tire pressure

[N0tac0p]

Did we ever get AN answer?  i have metz front (stock sz) and back (the 200/60).  wouldn't the fornt and back be the stock pressure?  I know the rear is larger so if you put in the same volume of before, you'd have less pressure.  So bringing it up to the stock pressure would fill the extra room.   

so i am not sure why all the variations.  perhaps one reason may be the rigidity of the tire and side wall, so more pressure to "form" it ??
????

I jsut wan to be inthe ball park so i am not replacing my tires every year due to under or over inflation (some folks have said 46, 48# in the rear and that its rated for 50?  seems awful close)

[old2soon]

The Metz 880 i just took off that i got 14454 miles out of was run at 44-46 P S I. Can't help on the rear as i run D/S. RIDE SAFE.

[Challenger]

My 200 Metz made it 7200 miles at 42 PSI, Hope your mileage varies.

[dreamchaser]

Hello!  The best advice is to take your best guess and go out and ride it for about an hour on the road.  Next you stop someplace where you can add more pressure.  Next you use the known to be deadly accurate tire guage that you brought with you for this purpose and check your tire pressure again immediately after stopping.  If your pressure is more than 2 or 3 pounds more than what it was when you started with on cold tires, your pressure is too low and you need to  rest, have something refreshing to drink, maybe eat something, then add 2 or 3 pounds to a cold tire and start  again.  Ride an hour and check the hot pressure of the tire.  Keep this up untill you ideally don't gain more than 1 or 2 lb.  Your tire pressure will be unique to you and the load you are carrying.  Its all about the friction in the tire causing the pressure to rise too much.  I hope this is helpfull.  This info was imparted to me by a long time "3 flaggs" and "Iron Butt" rider who is also an excellent BMW mechanic.  I respect whatever input I get from him.  Good luck

[Hoser]

The tire pressure should be regulated according to the weight of the passengers and luggage.  As a mostly solo rider and weighing around 160 lbs, I am usually around 36-38lbs.  If I carry a passenger and additional luggage I go up a few lbs.  Same with my truck, pressure higher when loaded.  Just makes sense to me.  Hoser

[Jess from VA]

wouldn't the front and back be the stock pressure?

Generally NO.  "Stock" psi is for original tires, not replacements, which are all generally upgrades (better) than original.  Plus, it is my belief that Bike Mfgrs choose to publish their recommended psi based on other considerations than optimal tire wear... they are more interested in safe stopping under all weather conditions (liability issues). 

I always run my best aftermarket tires at psi above those recommended in the bike manual.
Radial Metzlers for Valk have "50 psi" printed on their sidewalls as MAX pressures, both front and rear.  Of course MAX psi is for a fully loaded bike with passenger.  I ran my Metz at 45 rear/44 front.  They handled perfectly in all conditions.  Run them at 42 rear and 40 front, and they will not last as long.... and they wear out too quickly anyway.

Call it voodoo, but what I generally do to begin with new aftermarket tires, is to record the recommended psi in the manual, record the MAX psi on the sidewall, and set the pressure halfway between the two.  Using the recommended manual psi virtually always results in lower tire mileage/longevity (and absolutely no improvement in handling, stopping, etc).

[Chrisj CMA]

We love beating dead horses in here LOL

Tire PSI is a trade off...If you are concerned with ride comfort use a lower pressure.  If you are concerned with tire life use a higer pressure.

Your choice is your choice, I wont try to convince you my choice is better, its just my choice.  Im concerned with tire life more than ride comfort.  I feel more bumps with the tires at 40/42 (front/back) but Im used to it and I enjoy the nimble steering a stiffer front tire provides.  I get over 20K on all my tires and never had a cup, delam or OOR.

Id say the psi in the book or labeled on the bike should be considered minimum and the max on the actual tire should be around the max you should use.....the rest is up to you

[cookiedough]

agree, personal preference is all it is.  I never run over 42psi in front since I find it too hard/harsh on bumps in the road jolting the vibration into the handlebars (yah, I need stiffer progressive springs upfront and probably new fork oil, etc.).  38-40 psi for me in front preferably, but I am heavier plus riding 2-up I feel that 44-47 psi in rear tire is good to make it last almost as long as my front tire so I can change both at the same time.  I also run my rear I/S shocks set at 4 out of 5 (firmer) but a lighter rider not riding 2-up would want rear shocks set at 3, not 4.  I never have bottomed out my rear shocks set at 4 on my I/S riding 2-up over a few harsher bumps so don't really want to set to 5 being too firm.  Basically anywhere between 38 and 48 psi,  NON Dark Side tires of course, should be fine for both front and rear tires just personal preference is all it is.

[gamersince1976]

Hey everyone - I'm new. Name's Chris.

