Motard Pressures...same as big bike

[Manny]

For Motard tire pressures....

Do you set them at the recommended pressures based on the tire or is their another rule of thumb? For example, same tire but say an SV vs a Motard. Same pressures? Or even liter bike running a larger size of the same tire?

Basically, since I started running the Motard I have gotten MANY diff answers on what pressures to run but for the sportbike there seems to be consensus based on the tire manufacturer.

I am currently running Diablos Supercorsas if it matters.....

[butcher bergs]

I know neither is a 'Tard but I run very similar pressures between my 600 and 1000. Not sure why a 'Tard would be any different. Regardless of its respective weight, it still uses the same round, black rubber hoops just in a skinnier size.

I'm gonna venture a guess and say to start between 28 and 32 psi. Again, strictly a guess. Very curious what the 'Tard riders have to say.

[R7]

22-24psi
Running higher pressures takes forever to heat up the tires, if they even ever heat up with a little 250lb bike roling around on them

[Awesome]

heat is always the important issue in grip. The tires that you'll be running on the motard for roadracing are usually 250GP tires same as the SV's, so the manufacturer recommended are respective to those bikes. I judge my tires by temp, feel of my hand since I've never gotten around to buying one of those fancy IR thermometers. The motard stops quick so you tend to spend little time braking, which means less stress on the front, so I run less pressure in the front, maybe as much as 5-7lbs. If it's chattering a lot, often I'm getting too much grip there combined with the tire flexing too much and will up the pressure a little. The rear I think I go 2-3lbs below GP recommended. All of these leave adjustment for the factors like track and ambient temp, how hard you're riding them, and of course the type of tire where different amounts of pressure change will have differrent effects.

Actual supermoto tires are super-duper soft, and I have little experience with those, but you don't want 'em on a roadcoarse unless you're doing a one lap qualifying in the cold.

[a13x]

I first was running really low PSI's when I was running my motard. Something like 24f/22r.

Upon coming back to Loudon the Boston Moto guys recommended I run 29c/31h Front and 25c/28h Rear.

I went out and ran low 20's and 19's. YMMV.

[mmracer37]

I ran 34f 20r hot on the KTM. Dipped into the 16's with those pressures. The high pressure in the front helps get rid of chatter, you just don't wanna go too high or it'll feel like a brick. I don't care what cold temps are, I don't race with cold tires.

[Manny]

I ran 34f 20r hot on the KTM. Dipped into the 16's with those pressures. The high pressure in the front helps get rid of chatter, you just don't wanna go too high or it'll feel like a brick. I don't care what cold temps are, I don't race with cold tires.

what tires are you running?

How about you alex?

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Manny are you running tubes?, I think that will change things a little

[Manny]

Manny are you running tubes?, I think that will change things a little

Nope. Tooobbless

[Paul_E_D]

55378008

flip your monito upsidedown...

[a13x]

what tires are you running?

How about you alex?

16.5" Pirelli slick front. Supersoft
17" Pirelli slick rear. Soft



I might try to play with some lower Rear psi's afters seeing Mike's 20h psi rear. I also have to get more used to doing Hot Temps, something I'm not too used to doing (ie: never do). Learning, always learning.

I have a tube in one tire and no tube in the other. Forget which is which... heheh.

[Awesome]

I ran 34f 20r hot on the KTM. Dipped into the 16's with those pressures. The high pressure in the front helps get rid of chatter, you just don't wanna go too high or it'll feel like a brick. I don't care what cold temps are, I don't race with cold tires.

You're on dunlops right? Slick rear and dot front?

[mmracer37]

You're on dunlops right? Slick rear and dot front?

what tires are you running?

How about you alex?

MICHELINS!!!! Dot front, supermoto rear. The supermoto front had way too much grip. As soon as I switched to the dot, the bike was easy to ride.

[mmracer37]

Alex, you should try a little harder compound in the front. Sometimes too much grip is a bad thing .

[mmracer37]

55378008

flip your monito upsidedown...

Ha, haven't seen that since.......well let's just say many moons ago!

[a13x]

Alex, you should try a little harder compound in the front. Sometimes too much grip is a bad thing .

yea for sure, I might have to do that since I can't run a DOT (don't make in 16.5") August dry race was only the 3rd time I'd ridden that RMZ (once 2008 classic and half a trackday in Cali May 2009) so I'm still figuring out how it works. The front was def chatter happy thou pulling the low 20's and mid 19's. Yea I need to learn how to use the rear brake better, and maybe offset triples are on the agenda, but harder front might be good to play with as well.

Think I should go to the Soft front or just right to the Medium?


'easy to ride' ahhaha your funny Mike.

[Awesome]

MICHELINS!!!! Dot front, supermoto rear. The supermoto front had way too much grip. As soon as I switched to the dot, the bike was easy to ride.

What's michelins' recommended on those tires? Any idea on cold pressures?

[mmracer37]

yea for sure, I might have to do that since I can't run a DOT (don't make in 16.5") August dry race was only the 3rd time I'd ridden that RMZ (once 2008 classic and half a trackday in Cali May 2009) so I'm still figuring out how it works. The front was def chatter happy thou pulling the low 20's and mid 19's. Yea I need to learn how to use the rear brake better, and maybe offset triples are on the agenda, but harder front might be good to play with as well.

Think I should go to the Soft front or just right to the Medium?


'easy to ride' ahhaha your funny Mike.

Go right to the medium!

[Pittenger5]

Mike, harder DECREASES chatter? Thats the exact opposite of what I would think would be logical.

[mmracer37]

What's michelins' recommended on those tires? Any idea on cold pressures?

I believe the front is 31c and the rear is 24 to 27c.

[mmracer37]

What's michelins' recommended on those tires? Any idea on cold pressures?

I believe the front is 31c and the rear is 24 to 27c. Remember all these pressures are just for the motard, the 600 is different.

[Paul_E_D]

Mike, harder DECREASES chatter? Thats the exact opposite of what I would think would be logical.

Chatter can be caused by too much grip. You'll know this when it is actually bouncing up and down like a jackhammer. In the afternoon you can see your shadow in 9 and it's quite scary to see what's going on there!

[mmracer37]

Chatter can be caused by too much grip. You'll know this when it is actually bouncing up and down like a jackhammer. In the afternoon you can see your shadow in 9 and it's quite scary to see what's going on there!

DING DING we have a winner. MOST of the chatter in the front on motards is caused by too much grip. That grip is transmitted thru the LONGGGGG forks which flexes the hell out of them, then they try to return to their natural state. All this happens very fast and we get chatter. With a harder tire, it tends to "slide" a little and decreases the force being transmitted thru the forks. Remember, there are other things that can cause chatter also, but most is the tire. Same goes for the rear, it's just not as pronounced.

[Awesome]

Chatter can be caused by too much grip. You'll know this when it is actually bouncing up and down like a jackhammer. In the afternoon you can see your shadow in 9 and it's quite scary to see what's going on there!

I've been thinking about the physics of it and wonder if it has anything to do with the lower pressure allowing the tire to flex and unflex in the left right direction, more pressure less flex and movement.

[a13x]

Go right to the medium!

cool. i'll play with it.