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Tire Pressure - 40 PSI?

19K views 23 replies 19 participants last post by  dfinitlydisturbd 
#1 ·
I have been maintaining my tire pressure on my 2001 at 29 front / 36 rear as recommended by Suzuki. I have stock tires, maximum PSI 41.

I was watching Ride Like a Pro and 40 PSI was recommended all around for for best performance. Anyone running 40 PSI in OEM size tires and what are some thoughts on this?
 
#2 ·
I can see two problems here. First of all, it's going to ride like a log truck at PSI that high. Secondly, you are dangerously close to maximum PSI. Air temperature changes and ride distance could easily put you over the maximum pressure and could cause problems.
 
#3 ·
My book says 29 front and 33 rear for solo riding; 39 for 2up. Everything I read and my mechanic recommend 26 31/36 for the best results. He indicates that the temp, weather, etc effects the tires in such a manner as to make the lower pressure desirable.
 
#5 ·
I use the tire manufacturers recommended max psi and it works fine. I've been doing it since I started riding (do the same thing on cages also) and I've been riding for over 40 years.
 
#6 ·
Ive always liked 40. Plain and simple, on the road I like hot and hard tires. No innuendo intended


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#8 ·
Ive always liked 40. Plain and simple, on the road I like hot and hard tires. No innuendo intended


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I suppose that's fine if your riding a Russian motorcycle built by Socialist labor and named after a porcelain fixture used by men who actually stand up to pee. :biglaugh:
 
#9 ·
I run my tires between 35 and 40 as the freekin' roads here in So Cal have gotten dangerous with cracks and potholes, a couple of months ago I hit a Pothole at night in a dark area that broke the front fender and dinged the edge of the rim. If the air pressure was at recommended values I probably would of had a blowout, I had the wheels checked out by a wheel specialist and all was ok, and the tires checked out ok too.
 
#10 ·
I remember Metzler having a recommendation for inflation on their website that indicated inflation numbers that were higher than Suzuki put in the manual and on the stickers.

I went to look for it from my book marks but the recommendation is different now... ..

"Always inflate the tire to the correct pressure. Be sure to check cold inflation pressure frequently, i.e. once a week. Although most motorcyclists love to work on their bikes, many seldom remember to check their bikes tire pressures. Correct pressures are critical for safe handling. Over inflation or extreme tire pressure will impair your riding comfort and decrease the size of the contact patch of the tire with the road. Under inflation or too little air pressure will result in poor handling and the bike will be inclined to “wander”. Improper and insufficient tyre pressure will also cause rapid tire wear, an increase in fuel consumption, lower top speed, and provide less control. Remember to check the inflation pressure of your tires weekly. You will find the correct pressure in the operating manual of the motorcycle. Use METZELER’s information only as reference. Attention: When the recommended pressure has been changed for use off the public highway (race track, off-road), it must be reset to the correct value before riding on the street."

Michelin goes a little further ......

1. Modern methods of inflation allow high pressures to be reached
quickly. Where air reservoir tanks are used, we recommend that the
pressure regulator valve be set to 60 psi for the inflation of motorcycle​
tires. Periodically drain your air tank to ensure a clean air supply.​
2. Michelin recommends the tire pressure quoted by the motorcycle
manufacturer, except where otherwise stated.
3. When the tire is mounted, take the following precautions to avoid
trapping air between the inner tube (where applicable) and the tire
while inflating:​
• push the valve into the wheel (where a tube is used).
• inflate slowly without removing the valve core.
• use the inflation pressure recommended by the motorcycle manu​
facturer.
4. Check inflation pressures on both tires at least once a month, before
riding, when tires are cold (at ambient temperature). Riding even for a
short distance causes tires to heat up and air pressure to increase.
DO
NOT BLEED AIR FROM HOT TIRES.

Failure to maintain the correct inflation pressure may result in
improper motorcycle handling, rapid and irregular tire wear, or sudden
tire destruction.
5. For sustained high‑speed riding, front and rear tire pressures
should
be increased to the maximum pressure recommended
by the motorcycle
manufacturer for high-speed riding. Do not exceed the maximum
pressure indicated on the tire sidewall.
6. Increase the pressure of the rear tire to that recommended by the
motorcycle manufacturer when the motorcycle is used with a passenger
or a substantial amount of luggage.
7. The proper inflation pressures for your motorcycle tires are shown in
your motorcycle owners manual. Unless otherwise stated, these pressures
are for motorcycles ridden at normal highway speeds without
passengers. Exceeding the safe, legal speed limit is neither recommended
nor endorsed.
Inflation pressure measurements are only as accurate as your gauge.​
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE​
GAUGE YOU ARE USING IS ACCURATE.

That being the case, I do run my tires 2psi over the manual numbers. When 2up with luggage, I do check hot pressure and adjust the pressure AFTER cool down if the pressure is getting over the max on the tire side wall.






