New Falken CT - What tire Pressure?

[michaelyoung254]

I'm making the move to the Darkside, and have a 205/60 R-16 Falken Ziex-512. The guy that installed it (and installed the Dynabeads) only put 30 psi in the tire, and told me that's where I should run it. I thought I'd ask some of you on here if that pressure sounds about right. It was my understanding that I should run it higher for about 1000 miles in order to break in the side walls, and then play with the pressure a bit to find where it rides best. We're always two-up, and neither of is a featherweight. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Houdini]

For me, at 30 PSI, the tire feels wiggly in turns.  I run mine at 36 PSI singly or two-up.  There is no break in period for the tire, just start experimenting to see what works for you.  I recommend you move up and down in 2 PSI increments until it gets close otherwise it is too hard to tell any difference

[RainMaker]

On darkside, I tend to run 42-44lbs.

[Christbiker]

Rainmaker, that's cuz you're an over-achiever.  (a compliment)

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

 Been on the darkside forever and I've found the 36-38 psi works best for me. Too low mushy too high and center wears out to soon. Different tire compounds also will vary this soft compound wear faster but stick better, harder compond wear better. I try and stay in the 3-4 hundred numbers on compounds.

[BuzzKill]

I run my Goodyear Triple Tread at 44.  I'm two up alot and pull a trailer sometimes also.  I tried it in the mid-upper 30s but it just didnt feel right to me personally.

[Gear Jammer]

40-42psi,,, soft 280 compound,,,anything in the 30's squirms too much for me

[Houdini]

too high and center wears out to soon

That was the original reason I lowered my PSI from 40 to 36, now I just like the lower pressure.

[HayHauler]

I run 40 in mine, but don't mind the tire wearing faster in the center.  It costs $90!  I will still get 20k out of it and "I" feel it is a great deal safer. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

Goodyear ATT with 34K now, straight 40 psi at all times........ and wear is perfectly even across the tire (the replacement is hanging in the shed and will go on in a few K).

[Houdini]

I will admit that I raise my pressure to 40 PSI when I go to the Hill Country, the rounded surface handles better in the curves and the grins are worth the extra tire wear.

[michaelyoung254]

Thanks a Million to all who replied. I thought that 30 lbs. sounded too low. I think I'll bump mine up to 40 lbs. and then give it a little time to get used to it. After that, I may start to bump it up or down a little to see what feels best.

[Old Geezer Richard]

Hey Michael , I'm running a Michelin Pilot 205 - 55 -16 for the past three years and I found that in the cooler months I'll run 40 lbs. because it will air down to maybe 38 /36 lbs. over nite or during the day... In the summer here in Tx. I'll run 34 solo because it will heat up to 38 easy  , with me & the wifey I make sure it don't air up past 40 during the day because to me its real bumpy and the wifey's back don't like the hard bumps in the Hill Country ....  Welcome to the Dark-side and learn to experiment with the air pressure ....  Thanks the Geezer

[Disco]

Valkpilot and I each installed Falken Ziex 512 205/65-16s today. 

I've started at 38psi (where I liked the Vanco) and in the few miles I've ridden it, it feels great. 

[HayHauler]

I lowered mine to 32-34 and didn't like the feel.  I am back at 38-40 cold and back to lovin it. 
Glad u got them mounted. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Valkpilot]

I lowered mine to 32-34 and didn't like the feel.  I am back at 38-40 cold and back to lovin it. 
Glad u got them mounted. 

Hay
Jimmyt

He only told part of the story.  Disco, Thagandy, and I mounted the two Falkens, mounted two new front Avons, and mounted one of the takeoffs on a spare rim.  Five tire cahnges, one complete brake pad changeout (front & rear),  and two rear end services. 

It was a day.

[RainMaker]

I lowered mine to 32-34 and didn't like the feel.  I am back at 38-40 cold and back to lovin it. 
Glad u got them mounted. 

Hay
Jimmyt

He only told part of the story.  Disco, Thagandy, and I mounted the two Falkens, mounted two new front Avons, and mounted one of the takeoffs on a spare rim.  Five tire cahnges, one complete brake pad changeout (front & rear),  and two rear end services. 

It was a day.

Sounds like quite a wrench party.

[Valkpilot]

Sounds like quite a wrench party.

Impromptu, I assure you.  

It started out with "let's play with the new tire changer, just to see how it works", and morphed to "now that we're this far, might as well do this.

This led to that and the other, although not in a Seinfeld kind of way.

Juice boxes were enjoyed by all.

[hotglue #43]

We just got back from a short road trip to Durango Co.   Running the Falken 205-65-16....Liked it at 44 psi.. Sure handled nice in the mountain twisties!!!!
BTW... the 65 profile tire dropped the RPM's to 3200 @ 75mph indicated (70 mph GPS)

[Disco]

BTW... the 65 profile tire dropped the RPM's to 3200 @ 75mph indicated (70 mph GPS)

I've noticed a drop, too. 

On the 195/65-16 Vanco, the Garmin-indicated speed in 5th was 40mph @ 2000 rpm and 60mph @ 3000. 

With the Falken it's 42mph @ 2000 and 63mph @ 3000.   

[mrprez]

Any noticeable change in fuel mileage?  I have a Falken 512 being delivered here tomorrow to replace a 205/55 Hankook.

[Willie]

I went darkside 2 weeks ago with the same tire you are using.  I have 38 and it feels ok for me.  My wife rode yesterday with me for a short ride.  I didn't get a good feel for it as the ride was really short.  I think I will try 40 and see how it goes.

So far I like it.  You have to give her a little extra nudge, not  much, when cornering and when coming out of the corner, it doesn't take as much to get it straight up.  (lets see where this goes)

I will be taking a picture soon and posting to get my number.  By the way..  I keep checking every morning and I still ain't got no cookies....

Willie

[Disco]

Any noticeable change in fuel mileage?

I have run less than a full tank of gas since the change, so it's too soon to tell.  I don't expect there to be - too many other variables that contribute to fuel mileage. 

If we're talking tire mileage, my Continental Vanco went 32,627 miles and wasn't quite to the wear bars.  I don't expect the softer Falken to give me that many.  Anything over 20K will be a bonus.

I sure do like the way it handles! 

[PINSTRIPERART]

30 POUNDS IS A BIT LOW. I HAVE PUT 25,000 ON MY FALKEN ZIEX. I RUN AT 40 BUT IT SHOULD BE AT THE VERY LEAST 35. JUST MY OPINION FROM EXPERIENCE

[BnB Tom]

BTW... the 65 profile tire dropped the RPM's to 3200 @ 75mph indicated (70 mph GPS)

I've noticed a drop, too. 

On the 195/65-16 Vanco, the Garmin-indicated speed in 5th was 40mph @ 2000 rpm and 60mph @ 3000. 

With the Falken it's 42mph @ 2000 and 63mph @ 3000.   

So its a little higher geared.  If you do the majority of your riding on the highway I'd think you'd get better mileage. 

 In town, not so much. 

IMO

[KSDragonRider]

I have been using 36psi cold. Usually goes up to 41 or 42 when the tire gets hot.  Thinking about going up another couple psi now that it has gotten hot out.

It is starting to feel a little to squishy with the hot weather.

Love the tire though, the falken 512 feels wonderful

[Disco]

Love the tire though, the falken 512 feels wonderful

I'd taken a GTT 205/60-16 around the block and really didn't like it.  Despite the asymmetrical tread pattern, the narrower Vanco was so much more neutral than the GTT.  In the several hundred miles I've ridden it, the Falken is another big step toward neutral.  It's like riding on rails.