street tire pressure

[breakdirt916]

does low street pressure cause premature tire wear, improper wear patterns, and worse handling?

last set of BT014's got me over 8k miles...but current set are around 6k. Pressure front/rear was 28/23..recommended is 33/36.

the front's left seems to be wearing more than the right, it doesn't fall into turns as easily, and it doesn't feel planted in the canyons while leaning (I'm in CA btw)

I was reading old threads, and most of it is track talk. The only info I could get, is (moving with temp changes) higher pressure on the street, and lower at the track since the tire heats up more, and lower pressure = more contact patch.

[Falko]

My experience says low pressure causes some scalloping and reduced life.

[JohnnyV]

does low street pressure cause premature tire wear, improper wear patterns, and worse handling?

last set of BT014's got me over 8k miles...but current set are around 6k. Pressure front/rear was 28/23..recommended is 33/36.

the front's left seems to be wearing more than the right, it doesn't fall into turns as easily, and it doesn't feel planted in the canyons while leaning (I'm in CA btw)

I was reading old threads, and most of it is track talk. The only info I could get, is (moving with temp changes) higher pressure on the street, and lower at the track since the tire heats up more, and lower pressure = more contact patch.

23 seems very low to me, for street riding anyway

[breakdirt916]

man, I must be retarded...I think the obvious answer is "yes"

the better question is - the recommended tire pressure (up to 198lbs) is 33/36...but how low (or what range) before I start creating improper tire wear?

the shape of the tire looked just fine, but when I checked the pressure I was surprised how low it was.

[Stoneman]

man, I must be retarded...I think the obvious answer is "yes"

the better question is - the recommended tire pressure (up to 198lbs) is 33/36...but how low (or what range) before I start creating improper tire wear?

the shape of the tire looked just fine, but when I checked the pressure I was surprised how low it was.

You have your answer in your question. If it recommends 33/36, don't go lower. Contrary to popular belief, a tire company will NOT give you incorrect perameters in order to get more business outta you. They give you optimal numbers to give them the least liability...

Look real close at your front tire. While the shape may seem fine, you'll notice the treads becomming 'scalloped' on the left side of the tire. Or as Degs would say, 'tyre'...

[Jim]

i usually keep my street tires at 32/32 cold.
but go with whatever the sticker on your frame/swingarm says. dont go with what the tires say.

[RandyO]

don't run 30 year old bias ply recommendations on modern radial tires

[jwm2k3]

Air pressure is a personal thing. I use what makes the bike feel more planted, giving a confident feel. For me thats 36front and 42rear.

[dsmclown]

I've also found that low pressures make turn-in/lean sloppy and weird feeling...

[G21forme]

32/32 cause I'm not fat.

[Awesome]

[drop]

the recommended tire pressure is 36/42 for my k1300s. what viscosity oil should i use in my air compressor when inflating the tires?

[jwm2k3]

32/32 cause I'm not fat.

What did you call me?

[jwm2k3]

what viscosity oil should i use in my air compressor when inflating the tires?

German.

[Lxpony]

36/38 cold. I run that on b16s and 2cts. Never any issues at street speeds

[breakdirt916]

wow...day and night difference, but surprisingly, the tires feel "slippery"

I swear I can feel the front tire starting to slide out from under me when I'm turning. It might just be a product of improper tire wear from the low pressure

oh well...time for new tires

[DaveZX6r]

yeah tires espesially ss can get that greasy feeling when they are done. My pirellis started to slide a little bit when they were done.

[close2reality]

no one can give you a spot on pressure. it depends on the tire, the riding style, and the conditions. the lower the psi, the more contact patch you will get. keep in mind this will also give more 'feedback' to the rider which is why you feel 'squirmy' which is usually your tires sidewall 'squashing' due to lower psi and getting on the throttle out of corners.

and yes running a lower psi will wear a tire quicker as the tire will be running hotter.

also keep in mind as you ride the tire heats up, when a tire heats up the psi rises.

[breakdirt916]

you aren't kidding, I rode to my friend's place today in the city, and had a tough time pushing it off the curb

I checked the tire pressure on the rear, and it was zero...does anyone think that could have any ill effects mid-lean, knee-down, while drifting the rear?

yep, she had a nail...new tires in store for sure!

[jtryz]

i think alot depends on brand of tire but also where/ how u ride. i thought i rode low pressure.......

when u ride 400 miles non stop in the mountians compared to the grocery store or wrk. i change mine.

[RandyO]

tire pressure should be set so that you have a 10% rise from cold to hot

[jtryz]

How do seasons change that? )weather)

How many street riders will ever get tires hot enough to change enough to make a differnce? I do not know so just asking.

I have always rode low 30's but i like a bigger foot print in those tight areas, but i have increased that pressure here due to the differnt riding i am doing

[xsiliconkid]

A key reason why tire pressure is higher on the street vs track....is road conditions .
E.g., At lower pressure a pot hole can bend your rim.
Lower pressure onthe track gives contact patch/grip without (hopefully) bad pavement

Don't run track tire pressures on the street, run recommended bike tire pressures

[Evadd]

33/36 cold for the street.

[breakdirt916]

yep, for me there is no reason to run anything besides the recommended tire pressure..anything is just going to trash tire wear