 
#12 · (Edited)
From my 2007 Suzuki C50 Owners Manual recommends different tire pressure dependent on if you are using their OEM windshield or not. They recommend the same tire pressure with minimal or full load something that surprised me. The only change for conditions they consistantly recommend is for with or without a OEM shield.

NO SHIELD 29psi FRONT 36psi REAR

WITH SHIELD 33psi FRONT 36psi REAR


The above recommendations are with the Stock Tires if you run another Brand of tire follow their recommendations for using on a Suzuki C50.
If they don't have a Suzuki C50 recommendation try the above numbers.

General Guideline: Front tire less than rear tire with more pressure in the front with a cruising shield over a naked bike do to the increased air force on the front tire when running at speed.

When I added an OEM shield to my bike I changed to the higher 33psi front pressure recommended by Suzuki for bikes with full size shields. :wayhappy: my Bike with cruiser shield handles better with the higher 33 psi front tire pressure.:wayhappy:

Different brands of tire require different pressure to give the tire proper handling properties when mounted on different Motorcycles. Motorcycle tire manufacturers will often recommend different pressure dependent on the bike and configuration. Some low sidewall strength bike tires need 40 psi to hold their shape on the road and others with stiffer side walls are best run with lower pressures in the 30s. The better manufactures of tires may be your best source for proper tire pressure for your specific bike when you substitute tires.
 
#13 ·
I have found with several bikes and lots of tires, that I prefer 38-40 psi front and rear. The bikes handle well, and tire life is better. Too low of pressures lead to more sidewall flex which increases heat. But the manufacturers certainly give good recommendations as a mix for handlng and comfort, and there is nothing wrong with sticking with what Suzuki recommends if it works for you.
 
#15 ·
Is adding a few pounds to the front if using a shield a rule of thumb? My OM does not specify a different PSI if using a shield.
The extra load makes sense to me - at this point - unless someone can come up with a better explanation.

I think that if there were a critical factor it would be in a competition mode where the factors would be calculated and compensated for.

OEM recommedations generally take into consideration both handling and comfort under 'normal' riding conditions, with comfort being primary for customer relations reasons..... so I don't feel bad adding a couple of psi to the pressures given in the manual.

'Normal' riding conditions, as I understand them, would be 1 rider 0 luggage and speeds under 70mph on a average spring/fall day..... YMMV
 
#16 ·
I would think its the additional weight and the air pressure the shield represents that is weighing down the front suspension and the recommendation of additional tire pressure.
 
#17 ·
My take on the 'windshield situation' is that the slant and the area of the shield are a source for down force loading of the front end due to wind resistance... That down force wouldn't exist with just the rider.
 
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#20 ·
This is what I'm doing too. And mine are wearing great too. But maybe I'll add a few pounds to the front trie since I'm using my larger "winter shield" these days and see if I notice a difference.
 
#21 ·
ran spec air on my bridgestone,after 7,000 miles still had plenty of tread but tires were cupping.Installed new pirelli front and rear (c90t) the old man who owns the shop stated I should run 36 front and 40 rear.Been doing so for about 2000 mile and bike runs great,no notice of stiff ride and handles great,plus this would prevent cupping.
 
#22 ·
I increased the PSI to 33 front and 39 rear due to the cooler temps and a shield but now getting ready to swap out the OEM IRC tires for Shinko 777. I was a little nervous about jacking the PSI up too high as I think these tires are original and I have 2001 Vol.
 
#23 ·
Good thread!

I've got to get a set of tires soon. My c50 has 11,400 miles on the stock IRCs. They seem to be nice tires. Just now hitting the wear bars. 95% hwy miles.

Question? Anybody have a (bike) tire separate? Was it from running too much air pressure?

Unsafe Motorcycles
 
#24 · (Edited)
Other than a loss of traction, localized center wear (the center wearing far more than the outer tread) and the increased likelyhood of spoke damage I see no reason to not run the tire pressure maxed out. Especially if you like an induced wobble caused by the tread wearing unevenly leaving the tread immediately adjacent to the center line as alternating high points left to right and back.
But far worse is the increased vibration caused by the road surface creating additional strain on the spokes potentially loosening or breaking them. Since the tire absorbs less abuse run hard it also causes more wear on your suspension components. The tire is your first stage of bump management and the more of the abuse it takes the less your suspension, rims, bearings and frame take.

Stunt drivers ride their tires maxed out to make it easier to get them to break loose for skids, burnouts, powerslides etc. So do drifters. This tells us what about how higher pressures effect traction?
Drag racers run the tires softer for better hook up. As do mountain bikers, rock crawlers, mudders, and trials riders. This tells us what about how tire pressure effects grip?

And lastly as the bike manufacturer does not make money on the tires but wants them to last a reasonable amount of time and as well to handle as good as is possible they've tested the handling of the bike to determine the ideal balance of grip, wear, and comfort....hence the numbers in the manual and on the swingarm.
 
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