Anyway, I just picked up my first Valk and the Metzler's were needing replacement badly. I ordered a set of Avon Cobras from Jake Wilson and am looking for some advice about the PSI.

Now, I did use the search function, and read this board - but I'd like to run my thoughts by you experts before I pull the trigger.

I'm a pretty big guy - around 350 and somewhere north of 6'. I was thinking about 42/44 or 44/46 PSI - does that seem about right?

I appreciate any input - thanks!

[BF]

I'm a big guy myself (6'2" and 255-ish) and I put 42 front and 45 rear on my Dunlop E3's. 

[gamersince1976]

Awesome - thank you!

[Big Rig]

Running 3rd set of metzies front and rear....

I run 40+ on both, averaging 14k+ per set. I ride solo/Super Valk 99% of the time.

[gamersince1976]

Running 3rd set of metzies front and rear....

I run 40+ on both, averaging 14k+ per set. I ride solo/Super Valk 99% of the time.

Nice! Hopefully the Avons will do well at 42/44.

I'm planning on riding solo - but I'm afraid I don't know what Super Valk means  ???

[dreamchaser]

I finally got my Metzlers dialed in @ 41-46.  Handles well and the air pressure cold to hot is only 1* + hot.  I call it good for me.

[gamersince1976]

I finally got my Metzlers dialed in @ 41-46.  Handles well and the air pressure cold to hot is only 1* + hot.  I call it good for me.

41-46, huh? I wonder if that would work for me. Looks like I may have to do some experimenting before I dial them in completely; that's more of a spread than I would have expected.

[dreamchaser]

I am 6'2" and 238#.  You may want to go up a pound on each, or....?  Just keep an eye on what happens with your tire pressure from cold to hot tires.  I've always looked at comfort as a function of suspension adjustment.  Others may not agree.  Good luck and ride safe.

[Master Blaster]

The primary problem is with factory settings the rear will cup bady in a short time.  Once the wear pattern sets in it will probably continue even if you change the pressure.  45/46 psi rear will keep the tire in good shape and get you max milage out of it.  Also you need to check the pressures at least on a weekly basis.   

[JC]

Factory pressure recommendations were for a cushy ride on the original Dunnys, but most everyone here runs higher pressures to get more life out of a tire. You'll eat up a tire quickly at factory settings. The shop that mounts my tires recommended 42 in the Metzelers, front and rear, which gave me about 8000 miles on the rear and 12000 on the front (I ride hard). Now running 37 in my darkside Potenza.

[R J]

Way back when, Stock tires, I run 38/40, tires were cupped real bad.

Asked around and was told the tire flexed too much at the lower pressure, kind of like a darg car tire does on take off.    That caused the cups.

Bumped the pressure up tp 45/50, and no cupping.

Then I went darkside (DS), now it is 45/36.   I have gotten as high as 23,000 on my DS tires, I'll never run a MT on the rear again.

[gamersince1976]

Thank you all for the replies - you guys are awesome! I'm thinking of starting 44-46 front and rear on the new Cobras when I get them installed Friday. Seems like a good jumping point. I almost want to try playing with the pressure on the current Metzlers, which are in the low to mid 30's - but they really are about shot. Best to wait.

I'm not worried so much about ride comfort - I just sold my 1988 V-Max last week, so it's already a huge step up in that regard. 

[96valk]

 welcome to Valkyrie world from The Dalles Or

[gamersince1976]

welcome to Valkyrie world from The Dalles Or

Hey thanks - always nice to meet another local!

[8Track]

The P/O of my Valk was running 30 PSI when I bought it. The tyres were only about 2,000 kms into their life and the rear was badly scalloped (cupped as you US dwellers say). It growled and vibrated so badly in turns I thought the rear drive was toast.

I pumped 'em up to 38/42 F/R and got much better road behaviour and less growling. It took another 5,000 kms to smooth out the cupping and the growling is all but gone now.

I'd recommend keeping both tyres north of 40 PSI.

Cheers,

Mark

[Momz]

A local HD dealer recomends as part of the recommended maintenence schedule that the air in the tires be changed.
The theory behind is that that air goes stale after more than three months.
They do not use nitrogen, just compressed air, and charge a mere $25.00 for the air exchage service.

PT Barnum said it best:"there is a sucker born every minute".

[gamersince1976]

I got the new Cobras put on Friday at the local shop specializing in HD. Nice enough, but took 5 hours to get it done. I settled on 42-46 for now, and it seems to be riding beautifully. I also took the opportunity to fill the tank with ethanol free premium, added a bit of Seafoam, took off the windshield, and gave it a nice clean and polish. It was like a whole bike when I took it out to break in the tires. Thanks, everyone!