Tyre pressures ?

[wayno]

I normally go 36 40, my understanding is that the lower pressures are left over from the days of older tyres which usually ran at lower pressures.

36 42 is recommended by most tyre companies but I find it a bit harsh on the rear. At the end of the day if they're above 33 36 it's all down to personal preference. Track days need lower pressures due to the increased tyre temps.

[Cathcart]

So, your saying for these tyres that the same as regular pressures I use applies? Even though they are primarily for the track?

[Cathcart]

In fact, you know what, stuff it. I'm not going to get a proper use out of them as will soon also be using the bike for commute. Can't be bothered figuring this out and they'll be squared within a month probably due to what I'd use them for, work route is 10 min of town centre...

For Sale, pair Dunlop d212 gp pro, 120/70/17 & 190/55/17, used for some practise laps, pics on request. What they worth plus delivery?

[Aladinsaneuk]

phew....

thought we were opening another can of those tasty worms.....

[Cathcart]

That was my worry mate, pressures as we all know is a very touchy subject.

[Aladinsaneuk]

lol

[mangocrazy]

To be honest, the optimum tyre pressure is the one that suits you best. But always give the tyre a little time to warm up so it's giving of its best. I know that a lot of Dunlops recently (GP and Sportsmart) are capable of running over quite a wide pressure range and it's another thing to 'tune' based on preferences and results.

[HisNibbs]

one of the few things i STRONGLY disagree with griff over

the listed tyre pressures in the falco owners hand book are what you said

BUT

since those tyres are no longer available, we have to go by what is available now

and afaik, all the current tyres made to fit the falco have recommended pressures of 36/42

as i understand it, this is an agreed pressure between the tyre manufacturers

so - thats the base figure

some riders - the very skilled ones imho, run softer

I'm a 36/42 man and don't accept the "skilled" qualifier above. If you don't ride hard you'll probably get away with lower pressures than 36/42 with road tires but it'll be costing you money. If you do ride hard then at softer pressures the tires will overheat and cost you even more. Overheating leads to rapid wear and poor grip possibly making you feel like a hero because just look at the state of my tires.......

The basic rule is lower pressures lead to a higher tire temperature for any given loading. The faster you ride the higher the temperature your tire will attain and so the higher the pressure you should be starting with if you want to avoid overheating.


All that aside as Alad said the tire manufacturers now build tires to perform best for the average rider in average conditions, at an industry standard 36/42. Not much point in running less unless you are looking for a quick warm up but with an equally quick drop off in performance once you've done a few miles. Also a couple of PSI either way is not a big deal.

[randomsquid]

All that aside as Alad said the tire manufacturers now build tires to perform best for the average rider in average conditions, at an industry standard 36/42.

My 650 is 32/36 ish for the OE tyres and the roadsmarts. Not as powerful but just as heavy as a proper bike.

[Aladinsaneuk]

Iirc the higher pressures kick in on most 750+ bikes

[SimonDk]

basically a road legal track tyre, Dunlop d212 gp pro. On track the guy I get them from runs seriously low pressures, I was recommended to run 4psi below normal road tyre pressures as to keep flex and produce more heat...

Maybe this is relevant info:

"For optimum performance while heeled over on the track, tire manufacturers usually recommend running pressures lower than those reserved for the street. (...)
Since maximum grip is a good thing, why not just run race pressures on the street? First, according to Michelin's Claude Leroux, increased cornering grip comes at the expense of stability and feel. Lower pressures decrease straight-line stability, and regardless of how talented the rider is, most street bikes spend a high percentage of their time straight up. A side benefit of using the proper pressure is that the front tire will feel more precise and turn in quicker-a good thing during point-and-shoot sessions. Second, you can easily overheat your tires simply riding in a straight line by running the pressure too low."
From http://www.sportrider.com/tech/tires/14 ... ewall.html

[fatboy]

Bugger, got me worried now.
Mr Jackson said he checked my tyre pressures when i left his Famous Motor Cycle Emporium.
Down to the petrol station then ( assuming it will start again this year )

[D-Rider]

Mr Jackson likes lower pressures (the ones Aprilia suggests in their manual)

I've even tried these for an extended period and come to the conclusion that they are crap. 2.5/2.9 bar is where it's at for Pirellis on a Falco

Not often that Griff and I disagree (and I know pressures are largely a matter of personal preference) but he's wrong

[ReggieGasket]

Another reason riders use low pressures (cold tyres) at the track is that the tyres get very hot and therefore the pressure go up conisderably during riding. If you used standard cold pressures, the tyres woul get too hard on track.

[D-Rider]

On a track they should be adjusted hot (where possible)

Reasons that they are used lower on track usually fall mainly into 2 categories:
1) Those that are using race tyres with different construction designed to run at lower pressures

2) Those that follow the crowd in the mistaken belief that they should run lower pressures on track - despite the fact that road tyres should be run at about the manufacturers specified pressures wherever they are used.

There's a good article somewhere on here written by one of the tyre manufacturers that explains this.