they look like I just put them on yesterday. They too should be good for at least 10,000 miles. I've tried running less pressure and the tires didn't seem to last as long and I didn't notice any appreciable loss of traction, cornering capability, or braking by running the higher pressures. And if I get lazy and forget to check the pressures once in a while I'm still in the acceptable range when I do get around to checking them again.

[Martin Glasser]

The Roads in Texas must be less abrasive.

[flatbutt]

36 Front 39 Rear

[DanceswPavement]

ditto what Flattbutt said, Pirelli Angel ST

[bradzdotcom]

ricky~

you're a trials bike rider, and all you beret-wearing, handlebar-moustache, sweater-vest types run 3~5 psi, right?



i think what you're seeing with a lot of the guys here is that they aren't dirt bike based, and haven't really had much experience of how tire pressure can really aid or hamper you in both traction and suspension.
the guys who run the hard tires, for the most part, are going for more mileage out of the tires.
the guys running lower psi do so because they're looking for more traction and a smoother ride.

i personally run 31~33 up front, 33~36 in the rear depending on what/where we're riding.

also, keep in mind that the manuf recommendation is for the specific tire that came stock with the bike, and doesn't address any other brand or size tire.


fortunately, there is only one absolute ideal tire pressure.

unfortunately, nobody knows what it is.

[JGard]

i started running about 40-42psi up front because of what I had read on this board with regards to not cupping the front tire. However, I also noticed that it improved front-end feel substantially for me, too. Being the first paralever bike I've ever ridden, I really took a while to feel comfortable with how the front end of this bike is.

[roger albert]

I'm with Bob and Brad on this one. 32~33 front and 36 rear, unless 2 up, then 38 rear.
More than that, and the grip just feels horrible. Never quite hooked up. Bob said it prefectly. Much more worried about my longevity than the tires'

[sgoodwin]

I can't imagine 42psi in front, all I can see is it skipping all over the place, scary. I'm with Brad & Roger, low 30's front, mid/high 30's rear depending on load or potential foolery quotient.

[Trex]

I remember someone saying here that with the somewhat fragile wheels on the 1100S, the minimum you want is 32 psi.

On my 1100s with Road Pilot 2s, I run 32-34 front, 36-38 rear. Two up: 34-36 front, 38-40 rear.

I get close to 10,000 miles on the rear (last set was Road Pilot). When I change the rear, I always change the front, too.

I'd love to see a comparo of the Road Pilot 3s and the Conti Attack 2s.

[Meeni]

I did one day at 39 front on the 11s, too scary, no grip at all. Rear was less sensitive to over inflation.

[R111S]

38.5 fr and 42.0 rr. All I know is my '99 R1100S with standard torque arm length leans over so much easier with the higher than recommended tire pressure.

[sgoodwin]

I'm sure it does but it won't grip like it will if you drop it just 6 psi, particularly on rough pavement.

[boxa]

And we all have calibrated tire pressure gauges? At best its a guesstimate.

Find a pressure that suits you and check it with your gauge. The numbers dont mean a lot.

Dave

[poldar12s]

I've been very sensitive on this tire pressure issue. I purchased rather a quality one to measure the tire pressure.

Last month, a fellow rider brought two air pressure gauge. So, I tested during the middle of ride. These numbers (in psi) are from my front tire.

Digital gauge: 28.5
Pen type: 32
Expensive one: 37

So, I use mine (the expensive one) for his rear tire and it read almost 48.

I googled how to calibrate a tire gauge. I would need a long water hose vertically placed to calibrate it.

Tire shops or any auto shops I doubt they calibrate their pressure gauge. It still is a mystery to get the real pressure to me.