Can a few PSI make a difference on the road?
Discussion
Just checked the tyre pressures for the first time on my R1. Front was reading 30PSI cold - I used to run 32 PSI on the GSXR but somebody said I should be running around 34PSI for road riding. So, went for 34PSI and found the front to be skittish (spelling?) compared to my run the other day which was when the front was at 30PSI.
Waiting for them to cool and will try lowering again...
What do you guys run?
Rear is at 36PSI currently - used to run 34PSI but it feels good at the moment.
Waiting for them to cool and will try lowering again...
What do you guys run?
Rear is at 36PSI currently - used to run 34PSI but it feels good at the moment.
Guess it depends on the bike. I can usually tell a difference of 2 psi in the front v easily on most of the bikes I've owned. The current CBR600F being exactly the same, generally this means that it needs some more air cos it really doesn't handle or turn as nicely. To be honest I usually stick to manufacturer recommended pressures all round.
Rear wise I'd probably struggle to notice a couple of psi either way - would need to be lots more or less to tell, generally its the squaring off of the rear tyre as it wears that makes the bike handle like a pile of crap even if the pressures are right.
The other problem is fuel level, I always love the feeling of being within 20miles of needing to fill up as its noticable better handling, this does however highlight tyre pressures differences or rear squaring off even more. Though I think this is prob down to enjoying riding the bike with less fuel to be honest.
Rear wise I'd probably struggle to notice a couple of psi either way - would need to be lots more or less to tell, generally its the squaring off of the rear tyre as it wears that makes the bike handle like a pile of crap even if the pressures are right.
The other problem is fuel level, I always love the feeling of being within 20miles of needing to fill up as its noticable better handling, this does however highlight tyre pressures differences or rear squaring off even more. Though I think this is prob down to enjoying riding the bike with less fuel to be honest.
Edited by sjtscott on Thursday 6th September 15:12
Chilli said:
My Gixer is 36front and 42 rear. God only knows what they actually are, as I haven't checked them since I bought it! Newbies.....not big or clever, I just haven't got round to it.
I did the same - checked them the other week when I checked the cars over. Mine were down 4 & 6 psi front and rear. Bike had only done 260 miles and a few weeks old. No where near as bad as the cars though :shock: - mid to low teens on both cars - made one heel of a difference when I filled 'em back up properly.
Not ridden the bike on 'flats' yet though...
Edited by virgil on Thursday 6th September 15:12
I think 34 all round is generic advice, ie should be safe(ish) in all conditions. Idiot-proof for want of a better word (or two).
The actual fact of the matter is though is that it depends on other variables such as weather, speed, your weight, etc, as this all plays a part in how warm they will get, etc.
If the manuals told you to set the front at 30 & the rear at 28, pretty much as per a decent warm trackday, them on the road it would handle like a pig. Vice versa, go onto track on a warm day & if you're quick-ish then 34 all round won't be particularly good.
Just use a bit of common sense & also don't lie to yourself about how quick you're going to ride.
The actual fact of the matter is though is that it depends on other variables such as weather, speed, your weight, etc, as this all plays a part in how warm they will get, etc.
If the manuals told you to set the front at 30 & the rear at 28, pretty much as per a decent warm trackday, them on the road it would handle like a pig. Vice versa, go onto track on a warm day & if you're quick-ish then 34 all round won't be particularly good.
Just use a bit of common sense & also don't lie to yourself about how quick you're going to ride.
Chilli said:
My Gixer is 36front and 42 rear. God only knows what they actually are, as I haven't checked them since I bought it! Newbies.....not big or clever, I just haven't got round to it.
It does appear to make a big difference - I always knew dropping them by a substantial amount improved grip but was a little shocked to find only a few PSI appears to make a difference.I'm going to go back to 34 rear, 32 front and give her a shakedown when the wife returns from Tesco's - I get the better chore!
So your 750 has probably got the right pressures simply because they’ve lowered themselves
PS - beware, I'll be posting a pic of the R1 later! You know you want one!
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